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?
1. Texting: love it or leave it? Loooooooove it! It’s so easy. I have to admit, there are times I’ll text the hubs or kids in the house, because it’s so easy.
2. An event that permanently changed your life? I had a couple of health things happen when I was 13, I was fine, but as a result of medication, I gained 100 pounds in six weeks. At age 13.
3. Can you now, or have you ever been able to, do the splits? HAHAHAHAHA!!!
4. What does sisterhood mean to you? Being present, it doesn’t have to be in person, but being available to your tribe. Asking for help, listening, helping. Girls rule.
5. Converse shoes: high-tops or low-tops? Low. My 11 year old is obsessed with Cons, the gaudier the better!
GIRLS ROCK!
I know they’re not Converse, but I saw a pair of pink glitter-covered Vans the other day and nearly swooned!
1. Texting: love it or leave it?
Love it, but sometimes a call is easier. I definitely love being able to send photos to people.
2. An event that permanently changed your life?
Study Abroad in Brest!
3. Can you now, or have you ever been able to, do the splits?
I couldn’t do it as a kid, but I started training it as an adult when I started doing aerial. I’m thisclose to having them on my right side again (I had them for a while but I got lazy when my gym had to shut down temporarily). I’m pretty flexible, I’m a really good frond bender, my shoulders are ridiculously flexible to the extent it grosses people out.
4. What does sisterhood mean to you?
I have an older brother, so it’s been through my girlfriends I’ve learned. Being there for your friends, for the little things and the big things. My bestest friend, who I don’t see super often because we live a few hours apart, and I may not see each other all the time, but when we get back together, it’s like nothing has changed and we can still talk for hours. My cubicle is covered in pictures of her cute little son.
5. Converse shoes: high-tops or low-tops?
Low tops!
1. Texting: love it or leave it?
Love it, especially photos, but sometimes it’s easier to pick up the phone and call.
2. An event that permanently changed your life?
Study Abroad in Brest!
3. Can you now, or have you ever been able to, do the splits?
I’m thisclose to having them on my right side again. I only got to it when I started circus. I’m quite flexible. I’m a good front bender and my shoulders are ridiculously flexible to the extent it grosses people out. I’m not a bad back bender.
4. What does sisterhood mean to you? Being there for each other when it counts. I don’t see my bestest friend often because she lives a few hours away, but when we get back together, it’s like nothing changed and we can still laugh and talk for hours. My cubicle is covered in pictures of her son.
5. Converse shoes: high-tops or low-tops? Low tops!
Hi Chelsea,
Studying abroad sounds amazing! Did you do it in college or high school?
Have a great Monday!
1. Texting: love it or leave it?
Love it. I’m all about LINE; it’s really big in this part of Asia (I currently live in Taipei).
2. An event that permanently changed your life?
Moving to Korea. I really became my true self there. It’s also where I met my husband. ?
3. Can you now, or have you ever been able to, do the splits?
I used to be able to waaay back in my dancer days.
4. What does sisterhood mean to you?
Being present.
5. Converse shoes: high-tops or low-tops?
Low-tops, the high-tops never appeal to me.
1. Texting: love it or leave it? I love it for convenience and spontaneous, effortless communication. But, when I really want to enjoy a conversation with someone, nothing beats a phone call. I also think that some things are better said than texted.
2. An event that permanently changed your life? The birth of my first child. Some of life’s greatest lessons–unconditional love, patience, forgiveness, protectiveness, joy, blessings, humor, etc.–really came into focus at that time.
3. Can you now, or have you ever been able to, do the splits? No, although I’m quite limber otherwise.
4. What does sisterhood mean to you? Short answer: Nothing because I’m more about peoplehood, but I can understand why it would have meaning for other women.
5. Converse shoes: high-tops or low-tops? Low because if I’m going to wear something like Converse, I want something easy, fun, and super causual.
Happy Monday! I love your cat mug. Whenever you include it in a pic, it’s like seeing an old friend. 🙂
1. Texting: love it or leave it? Love the convenience. Hate that I’m insistent about correct spelling and grammar so it takes me forever.
2. An event that permanently changed your life? Having the fellas. I went from being 100% selfish to only 90%. Kidding. But it was a complete lifestyle change.
3. Can you now, or have you ever been able to, do the splits? Only with my right leg forward, never my left.
4. What does sisterhood mean to you? My sister and I are very opposite so I probably have more “sisterhood” with my friends. We forgive everything in each other (something I’d never do with “new” people).
5. Converse shoes: high-tops or low-tops? It has been so long since I’ve worn Converse that it’s hard to remember the fit. I prefer the look of high tops but think they rubbed my ankles.
1. Texting: love it or leave it? love it, until something serious needs to be done
2. An event that permanently changed your life? graduation
3. Can you now, or have you ever been able to, do the splits? never
4. What does sisterhood mean to you? Delta Sigma Theta sorority. A bond between those who chose and were chosen to be sisters, who look out for each other and make bonds with each other to uplift themselves and their community . My real sister and i are on opposite ends and dont talk much so we dont have strong of a bond.
5. Converse shoes: high-tops or low-tops? low tops.
1. Texting: love it or leave it?: Love it. I have an anxiety disorder and a stuttering problem. Talking on the phone renders me a bundle of frazzled nerves, so texting is a lifesaver for me.
2. An event that permanently changed your life?: CN: Domestic violence……..the day my former partner tried to kill me.
3. Can you now, or have you ever been able to, do the splits?: No. I’ve tried to but I could never achieve a full split.
4. What does sisterhood mean to you?: Supporting other women while recognizing that every woman has agency and is capable of thinking for herself.
5. Converse shoes: high-tops or low-tops?: High-tops.
I just wanted to say that I’m sorry that you underwent such a traumatic event and that you’re still here. I’ve heard my best friend’s stories of her experiences with two different partners and my heart aches for the survivors of domestic abuse and it also rejoices to know that they got out of that situation. Thank you for sharing with us.
1. Texting: love it or leave it?
I have a love-hate relationship with texting. I don’t like that it detracts from the intimacy of a phone call but it’s also why I love it.
2. An event that permanently changed your life?
I can’t think of many that aren’t terrible. I’ll say getting my dog! He’s been mostly good 😛
3. Can you now, or have you ever been able to, do the splits?
Yeah I was able too at one point, a car accident changed that!
4. What does sisterhood mean to you?
Honestly, nothing! Almost every woman I’ve ever been close to has treated me poorly, even my own family. I feel no special affinity for females.
5. Converse shoes: high-tops or low-tops?
Both are cut in way that hurts me where it hits on the body, which is my old school shoe of choice is a Doc Marten!
1. Texting: love it or leave it?
Love, because I don’t have to answer right away (not interrupting my flow ?)
2. An event that permanently changed your life?
Reading this book about Being Happy. It was such a random point in my life, but it made me realize that happiness is, at least most of the time, a choice.
3. Can you now, or have you ever been able to, do the splits?
Nope. I’m like you. During my teenage years I couldn’t touch my toes. Recently (10 years) I’ve been doing yoga regularly and now I’m quite flexible and can touch my toes. But I don’t think I would ever be able to do splits!
4. What does sisterhood mean to you?
Am an only child, so the closest sisterhood is with my besties, which is being there for them when we need each other.
5. Converse shoes: high-tops or low-tops?
Loved the high-tops when I was a teenager. But now I’m more low-tops.
1. Texting: love it or leave it? Loooooove it.
2. An event that permanently changed your life? When I became a teacher and I realized children are evil. For real. And people should know.
3. Can you now, or have you ever been able to, do the splits? Never.
4. What does sisterhood mean to you? Not much. But I guess the concept is interesting.
5. Converse shoes: high-tops or low-tops? Back in the day, they had to be low-tops. But I don’t wear converse anymore.
1. Texting: love it or leave it? Mostly love it. When my daughter went away to college she would text me in those 5 to 10 minutes you had to get to your next class. I got pretty good at texting. I still look forward to a daily text from her. I also text her dressing room photos and ask her opinion before I buy additions to my wardrobe. She’s a great stylist.
2. An event that permanently changed your life? The first time I walked by Dear Husband’s cubicle at work and he looked up at me with his huge, blue-gray eyes and I said, “Hmm, new engineer. I’ve got to get to know this one.”
3. Can you now, or have you ever been able to, do the splits? Never been able to do them. I can however, touch the floor with my palms. So I guess I’m flexible in some ways but not others.
4. What does sisterhood mean to you? Dunno. I have all brothers.
5. Converse shoes: high-tops or low-tops? Low tops.
1. Texting: love it or leave it?
Neither, it has it advantages like sending photos but I hate to write long stories so I end up sending a voice message or calling.
2. An event that permanently changed your life?
Working in a NGO of sexual and reproductive rights, I understood better gender problems but also it helped me to be in better terms with my sexuality.
3. Can you now, or have you ever been able to, do the splits?
When I practiced capoeira I almost could do it but I’m flexible enough to do it again after six months of practice.
4. What does sisterhood mean to you?
I’m a guy so I can’t completely understand sisterhood but if we talk about friendship it means be there in every moment, from the good ones to the darkest ones.
5. Converse shoes: high-tops or low-tops?
Before I loved high-tops but now I think low-tops are more fashionable.
Happy Monday Karen, I send you a big Hugh.
1. Texting: love it or leave it?
Love it! I sometimes don’t hear so well (allergies + repeated ear infections in the past got both my ear stuffed up), so I unless it’s very quiet, I can’t quite hear people. But for long conversations where I can plan to be in a quiet area, phone! OR if something needs to be in writing, I will always text it. But if I don’t want a record of me saying anything, phone.
2. An event that permanently changed your life?
Moving to NYC in 2012. I’m still riding on that high despite having moved back to LA. It completely changed me as a person and I love myself for it. I’m much more compassionate, empathetic and confident.
3. Can you now, or have you ever been able to, do the splits?
Once upon a time, yes. When I was between 8-11, in order to be a Candy Cane in the annual Nutcracker production, you HAD to be able to do right splits. So I practiced really hard that despite being not flexible at all, I was able to do it, and do it til my early 20’s. But my middle and left splits have always been horrible. Oh, by the time I got the splits down, I had hit a growth spurt and was too tall to be a Candy Cane.
4. What does sisterhood mean to you?
It means everything to me. I don’ t know who I am or who I would be without my 4 older sisters. It means having a safe space to be unabashedly yourself and unafraid of showing ALL your emotions. It means going from seconds of killing each other (omg the fights, both emotional and physical) then banding together to fight against outside forces. My sisters and I are all so different, yet at the end of the day, we all come together to eat at the same table. I guess that sums it up.
5. Converse shoes: high-tops or low-tops?
I’ve never worn them!! If I were to get a pair, low-tops.
Hope you’re able to get some rest for yourself, Karen. You had a draining weekend!! Get yourself a massage therapist that makes house calls!
1. Texting: love it or leave it? Generally love it, but sometimes a quick call is just SO much easier!
2. An event that permanently changed your life? The day I married my best friend. No matter how crazy things get in my life, I always know I have a loving and supportive partner and feel like marrying him was the best decision of my life!
3. Can you now, or have you ever been able to, do the splits? Yes, back in the day I was a gymnast and could totally do them! Not now though!
4. What does sisterhood mean to you? Unconditional love, forgiveness and laughter.
5. Converse shoes: high-tops or low-tops? Low riders!
1. Texting: love it or leave it?
Love it! I think it’s perfect for all those quick things you have to say without the need to actually talk on the phone.
On the other hand, I miss spending hours on the phone with my friends. Do kids still do that nowadays?
2. An event that permanently changed your life?
There’s been a few. My parents’ divorce was probably the main game changer. Later my moving to Istanbul.
3. Can you now, or have you ever been able to, do the splits?
Nope, no way! I’m fairly flexible (I do a wicked downward facing dog) but never that much.
4. What does sisterhood mean to you?
I only have one older brother so it’s mostly about friends. I had a large group of girlfriends in high-school and we were all really close. It was about caring for each other and having a deep connection. Those buddies definitely knew me better than my own family.
5. Converse shoes: high-tops or low-tops?
High-tops, I love them! I’m not such a fan of their low-tops, I’d rather get Van’s if I don’t go for high-tops.
Hope you have a great week Karen! I had a really crappy Monday but it was planned, so no surprise. I just want to have fried chicken and go to bed!
1.Texting: love it or leave it? Love it, but I’m still flaky about checking it all the time. The WORST to be talking on the phone when my kids were toddlers and every other word to my friend was like: put that down, no not now, yes I love Minnie too. Texting is so great in that situation. It filters out the crazy.
2. An event that permanently changed your life? My wedding. Huge u-turn in life. So glad we did it.
3. Can you now, or have you ever been able to, do the splits? Yes, in high school.
4. What does sisterhood mean to you? I’m not sure.
5. Converse shoes: high-tops or low-tops?n Dislike Converse. So, heels high or kitten: high, but not crazy high!
Must know where that cat mug can be purchased!!!
Happy Monday, Karen; I adore your pictures chronicling Connor’s party! And that lasagna looks delish. I made spaghetti with meat sauce for my dinner tonight and have enough left for several meals.
1. I love texting because I can get to it when I get to it. Plus, I prefer to take my time in formulating responses overall and sometimes people don’t allow me that time in actual conversations.
2. Not to get everyone depressed here, but I had a number of losses in my life leaving me severely depressed. I attempted to OD and as a result, I ended up getting the intensive counseling I needed.
3. I can’t do the splits, however, I can totally touch my toes both standing and sitting (you know, like stretching in yoga). I’m actually surprisingly flexible.
4. I have a younger sister and though we rarely talk on the phone, we text often. She and I have the kind of personalities where we don’t need to live in each other’s pockets and yet we know that we can call each other at any time of the day or night. I’ve also been thinking about sisterhood on a larger scale and my relation to it as a tribe. I’m still working that out in my head and won’t get on my soapbox here.
5. Converse low-tops all the way! I have a hole in my hot pink pair and I know I have to replace them soon and it makes me sad because they’re perfectly broken in except for that hole!
Tomorrow, I’m planning on making that tomato, spinach, chickpea soup that you posted some weeks back. It’s been snowing and raining and hailing and sleeting here the past week so it’s totally soup weather but on the other hand, I don’t really want a heavy chowder or stew. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Have a great week!
1. Texting: love it or leave it?
Love it!!! I choose if and when to respond all depending on their grammar/tone. Like my cousin who asks for favors but can’t say please.
2. An event that permanently changed your life?
Having my kid at 32 and now another at 34. It put a different perspective on my marriage and what it means to be a family.
3. Can you now, or have you ever been able to, do the splits?
I used to do both front to back and left to right. Can half-assed do front to back now. But I have always been able to touch my toes and place palms on the floor.
4. What does sisterhood mean to you?
I have a brother only but love him unconditionally! I am a crappy friend sometimes, like I have missed births and kid birthdays. I didn’t tell my friends when I gave the birth the second time because I didn’t want to be bothered in the hospital since I knew I wouldn’t sleep well. They were mad and understandably so.
5. Converse shoes: high-tops or low-tops?
Never worn them but I think it’s because as a kid I tried to and they dug into my Achilles tendon like Keds did sometimes. Remember Keds? I just saw some leather ones and I want them but they didn’t seem very cushy.
1. Texting: love it or leave it?
Absolutely without a doubt love it. I’m a hardcore texter. I detest talking on the phone. I do it enough at work!
2. An event that permanently changed your life? Getting married.
3. Can you now, or have you ever been able to, do the splits? I was able to but not as a dancer in my childhood. I took a break from dance and went back to it in my 20s. In my 20s I was finally able to do it.
4. What does sisterhood mean to you? Empathy, non-judgment, and supporting each other instead of being jealous and competitive. Lifting each other up.
5. Converse shoes: high-tops or low-tops? I don’t own any Converse, but I prefer low-tops.
1. Texting: love it or leave it?
Love it. It’s my favorite form of communication b/c you can get right to the point. And pics/emojis help a lot too. 🙂
2. An event that permanently changed your life?
When my dad was dying with cancer and he needed help getting up. He was so weak and frail. And he couldn’t rely on my strength to stabilize him. After that moment, I vowed to get physically stronger. That’s when I started Crossfit. And now I feel so empowered by being stronger!
3. Can you now, or have you ever been able to, do the splits?
Nope – just nope…
4. What does sisterhood mean to you?
Like you, I just had a little brother. So for me, it’s my group of girls that I can call to talk about any and everything. Advice, comfort, gab fest. They are the best.
5. Converse shoes: high-tops or low-tops?
Low tops. I’m too short for high tops to look right on me.