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. Something in your pocket?
A stick of string cheese, which I’m about to go to town on, LOL. I usually wake up starving in the morning, but my stomach feels a little wonky today, so I’m going to warm it up first by eating something small that I know my tum can handle…which happens to be string cheese. 🙂
And then hopefully in a couple hours my tum will feel ready for my usual breakfast meal of “everything and the kitchen sink.”
No, seriously, I’m the friend that you’re embarrassed to take to the breakfast buffet because I will eat errrrrrthing in sight, including what’s on your plate — kidding!
Maybe…
2. Which of these three jobs do you think you could do best: magician, musician, or obstetrician?
I’d be a terrible magician (“So, the queen of hearts isn’t your card? Are you sure? It was supposed to be your card…”), an OK musician, and an awesome obstetrician.
It’s weird, but I used to be really freaked out by blood and needles, but they don’t really bother me anymore after having Connor.
3. Dollywood or Graceland?
Dollywood 4 life, homie!
4. One day, while shopping for foundation, you try on two of them that look great on you, and both of them cost the same. How do you figure out which one to get?
I’d think about which one feels lighter on my face (because I don’t like feeling like I’m wearing heavy face makeup), and I’d go with that one.
If they both felt equally light, then I’d go with the one that layers better, so I’d have the option to build it up if I wanted to.
I like having options!
5. Which is worse — wet socks or wet shirt cuffs?
Both are the devil’s work, but walking around in wet, squishy socks is sooo much worse than the cuffs.
Happy Monday
G’morning! 🙂 Happy Monday, babe. I’m eating my cheese stick now and watching the sky change from pink to purple to blue over the hills…
Ah…
Right now I’m trying to think of a couple small things I can do today to help this be a good week. Do you ever do that? Not talking about things like eating cheese and watching the sunrise (although those are perfectly fine ways to start a Monday morning)… More like taking a five-minute break every hour to stretch and do some deep breathing. I’m going to set alarms to remind myself to do it, too.
Anyone want to stretch with me? We can keep tabs ? on each other in the comments.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Here are the poll questions. You can copy and paste these with your answers in the comments.
1. Something in your pocket?
2. Which of these three jobs do you think you could do best: magician, musician, or obstetrician?
3. Dollywood or Graceland?
4. One day, while shopping for foundation, you try on two of them that look great on you, and both of them cost the same. How do you figure out which one to get?
5. Which is worse — wet socks or wet shirt cuffs?
Karen says
If anyone wants to keep track of their stretch breaks today me with, please reply to this thread!
By the way, it’s 8 a.m. here in California, and I just did five minutes of hip and hamstring stretching along with some deep breathing. 🙂
Genesis says
1. Something in your pocket? Nothing, I have leggings on this morning
2. Which of these three jobs do you think you could do best: magician, musician, or obstetrician? Obstetrician
3. Dollywood or Graceland? Embarassed, i don’t know what tgese two are? A show?
4. One day, while shopping for foundation, you try on two of them that look great on you, and both of them cost the same. How do you figure out which one to get? The dewyness, my face is pretty dry
5. Which is worse — wet socks or wet shirt cuffs? Wet socks
Have a great day Karen.
Karen says
Hi Genesis,
Dollywood and Graceland are theme parks. Dollywood is Dolly Parton’s and Graceland is Elvis’s.
I hope you’re having a nice Monday so far! What are you up to?
Barb says
1. Something in your pocket? Nada. My work pants are pocket-less.
2. Which of these three jobs do you think you could do best: magician, musician, or obstetrician? Definitely obstetrician. I’ve always wanted to be a nurse or doctor.
3. Dollywood or Graceland? Never been to either. Probably Graceland.
4. One day, while shopping for foundation, you try on two of them that look great on you, and both of them cost the same. How do you figure out which one to get? Agree with your reasoning regarding which layers better. That’s the winner in my book.
5. Which is worse — wet socks or wet shirt cuffs? Definitely wet socks. That’s the worst!!
Jaclyn Levy says
1. I’m wearing leggings so nothing!
2. Musician, but I wouldn’t be making any tips! I played flute in HS but not much since.
3. Since it’s less than an hour away I’ll say Dollywood, although I’ve never been!
4. This is like my worst nightmare, I’m famously indecisive! I honestly have no idea. I’d probably stare at them for an hour, sweating while weighing pros and cons, finally buy one but wish I got the other one soon as I get home!
5. Wet socks suck!
P.S. the sequin Converse shoes I wore with my leather skirt last week WERE black! Haha. It was one of the rare times I felt I successfully made a real look!
Ruchita says
1. Something in your pocket?
No pockets today. Funny, like others I’m wearing leggings too. Trying to ease into Monday by being comfortable. 🙂
2. Which of these three jobs do you think you could do best: magician, musician, or obstetrician?
Hmm…I think I could swing being a musician with some hard work. It doesn’t come naturally to me, but I played violin and piano a bit when I was in middle school.
3. Dollywood or Graceland?
Dollywood!
4. One day, while shopping for foundation, you try on two of them that look great on you, and both of them cost the same. How do you figure out which one to get?
That’s tough one – I would have to go with the type of applicator. I prefer ones with a pump.
5. Which is worse — wet socks or wet shirt cuffs?
Ooo, I hate wet shirt cuffs but at least they can be rolled up. Wet socks are worse b/c when my feet are cold, my entire body feels cold.
Happy Monday! I’m going to do my best to get up and stretch. It’s just kind kind of awkward doing it at my cubicle at work, but maybe I’ll start a trend. 🙂
Leah G. says
1. Something in your pocket? I have faux pockets today as I’m wearing legging pants (cross between dress pants and leggings). Here they are: https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/women-leggings-pants-400549.html
2. Which of these three jobs do you think you could do best: magician, musician, or obstetrician? Musician. I played the flute from grades 5-12.
3. Dollywood or Graceland? Dollywood. I saw Dolly in concert and she was amazing!
4. One day, while shopping for foundation, you try on two of them that look great on you, and both of them cost the same. How do you figure out which one to get? The one that is more comfortable to wear.
5. Which is worse — wet socks or wet shirt cuffs? Wet socks. A few weeks ago our boots got wet while snowshoeing and that was miserable (slushy snow).
breyerchic04 says
1. Something in your pocket?
sometimes my phone but really I hate even that. women’s pockets aren’t meant for having things in them. Which is a different discussion for a different day.
2. Which of these three jobs do you think you could do best: magician, musician, or obstetrician?
musician, i’ve played cello on and off since i was 10.
3. Dollywood or Graceland?
Dollywood. I haven’t been to either, but I love dolly so much!
4. One day, while shopping for foundation, you try on two of them that look great on you, and both of them cost the same. How do you figure out which one to get?
i probably cave and get both.
5. Which is worse — wet socks or wet shirt cuffs?
socks!
Rachel Runyan says
1. Something in your pocket? I don’t have any pockets today.
2. Which of these three jobs do you think you could do best: magician, musician, or obstetrician? Obstetrician. I’m not much of a performer, but I’m great at science and working with people.
3. Dollywood or Graceland? Graceland
4. One day, while shopping for foundation, you try on two of them that look great on you, and both of them cost the same. How do you figure out which one to get? This NEVER happens. I am very fair with neutral undertones. I’m lucky if I can find one match after shopping the entire mall. And 9 times out of 10, that one will oxidize orange because my skin is oily.
5. Which is worse — wet socks or wet shirt cuffs? Wet socks, definitely! Ewwwwww….!!!
Leah says
1. Something in your pocket? Kleenex – I have a cold right now
2. Which of these three jobs do you think you could do best: magician, musician, or obstetrician? – I’m not very good with magic, worse at playing the piano, but I was going to be a nurse so I will go with obstetrician
3. Dollywood or Graceland? ummm….my cat’s name is Elvis so obviously Graceland
4. One day, while shopping for foundation, you try on two of them that look great on you, and both of them cost the same. How do you figure out which one to get? well it would depend on the brand and then I would do ini-mini-mighty-moe….
5. Which is worse — wet socks or wet shirt cuffs? I can’t stand wet socks but I can’t stand wet shirt cuffs either. I think we socks are worse because with the wet shirt cuffs I could probably roll them
Kim says
One of my besties also has a cat named Elvis. As well as a dearly departed cat named Priscilla. 🙂
Stephanie Smith says
1. Something in your pocket? I have exercise pants on, no pockets.
2. Which of these three jobs do you think you could do best: magician, musician, or obstetrician? Magician! I want to wear the sparkly outfit and entertain people. I could be a musician, a clarinet player, but I don’t know if there’s much of a future in that. I could totally be an obstetrician, but I think the lows of that profession would be too difficult for me to handle.
3. Dollywood or Graceland? Dollywood! Dolly is my idol!
4. One day, while shopping for foundation, you try on two of them that look great on you, and both of them cost the same. How do you figure out which one to get? The one with the least amount of coverage, I do not like full coverage foundation on me, it’s just not my jam.
5. Which is worse — wet socks or wet shirt cuffs? Socks! I can roll up cuffs, but wet socks are the worst!
Kim says
Happy Monday! I’m usually the opposite of you. I’m not interested in eating for a couple of hours after I wake up. But, your way is best; it’s better to start the day with a good breakfast!
1. Something in your pocket? Nada. I rarely have anything in my pants pockets. I have a bunch in my jacket, though. Gum, mints, kleenex, an aux cord, Dr’s appt reminder card and 3 lip balms.
2. Which of these three jobs do you think you could do best: magician, musician, or obstetrician? This is like a trifecta of failure for me. HAHA! Probably musician if forced. I have no problem with needles or blood but, I put OBGYN ahead of dental hygienist for terrible jobs (dealing with some very unhygienic people).
3. Dollywood or Graceland? I’ve never been to either but I’d probably pick Graceland since Elvis is the King.
4. One day, while shopping for foundation, you try on two of them that look great on you, and both of them cost the same. How do you figure out which one to get? You will not be surprised to hear that I’d likely pick based on the packaging.
5. Which is worse — wet socks or wet shirt cuffs? Wet socks, for sure. Just awful.
Marina (Makeup4all) says
1. Something in your pocket? My keys and my phone
2. Which of these three jobs do you think you could do best: magician, musician, or obstetrician? Magician
3. Dollywood or Graceland? None
4. One day, while shopping for foundation, you try on two of them that look great on you, and both of them cost the same. How do you figure out which one to get? I will get the brand I love more then
5. Which is worse — wet socks or wet shirt cuffs? socks
Kate & Bree says
1. Something in your pocket?
Luden’s Throat Lozenges. I caught one of those colds that make you have a terribly irritated, scratchy throat and I always trust my Luden’s.
2. Which of these three jobs do you think you could do best: magician, musician, or obstetrician?
Musician, but I’d probably wouldn’t wow any crowds. I sang in a choir for 20 years but never got a solo. ??♀️
3. Dollywood or Graceland?
Oh goodness, I have no idea. I’m not well versed in Elvis or in Dolly enough to make a good enough opinion.
4. One day, while shopping for foundation, you try on two of them that look great on you, and both of them cost the same. How do you figure out which one to get?
The one that doesn’t break me out in rashes or make me itch. One will ALWAYS, without doubt, make me itch.
If that doesn’t work, whichever feels and looks lightest. I hate super thick, full coverage foundations. I much prefer a lightweight, light to medium (more preference on the light) foundation. I actually use my lupus rash to my advantage when I have it. Lol.
5. Which is worse — wet socks or wet shirt cuffs?
Socks. Socks socks socks socks socks. Especially in midwestern winters. I can roll up sleeves, but you can’t roll up socks. You can only change socks.
Brooke says
1. Anything in your pocket? NOPE… I’m wearing LuLaRoe TC leggings because they’re huge on me (finally) and they’re comfy. My old bones are achy with this cold weather and I wanted some comfort lmao
2. Magician, Musician or Obstetrician? I know for a fact I’d be a terrible musician (except in my own mind, or a car with the windows rolled up) and probably wouldn’t really excel as an OB so I’ll take magician because maybe I can convince someone they’ve just seen something amazing?
3. Dollywood or Graceland? I’ve never been to Dollywood! I would love to go!
4. Foundation choice. I go with the one that stayed on the longest.
5. Wet socks or wet shirt cuffs. WET SOCKS without a doubt.
Karen says
Hi Brooke,
I would love to go to Dollywood too and secretly think it would be fun to do a meet-up there, LOL!
Hope you’re having a nice Monday so far. What did you do over the weekend?
Diana says
Stretch count #3 today, at the microwave waiting for my lunch (breakfast for me) to heat up.
1. Something in your pocket? My hands. They’re freezing today
2. Which of these three jobs do you think you could do best: magician, musician, or obstetrician? Obstetrician who’s in a band on the weekends (but can’t sing lol).
3. Dollywood or Graceland? Haven’t been to either but my dad loved Elvis, so Graceland first.
4. One day, while shopping for foundation, you try on two of them that look great on you, and both of them cost the same. How do you figure out which one to get? Omg I would drive myself crazy rationalizing until I gave up and got both or went with the one that layers the best.
5. Which is worse — wet socks or wet shirt cuffs? Wet socks
Karen says
Hi Diana,
I’m on my fourth stretch break, woo hoo! Keep it up.
What did you have for lunch? I had a microwave Amy’s mac and chili bowl.
Diana says
Mac&Chili bowl? ? Where is this in Ct?! I had an Amy’s too-Amys Spinach Lasagna added 2 more stretch breaks to my microwave time.
I was a cheerleader in hs (a nerd one though lol) and my nieces laugh at me- I spontaneously break into cheer stretches at the microwave idk why or realize lol Up to #5, thanks for the Monday blues inspiration! Xo
Suzanne C says
1. Something in your pocket?
The key to the garage. It’s laundry day.
2. Which of these three jobs do you think you could do best: magician, musician, or obstetrician?
Musician, as long as I didn’t have to travel a lot. I think I’d like being a studio musician.
3. Dollywood or Graceland?
Dollywood! I went there way back in the day on my honeymoon. I’m also a huge Elvis fan, but Graceland just seems sad to me. Like it’s a monument to everything that went wrong for him.
4. One day, while shopping for foundation, you try on two of them that look great on you, and both of them cost the same. How do you figure out which one to get?
I’d ask for a sample of each and wear them both for a couple of days. Then I’d buy the one that wears the best, while still feeling good on my skin.
5. Which is worse — wet socks or wet shirt cuffs?
I hate both, but I can stand wet socks easier than wet shirt cuffs.
Karen says
Hi Suzanne,
Did you manage to finish your laundry? I feel like every day is laundry day here in Casa MBB. LOL!
Hope you’re having a lovely Monday so far. 🙂
Suzanne C says
The girls have learned to do their own laundry (whoo-hoo!!), so it was only three loads, including towels. The chore that is endless around here is washing the dishes, ugh.
It was a pretty good day. I treated myself to the first episode of season 2 of Victoria during lunch. Hope you guys had a good day! I’m very jealous that y’all get such a good view of the blue blood supermoon eclipse- I don’t think we’ll get to see it at all.
Christine says
1. Something in your pocket?
Work keys (master key for the office, mail key, desk drawer key) and my phone.
2. Which of these three jobs do you think you could do best: magician, musician, or obstetrician?
Musician (fun fact, I was dead set on pursuing classical music while I was in high school).
3. Dollywood or Graceland?
Dollywood? I’ve not been to either but I think I’d like Dollywood more.
4. One day, while shopping for foundation, you try on two of them that look great on you, and both of them cost the same. How do you figure out which one to get?
I go by blendability – I like barely-there coverage that I can easily blend and add more if I’ve got a break out.
5. Which is worse — wet socks or wet shirt cuffs?
Wet. Socks. UGH.
Karen says
Hi Christine,
I went through a phase in high school when I wanted to be a classical musician, too. Didn’t everyone though? I always thought they did, LOL!
What instrument did you play?
Christine says
I think any good band kid did! I was dead set on going to school for performance and teaching (I realized how little patience for teaching kids I have) – I played clarinet and bass clarinet, but dabbled in several other instruments (I was also one of the founding members of the Renaissance Recorder Choir for Madrigals LOL). I’d love to start playing again.
What did you play?
Karen says
Oooh, so I was never a reed person. I tried a bunch of times and it just didn’t stick. I started off playing piano when I was 4 and played through my teens (mostly against my will, haha!). In band I played flute, piccolo, trumpet and french horn, but mostly flute.
The last time I picked up a flute was over 10 years ago, though. Hard to believe now that I had so much music in my life every day up until the age of 18.
I still keep a bucket list of instruments I want to learn, too. 🙂 Up at the top are the accordion and cello.
Christine says
Yaaaaas to accordion!
I’m the same, I haven’t played anything in 10 years. Super jealous of your french horn skills. I love the instrument but could not get it to make a noise – or a decent one – to save my life. Bass clarinet will always have my heart, though.
Karen says
French horn is really hard. I could play it, but it wasn’t my forte. I was always more comfortable with the flute.
I admire you for playing bass clarinet because those reed instruments are hard. Did you ever try the oboe? Every bass clarinet person I knew played oboe as well for some reason.
Christine says
I learned some oboe basics in middle school, and then in high school I taught myself bassoon for pit orchestra for Into the Woods…we needed violas and didn’t have any buuuuuut teaching myself bassoon in such a short amount of time didn’t go as planned. I wound up transposing the viola music for bass clarinet anyways.
I feel the same way about brass! Three keys, but depending on your buzz you can play different notes! Clearly, my lips don’t work that way…LOL
Karen says
Wasn’t pit fun? I did it a few times (Chorus Line, West Side Story and Damn Yankees) and loved it. By the end of the run we’d all be mouthing the lines with the cast, haha.
So the funny thing about band is I never realized just how geeky it was until my 30s. I remember sending emails to both my good friends who I still keep in touch and saying something along the lines like, “We played instruments. On a field. And we walked in time to the beat of the music. THAT WAS SO GEEKY, WASN’T IT?” LOL
Christine says
Pit was great! I only did it for a year before getting sucked into the world of sound design.
HA marching band is totally geeky AND I LOVE IT! lol! Did you have the feather plumes you had to take out of your hat when it rained, or else they’d melt?
I still get super excited to watch drum corps competitions, too. I was in a colorguard for three years and still have my flags and rifle at my mom’s house. I remember pulling out my flags a few years ago to show SO and he cringed every time I tossed and caught it because I’m pretty clumsy otherwise.
Eileen says
1. Something in your pocket? Nothing. Pockets aren’t my thing and I rarely use them.
2. Which of these three jobs do you think you could do best: magician, musician, or obstetrician? Musician for sure. I’m passionate about music and studied several instruments back in the day.
3. Dollywood or Graceland? Dollywood. Love that woman!
4. One day, while shopping for foundation, you try on two of them that look great on you, and both of them cost the same. How do you figure out which one to get? The first hurdle is how it works with my normal skin care and sunscreen products. The next consideration is how it feels and looks on my über dry skin once it has dried down.
5. Which is worse — wet socks or wet shirt cuffs? Wet socks. Walking around in wet socks can lead to foot/toenail fungus. I’ve never heard of anyone getting wrist fungus from walking around with damp cuffs. LOL
Karen says
Hi Eileen,
Yeah but wet wrists are so terrible! I can’t stand it when my shirt cuffs get wet after I wash my hands.
What instruments did you play back in the day? In another lifetime I was in band. 🙂
Eileen says
I started piano at 6 and stuck with that until my mid-teens when acoustic guitar and folk music became so popular (late fifties – early sixties). I also took up cello about that time because I loved the sound of the instrument. In retirement, I’ve returned to my beloved piano.
Karen says
I love the sound of cello, too! It’s on my bucket list of instruments to learn, along with the accordion. 🙂
You know what I always had trouble with on piano? Bach. It always felt like I was tripping over my own two feet.
Do you play on an upright or a grand?
Amy says
1. Something in your pocket? Knit skirt with no pockets. But my jacket pockets are (by happenstance) perfectly sized and throughout the day today have held phone, keys, and a Becca lipgloss.
2. Which of these three jobs do you think you could do best: magician, musician, or obstetrician? Equally subpar! It’s between obstetrician and musician. I’ll go with musician. I’d make a functional violinist and could be an enthusiastic fiddler.
3. Dollywood or Graceland? I’ve always kind of wanted to go to Graceland. The era is interesting to me.
4. One day, while shopping for foundation, you try on two of them that look great on you, and both of them cost the same. How do you figure out which one to get? The one that’s CF and has the most natural ingredients. If neither leans in those directions, the dewiest and sheerest or most blendable.
5. Which is worse — wet socks or wet shirt cuffs? It might depend on the water temp. If it’s warm water, that makes either more bearable. Overall, though – and I realize I’m bucking a trend here – you can take off wet socks and go barefoot or sockless. I wear flip-flops (or slippers for you ultra-west-coasters) year round and rarely register cold feet. So even if the water is cold, wet socks are only temporarily unpleasant. But who has an extra shirt on them usually? If it’s a tight shirt or t-shirt, wet cuffs are hard to roll up, and they give me a preternatural chill. Such an inconvenience, and such tactile yuckiness that lingers! That’s my novella of an answer. 😉
Erin says
1. Something in your pocket?
Lint. They are empty!
2. Which of these three jobs do you think you could do best: magician, musician, or obstetrician?
Hmmmm, I don’t know. I’ve got the musician genes and I’m a good singer.
3. Dollywood or Graceland?
Dollywood.
4. One day, while shopping for foundation, you try on two of them that look great on you, and both of them cost the same. How do you figure out which one to get?
Finish! I prefer a satin/natural!
5. Which is worse — wet socks or wet shirt cuffs?
Socks… oh yeah socks.
CL says
1. Usually my house and work keys.
2. Probably musician since I can read music and play an instrument. However, I bet I’d be good at magic, too.
3. Probably Graceland, but just out of a sense of morbid curiosity about Presley. I certainly don’t deify him.
4. I’d probably go with which company has the better reputation overall; also, I’d prefer makeup made in the US.
5. Wet socks.
Jennifer says
1. Something in your pocket? Lint!
2. Which of these three jobs do you think you could do best: magician, musician, or obstetrician? I’d have to shoot for magician. I can’t handle other people’s blood and guts even though I’ve given birth. I certainly can’t handle a tune. But I think I could fake my way doing magic. Speaking of, have you seen that new show on Hulu called Shut Eye? I highly recommend it for a bit of escapism!
3. Dollywood or Graceland? I actually went to Graceland with some family friends when I was a child.
4. One day, while shopping for foundation, you try on two of them that look great on you, and both of them cost the same. How do you figure out which one to get? Whichever one feels better on my skin. I don’t like a heavy makeup feeling on my skin.
5. Which is worse — wet socks or wet shirt cuffs? Both are wretched but I’d have to go with wet socks. Wet cuffs will eventually dry out, not so much with wet socks.