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 more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).
1. A simple thing that makes you happy?
Starting a new notebook… THE BEST FEELING.
2. Do you enjoy doing crafts?
I do, but I’m less likely to craft on my own. I like going to a class where the materials are all there and someone walks you through the process of painting a picture or making a wreath or whatever the craft entails.
3. Salt on your fruit?
Nah! I’ll do a sprinkle of chili lime seasoning, though, on watermelon.
4. Flip-flops or Birkenstocks?
Flip-flops, but only the ones by Reef because they mold to the shape of your feet.
5. How good are you at setting boundaries?
I’m OK, I guess. I could be better about it in a handful of relationships in my life.
6. Coffee today?
YES, PLEASE. It’s not even noon, and I already need a second cup.
7. What’s your hairstyle today?
I’m wearing it down today because I need a break from the funbun I’ve been rocking for the last couple of weeks. My mane is in a wavy mood, so I decided to go with the flow and added a few loose waves with my curling iron.
8. Have you watched any good TV shows lately?
Yes! “The Dropout” on Hulu, which is about the rise and fall of Theranos, the blood testing company. I also enjoyed “The Gilded Age” on HBO because you know I’m all about period pieces!
9. Something you have to do this week?
I need to go to the DMV to renew my license and get my picture taken.
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. A simple thing that makes you happy?
2. Do you enjoy doing crafts?
3. Salt on your fruit?
4. Flip-flops or Birkenstocks?
5. How good are you at setting boundaries?
6. Coffee today?
7. What’s your hairstyle today?
8. Have you watched any good TV shows lately?
9. Something you have to do this week?
P.P.S. Hello, sweet friend. I hope your Monday is treating you well and that something great happens to you this week! 🤗
1. A simple thing that makes you happy? Photos of my baby niece and nephews!
2. Do you enjoy doing crafts? With good instruction yes and with kids always. I am not good on my own crafting.
3. Salt on your fruit? No thank you
4. Flip-flops or Birkenstocks? Birkenstocks. I have no natural arch so they help – flip flops just don’t help with that enough but they are much cuter.
5. How good are you at setting boundaries? I am a work in progress in this area and have been trying harder to be aware of this especially with my workplace colleagues and manager and with some family members
6. Coffee today? Absolutely!!!
7. What’s your hairstyle today? Up in a clip. Same old same old. I need it cut. Too long and heavy to wear down and still look put together.
8. Have you watched any good TV shows lately? Taboo on Netflix was interesting and the Jimmy Saville story also on Netflix although that series may disturb some viewers so please read the info before viewing
9. Something you have to do this week? Find fun “Easter Bunny” treats for my niece and nephews that are no candy, their parents have that sorted.
Hi Vita,
Stickers are always fun for the kids! I always find cute little trinkets for gifting at Target. The $1 section is great.
Happy Monday!
1. A simple thing that makes you happy? Painting my nails.
2. Do you enjoy doing crafts? Yes! I enjoy knitting and doodling mandalas. I think everyone would benefit from doing something a little artistic.
3. Salt on your fruit? Yes. Tajin is good too.
4. Flip-flops or Birkenstocks? I love both! My sister got me a pair of those Birks made from Crocs material last year, they’re comfy.
5. How good are you at setting boundaries? I work really hard at not putting myself in positions where I need to set boundaries, or being around people whom I need to set boundaries with. Because I’m bad at boundaries.
6. Coffee today? Yes. Everyday.
7. What’s your hairstyle today? Messy bun with bangs.
8. Have you watched any good TV shows lately? I’m working on “The Dropout”, and “The Thing About Pam”, both are true stories and so entertaining!
9. Something you have to do this week? It’s starting to get warm, so I need to dig out my shorts.
“The Dropout” is very compelling, although by the end of it, I was just mad. LOL.
Anywho, have a good week!
1. A simple thing that makes you happy? Finishing up something – almost anything actually.
2. Do you enjoy doing crafts? Yeah, particularly knitting, which I do almost every day.
3. Salt on your fruit? No, but it sounds interesting.
4. Flip-flops or Birkenstocks? Birks – don’t like anything between my toes.
5. How good are you at setting boundaries? Very, very good. I’ve had some practice.
6. Coffee today? No, more of a Diet Dr. Pepper person and I’ve had A LOT today.
7. What’s your hairstyle today? It was a wash day, so it’s side-parted and down.
8. Have you watched any good TV shows lately? Not really, although we’re about to start the current seasons of Picard and Better Call Saul.
9. Something you have to do this week? Order patio furniture and hopefully we will have the last bid so we can make a decision on a landscaper this week.
Hey, E.D. What are you knitting these days?
I have three major projects – a baby sweater (Peapod Baby Sweater) for someone on my team, a baby blanket (Leafy Baby Blanket) for someone else on my team, and a pullover (Sunday Tee) for myself. I also have a stack of things to rip out and make into something else.
That’s so cool that you can actually make stuff! I have friends who can knit socks and sweaters and everything in between. I tried to pick up knitting a few years ago and while I enjoyed the meditative aspect of it, I never progressed further than simple scarves. I would love to start up again, though. My goal would be to knit a pair of rainbow leg warmers.
1. A simple thing that makes you happy? Snuggling with the kitties. One of them always wants to hang with me and someone always greets me at the door
2. Do you enjoy doing crafts? More projects than just crafts for crafts sake. I enjoy sewing- I make stuff for the house and every friend who has a baby gets a baby blanket. I also make cat toys for the local shelter
3. Salt on your fruit? No
4. Flip-flops or Birkenstocks? Flip flops – hard no on Birkenstocks
5. How good are you at setting boundaries? A little too good. I had to hone this skill a few years ago during some tough times and now I think I need to reign it back a bit
6. Coffee today? Nope – never been a coffee drinker
7. What’s your hairstyle today? Same as everyday – short pixie cut
8. Have you watched any good TV shows lately? I feel like that’s all I do anymore. After Life with Ricky Gervase. Dark comedy but really good. Inventing Anna – good but really just wanted to reach into the screen and bitch-slap her into next week! She was such a nasty thing – part of me thinks the people that gave her money were deserved to get fleeced.
9. Something you have to do this week? Call the vet – all the cats need to go
I hope the visit to the vet goes smoothly with all the cats. Oh, and note to self: bring Rosie Pose in for a checkup soon.
Have a nice week, Melissa!
1. A simple thing that makes you happy?
Flowers. I love flowers, as long as I’m not allergic to them.
2. Do you enjoy doing crafts?
Yes!
3. Salt on your fruit?
Oh, ew. Ew. Ewwwww.
4. Flip-flops or Birkenstocks?
Neither. Give me a sturdy pair of flats, please.
5. How good are you at setting boundaries?
I’ve been slowly developing these things called boundaries. The problem is, when I make one, I’m like a wall on said boundary. There’s no leeway.
6. Coffee today?
7. What’s your hairstyle today?
Down and flipped to the left.
8. Have you watched any good TV shows lately?
I’m rewatching Downton Abbey at present. I’m on season 4?
9. Something you have to do this week?
Get my blood drawn, pick out new glasses, buy a new crop for horse lessons. I’ve been losing stuff left and right this year!
Hey, Kate! There’s a new Downton Abbey movie coming out soon. I’m definitely going to watch it!
Have a great week.
1. A simple thing that makes you happy? Chasing my dog around the yard. She’s a husky and loves to run and leap for the sheer joy of it—even though she’s fourteen. What an old lady!
2. Do you enjoy doing crafts? I make my own calendars to put up on the frig. I love coming up with a theme related to the month and then decorating to suit it.
3. Salt on your fruit? No. I really don’t care much for the taste of salt. When I was a kid, though, I loved salt on grapefruit and oranges.
4. Flip-flops or Birkenstocks? Both
5. How good are you at setting boundaries? I have no problem whatsoever as I’m a very forthright person.
6. Coffee today? I had a mid-morning Nespresso.
7. What’s your hairstyle today? Loosely piled on top of my head.
8. Have you watched any good TV shows lately? Yes. Last night we watched “The Miracle” on Netflix. It’s a heart-warming Turkish comedy-drama. Touching and delightful. Love Turkish TV 😃
9. Something you have to do this week? I have to schedule an appointment to have our household water filter serviced.
I’m adding that Netflix show to my list! I could use a heartwarming comedy-drama. Thanks, Eileen!
It’s in Turkish, but whoever wrote the subtitles did a pretty good job. The story takes place in a remote Kurdish village in the 1950’s. Nothing beats Turkey for incredible scenery and the characters are a total delight. Enjoy!
Ooh, I can’t wait to start it! I sometimes watch shows just for the scenery. Have you ever watched “The Durrells in Corfu”? I watch it just to see the beautiful colors of the ocean.
1. A simple thing that makes you happy?
My dog’s sweet wag.
2. Do you enjoy doing crafts?
Love it! But I’m the opposite of you, Karen! I like to assemble materials, skip most of the directions, and do something outside the box. I almost majored in art in college (but was compelled to be a bit more “practical”).
3. Salt on your fruit?
Rarely…but my Dad always salted his apple slices! Very distinct childhood memory. And occasionally his cantaloupe. It does taste pretty good!
4. Flip-flops or Birkenstocks?
High school and college, Birks. Since then, flip flops (Olukai). But lately Birks are so in fashion and have cute colors, it’s tempted me!
5. How good are you at setting boundaries?
Quite good. Maybe a little too good?!
6. Coffee today?
Nah. I drink decaf only, usually with dinner, but not every day. I’m with you on the nespresso, Karen!
7. What’s your hairstyle today?
Second day clean, down. Not crazy about my last few haircuts, but could be worse.
8. Have you watched any good TV shows lately?
Discovery (latest Star Trek) is better than I expected. And I really like Picard. You can tell the kind of family I’m in, lol.
9. Something you have to do this week?
Help my son zip through some really boring science labs at home. I need to assemble “common household materials”—we’ll see how it goes!
Happy week, Karen, I hope your flooring is going great!
Thanks, Amy. I hope you have a great week, too! We are almost done with the floors (should be today). The last big things are the kitchen and dining room; we’re keeping the floors but swapping the paint. So, one big last push to move things out of those two rooms, and then we’ll be done – for now! LOL.
BTW, I quite enjoy the “Star Trek” shows and movies. Lots of good stories!
1. A simple thing that makes you happy?
Seeing my flowers doing well in the spring. That period of time is usually fairly short, as it gets so hot that most plants don’t bloom much after the end of May. Also, there’s the risk that hail will destroy my Dutch iris, which are just on the verge of blooming (about 2 weeks late this year). My lobelia plants are blooming amazingly well right now.
2. Do you enjoy doing crafts? I used to. I spent a lot of my youth doing crafts. (In retrospect, that was probably not the best use of my time.) I taught myself to knit, crochet, and embroider as a child. I have a couple of eyeglass case kits that I need to complete.
3. Salt on your fruit? Never.
4. Flip-flops or Birkenstocks? Never had Birkenstocks (too expensive for my taste), so flip-flops.
5. How good are you at setting boundaries? Not nearly enough. My relatives are masters of intimidation and emotional blackmail. I’ve come to realize some of them are “covert” narcissists. One of them is an *overt* narcissist.
6. Coffee today? No, I don’t really like hot drinks except for the occasional hot chocolate, for which it is already too hot climate-wise to drink.
7. What’s your hairstyle today? Pulled into a ponytail to keep the 35 MPH wind from messing with it.
8. Have you watched any good TV shows lately? Just finished the 4th season of “The Crown” on DVD.
9. Something you have to do this week? Tax return, of course.
I love irises, CL. I hope yours get to bloom in all of their glory this season.
1. How my hair smells and feels after a shower.
2. No. 😅
3. No, I like them naked!
4. I don’t like flip flops because of the strap between my toes so I guess that leaves Birkenstocks for me!
5. I’m getting better at it everyday. Mostly.
6. No, but I’ll have tea!
7. Unwashed. 😅
8. I’m currently watching Bojack Horseman. I am on season 4. Sometimes I like it, sometimes I’m like what the hell did I just watch? Can’t stop watching it though.
9. Coach my kid’s soccer team. ♥️ Go Strikers!
Woo hoo, go Strikers! I hope they have a great season!
1. A simple thing that makes you happy? My nephews giggling- best thing in the world!
2. Do you enjoy doing crafts? Sometimes- it depends on the craft.
3. Salt on your fruit? Never tried that, but will one day.
4. Flip-flops or Birkenstocks? Flip flops though Birks are really comfy. (They’re too big for my narrow feet.)
5. How good are you at setting boundaries? Oh man- better, I wish, lol. I’m at the opposite end of the spectrum- I’m a doormat.
6. Coffee today? Venti iced caramel latte
7. What’s your hairstyle today? Straight and down when I first did it, though it’s getting warmer out so I put it up in a ponytail.
8. Have you watched any good TV shows lately? “The Outlaws” on Amazon Prime is really good.
9. Something you have to do this week? Get a haircut
1. A simple thing that makes you happy? Baking bread from scratch.
2. Do you enjoy doing crafts? not really, writing is my “craft”.
3. Salt on your fruit? No, but I will occasional grill watermelon and peaches on the grill in the summer.
4. Flip-flops or Birkenstocks? Flip-Flops
5. How good are you at setting boundaries? My last words on my headstone will be “Watch this!!”
6. Coffee today? No, weekends only (the caffeine keeps me awake at night). Mint Tea from Kona Coffee Company in Hawaii.
7. What’s your hairstyle today? Shoulder length, blown out straight.
8. Have you watched any good TV shows lately? I gave my TV away (seriously, I never watched it and have a HUGE computer monitor for streaming stuff).
9. Something you have to do this week? I’m teaching a class at the “Secret Squirrel” Academy via Zoom for the new agents. I actually am growing to enjoy it.
1. A simple thing that makes you happy? A good book. Nibbler the cat.
2. Do you enjoy doing crafts? Yes.
3. Salt on your fruit? Nah. I have a watermelon chaat recipe with jalapenos, cumin, mint and tangerine juice that I like to make.
4. Flip-flops or Birkenstocks? Flip-flops or as they call them in Hawaii, slippahs.
5. How good are you at setting boundaries? I’m good.
6. Coffee today? Yes! Started the day with some cold brew.
7. What’s your hairstyle today? Same as always. Wash and air dry. Not much to do with short hair.
8. Have you watched any good TV shows lately? I’ve rewatched Crash Landing on You for the umpteenth time. We’re also watching “Disenchantment” on Netflix and two odd little Japanese shows. One is an anime called “Kotaro Lives Alone” about a Kindergarten aged boy who lives on his own (no reason given so far) who is in some ways more mature than the adults living in his apartment building. And the other is a reality TV series called Old Enough which sends pre-school aged children in Japan on errands on their own. There’s a part of me that thinks that’s so dangerous. And then I remember being about 4 years old and going to the store on my own to pick up milk or other things my mother needed. And I grew up in a pretty big city.
9. Something you have to do this week? Find some clothes that fit to wear to Dear Daughter’s grad program graduation. (What does one wear to a graduation ceremony? I’ve been in jeans for the past two pandemic years. I don’t remember how to dress nicely)
Wait, she’s graduating already? The time certainly does fly. Will she be staying in NY or coming back home?
Oh, and as for the graduation ceremony, I vote for a dress that makes you feel great. 🙂
I know, it’s amazing how quickly time goes by now. She’s moving to the D.C. area. She was offered a job there. I’m stressing out just thinking of what needs to be done to coordinate that move. She’s still thinking of getting another degree in Economics eventually.
Hmmm, that’s the thing, I never feel great in dresses. The last dress I wore that I loved was over three years ago for my nephews wedding. Long sleeve, black, velvet Armani that I splurged on. I’ve gained weight since then so it probably doesn’t fit anymore. Sigh.
Did I mention I dislike summer weather and summer clothes? We spent the week before last in Seattle and it was cool and cloudy and a bit rainy and I loved it!
1. A simple thing that makes you happy?
The sunshine outside my window and the birds singing in the mornings
2. Do you enjoy doing crafts?
No. I despise it.
3. Salt on your fruit?
No. But balsamic vinegar on my strawberries
4. Flip-flops or Birkenstocks?
Flip-Flops
5. How good are you at setting boundaries?
With a few exceptions, very good. But these exceptions can be quite draining.
6. Coffee today?
No. Always black tea, preferably Earl Grey.
7. What’s your hairstyle today?
Messy bun with a hair clip – it is a day off work for me.
8. Have you watched any good TV shows lately?
No, but I have saved Bridgerton 2 for my week off.
9. Something you have to do this week?
Pack for my trip with the kids that starts tomorrow. Other than that – nothing.