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. Wild or sleek hair today?
Sleek, please. It’s windy in my neighborhood today, and windy weather plus wild hair equals mayhem.
2. Which would you rather: more steps in your skin care or less?
My skin seems to do better the less I fuss with it, so less steps – like 3 or 4, max.
3. Something nice that happened to you recently?
I spent all day yesterday reading! It was glorious.
4. Last time you were on crutches?
Back in eighth grade — approximately one million years ago. LOL! I sprained my ankle doing sprints in track and hobbled around for a month.
5. A tea you like?
Darjeeling, with cream and a little sugar.
6. A place you like to go when you need a reset?
The beach. There’s something about the steady sound of waves lapping the shore and the feeling of sand between my toes that just feels right.
7. What would you rather have: a personal chef or house cleaning team?
I’d go with the personal chef because I find cooking tedious. (Baking is another story.) I’ve also hired house cleaners a couple times, and while it was very helpful, I’m picky about how things are done. I’d just rather do it myself.
8. Board games or video games?
Board games.
9. Do you have a dermatologist?
No, but I would love one!
10. Something you’d like to do but keep putting off?
Um, finding a dermatologist?
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. Wild or sleek hair today?
2. Which would you rather: more steps in your skin care or less?
3. Something nice that happened to you recently?
4. Last time you were on crutches?
5. A tea you like?
6. A place you like to go when you need a reset?
7. What would you rather have: a personal chef or house cleaning team?
8. Board games or video games?
9. Do you have a dermatologist?
10. Something you’d like to do but keep putting off?
P.P.S. Happy Monday, sweet friend. I hope your Monday has been smooth sailing so far.
I’ve been thinking a lot about taking small steps lately. I easily get overwhelmed by big projects, and sometimes when I see all the parts and steps that need to get done, I kinda short circuit and end up not doing anything.
I have to constantly remind myself that even a small step is still a step. 🙂
It’s a good reminder, right? I tell myself this when I feel like there’s too many things and not enough me to go around.
Take care of yourself today and have a most excellent week ahead!
1. Wild or sleek hair today? Sleek…It’s very windy here today too. My area has been very windy for the last several months.
2. Which would you rather: more steps in your skin care or less? Less. Too many steps and my face will break out.
3. Something nice that happened to you recently? Worked from home during spring break. I prefer working from home and I feel very lucky when I get to do it.
4. Last time you were on crutches? Never
5. A tea you like? Bigelow Ginger Peach Turmeric Herbal Tea…it’s a very unique flavor with a spicy kick.
6. A place you like to go when you need a reset? I need a reset🤪
7. What would you rather have: a personal chef or house cleaning team? House cleaning team!!!
8. Board games or video games? Video games…something with Mario
9. Do you have a dermatologist? Yes!!! I am a former tanning addict😬. I go to a dermatologist at least once a year.
10. Something you’d like to do but keep putting off? Eating healthier.
Funny how you should mention the Mario game! I took Connor to watch the movie (in 3D) and I understood only a handful of the Mario references. 🙂
Happy Monday!
1. Wild or sleek hair today? More like pulled back in a ponytail, just a bit humid out East today.
2. Which would you rather: more steps in your skin care or less? Definitely less. I have actually cut a few things out already.
3. Something nice that happened to you recently? I got a nice compliment at work from a congregant. I’ll take those anytime.
4. Last time you were on crutches? Believe it or not, I’ve never been on crutches. I just hope I didn’t just jinx myself.
5. A tea you like? Camomile.
6. A place you like to go when you need a reset? My backyard deck, when the weather is nice.
7. What would you rather have: a personal chef or house cleaning team? House cleaning team. I enjoy cooking once in awhile, besides, my husband enjoys cooking too.
8. Board games or video games? Neither. I have a very short span of attention for either.
9. Do you have a dermatologist? No, but I should.
10. Something you’d like to do but keep putting off? going to the dentist.
Be well.
Take care of yourself, Jane!
P.S. Where will your son be headed after graduation?
1. Wild or sleek hair today? Sleep, always please.
2. Which would you rather: more steps in your skin care or less? Less. A rosacea sufferer here.
3. Something nice that happened to you recently? I listened to Matthew Mcconaughey’s book Greenlights on audible read by the author himself. He did a great job, super entertaining.
4. Last time you were on crutches? Never.
5. A tea you like? Citric rooibos.
6. A place you like to go when you need a reset? Anywhere where I can be on my own and unbothered.
7. What would you rather have: a personal chef or house cleaning team? House cleaning team, please. I hate cleaning.
8. Board games or video games? Not really a game person.
9. Do you have a dermatologist? No, but I wish I did, preferably somebody like Dr Sam.
10. Something you’d like to do but keep putting off? I really should start working on an academic book, but I’m scared of it. I appreciate the baby steps reminder 😉
You can do it, Martyna. Just read 1 or two pages today!
1. Wild or sleek hair today? Wild because of the wind and my workout.
2. Which would you rather: more steps in your skin care or less? I don’t have a lot of steps, so less.
3. Something nice that happened to you recently? Went to the Cantor Arts Center and the Anderson at Stanford on Saturday and saw some really cool art. Dear Husband bought the catalog from the photography exhibit we saw.
4. Last time you were on crutches? Knock wood. Never been.
5. A tea you like? Homemade masala chai. Made with Assam tea brewed dark as night, with cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, ginger root, a bit of clove, a touch of pepper, and some almonds. Then enough milk to turn it a lovely chestnut color.
6. A place you like to go when you need a reset? Used to be the barn first thing in the a.m. I loved currying and brushing Lucy to the sound of her and all the other horses munching their morning hay. Now I just make do with walking the redwood forested hills between my house and the ocean.
7. What would you rather have: a personal chef or house cleaning team? A house cleaning team! I hate house cleaning. I know I need to do a spring cleaning, but ugh, it’s so back breaking. And I’d love someone to clean up and do the pots and pans and things that can’t go in the dishwasher after I’m done cooking every night.
8. Board games or video games? Board games. Do jigsaw puzzles count as board games?
9. Do you have a dermatologist? No, but I wish I did.
10. Something you’d like to do but keep putting off? Like you, finding a good derm. Finding a new dentist and PC physician. Finding someone to teach me Japanese and to improve my French. Organizing a space for me to do more creative pursuits.
Small steps do count! When I used to complain about the baby steps I was making in riding, one of my coaches would say, “Progress is progress, no matter how small.” That’s something that has stuck with me.
Oh, I would’ve definitely loved a barn early in the morning too. 🙂 We drove by the horse stables in town on the way out to Bolinas a few days ago. It always lifts my heart to see the horses!
Happy Monday to you, and maybe do a little bit for your creative space today? I will do the same.
1. Wild or sleek hair today?
Closer to wild today. I’m not going out, so I didn’t bother doing much.
2. Which would you rather: more steps in your skin care or less?
Less!
3. Something nice that happened to you recently?
I spent my Sunday afternoon the same way you did- reading. Curled up in my recliner with a blanket and a book.
4. Last time you were on crutches?
I don’t think I have been. I have to use a cane occasionally because of my back.
5. A tea you like?
British Bee Tea Company’s Butterscotch tea. (Vanilla & Cinnamon for winter.)
6. A place you like to go when you need a reset?
The Bookshelf in Thomasville Georgia. We love a short road trip to our favorite indie bookstore in a nearby town with a great revitalized downtown area. The restaurant across the street serves the most amazing burger with pimiento cheese and bacon jam.
7. What would you rather have: a personal chef or house cleaning team?
Cleaners, for sure. Especially now that we have a bigger house.
8. Board games or video games?
Board games.
9. Do you have a dermatologist?
Definitely. A must for super pale people like me.
10. Something you’d like to do but keep putting off?
I *have* to finish unpacking all these boxes from the move! Ugh.
1. Wild or sleek hair today?
It’s wild…wrangled into a top knot but the flyaways are something.
2. Which would you rather: more steps in your skin care or less?
Less! My skin is sensitive and we do best with minimal futzing.
3. Something nice that happened to you recently?
The GF bakery my husband works for had a whole leftover cake they weren’t selling, so he got to bring it home to me!
4. Last time you were on crutches?
I’ve never been on crutches, but 7 years ago I was using a walker and a cane.
5. A tea you like?
I really dig an earl grey with honey.
6. A place you like to go when you need a reset?
We rent the same cabin close to a state park a few hours away. No cell service, lots of birds, and good hiking. It’s quiet.
7. What would you rather have: a personal chef or house cleaning team?
Cleaning!
8. Board games or video games?
Video games.
9. Do you have a dermatologist?
I do, I only see her for my annual mole checks.
10. Something you’d like to do but keep putting off?
Changing my last name – it’s soooooooooo long to do. Finally going to the DMV this week, did the SSA appointment a couple weeks ago. Also, the $$$ really starts to add up!
1. Wild or sleek hair today?
I’m on day two hair so it’s sleeker than usual!
2. Which would you rather: more steps in your skin care or less?
Less is more for me.
3. Something nice that happened to you recently?
Mabel and Hettie gave me really nice kisses today.
4. Last time you were on crutches?
For a day or two a few weeks ago! I’m actually pretty good at crutches because I’ve been on them a lot.
5. A tea you like?
I used to get a raspberry green loose leaf tea from the co-op. I can’t do too much caffeine.
6. A place you like to go when you need a reset?
Does bed count?
7. What would you rather have: a personal chef or house cleaning team?
Cleaning!
8. Board games or video games?
Board games.
9. Do you have a dermatologist?
Yes! She helps keep my rosacea under control.
10. Something you’d like to do but keep putting off?
Hmmm… Nothing at the moment!
1. Wild or sleek hair today? Wild, always wild.
2. Which would you rather: more steps in your skin care or less? Less, my current skin care routine in short and sweet, it works for me.
3. Something nice that happened to you recently? Our friends came by last night with ice cream!
4. Last time you were on crutches? Never.
5. A tea you like? I do not like tea.
6. A place you like to go when you need a reset? Half of my property is wooded, I have a hammock there that is my happy place.
7. What would you rather have: a personal chef or house cleaning team? I don’t want either, but I guess a house cleaner. But only for a few rooms.
8. Board games or video games? Board.
9. Do you have a dermatologist? No, but I’m interested in one.
10. Something you’d like to do but keep putting off? Finding a hairdresser, it’s time for a cut and I haven’t really looked for anyone since I moved states.
1. Wild or sleek hair today? Semi-sleek and only because I flat ironed it yesterday
2. Which would you rather: more steps in your skin care or less? Definitely less
3. Something nice that happened to you recently? I bought a couple of lippies I’ve been wanting for 25% off ( I wasn’t expecting the discount!)
4. Last time you were on crutches? Never
5. A tea you like? Japanese Royal milk tea
6. A place you like to go when you need a reset? The guest bedroom in our house that has many of my house plants aka “Mom’s plant room”. Pop in the noise-cancelling AirPods and it’s an instant getaway
7. What would you rather have: a personal chef or house cleaning team? Laundry is included in housecleaning right???
8. Board games or video games? With a 9 yo in the house definitely video games
9. Do you have a dermatologist? No but I see one whenever I need to
10. Something you’d like to do but keep putting off? Learn to use a sewing machine again. I took a class in my early 20s but never got good enough to make wearable things lol
1. Wild or sleek hair today? My hair is perfectly straight all the time.
2. Which would you rather: more steps in your skin care or less? Both—lol. For me, it’s not about how many steps. It’s about meeting my skin’s needs at any particular time and then adjusting my routine. Sometimes that means using more products; sometimes fewer.
3. Something nice that happened to you recently? We received news we are going to be grandparents.
4. Last time you were on crutches? Never. I’ve had to wear a back brace though for three months when I fractured several vertebrae.
5. A tea you like? There are two that are tied for first place. Yunnan Jig and Golden Monkey. They’re beautiful black China teas.
6. A place you like to go when you need a reset? A solitary walk up into the hills is always a welcome distraction when things get a bit crazy.
7. What would you rather have: a personal chef or house cleaning team? I have cleaning ladies and they are worth their weight in gold. Love them!
8. Board games or video games? Clue, Monopoly, Sorry, Parcheesi—I’m so retro!
9. Do you have a dermatologist? Yes, I do.
10. Something you’d like to do but keep putting off? I really need to sort through all my seasonal and holiday decorations and toss out the ones that have seen better times.
1. Wild or sleek hair today? It was snowing when I got up and 40 mph winds – so wild it is.
2. Which would you rather: more steps in your skin care or less? Less, I’ve tried the 10 zillion step routine in the past and my skin didn’t look better.
3. Something nice that happened to you recently? A young woman at the grocery asked me what perfume I was wearing. (It was Ambre the original scent from Ambre Blends).
4. Last time you were on crutches? 12 tears ago. I tore my meniscus doing my routine from “Labrador Retrievers on ICE!”
5. A tea you like? Chamomile
6. A place you like to go when you need a reset? A girlfriend’s farm about 3 hours from Chicago – horses, chickens, flowers and lots of quiet time.
7. What would you rather have: a personal chef or house cleaning team? I love to cook so it would be cleaning!
8. Board games or video games? My husband is 25 years younger than I – but he was never into video games. We love playing board games on the weekends.
9. Do you have a dermatologist? I get the BBL light therapy on my rosacea 3 times a year – it’s not pleasant – it’s like someone snapping a rubber band really hard on your face again and again but it REALLY helps with the redness.
10. Something you’d like to do but keep putting off? I need to organize my pantry to get ready for garden canning time.
1. Wild or sleek hair today?
Wild, but not on purpose. It’s just doing its own thing today despite my attempts at a blowout.
2. Which would you rather: more steps in your skin care or less?
Less. The fewer the better, actually.
3. Something nice that happened to you recently?
A friend stayed over this weekend.
4. Last time you were on crutches?
A long time (20+ years!) ago. When I was first given them to use I actually fell over backwards into the hospital wall a la the Tin Man while my then-husband stood dumbfounded. Thankfully I only needed them a couple weeks, as I never quite got the hang of using them.
5. A tea you like?
Rooibos with honey.
6. A place you like to go when you need a reset?
The beach or, closer, the local arboretum. It’s quite glorious.
7. What would you rather have: a personal chef or house cleaning team?
A house cleaning team. I’m okay with my non-cooking options between frozen and takeout.
8. Board games or video games?
Board games.
9. Do you have a dermatologist?
Yes, have to with a history of skin cancer.
10. Something you’d like to do but keep putting off?
So many things come to mind, it’s hard to pick just one!
1. Wild or sleek hair today? Little of both
2. Which would you rather: more steps in your skin care or less? Fewer – less is more in this case
3. Something nice that happened to you recently? We met up with friends from college. We used to only see them every 3-4 years but now we are trying for 3-4 times a year. They are the type of friends that no matter how long it’s been, it seems like we just saw them yesterday
4. Last time you were on crutches? Never
5. A tea you like? Peppermint
6. A place you like to go when you need a reset? Any vacation but my favorite places are Iceland, Canada & Italy
7. What would you rather have: a personal chef or house cleaning team? Cleaners – I enjoy cooking
8. Board games or video games? Depends
9. Do you have a dermatologist? No but I need one
10. Something you’d like to do but keep putting off? Clean the kitchen cabinets. Sounds weird but I take the hardware off & clean and polish the wood. Very labor intensive but looks great when I’m done
1. Wild or sleek hair today? Always wild. My hair doesn’t do sleek.
2. Which would you rather: more steps in your skin care or less? Probably less, although it’s already very minimal. I usually just wash and use a serum, then cycle through several chemical exfoliators, moisturizing toner, with very occasional moisturizer use on my face. Although my skin is very dry, the pores clog so I have to rely on serums and toners for hydration.
3. Something nice that happened to you recently? I’ve been able to work from home a little more which is great because I can’t get office pop-ins at home.
4. Last time you were on crutches? Never. I’ve had to use canes several times for sprained ankles and my recent foot surgery. Honestly, I don’t think I would be good on crutches.
5. A tea you like? I really like the Stash green and white tea blend. I don’t really like black tea at all and I absolutely hate Earl Grey due to my loathing of bergamot.
6. A place you like to go when you need a reset? Back to my hometown for a hard reset, but the occasional weekend when DH is out of town and I spend a solid 48 hours not talking to anyone is also good.
7. What would you rather have: a personal chef or house cleaning team? House cleaning team for sure.
8. Board games or video games? Board games unless they are the classic Atari video games.
9. Do you have a dermatologist? Yes, and I recently found a new one. My old ones are a husband/wife team close to retirement so it was hard to schedule appointments. Then I went a long time without seeing them because they said “you don’t have to come in for regular mole checks, just if you notice something.” So I made an appointment a few months ago only to find out that since I hadn’t been in for 7 years, THEY DESTROYED MY RECORDS WITHOUT CONTACTING ME. Unfortunately in Delaware, that’s allowed. They only have to notify you if they fully retire or move out of state before your 7 years passes. They handed me a bible’s worth of paperwork and I told them to shove off. Also asked them why would I do all the new patient paperwork there for people who will be retired in a couple of years when I could just turn around and find someone else. Then they got all huffy that I bailed. Ugh.
10. Something you’d like to do but keep putting off? I need to contact our usual contractor to see if they are interested in a mishmash job (moderate electrical work, hardwood floors and repainting walls on the second story, sandblasting of some of our basement walls). I think it’s probably a decent total amount but I also don’t want confirmation that it’s not and that I need to find an electrician, a flooring contractor, painters, and sandblasters.