So…what is the Monday Poll?
Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a good start. ?
1. Can you keep a secret?
Girlfriend, it’s like Fort Knox up in here! You can tell me what ya need to get off your chest. I won’t tell a soul (well, unless it’s hella illegal; then truth be told we will have an issue.)
2. What’s inspiring you right now?
’80s fashion, particularly the costuming in Desperately Seeking Susan. ’90s makeup, for sure! OH, and pies. ALL THE PIES.
3. What time did your alarm go off this morning?
Six o’clock on the dot. But I didn’t roll outta bed until 6:10.
4. What does your alarm currently sound like?
It’s got chimes in it. I use my phone, although I really want to start using a regular alarm clock so I don’t have to keep my phone by my bed. Anyway, it sounds kinda xylaphone-y. “Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding!”
5. What’s the least used condiment in your pantry?
UGH. We always have a big-@ss bottle of Tabasco, and I never touch the stuff. El Hub loves it, but I had a traumatic experience when I was in elementary school involving a dare at the babysitter’s house, Tabasco and some canned peaches… Yeah, it was gross.
6. Favorite country to visit?
I’m halfway tempted to say Hawaii because when you go to Hawaii it feels like a different country, for real. But it’s not! Sooo, right now I’m going to say the last country I remember visiting and liking, which is Canada, eh.
7. Describe your brows in three words.
A little problematic. HAHAHA!
8. The most overused phrase right now?
Literally, people (including me) need to stop prefacing sentences with the word “literally.” STTAHHHHHHHP!
9. Write a nice note to the other people reading the poll right now!
I think you’re beautiful and you’re tougher than you think you are, and you’re doing great!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon.
1. Can you keep a secret?
2. What’s inspiring you right now?
3. What time did your alarm go off this morning?
4. What does your alarm currently sound like?
5. What’s the least used condiment in your pantry?
6. Favorite country to visit?
7. Describe your brows in three words.
8. The most overused phrase right now?
9. Write a nice note to the other people reading the poll right now!
P.P.S. Hello, sweet friend. Sending you a big hug from across the keyboard, and good thoughts for the week. I’ve decided that from this point on the holiday season, I’m going to focus on the future. No looking back at the past. Just eyes ahead at all the opportunities and good things on the horizon. Wanna come with me? I would love the company. ?
1. Can you keep a secret? – I’m pretty good and keeping them.
2. What’s inspiring you right now? – Not much, honestly.
3. What time did your alarm go off this morning? – 6 am but didn’t get out of bed till like 6:40. It’s a rainy gloomy day here in Philadelphia and I always have a hard time getting out of bed on days like today.
4. What does your alarm currently sound like? – It’s through my iPhone. I think it’s the standard alarm sound.
5. What’s the least used condiment in your pantry? – For me, hot sauce. I’m not a fan.
6. Favorite country to visit? – I’ve never visited another country but I’ve always wanted to go to Europe – anywhere in Europe.
7. Describe your brows in three words. – Thinning aging brows
8. The most overused phrase right now? – With the election going on, I keep seeing in my Facebook feed “Wake up People”. It’s so freaking annoying. Just cause anyone doesn’t agree with you or your views, it doesn’t mean they’re asleep.
9. Write a nice note to the other people reading the poll right now! – You’re doing awesome through these trying times! Keep it up!!
Hi Barb,
It’s been cold here too in the mornings. Definitely a challenge to get myself up outta bed when it’s chilly out!
I hope you’re having a nice Monday so far.
P.S. You’re doing awesome too!
1. Can you keep a secret?
Yes.
2. What’s inspiring you right now?
Kids under 10 starting their own philanthropic organizations and doing amazing work to help their communities and beyond. So many adults can learn from their innocence, enthusiasm, and optimism (myself included).
3. What time did your alarm go off this morning?
I don’t use an alarm but I woke up at 6:30 AM on the dot. Covid has shifted my internal alarm clock forward by two hours!
4. What does your alarm currently sound like?
My 10-minute shavasana alarm is “Slow Rise,” those sleepy, chimey bells.
5. What’s the least used condiment in your pantry?
That last itty bit of avocado mayo. All it needs is one last mini-spatula scrape to be done!
6. Favorite country to visit?
You’re totally right on Hawai’i feeling like another country at times! I don’t mind Canada (Montreal) or Austria to visit family.
7. Describe your brows in three words.
Non.Des.Cript. Does that count?
8. The most overused phrase right now?
Literally also. Whenever I hear it I’m always waiting for its correct usage but then I’m usually disappointed.
9. Write a nice note to the other people reading the poll right now!
Extend kindness and gentleness to yourself right now! It’s never a better time.
Thank you for that note! There is so much to be said about allowing ourselves grace during this time.
Absolutely. Sadly, my default is to poo-poo on myself all the time, for the tiniest infractions. Grace is a great word and reminder for these times. Grace to wear sweats or a full pantsuit at home if we want. Grace to not wear makeup or to sprinkle glitter all over our faces if we want. Grace to order out or cook in, if we want. Grace to break down and cry when it all feels so shitty, or to laugh at nothing if we want.
1. Can you keep a secret?
Hell to the no, and everyone knows it! I just found out I’m pregnant, and it’s going to be really hard to not to tell anyone for 10 more weeks! I’m writing it here cause I need to tell someone besides the boyfriend!
2. What’s inspiring you right now?
3. What time did your alarm go off this morning? 7 and no snoozing! The cat alarm went off at 3 and 5 as well.
4. What does your alarm currently sound like? Just the normal iPhone one.
5. What’s the least used condiment in your pantry? I decided this summer that I don’t like ketchup anymore so there’s a dusty bottle sitting in the pantry since by boyfriend is the only one eating it!
6. Favorite country to visit?
A warm one! I’ve been to Mexico and Jamaica and would go back or I would explore other warm, beachy countries.
7. Describe your brows in three words.
Thin from overplucking.
8. The most overused phrase right now?
“That being said…”
9. Write a nice note to the other people reading the poll right now!
You got this girl! We’ve all survived this long through a crazy time, what’s a few more months?!
AHHHH! I’m very happy for you, Rachel. I hope everything goes smoothly for you in the next few weeks!
Thanks! I hope so too!
Congratulations! Good luck with your “secret”! 😉
Ha! Thanks!
1. Can you keep a secret?
Definitely.
2. What’s inspiring you right now?
My book club and their adventurous attitude towards reading. I’ve found so many great books I wouldn’t have tried otherwise, and I find that attitude spilling over into other parts of my life lately, like cooking and decorating.
3. What time did your alarm go off this morning?
9 a.m. I woke up earlier, but gave myself a Monday morning break.
4. What does your alarm currently sound like?
A double beep.
5. What’s the least used condiment in your pantry?
I have several flavored vinegars, which I love, but are very specific flavors with limited uses.
6. Favorite country to visit?
I’ve only been to the touristy part of Mexico and to Canada, so it will have to be Canada for me. The Falls were awe-inspiring!
7. Describe your brows in three words.
Situation is urgent!
8. The most overused phrase right now?
“You know you need to stop”. Yes, most people do know they need to stop, but they don’t want to. Pointing that out isn’t going to change their minds.
9. Write a nice note to the other people reading the poll right now!
Y’all, things are weird out there. Do something nice for yourself this week. Paint your nails. Binge watch your favorite show. Light the ‘good’ candles and eat dinner on the ‘fancy’ plates. Get a haircut. (I highly recommend the haircut- I feel so much better after mine!) Whatever it is, you deserve a reward because you are winning 2020!
Hi Suzanne,
I would love to know any great books you’ve come across at your book club!
I absolutely loved The Poet X, by Elizabeth Acevedo. It’s a novel in verse about a teenage girl in Harlem who excels at slam poetry, but has to deal with an extremely strict mother. It was an unexpected gem and I’m excited that we’re reading another of her books in February.
Other books we’ve loved lately are The Jane Austen Society (great on audiobook!), The Ten Thousand Doors of January (described as ‘fantasy for people who don’t read fantasy’), and a fun YA historical fiction/fantasy/mythology mashup, Lovely War, by Julie Berry.
1. Can you keep a secret? absolutely (because I will probably forget it)
2. What’s inspiring you right now? Fall, virtual walks through london on Youtube (check out the incredible flower filled cafes!)
3. What time did your alarm go off this morning? about 6:45am -I don’t use my alarm clock… I have cats!
4. What does your alarm currently sound like? Meow! Meow! (accompanied by poking in the face)
5. What’s the least used condiment in your pantry? cocktail sauce
6. Favorite country to visit? The only foreign country I have been to is Germany, but I think my favorite would be England, if I ever get to go there.
7. Describe your brows in three words. half are missing
8. The most overused phrase right now? Cannot think of a phrase, but the word ” Like” young people especially, looking at you, Kardasian sisters, please stop putting “like” after every other freaking word!! You sound like idiots! Also, I agree with you about “literally”
9. Write a nice note to the other people reading the poll right now! I love reading all of your comments everyday on Karen’s blog, and you always brighten up my day, because you are all such nice people!
1. Can you keep a secret? It depends what or who the secret is about. Although my memory is like a sieve these days, so I’d probably forget it.
2. What’s inspiring you right now? Photos Dear Daughter took in Tahoe, Idaho, and Yellowstone.
3. What time did your alarm go off this morning? 6:15, but I was up and putting on my slippers already when it went off.
4. What does your alarm currently sound like? On my phone, “One Summer’s Day” from the movie Spirited Away. (I keep my phone plugged in across the room. I don’t like it by my head at night.)
5. What’s the least used condiment in your pantry? Ketchup. I swear the date on the bottle is 2017. I’d rather use kimchi, curry sauce or salsa.
6. Favorite country to visit? Japan. But I so totally get thinking that Hawaii is a different country. I can remember standing at the boarding gate to get on a flight to Kauai and looking at Dear Husband and asking him if changed any money before we got there. Lol.
7. Describe your brows in three words. Dad’s, forté, graying.
8. The most overused phrase right now? Hella
9. Write a nice note to the other people reading the poll right now! I enjoy reading everyone’s comments and answers. Everyone sounds so interesting, cool and nice that I’d like to have a get together someday to meet y’all in person.
1 – Can you keep a secret? Probably not.
2 – What’s inspiring you right now? Honestly not much. I do go for a 2-3 mile walk every morning. That helps.
3 – What time did your alarm go off this morning? – 7AM
4 – What does your alarm currently sound like? “God only Knows” by the Beach Boys, it’s my favorite song.
5 – What’s the least used condiment in your pantry? Yellow mustard. No one here likes it, but I keep it for when my daughter visits.
6 – Favorite country to visit? I had traveled quite a bit before this *?&%^ Pandemic and I really was impressed by Vietnam. It’s a beautiful country.
7 – Describe your brows in three words. Sad, sad, sad.
8 – The most overused phrase right now? “No problem” I really hate it – just say, “You’re Welcome”.
9 – Write a nice note to the other people reading the poll right now! Thanks for all your comments, I love reading them.
Good alarm tune! I love The Beach Boys!
1. Can you keep a secret?
Girl, I can keep a secret from my own self. (But I do agree with you on the illegal situation. That would be a no-go.)
2. What’s inspiring you right now?
My cute dog, long lines at the polls, a feeling of inner joy despite all the odds.
3. What time did your alarm go off this morning?
I don’t use an alarm but usually wake up around 5:30.
4. What does your alarm currently sound like?
The quiet thought that it’s time to get up.
5. What’s the least used condiment in your pantry?
Soy sauce! I think that bottle’s been there since the middle ages. I should investigate.
6. Favorite country to visit?
Mexico. Canada. UK.
7. Describe your brows in three words.
Just fine, thanks. Happy with them. (Two sets of three words, lol)
8. The most overused phrase right now?
I would agree with “literally,” but my 13 year old says it (with a hard emphasis on the “t”), and somehow it manages to be funny every time. So I’ll say…”I’m good.” That drives me nuts. When you offer someone something and they say, “I’m good.” I always think, “I know you’re good. I’m sure you’re good. But would you like the bowl of pistachios?!”
9. Write a nice note to the other people reading the poll right now!
You are loving and loved.
I’m so with you on opportunities ahead, Karen – and here right now. Count me in!
1. Can you keep a secret? Yes. I’ve kept some for decades.
2. What’s inspiring you right now? Nothing much. I do have some nice cosmos flowers blooming right now that I might use as watercolor subjects.
3. What time did your alarm go off this morning? 8:45.
4. What does your alarm currently sound like? NPR radio most times; sometimes an oldies FM station.
5. What’s the least used condiment in your pantry? Mustard. It’s there for guests to use.
6. Favorite country to visit? I’ve never been out of the country. I think I would like England if I ever got a chance to go there.
7. Describe your brows in three words. Getting more unruly.
8. The most overused phrase right now? There are so many, but I’m getting really tired of “I know, right?!”
9. Write a nice note to the other people reading the poll right now! Hang in there, wear a mask, keep your distance, etc., etc., and hopefully this dark time will pass. I believe the healing of our country will begin in January.
1. Can you keep a secret? Yes!
2. What’s inspiring you right now? The leaves changing colors- so pretty!
3. What time did your alarm go off this morning? 5:30 am
4. What does your alarm currently sound like? Beep
5. What’s the least used condiment in your pantry? Mayo
6. Favorite country to visit? France
7. Describe your brows in three words. Uneven, yet awesome.
8. The most overused phrase right now? “The new normal”
9. Write a nice note to the other people reading the poll right now! You all rock! We’re going to get through all of this together and come out stronger!
1. Can you keep a secret?
Yes. (Must I, though?)
2. What’s inspiring you right now?
The gorgeous fall leaves changing color. They’re especially stunning this year.
3. What time did your alarm go off this morning?
8:30, but I got up much earlier.
4. What does your alarm currently sound like?
It’s a little tune called First Light, on the iPhone.
5. What’s the least used condiment in your pantry?
Oh, all of them? So…many…condiments. It’s like they’re breeding and making baby condiments.
6. Favorite country to visit?
France.
7. Describe your brows in three words.
Blonde, unruly, nice.
8. The most overused phrase right now?
“It is what it is” needed to die a natural death about ten years ago.
9. Write a nice note to the other people reading the poll right now!
You are enough, just the way you are. Really!
Happy Tuesday! 🙂
1. Can you keep a secret? It depends. If it’s a serious secret that will really affect someone, then yes. If it’s something light that happened long ago, I might accidentally be like “remember when…” in front of people who weren’t in on the secret. I would not intentionally tell someone’s secret, and definitely not with malicious intent, though.
2. What’s inspiring you right now? I always feel so vapid when I answer these questions because I can never think of anything! HAHA! Actually, probably organizing pictures and “memories” for all the boys’ Senior year events.
3. What time did your alarm go off this morning? The time on the clock was 6:15. The actual time was 5:45. I know it’s weird but feeling like I’m getting up before 6 makes me feel more tired and less willing to get out of bed. 🙂
4. What does your alarm currently sound like? So obnoxious. Like a loud, beeping, air raid blaring.
5. What’s the least used condiment in your pantry? We have a few specialty mustards that are only used with certain things at certain times of the year, so probably those.
6. Favorite country to visit? Oh, boy. I’m going to stick with Italy.
7. Describe your brows in three words. Tragic Right Brow!
8. The most overused phrase right now? Literally, I think the most overused word is… HAHA! Kidding. The kids still say “legit” which drives me insane. ie: I legit thought I handed that in. (grrr)
9. Write a nice note to the other people reading the poll right now! Reading this blog and everyone’s comments always brightens my day.
1. Can you keep a secret? Sure – I wouldn’t want anyone to blab mine so I’m careful
2. What’s inspiring you right now? Cool weather which I love. Hiking, sweaters, cozy fires
3. What time did your alarm go off this morning? I don’t use an alarm – I am usually awake by 5:30-6 and in the shower by 7
4. What does your alarm currently sound like? I use the alarm on my phone as reminders and it’s a chime
5. What’s the least used condiment in your pantry? Mustard – only in dressings
6. Favorite country to visit? Iceland
7. Describe your brows in three words. Natural, dark, neat
8. The most overused phrase right now? When people speak with text shortcuts – LOL, OMG, etc
9. Write a nice note to the other people reading the poll right now! It could be worse – we could be trying on bathing suits now! Have a lovely day!