So…what is the Monday Poll?
Good question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll. It’s just a list of five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past gazillion years (more than 10!). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a great start. ?
1. Once a week for a year, would you rather get a free manicure and pedicure by a trained professional who comes to your house, or a free 60-minute massage at your favorite spa?
Seriously, this one’s SO brutal because I just got my nails done for the first time in two years, so the wonderfulness of having professionally painted paws is still fresh in my mind, but despite the joy I would get from looking down at perpetually perfectly painted nails…I’d still go with the massage, because I love that loose-y goose-y feeling after an intense deep-tissue session.
And it would HAVE to be deep tissue. I got a Swedish massage a few years ago, and it just felt like someone was rubbing lotion on me for an hour.
2. Your favorite cheese?
A sharp white cheddar with BITE, and I’d like a piece right now with a handful of cotton candy grapes. Thx!
3. If you had to be haunted by a ghost, by whom would you choose to be haunted?
Well, duh! Tabs, obviously. 🙂
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
Honestly, I can’t remember. It was definitely more than six months ago… It may have been more than a year?
5. What time did you get up this morning?
5:45, and it was relatively easygoing this morning. I had minimal sleep inertia, which is surprising considering that I stayed up later than I wanted to last night. I started The Glass Forest and couldn’t put it down.
I’m still a little groggy, but what else is new? LOL!
Come on ride the train…and ride it (WOO WOO!)
Can you remember the last time you rode a train? Last year a new passenger rail line called SMART that goes from Sonoma to Southern Marin started up in my neck of the woods, and I rode it for the first time yesterday!
El Hub, Connor and I were in the mood for adventure, so we took it up to Santa Rosa in Sonoma, where we grabbed lunch and did some sightseeing for a couple hours.
Dude, that train is all kinds of fancy! There are power outlets by every seat, hooks for bikes, overhead bins for your stuff, bathrooms *and* a snack bar! The scenery on the way to Santa Rosa was gorgeous, too. Rolling hills and farmland, vineyards, cows, horses.
It reminded me of the trains El Hub and I rode when we went to Europe before we were married a billion years ago.
Of course, yes, I sang “Come on ride the train…and ride it. Woo! Woo!” the entire time.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Question time! Here are they are to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to you soon.
1. Once a week for a year, would you rather get a free manicure and pedicure by a trained professional who comes to your house, or a free 60-minute massage at your favorite spa?
2. Your favorite cheese?
3. If you had to be haunted by a ghost, by whom would you choose to be haunted?
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
5. What time did you get up this morning?
Rachel says
1. Once a week for a year, would you rather get a free manicure and pedicure by a trained professional who comes to your house, or a free 60-minute massage at your favorite spa?
Tough but I think the massage! How awesome would that be?!
2. Your favorite cheese?
I love most kinds of cheeses, but cheddar works on chips, crackers, by itself so I think that is my favorite due to versatility.
3. If you had to be haunted by a ghost, by whom would you choose to be haunted?
This freaks me out, I don’t believe in ghosts but living in an old house by myself can be creepy sometimes. Plus I know the previous owners and they are deceased, OMG hopefully not them!
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
Halloween or New Years last year.
5. What time did you get up this morning?
7AM. I went into work a little later today, usually I am up at 6 and at work by 7.
I might have to try that SMART train when I go visit my friend in Sacramento over Labor Day. I also have a cousin in Novato I plan to see. I didn’t know they built that train! Sounds better than the light rail I used to use!
Kim says
Happy Monday!! Does the Hogwarts Express at Universal count as a train? If so, in April. I am struggling to remember my last actual train ride. Maybe 4 – 5 years ago in NYC.
1. Once a week for a year, would you rather get a free manicure and pedicure by a trained professional who comes to your house, or a free 60-minute massage at your favorite spa? Massage, for sure. Other people trimming my cuticles/clipping my nails is not relaxing for me. 🙂
2. Your favorite cheese? Camembert.
3. If you had to be haunted by a ghost, by whom would you choose to be haunted? Someone who likes to clean. HAHA!
4. Last time you wore false lashes? Never.
5. What time did you get up this morning? Alarm goes off at 5:30. I actually get up at about 6 minutes to 6. I’m a big fan of the snooze button.
Ruchita says
1. Once a week for a year, would you rather get a free manicure and pedicure by a trained professional who comes to your house, or a free 60-minute massage at your favorite spa?
The massage for sho!
2. Your favorite cheese?
Um, do Kraft Singles count as cheese? 🙂 They make such a good grilled cheese sandwich.
3. If you had to be haunted by a ghost, by whom would you choose to be haunted?
Definitly my Mingy boy.
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
I’ve never tried false lashes!
5. What time did you get up this morning?
Ugh – the first time at 3:30. Stupid bladder. Then the alarm went off a couple of hours later and I was really dragging. Then between that time Louis was purring loudly and making biscuits on my back.
How cool that there is a train in your area! I think that’s such a neat way to get around. What a fun adventure!
Jennifer says
Shout out for Kraft singles. I like to melt one on a big pretzel for lunch 🙂
Syahidah says
1. MASSAGE hands down!
2. I like me some gouda.
3. My cat for sure.
4. My wedding day five years ago.
5. 6.30am. Baby is learning to sleep independently and it’s going well so far!
kellly says
Ha ha ha the trains in MY city have passengers who think everybody wants to hear their opinions on things when they are so drunk they can barely manage to get themselves on and seated, people who badly needed to take a shower 3 weeks ago, people who think they should be able to ride without paying, and people whose young children think they should get whatever it is they want by screaming at the top of their lungs.
If ONLY they had a snack bar!!!!
Shannon says
1. Once a week for a year, would you rather get a free manicure and pedicure by a trained professional who comes to your house, or a free 60-minute massage at your favorite spa?
Massage, hands down. I could use one right now, in fact!
2. Your favorite cheese?
I’m gonna have to go with sharp cheddar, too, but I like lots o’ different styles.
3. If you had to be haunted by a ghost, by whom would you choose to be haunted?
Hmmm… this is a tough one. Maybe by my grandmother?
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
Gosh, I think it was like… last August or September!
5. What time did you get up this morning?
Too. Early. 😛 The alarm went off at 6:30, and I got up closer to 7. I didn’t sleep real well last night, so I’m still zonked. So sleepy!
Ericca says
1. Once a week for a year, would you rather get a free manicure and pedicure by a trained professional who comes to your house, or a free 60-minute massage at your favorite spa?
free mani and pedi
2. Your favorite cheese?
muenster
3. If you had to be haunted by a ghost, by whom would you choose to be haunted?
my abuelita.
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
2 years ago nye
5. What time did you get up this morning?
7:05, I got up and actually put my dinner in the slow cooker. i can not wait to take it all in. Honey garlic chicken. the recipe is online everywhere.
Michele Dicola says
Would love the mani /pedi ! Hubs and I go once every three weeks because I get dip powder now . Working fine and I look well dressed and hubs can entertain clients . He gets the pedi but I told him a man mani is sexy !
Lo fat cheddar . At first I hated it not I love it ?
Um Sly Stallone or The Rock
False lashes for my HS reunion two years ago !
I was up by 8
Last time on a train ? was mucho years ago . Does the Disney train count ?
Leah G. says
Karen, I’m obsessed with Cotton Candy GRAPES!
1. Once a week for a year, would you rather get a free manicure and pedicure by a trained professional who comes to your house, or a free 60-minute massage at your favorite spa? Mani please!!
2. Your favorite cheese? I love all cheeses. Lately I’m obsessed with the fresh goat cheese at the farmer’s market.
3. If you had to be haunted by a ghost, by whom would you choose to be haunted? Anthony Bourdain. Hands down. Saw him live once and he is so missed now that he’s gone.
4. Last time you wore false lashes? never!
5. What time did you get up this morning? 6:30am. I’ve been getting up before my alarm lately. Boo.
Stephanie Smith says
1. Once a week for a year, would you rather get a free manicure and pedicure by a trained professional who comes to your house, or a free 60-minute massage at your favorite spa? The massage. I do my own nails, and I do them better than anyone else can do them.
2. Your favorite cheese? Smoked Gouda. I love cheese.
3. If you had to be haunted by a ghost, by whom would you choose to be haunted? My current dog, Fanny the pug, the once in a lifetime dog. When she passes, I want her to haunt me so I’m never without her.
4. Last time you wore false lashes? I’ve never worn false lashes. They freak me the eff out.
5. What time did you get up this morning? 7:30. I’m getting waaaaaaay too used to sleeping in for the Summer. My kids go back to school in 17 days. Not that I’m counting. Lol!
Jaclyn Levy says
1. Massage, hands down! No pun intended. ?
2. So funny you ask this I just got back from Wisconsin and you betcha I brought home some cheese, including a very satisfying sharp cheddar! Still, I’d say my favorite is brie.
3. My grandmother I never met: Irene. She was Spanish and fabulous and predicted my mom would have 2 daughters before my sister and I were even born!
4. Halloween? Maybe.
5. A glorious 8:11am.
Jennifer says
1. Once a week for a year, would you rather get a free manicure and pedicure by a trained professional who comes to your house, or a free 60-minute massage at your favorite spa? I’m not heavily into massages so for sure free mani/pedis at home. That would be so amazing. Also, I am concerned that it’s been two years since you’ve had your nails done by a pro. Baby or no baby, you got to make time for someone else to do your claws.
2. Your favorite cheese? Mmmm, I really love things that are smoked. So I would probably say a smoked cheddar or gouda. But, I also love a little sprinkle of bleu cheese on a burger. I also like a sprinkle of feta on a Greek pizza. But, if I’m feeling peckish, a bit of goat cheese on wheat things goes great after work with a glass of wine.
3. If you had to be haunted by a ghost, by whom would you choose to be haunted? My Blue baby that I lost this summer. He was my closest fur baby. So close he would sleep snuggled in against my belly and sometimes we would hold paws.
4. Last time you wore false lashes? I’m 48 so probably 25 years ago? I didn’t excel at it then and my eyesight and coordination have only gotten significantly worse. I might actually be able to film myself now trying to put them on and put it on youtube to make a bit of comedy $$$$ 🙂
5. What time did you get up this morning? 6:15. I had errands to run before going to work.
Nancy says
YES YES YES on deep tissue massages, sharp cheddar, cotton candy grapes, and train rides!!! 😀
Suzanne C says
1. Once a week for a year, would you rather get a free manicure and pedicure by a trained professional who comes to your house, or a free 60-minute massage at your favorite spa?
Deep tissue massage, FTW!
2. Your favorite cheese?
Havarti.
3. If you had to be haunted by a ghost, by whom would you choose to be haunted?
My grandma, because she would make sure I walk the line, lol.
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
Never.
5. What time did you get up this morning?
9:30, but I don’t have that luxury tomorrow, sadly. I have to have the car at the mechanic’s (an hour’s drive) at 8 am because my air conditioner is dying. In July. In Florida. ? ? ?
Mary Ann says
1. Once a week for a year, would you rather get a free manicure and pedicure by a trained professional who comes to your house, or a free 60-minute massage at your favorite spa? Mani/Pedi! As long as they can do designs…I love seeing a little flower on my toe.
2. Your favorite cheese? Buffalo mozzarella with tomatoes, basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar
3. If you had to be haunted by a ghost, by whom would you choose to be haunted? No one. True story, my grandpa came and visited me the night of his wake when I was 12. Never forgot it.
4. Last time you wore false lashes? I tried those magnetic ones about 6 months ago. They were long and heavy feeling. My boyfriend found them disturbing.
5. What time did you get up this morning? 4;35am Monday thru Friday!
I ride the train everyday to work, but I’d love to do an overnight one and stay in a sleeping car.
Kate & Bree says
1. Once a week for a year, would you rather get a free manicure and pedicure by a trained professional who comes to your house, or a free 60-minute massage at your favorite spa?
MASSAGE. As someone who lives with lupus, you would not believe the healing power of a great massage. It reduced my inflammation so much and I could breathe more easily. I found a great sense of center and calmness every time I went. I haven’t had a massage in months, but have started acupuncture instead and while it does help my lupus, I really miss having my muscles manipulated and the deep pressure. It was really peaceful for me.
2. Your favorite cheese?
At the moment, I’m having a Babybel cheese moment. My favorite cheeses switch throughout the year (but mostly, I love a good Wisconsin sharp cheddar.)
3. If you had to be haunted by a ghost, by whom would you choose to be haunted?
That’s hard. If I had to choose though, I’d pick the two dogs that have shaped my life the most – my greyhound, Porsche, and my last dog, Zena. I miss Zena soooo much.
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
Years ago. I mean, at least three years ago! HA HA HA. I hate how heavy they are.
5. What time did you get up this morning?
Mornings? I do mornings? Uh, no. I woke up at 2:20 P.M.
mylinda says
I just wanted to point out that you got a touching scene in the background of the second pic. The couple, man hugging woman holding on to her luggage. Did you guys notice that when the picture was taken?
Karen says
I saw it, which is why I included it. 🙂 Thank you for noticing, Mylinda.
Chelsea says
Now I have that song stuck in my head! I had a long busy day so it’s almost Tuesday now!
1. Once a week for a year, would you rather get a free manicure and pedicure by a trained professional who comes to your house, or a free 60-minute massage at your favorite spa?
Mani Pedi! I always feel awkward in massages and salon pedicures gross me out because germs.
2. Your favorite cheese?
Mozzarella probably! So versatile.
3. If you had to be haunted by a ghost, by whom would you choose to be haunted?
I wish Quincy had chosen to haunt me! Or my mentor who passed away!
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
I tried two weeks ago and it didn’t work out, lmao!
5. What time did you get up this morning?
7:25? I had an 8 AM meeting I took from home that lasted until 9:15ish and then I went to the office. I just got off a different meeting from 8:00 to 9:30! Plus I had a dress rehearsal in there. I’m exhausted!
Lulle says
1. Once a week for a year, would you rather get a free manicure and pedicure by a trained professional who comes to your house, or a free 60-minute massage at your favorite spa?
Definitely a massage, I don’t even need to spend more than 5 seconds before making my decision! I’d love to be able to get a massage regularly. I think it would do so much good to my back…
2. Your favorite cheese?
Tough one! I love camembert, tomme de brebis, St Marcellin, tomme de Savoie… I can’t pick just one!
3. If you had to be haunted by a ghost, by whom would you choose to be haunted?
Hmm Coco Chanel? I could use the style advice…
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
Never! I have a few pairs of expensive lashes and I’ve never had the courage to try to put them on, lol!
5. What time did you get up this morning?
8:45 which is pretty standard for me. I’m not a morning person in the least so I’m completely useless until about 9 anyway.
Jessica says
1. Once a week for a year, would you rather get a free manicure and pedicure by a trained professional who comes to your house, or a free 60-minute massage at your favorite spa?
I always do my own nails once a week and I can’t give myself a massage, so definitely the spa experience!
2. Your favorite cheese? Burrata, and I wouldn’t say “no” to smoked gouda!
3. If you had to be haunted by a ghost, by whom would you choose to be haunted?
My mom, she can keep me in check! And I wouldn’t have to miss her.
4. Last time you wore false lashes? Yesterday! I went to Gen Beauty and had to be glam. But let’s be honest I’d wear them to the grocery store.
5. What time did you get up this morning? Hard to say! Not the morning though!
Erin says
1. Once a week for a year, would you rather get a free manicure and pedicure by a trained professional who comes to your house, or a free 60-minute massage at your favorite spa?
MASSAGE!
2. Your favorite cheese?
Hard to say, probably brie or camembert though I’m wild about all cheese
3. If you had to be haunted by a ghost, by whom would you choose to be haunted?
David Bowie? Nikola Tesla?
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
20 years ago
5. What time did you get up this morning?
6:30!
The last time I was on a train was in Europe in 2012 🙁