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. Last thing you read?
Ugh, I’m almost ashamed to admit it, but I just read an article online about the couples from “Love Is Blind Season 3,” a reality show I binged-watched on Netflix recently. Have you seen it? It’s BANANAS.
2. Cook a meal or order take out?
Depends on how tired I am at the end of the day! Lately, though, I’d much rather cook a quick meal at home because takeout is too salty.
3. What color is your hair right now?
Salt and pepper black and white with random pieces of reddish brown that peek through when the sun hits it.
4. What’s on your nails?
Lately OPI You Sustain Me (a creamy mauve) has been my boo.
5. Something you’ve been craving lately?
Sinigang na baka, which is a type of Filipino beef stew.
6. Do you cut your cuticles?
Nope. My mom used to cut hers back in the day and it just seemed like a lot of work.
7. What was it like growing up as the youngest/oldest/middle or only child?
I’m the oldest of two (it’s me and my brother, who’s six years younger), and for the most part being the oldest was really tedious. My parents were stricter with me, and the the expectations they had for me were soooo different compared to my little brother, who seriously got away with everything. Overall, though, being the oldest was alright. It’s nice not having to deal with an older sibling bossing me around.
8. What are your plans for Thanksgiving?
We’re keeping it mellow this year — just me, El Hub and Rosie will be chillin’ here at home. I might make a seven-layer dip. Or I might not. We’ll see!
9. Something you learned last week?
If it’s an option, buy the travel insurance, especially if you’re traveling with a kid. Also, eating chips makes me feel terrible afterward.
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. Last thing you read?
2. Cook a meal or order take out?
3. What color is your hair right now?
4. What’s on your nails?
5. Something you’ve been craving lately?
6. Do you cut your cuticles?
7. What was it like growing up as the youngest/oldest/middle or only child?
8. What are your plans for Thanksgiving?
9. Something you learned last week?
P.P.S. Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, I hope that your Monday is full of sweetness and light! Have a wonderful day and a peaceful Thanksgiving week. STAY HEALTHY! 🤗
1. Last thing you read?
An article on the new (new/old) CEO of Disney. I’m in favor of the change.
2. Cook a meal or order take out?
Takeout right now. My kitchen is under remodeling, and we’re in a two week phase where all I have is a fridge and an air fryer in my living room.
3. What color is your hair right now?
Dark espresso brown.
4. What’s on your nails?
A red (can’t remember the name) in OPI Infinite Shine. It’s an even better formula than my HG Essie Gel Couture. I’m planning to pick up You Sustain Me— love the color on you.
5. Something you’ve been craving lately?
Salad or anything healthy or homemade— the takeout is getting to me.
6. Do you cut your cuticles?
If I have time, yes. My manis look fresher longer that way, but sometimes I get lazy.
7. What was it like growing up as the youngest/oldest/middle or only child?
Only— pros and cons. I’m super close with my parents and never lacked attention or love, but I missed having a built in friend (potentially— I know it doesn’t always work out that way).
8. What are your plans for Thanksgiving?
My parents were going to come, but my mom just came fine with Covid, so it will be me, my husband, snd my two boys (10 & 12), and it will be low key— because no kitchen. We will probably work on the house.
9. Something you learned last week?
I’m working seasonally at our town’s outdoor ice rink. I’ve been learning how to drive the Zamboni. It’s not something I ever thought I’d do, but it’s kind of fun. And it’s like learning to drive all over again, complete with a guy my dad’s age (the head maintenance guy) yelling (in a nice way) at me telling me what to do.
I am SO jealous of you getting to drive a Zamboni!
Learning to drive a Zamboni!!! That is so awesome!!
1. Last thing you read?
Article about how the Kardashians should be canceled. I somewhat agree. I have a love/hate relationship with them. Their new show is insufferable yet I can’t look away.
2. Cook a meal or order take out?
Take out! Between a full time job and being a mom of twins, I have no time to cook and not much interest in it either!
3. What color is your hair right now?
I just got my hair done a couple weeks ago so it’s brown with highlights and lowlights for dimension – I like how it turned out!
4. What’s on your nails?
Nothing – I just removed a burgundy color that was badly chipped and I hope to paint them tonight – maybe the same color!
5. Something you’ve been craving lately?
Chinese – shrimp with hot black bean sauce to be specific.
6. Do you cut your cuticles?
Yes or I push them back – I am trying to keep them moisturized because they get so dry in the winter!
7. What was it like growing up as the youngest/oldest/middle or only child?
I was an only child – which I don’t think I minded really. I don’t have anything to compare it to though! I always had lots of cousins and friends around but also appreciated my alone time – still do.
8. What are your plans for Thanksgiving?
Staying close to home and going to my aunts’ house.
9. Something you learned last week?
That the girls now hate traveling in the car. I blame it on them being 9 months now and they are so aware and have major FOMO all the time!
1. Last thing you read? Your poll! Lol! And the December copy of “Taste Of Home” magazine last night before bed.
2. Cook a meal or order take out? Cook a meal. I moved to Michigan from Central CA six months ago, all the stories of bland food up here, true. It’s like they’re afraid of salt.
3. What color is your hair right now? Dark brown with three inch blond highlights. I need to find a hairdresser here.
4. What’s on your nails? A Great Lakes Lacquer called “The Blind Bandit”, it’s a neutral medium green.
5. Something you’ve been craving lately? Tacos. Really authentic Central California tacos.
6. Do you cut your cuticles? No.
7. What was it like growing up as the youngest/oldest/middle or only child? My twin brother and I are the oldest, we have a younger sister. However my brother was sick a lot in Kinder, so he repeated and I didn’t. While I’m half of the oldest, I’m considered the oldest because I was ahead in school. It was alright, my parents were stricter on me, but they needed to be. I was a bit of a hellion.
8. What are your plans for Thanksgiving? Hanging out with friends, I’m making rolls, pecan pie, and a cabbage salad.
9. Something you learned last week? That venison, while kind of sad, is tasty in stroganoff.
1. Last thing you read? Manuscript with final edits for an anthology I’m part of that’s publishing soon. I have to agree with author Tom Clancy “having someone edit your book is like watching someone tattoo your baby”
2. Cook a meal or order take out? Cook – takeout is way too salty for me.
3. What color is your hair right now? Dark auburn and some light copper that shows up when it gets longer.
4. What’s on your nails? Chanel Harmonie’ No. 937 (pale nude)
5. Something you’ve been craving lately? Ice cream (I know – when it’s like 10 degrees outside).
6. Do you cut your cuticles? No.
7. What was it like growing up as the youngest/oldest/middle or only child? I was adopted with another child. He was two years older but being adopted at the same time we acted more like twins. He was my best friend until he died in 2014.
8. What are your plans for Thanksgiving? Just my husband and I. Scottish dinner of meat pies, homemade bread, Brittanic coleslaw, and apple shortbread pie.
9. Something you learned last week? If you throw out the bruised apple to the raccoon, he’ll show up the next night with 6 of his drunken raccoon friends.
1. Last thing you read? It
2. Cook a meal or order take out? I cook a few times a week and order out when there’s a game on (go Dubs)
3. What color is your hair right now? Black
4. What’s on your nails? A deep purple color- not sure if it’s Essie or OPI
5. Something you’ve been craving lately? Some version of chicken rice!
6. Do you cut your cuticles? No
7. What was it like growing up as the youngest/oldest/middle or only child? As the youngest of 6, my parents were much more relaxed once I was in my teens. I didn’t get “policed” as much and was free to come and go as I pleased. I was pretty responsible, though, so I didn’t abuse the privilege or anything.
8. What are your plans for Thanksgiving? Visiting my mom and then having lunch at my sister’s. Small gathering of 9 people. A lot of people in my family will be out of town/country this Thanksgiving.
9. Something you learned last week? I learned that it’s really nice to be able to play a sport that my husband, son, and I all enjoy.
Hope your Thanksgiving is easy and fun, KC. Take care of yourself!
1. Last thing you read?
A Mayo Clinic article about Hypertensive Crisis.
2. Cook a meal or order take out?
Take out is the best thing ever.
3. What color is your hair right now?
Dirty blonde (my natural color). Oh, there’s some grey in there too!
4. What’s on your nails?
Nothing.
5. Something you’ve been craving lately?
Cake. When do I not?
6. Do you cut your cuticles?
No.
7. What was it like growing up as the youngest/oldest/middle or only child?
Middle child here. My brother is older by two years and my sister is younger by three years. It seemed like the oldest got attention for being the eldest (and the only boy) and the youngest got attention because both my parents were the youngest in their respective families. Other than that the yearning for diplomacy is real. Middle kid feels really uncomfortable when people aren’t getting along. That tendency has carried over into adulthood.
8. What are your plans for Thanksgiving?
So far, stay home alone. I’ve been having some health issues so not planning on going afield.
9. Something you learned last week?
Life is precious, and fragile. Enjoy every moment with the people you love, and don’t take those moments for granted.
I hope your recovery goes smoothly, Susan. take care of yourself.
I really enjoyed reading everyone’s responses!
1. I’m reading a book called “the girls in the stilt house.” It’s got “where the crawdads sing” vibes but make it two adventurous girls murdering a deadbeat dad instead of scorned lover murdering her old bf.
2. Cook a meal
3. Au natural: dark brown with some silver sprinkled in!
4. They’re naked!
5. Popcorn
6. Sometimes
7. I was the oldest and did just fine! I had a happy childhood.
8. We’re volunteering at the community Thanksgiving then going over to someone’s house I’ve only met once. 😆
9. Idk!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, Jaclyn!
1. Last thing you read? “I’ll Drink To That” by Betty Halbreich
2. Cook a meal or order take out? Either. Depends on how tired I am or how inspired I am or not. We have an amazing Singaporean restaurant in our neighborhood and I can eat there at least once a week and not get tired of it.
3. What color is your hair right now? Salt N Peppa!
4. What’s on your nails? Nothing.
5. Something you’ve been craving lately? Singaporean roti prata with curry sauce.
6. Do you cut your cuticles? No
7. What was it like growing up as the youngest/oldest/middle or only child? Only girl and youngest. Got beat up on by my brothers all the time. My Dad doted on me. My Mom was super strict and critical of my every move, always telling me I was nothing like her. I know she loved me, it was just hard living up to her standards. I ended up being the black sheep/rebel.
8. What are your plans for Thanksgiving? Dear Daughter is in town. She made a pie. I should get off my butt and start doing prep work. At least make the stuffing ahead of time.
9. Something you learned last week? No idea if I learned anything at all last week. Lol.
Happy Thanksgiving!
1. Last thing you read?
Non-work-related? I am reading a coming of age novel my daughter recommended (yes, we are doing this now). It is surprisignly nice though.
2. Cook a meal or order take out?
Always order takeout – I don’t like cooking. It is my husbands job.
3. What color is your hair right now?
Blonde with some grey in the roots – next appointment is already booked.
4. What’s on your nails?
Nothing this week.
5. Something you’ve been craving lately?
Oranges!
6. Do you cut your cuticles?
No, I’d only hurt myself.
7. What was it like growing up as the youngest/oldest/middle or only child?
I am the oldest of four and it wasn’t bad, even though my parents were much stricter with me than with the others. The best thing was getting to do things like staying up late first, the worst thing is that everyone still assumes that I am in charge of taking care of everyone, even though we are all in our 40s now…
8. What are your plans for Thanksgiving?
None, it is not a thing in Germany.
9. Something you learned last week?
That I have an amazing husband.