Karen

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past 10 (!) years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine. ?

1. Texting: love it or leave it?

Love it…sort of. It’s fun, and I think I’m funnier in print than I am in person.

I also love being able to take and send pictures instantly… Remember when you had to call people up and describe things?? I remember my mom calling me from a Victoria’s Secret years ago and trying to describe a pair of green pajamas that she wanted to buy for me. I wanted to know what kind of green they were, so I asked if they were green like grass, green like a Christmas tree or green like Jell-O, and she just kept saying, “They’re yellow green. THEY’RE YELLOW GREEN!”

So pictures make things like that easier. 🙂

That said, sometimes I also hate texting and wish that people would pick up the damn phone. Plus, like in the case of my parents, who aren’t native English speakers, some things get lost in texting translation that I think are easier to explain on the phone. But I do get a kick out of seeing my mom go emoji happy ???? over text.

2. An event that permanently changed your life?

I mean, it wasn’t deep or metaphysical…but when I was 12 and my hair suddenly turned from straight, shiny wash-and-wear hair to wavy, it pretty much set me up for many, many terrible haircuts.

And on a less superficial note, leaving home at 18 to go to college was a big one. Up until then, I lived a pretty sheltered life, and being on my own for the first time, I felt very alone, and I didn’t have the vocabulary to describe how I was feeling. It opened the door for depression to enter my life, and I’ve dealt with it off and on every since.

3. Can you now, or have you ever been able to, do the splits?

Girl, no. I would be the worst gymnast ever. I can barely touch my toes when I bend my knees, LOL! I can’t even fathom doing the splits.

4. What does sisterhood mean to you?

Ya know…it’s just me and my younger brother, so everything I learned about sisterhood, I learned through my friends. To me, it means being there for your girls, and not just for the big things like graduations, engagements and weddings, but for the little things, too, like bringing soup to a friend who isn’t feeling well, or sending a quick email to a new mom to ask how she’s holding up, or offering a shoulder to cry on.

5. Converse shoes: high-tops or low-tops?

I like the look of high-tops but the comfort of low-tops, because every pair of Converse high-tops I’ve ever worn has dug into my ankles.

So, low-tops then. Pink low-tops, to get technical.

Happy Monday, my friend

Indulge me for a second, my friend. Take a deep breath in… Hold it. Now exhale…

Good. Relax those shoulders. They shouldn’t be scrunched up to your ears…

Ah… OK. Let’s take it easy until the coffee kicks in, shall we? Then all bets are off. 🙂

Good morning! I hope there’s a smile on your face. If there isn’t yet, then hey, here’s some hand lotion. *hands you a tube* For some reason, I always feel better when my hands are properly moisturized. Don’t ask me why.

Also, here’s a cup of coffee in a cat mug, because that ALSO always makes everything better.

If it’s raining there today, don’t forget that we’re inching toward spring! Pretty soon we’ll feel warm sunlight ☀️️ on our shoulders and our neck. It’s going to be glorious.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Here are the poll questions to copy/paste:

1. Texting: love it or leave it?
2. An event that permanently changed your life?
3. Can you now, or have you ever been able to, do the splits?
4. What does sisterhood mean to you?
5. Converse shoes: high-tops or low-tops?