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 11 (!) 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. What’s something that always makes you emo?
Honestly, my hormones. I blame them for everything. Just the other day… By the way, I’m kind of swelling with them right now. The other day I saw a lady with two babies — newborn twin girls — at HomeGoods, and I could feel the tears welling in my eyeballs. I was standing there with a lemon-printed Ralph Lauren tablecloth about to have a breakdown in the kitchen section.
Hormones.
And just generally speaking, and this is gonna sound weird, but I can’t watch apocalyptic stories, situations, movies and TV shows anymore… I hope it’s temporary, but I get too emotional, which is why you haven’t heard me talk about The Walking Dead for a hot second.
2. Snow or surf?
Ideally, live someplace where you can surf every day, and then go on vacation to someplace where it snows.
I joke around that Connor’s gonna be an Olympic ? snowboarder, because I really don’t like the snow, but if she were chasing gold medal dreams, Momma would put on layers of thermals to drive little bratus to and from snowboarding lessons. 🙂
As for Tabs, he’s never seen the snow, so a move up to a snowy place like Tahoe would probably not be in the cards right now…
3. Are humans alone in the universe?
Well, I think it’s a very human thing to say that we’re the only intelligent beings out there, and part of me wants to believe that because, I mean, inevitably the aliens ? are gonna be smarter and better at everything than we are, and when they do finally touch down, if you follow any sci-fi at all, we’re all screwed. But with the vastness of the ? universe (there are literally TRILLIONS of other stars out there) and our current technology, I think we just haven’t bumped into them yet. But it’s only a matter of time.
Who knows how long it’ll be? — a hundred years, thousands of years — but we’re gonna find them, or they’re gonna find us.
4. Did you (or do you now) wear braces? If so what was it like?
I did wear braces for over half my childhood and most of my teen years, and back then they didn’t have Invisalign. You had metal in your mouth.
About that…I remember it being extremely pointy. I was constantly living with pointy things against the sides of my cheeks and my lips. Imagine having screwdrivers and washers in your mouth all the time and having to live like that 24/7.
Eventually, I got used to it, but thank gawd I wore that retainer religiously afterward and didn’t have to put the braces back in.
5. Would you be OK with a stranger clipping your toenails?
If it was a creepy Craigslist thing in an apartment building tucked away in the deepest parts of town, obviously no, but if it was at my regular nail salon with the cheerful lady who always asks about my life, then it would be fine. 🙂
This new coffee that I got at Target!
Leave it to the sweet-toothed sassypants (aka THIS GIRL RIGHT HURR) to grab the sweetest sounding coffee drink on the shelf. I couldn’t pass this one up — Vanilla Bean Crème Brulée Light Roast Coffee by Archer Farms. The package says it has notes of vanilla and burnt sugar, and so I was, like, “Yup! That’s going in the cart!” If there was such thing as brownie coffee, or cupcake coffee, or birthday cake coffee, I’d be all over those, too. Give me sweet any old day of the week… Although, I do love a combination of sweet and salty, too, mostly because the salty makes the sweet tastes even more sweet. I started drinking this over the weekend and I love it. It’s sweet but not sugary sweet. You get the notes, like the essence of it, but it’s not like your tastebuds are assaulted by waves of crème brulée. I like it a lot.
I love trying new coffees, don’t you? Or are you more of a stick-to-one-coffee kinda lady?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Here are the questions to copy and paste with your answers in a comment:
1. What’s something that always makes you emo?
2. Snow or surf?
3. Are humans alone in the universe?
4. Did you (or do you now) wear braces? If so what was it like?
5. Would you be OK with a stranger clipping your toenails?
Shelley says
March 26th, 2018 at 9:01 am1. What’s something that always makes you emo? Definitely seeing my kids grow up. As my boys get older (they’re 10 and 14), I get very nostalgic about how fast time flies. Like, they’re going to leave me soon and I’ll be all alone. Lol. My husband is like “Um, hey, I’m right here!” I always tell him it’s not the same.
2. Snow or surf? Surf. I’m typing this right now in Kihei, Maui. We’re from Michigan and going to beachy places in the winter/spring is a must. I love Michigan summers and falls because there is so much to do, but winter is too long for me.
3. Are humans alone in the universe? No way. There has to be something else out there.
4. Did you (or do you now) wear braces? If so what was it like? No, but my youngest has an expander and will be getting braces in the next year. He’s pretty used to it, but sometimes it pokes his tongue and gets uncomfortable, so I feel so bad sometimes.
5. Would you be OK with a stranger clipping your toenails? Sure, if it’s at a salon or if I’m really old and need someone to make my feet look human. That and I would have no problem having a stranger plucking chin hairs in my later years.
Shannon says
March 26th, 2018 at 9:17 am1. What’s something that always makes you emo?
At the risk of being a copycat… hormones fo sho! I am definitely in that same boat. I tend to get really down at that time of the month. This may be TMI, but for a while I was on a birth control plan where I only had a period every 3 months – and I would get SO low whenever it rolled around. I switched to monthly breaks and my mood VASTLY improved (which surprised my doc). Recently switched to an IUD, which I’m hoping will even things out even more (just a personal theory – there hasn’t been any research on IUDs improving mood, but I have a hunch). We shall see!
2. Snow or surf?
Aaah, surf please. I would move to LA in a heartbeat if my husband could stand it (he unfortunately hates Cali, le sigh). I don’t mind the snow, but I *much* prefer the sun.
3. Are humans alone in the universe?
Hmm… I don’t know! But I doubt it. I mean, we’re not even alone on our planet, right? Dolphins, monkeys, whales… they’re all hella smart. (I guess the answer depends on how you want to interpret this question, hah!)
4. Did you (or do you now) wear braces? If so what was it like?
I have never worn braces, thank goodness! My brother had to get them when he was a teenager, and I did NOT envy him.
Well.. maybe I did at first. But after a few months I was like “nah I’m good” lol!
5. Would you be OK with a stranger clipping your toenails?
I mean, if I’m paying that person to give me a pedicure, then hell yeah. Any other situation would be slightly suspect, lol.
Jaclyn Levy says
March 26th, 2018 at 9:42 am1. So until this moment I thought emo meant unemotional. Oops. The news makes me super emotional. Last night I practically cried myself to sleep thinking about the turmoil in Syria, the refugee crisis, the lack of progress on gun control, DACA, women’s rights being chipped away, etc. Also since having kids, I have to limit my exposure to certain things as even a headline can hit me hard. I wanted to watch Godless on Netflix, but soon as I learned there is a massacre involving children I was like NOPE. Can’t do it.
2. Snow, surprisingly. Sand gets evvvvvverywhere and it’s sticky and buggy and makes my hair gross and the thought of being in my bathing suit all the time gives me the hives.
3. Are humans alone in the universe? I don’t know. And I think I don’t care? I wouldn’t be surprised if we found other animals or bugs, but not sure we’ll find other human-like creatures.
4. I did. Popcorn was a nightmare.
5. I was going to say HELL NO until I read your response and was like, ok, I guess I’ve had that done at salons and stuff. Outside of that though, HELL NO.
I don’t like coffee but I do like tea and occasionally experiment. I’m a black tea girl though, the bolder the better. Right now my favorite is Equal Exchange Irish Breakfast tea. Mmmm, I think I’ll make myself a cup right now! Have a happy week!
Coco says
March 26th, 2018 at 11:11 am1. What’s something that always makes you emo? Just about anything these days. If I had to choose one thing that consistently brings tears to my eyes it would be seeing a dog. Any dog. Just out on the street. But it also brightens my day, so really they are tears of joy.
2. Snow or surf? Snow! I’m a Minnesotan and I really love snow. Not too fond of below zero temps though.
3. Are humans alone in the universe? Nah. I just hope that the other beings are friendly.
4. Did you (or do you now) wear braces? If so what was it like? I currently wear clear ceramic braces. It’s like constantly having been hit in the mouth and all your teeth are loose. And the insides of your cheeks are all cut up. But it’s going to be worth it!
5. Would you be OK with a stranger clipping your toenails? I’ve had this done at a pedicure only once. It was weird. This wouldn’t normally happen because they usually scold me for cutting them too short.
Nicole - paleandfreckled says
March 26th, 2018 at 11:37 am1. What’s something that always makes you emo?
Bad stuff involving babies in TV/movies etc. After having my first kiddo, I can’t deal with it. I’ve actually stopped watching a movie in the middle (Under the Skin) because of it which I never do.
2. Snow or surf?
I love to swim but hate hot weather. Snow is a whole ordeal with small children but it’s better than being grumpy and sweaty. ? I don’t mind the cold myself.
3. Are humans alone in the universe?
I highly doubt it. There’s just way too much other stuff out there for this to be the only place the right mix happened.
4. Did you (or do you now) wear braces? If so what was it like?
Twice. They said my bite was so off they did them earlier and later to correct it. That plus bite plates, headgear at night.. canker sores and constantly biting cheek or tongue from the neverending shifting.
5. Would you be OK with a stranger clipping your toenails?
I think the one time I got a pedicure, there was some trimming involved.
Nicole – paleandfreckled recently posted … Get Ready with Me – bareMinerals Original in Fair, Quick Olive Mustard Eye
Karen says
March 26th, 2018 at 4:05 pmHi Nicole,
Regarding your answer to the first question, you’re not the only one because I can’t deal with those movies either. If there’s a scene I have to remove myself from the room until it’s over.
It’s also why I can’t really stomach apocalyptic shows anymore; seeing any kids/babies suffer just puts me over the edge.
Ruchita says
March 26th, 2018 at 11:46 am1. What’s something that always makes you emo?
Any sad stories related to animals. I’m looking at you ASPCA commercials. I have to change the channel.
2. Snow or surf?
Surf for sure! I’ve lived with snow all my life. The sound of the ocean is so calming.
3. Are humans alone in the universe?
I don’t know! I think it would be exciting if there was some other species out there. As long as they’re cool. 🙂
4. Did you (or do you now) wear braces? If so what was it like?
I’m lucky that I never had to wear braces.
5. Would you be OK with a stranger clipping your toenails?
Yes, when I’m getting a pedicure.
I’m not really a coffee drinker, but this flavor sounds yummy. Happy Monday!
Karen says
March 26th, 2018 at 4:03 pmHi Ruchita,
If you like the sound of the ocean, I just found THE BEST THING — YouTube has a bunch of white noise videos and there are a ton of ocean sounds versions! I listened to one today. 🙂
Daphne B says
March 26th, 2018 at 12:02 pm1. What’s something that always makes you emo? any animal rescue story…and hormones.
2. Snow or surf? surf. I love winter, but I think shoveling snow and driving in it would make me tired of it. Also, who doesn’t love to walk on the beach and listen to the waves?
3. Are humans alone in the universe? Hard to believe we would be the only planet with life in this vast universe, but we probably won’t find out in our lifetime.
4. Did you (or do you now) wear braces? If so what was it like? I was really lucky and never had to have them.
5. Would you be OK with a stranger clipping your toenails? I wouldn’t even want someone I know clipping them- I would not wish that on my worst enemy! (they’re really bad)
Karen says
March 26th, 2018 at 4:02 pmHi Daphne!
Happy Monday to ya. 🙂 So, sorry this took me so long to get back to you, but you asked recently about primer and tinted moisturizer. In my experience primer doesn’t get in the way of a product’s moisturizing capabilities. I moisturize like a mofo though… Are you depending on your tinted moisturizer as you main source of moisture? Although some are very hydrating, if you have super dry skin, you might still need an additional cream or lotion.
Suzanne C says
March 26th, 2018 at 12:08 pm1. What’s something that always makes you emo?
Hearing certain songs from back in the day. So many memories…
2. Snow or surf?
You’d think the Florida girl would say surf, but I love the snow. Then again, I’ve never had to drive in it, lol.
3. Are humans alone in the universe?
I’m not sure, but outer space is a big, big place for so few life forms.
4. Did you (or do you now) wear braces? If so what was it like?
No, although I did needed them.
5. Would you be OK with a stranger clipping your toenails?
No. I can handle manicures, but not pedicures.
Karen says
March 26th, 2018 at 3:58 pmHi Suzanne,
I’m the same way with certain songs, especially the ones that hold the best and brightest memories for me. 🙂
BTW I hope your niece will like the purple GG shirt! It’s seriously one of my faves and I’ve been wearing it pretty much 24/7. How does an 11-year old get into that show? Did you introduce her?
Suzanne C says
March 26th, 2018 at 4:13 pmMom happened to be watching it one day and Little Bit absolutely loved it. She’s seen almost all the episodes- there were a couple I wouldn’t let her watch. She has a very unique sense of humor; her favorite is when Rose tells St. Olaf stories. Probably because she has that same ability to take one small thing and turn it into a rambling, hilarious story.
Karen says
March 27th, 2018 at 7:19 amIt’s weird how the show appeals to kids! I was about her age when I discovered it (when it was on the first time around, OMG!). I had no idea what was going on in terms of the jokes; most of them went over my head. It wasn’t until I was an adult and rewatched the series when I realized WHOA, some of these lines are kinda racy. LOL
Your niece sounds like a cool lil’ girl!
Ericca says
March 26th, 2018 at 1:00 pm1. What’s something that always makes you emo?
people’s hard up stories, kids dying,
any kid movies like coco ( which I believe try to make kids cry all the time)
2. Snow or surf? surf
3. Are humans alone in the universe?
yes…. until i see an alien
4. Did you (or do you now) wear braces? If so what was it like?
no . I already have to deal with with being for eyes . I cant be metal mouth too.lol
5. Would you be OK with a stranger clipping your toenails?
Umm, i believe that is called a pedicure . so yes, i actually think they do it better and my tummy doesnt have to be moved slightly to do it.
Karen says
March 26th, 2018 at 3:47 pmLOL to your answer to number 3, Ericca! You have a good week, OK?
ericca says
March 27th, 2018 at 4:12 amthanks, you too
Stephanie Smith says
March 26th, 2018 at 1:56 pm1. What’s something that always makes you emo? I love random acts of kindness, those “faith in humanity” type stories. Where people are just kind to each other, supportive of each other.
2. Snow or surf? Ideally I’d like to live where there is both, snow in winter, surf in summer. But the older I get, I’m 42, the cooler I like it. So I’m gonna go with snow.
3. Are humans alone in the universe? Of course not. The universe is unimaginably large, of course there is life other than us.
4. Did you (or do you now) wear braces? If so what was it like? I did. Two years. Spacers, headgear, braces, retainer. 6th to 8th grade. A full mouth of metal. But it was a good thing, these teeth pre-braces, well, let’s just say that my overbite was spectacular.
5. Would you be OK with a stranger clipping your toenails? Sure! If it was a nail technician. Some random dude on the side of the road, notsomuch.
I prefer to stick with my medium roast coffee. I’m trying to go sugar free so my coffee is either black or with a splash of cream. I tried a couple of flavored coffees before I gave up sugar, they didn’t rock my world. Peppermint mocha creamer did!
Karen says
March 26th, 2018 at 3:45 pmYou are SO LUCKY that you only had two years! I started wearing braces on the bottom teeth in fourth grade (or was it third?) and got the ones for my upper teeth when I was in eighth. I used to think headgear was the coolest thing. LOL
MichelleC says
March 26th, 2018 at 2:11 pm1. What’s something that always makes you emo? Complete random, but the version of Ringing of the Bells called Midnight Sarajevo. I was stationed in Italy during their civil war. We could unfortunately see the bombings (well of) from the beach. Most of us stopped going to the beach after that. The song reminds me of it, where as most people think of Home Alone or whatever movie they last heard it in.
2. Snow or surf? Surf. I’ve had it with snow.
3. Are humans alone in the universe? No. Lol.
4. Did you (or do you now) wear braces? If so what was it like? No but my mom did as an adult (dentist ruined her teeth. This was pre invisilign.
5. Would you be OK with a stranger clipping your toenails? At a salon, yeah, but I’d really rather do it myself. I’d rather have the money for a manicure (not in my budget but I’m working on that, lol!).
Karen says
March 26th, 2018 at 3:43 pmHi MichelleC,
Le sigh, if I could I would get my nails done every week. It’s so relaxing, and I just love hanging out at the salon. I only go once or twice a year! It’s a real treat.
Hope your week is off to a great start. 🙂 I’m about to load up for HIIT class later on tonight so bring on the carbs!
MichelleC says
March 26th, 2018 at 9:26 pmHahahhaha! I can have a few carbs this week. Passover starts Friday! But I’m already planning to be back on keto right after! I have 20 or so to hit goal!
Chelsea says
March 26th, 2018 at 3:22 pm1. What’s something that always makes you emo?
Stories about humans or non-human animals doing good things for other creatures.
2. Snow or surf?
I’ve never surfed but not snow!
3. Are humans alone in the universe?
I don’t think so! There has to be other life out there, we just haven’t run into it yet.
4. Did you (or do you now) wear braces? If so what was it like?
Never! My brother had them twice though.
5. Would you be OK with a stranger clipping your toenails?
LOLLLL about Craigslist! Same opinion.
Karen says
March 26th, 2018 at 3:40 pmRe: your answer to #1 — what gets me are videos of unlikely animal friends. I get super teary!
Chelsea says
March 26th, 2018 at 4:10 pmI saw an Instagram video of a momma kitty who offered to nurse two additional orphaned baby kitties. So good.
Karen says
March 27th, 2018 at 7:17 amI’m 100% sure that would have me teary eyed, aww!
Lulle says
March 26th, 2018 at 4:28 pm1. What’s something that always makes you emo?
Animals. I can’t watch nature shows because of the animals being eaten by other animals. I lose my sh*t if animals are being mistreated. I have tears in my eyes when I see baby animals.
2. Snow or surf?
Definitely surf! Snow is fun, for a few days.
3. Are humans alone in the universe?
Probably not. But I think that if other intelligent life forms exist, they might be so different from us that we wouldn’t be smart enough to recognize them. Like, I don’t know, networks of millions of bacteria that communicate and act as one being. Or fungus-like creatures that look like dust and have colonized the entire surface of their planet. I’m not convinced that intelligence necessarily means technology.
4. Did you (or do you now) wear braces? If so what was it like?
Oh hell yes. The ugly metal braces that poke your gums and scratch the inside of your cheeks. I had them for 5 years, it was terrible…
5. Would you be OK with a stranger clipping your toenails?
In a salon no, but I wouldn’t let anyone else touch my toes. I wouldn’t let my husband clip my toenails actually, I don’t know, it would just feel weird!
I hope you have a fantastic week Karen!
Lulle recently posted … Happiness Is A State Of Mind: Discover The Power Of Positive Thinking With Pamprin
Kate & Bree says
March 26th, 2018 at 5:02 pm1. What’s something that always makes you emo?
There’s two things that will equally make me tear up into an emotional mess:
a. When Bree does something new that regular doggos do but she’s just never done. (Like, seriously, her letting someone clean her ears. I was not misty-eyed. I promise you. Her getting her first bath? I ain’t gonna cry. Not gonna cry…)
b. When a new horse comes into the NFP, you can tell they’ve never seen kindness, and then they become such a new horse that they go onto a whole new career in a new place. When you find out they are leaving, OMG, THE FEELS. I keep it together in the barn, but the minute I get to my car, tears of joy. Some of these horses that come to us for rehab, they have just been abused so badly yet people are completely unaware of this with horses. We had one named Wesley: out of condition, severely underweight, hooves literally burnt from a farrier that didn’t know how to shoe a thoroughbred, wearing too small shoes…he’s now a hunter/jumper. It took us eight months to rehab him. Cried when I found out he was going to a new home.
2. Snow or surf?
Horses? Snow is the bane of my existence (yet I live with it a good six months of the year) and while I love the water, hurricanes and earthquakes really do scare the shit out of me as they really are one of the few natural disasters I’ve never had to deal with.
3. Are humans alone in the universe?
I mean, I believe in angels. And I believe there is some spirit trying to spook us in my house and I need to get my house blessed. I guess that answers it in terms of this earth, but other Earths? I’d love to think so!
4. Did you (or do you now) wear braces? If so what was it like?
Yes. Many years. I *hated* them with a vivid passion as they were metal and I had to wear two types of headgear as a teen. It. Was. Horrible. Did I mentioned I was trying to learn flute? Yea. Flute + braces = good times. I quit.
5. Would you be OK with a stranger clipping your toenails?
Same opinion as you.
CL says
March 26th, 2018 at 7:44 pm1. Seeing a movie or story involving the death of a dog, since it always reminds me of the two-year struggle to keep my dog alive.
2. Snow, since I’ve never lived in an area that gets very much of it (except when I was an infant and toddler).
3. Probably not, though I hope anything out there is smart enough not to come here. Humans would inevitably react the wrong way. And the human race is too flawed – it would be bad if it spread to other planets.
4. Yes. It was horrible. The orthodontist had a stable of assistants, who did 95% of the work after he applied the braces on the first day. That reminds me of my oncologist, who does almost nothing while his nurse and the chemo nurses do the bulk of the work.
5. Yeah, if it was a podiatrist.
Tatiana says
March 27th, 2018 at 2:18 am1. What’s something that always makes you emo? Other people’s little children. I’m with you I can’t watch stuff that shows disasters or the coming end of civilization.
2. Snow or surf? Snow! I hate the feel of sunblock on my skin and I hate sweating.
3. Are humans alone in the universe? Nope.
4. Did you (or do you now) wear braces? If so what was it like? Never wore braces and it shows. My parents just couldn’t afford it and my crooked smile never bothered me. My daughter wore braces and she has a gorgeous smile. Thankfully she is religious about wearing her retainer every night. Maybe because she had one friend who had to have her braces put on three times. Once my daughter’s were off there was no way she was going to do it again.
5. Would you be OK with a stranger clipping your toenails? In a nail salon for a pedicure or in a podiatrist’s office, ok. Otherwise no.