tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81484732024-09-06T04:50:51.770-07:00See what happens when a couple and their cats welcome their special-needs, animal-loving, sports-crazy, ready-to-help aunt into their home.Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07449465374641552693noreply@blogger.comBlogger473125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-40481239646471121172015-06-11T10:52:00.000-07:002015-06-11T10:52:08.124-07:00

As you may be aware, Aunt Linda loves Disney's Frozen (you can see proof of that here). One of her many decorations is a set of wall decals/stickers/Fatheads that she received for Christmas. While they work great on the wall - you can move and reuse them without damaging your walls - I realized we were going to have a problem moving them. As you can see in reference to the window, these

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-67237285946777140202015-05-29T13:56:00.000-07:002015-05-29T13:56:58.561-07:00

Christmas 2012 It's been a while since I posted here because there's been a lot going on and I've needed some time to organize my thoughts before putting together this post. It's finally time. After two and a half years of togetherness, Aunt Linda is moving out. It's true that she's spending the summer in Scottville, but it's bigger than that. Linda has officially moved out - her tchotchkes,

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-32156169534986043892015-04-25T06:12:00.001-07:002015-04-25T06:12:28.600-07:00

Post-workout selfie. When Linda moved in with us, one of our goals was to help get her healthy. While we haven't done a great job of that in regards to weight control (I can't even control my own), we have made it a priority to go to the gym or take walks at least three times a week. The exercise hasn't helped much with weight loss (thanks in part to our close proximity to bacon and Sour

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-4455143576298750302015-03-27T08:06:00.001-07:002015-03-27T08:06:35.832-07:00

It's been a while since I posted here. Do you know why? Because Linda abandoned me this winter to get out of the snow and spend almost two months in Las Vegas with her sister (my mom). I'm in Vegas right now to pick up Linda (a 9-day ticket is cheaper than a 2-day ticket...bummer), so I joined her on some of her adventures. Waiting for Miles outside his school. Thursdays were pick-up days

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-53058616021635679182015-02-22T06:49:00.000-08:002015-02-22T06:49:15.803-08:00

It's taken me a while to get the photos up, but I couldn't miss the opportunity the show you how Linda and I spent some time in February with our friend Steph and the ladies of the Elk Rapids Women group. You'll remember a few months ago  we got together to paint (if not, you can check it out here). Well, earlier this month the same group of women got together to learn how to decorate

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-72670357511083827032015-01-18T09:28:00.002-08:002015-01-18T09:28:43.670-08:00

You've heard her sing the songs. You've listened to the stories of her love. Now it's time for you to see the obsession that is Linda's love for Disney's Frozen. It all started with a poster... That's right - she hung it with duct tape. Then she got some wall clings. You can see the little Elsa below the poster, but that's only one of dozens of Frozen wall clings. They're on her door...

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-7628422705817913972014-12-30T11:08:00.001-08:002014-12-30T11:08:35.325-08:00

So much sugar...  The new year approaches and we're getting ready to make some major dietary adjustments around here. My inspiration isn't the new year, it's the post-holiday food comas that have Linda, Matt, and me sitting on our duffs for days on end. It's time to get serious about eating well. When aunt Linda moved in with us, one of our goals was to help her get healthy. In the past

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-76153716036810255082014-12-22T12:49:00.000-08:002014-12-22T12:49:47.825-08:00

Two weeks ago my friend BB called and suggested a fun new Christmas activity - the Music House Museum's Open House with a pre-tour tailgate. Armed with lawn chairs, hot coffee, and cookies, we arrived 30 minutes early for our inaugural event. With temps in the mid-30s, it was a beautiful day to tailgate. Aunt Linda with her Rice Krispie treat. I swear he's not really a Robertson, but he

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-87000450173958565922014-12-17T20:08:00.001-08:002014-12-17T20:08:11.013-08:00

   O.M.G. - guess who's 65 today?? We started the celebration Saturday with a party at the frozen yogurt shop and wrapped it up this evening with the season finale of Survivor. Overall, it's been a good birth-week. (I tried to put these pictures in order, but Blogger's being stupid again - sorry about that). Shaina and Linda, post-froyo. Beery, Beery, Beery. Pretty

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-68465304949810148862014-12-13T07:19:00.000-08:002014-12-13T07:22:12.107-08:00

When Aunt Linda moved in, one of my goals was to get her out of the house and active in as many ways as possible. Since she's been here I've taken her to a lot of events that I may not have attended on my own, and we've tried many new activities. Most recently we learned how to make fancy-pants Christmas cookies! Our friend Rebecca is a cake and cookie decorator. She invited some ladies from

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-64586198602012688092014-11-25T20:54:00.000-08:002014-12-13T07:22:55.397-08:00

In case you hadn't heard, my husband is just a little bit crazy about Legos. He doesn't play with them, though. He researches, buys, cleans, sorts, organizes, and sells Legos. At any given point in time there are tens of thousands of Legos in my house, and none of them are available for playing (but feel free to stop by his online store and browse the merchandise). Linda's first ever 

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-54291516477346358222014-10-24T08:41:00.000-07:002014-12-13T07:24:47.173-08:00

My husband's work schedule alternates with the seasons - early mornings in the summer, afternoons/evenings in the winter, and the occasional weekend. We love it for many reasons, but it sometimes puts us in a situation when Matt's working and I have a writing event. If you're a writer, these workshops are informational, inspiring, even entertaining. If you're not a writer...not so much. Many

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-82870890719963467062014-09-06T11:17:00.004-07:002014-12-13T07:23:25.278-08:00

Last week the Elk Rapids Women group started their 2014-15 season, celebrating 70 years of encouraging and supporting women in the community. This season they've decided to focus on hosting events that give women a chance to have a fun night out. Realizing that we are, in fact, women, Aunt Linda and I decided to join them. The September meeting was a Paint and Pour - a night of wine and

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-11571151878606247562014-08-24T17:51:00.000-07:002014-08-24T17:51:23.174-07:00

Today I told Linda it was time for another blog post. When I asked her what we should write about, she wasn't sure. I threw out a few possible topics: cats, Detroit Tigers, church. She agreed to them all, but wasn't really sure what she had to say about them, so I suggested a video. She couldn't wait! Without further ado, here's Aunt Linda in her vlogging debut with "the Grand Tour."  

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-65754927842322186302014-07-15T12:16:00.000-07:002014-12-13T07:24:03.976-08:00

Linda and I made it to our second Traverse City Beach Bums game last weekend. This is one of our favorite summertime activities. A great stadium, cheap tickets, good team, and the BEST mascots around. Wuerful Park Here you have Suntan and Sunburn, everyone's favorite giant bears. They dance, they cause trouble, and they're more entertaining than a one year-old boy with his first birthday

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-83469700337701335502014-05-28T19:16:00.002-07:002014-12-13T07:25:07.763-08:00

Linda loves animals. When we visit our family in Vegas, the first question she asks is, "How's Izzy?" (my sister's dog). I'm pretty sure she goes to Vegas to see the dogs, cats, nieces, and her sister (in that order of importance). Kitty love! Linda picked this cat because he reminds her of Sebastian, her cat from Jackson. We have two cats at my house, and I've done very little to take

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-35840282261398848782014-05-15T08:04:00.000-07:002014-05-15T08:04:28.534-07:00

When Linda first moved in I couldn't believe how much she wasted. I spent many afternoons grumbling as I picked through the trash and recycling to pull out bottles and jars with 1/2-1" of jam, shampoo, and peanut butter still inside. At first I would quietly put everything back on the shelf, then I talked with her about wasting. Then I realized what was really happening. I started to figure

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-50547775358735964992014-03-23T08:15:00.000-07:002014-03-23T08:15:00.522-07:00

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07449465374641552693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-553945203957010012014-03-03T09:35:00.000-08:002014-12-13T07:25:34.944-08:00

Without a doubt, Linda's favorite footwear is Crocs. She has five pairs, each a different color. She wears them everywhere, inside and out. When she loves something as much as she loves her shoes, she wants to share the experience. I will occasionally slip on her Crocs to run outside, but Matt's feet don't fit. Even if they did, it would take a significant amount of money or Legos to convince him

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-35554471280044694052014-02-24T09:10:00.000-08:002014-02-24T09:10:00.140-08:00

Linda loves to be involved. She wants to know how you are, how your day was, what your plans are, where Linda and Matt chit-chatting last summer. you're going. Then she wants to fill you in on her day: what she saw on the news or at the store, who she talked with, which teams are doing what. She is curious and interested, and she just wants to know everything. During the summer, this

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-91573304431387055572014-02-06T14:12:00.002-08:002014-02-07T06:20:03.344-08:00

Sorry it's been so long. I was busy, then unmotivated, then busy again. At the tail end of things was a trip to Las Vegas, so blog posts kept getting pushed further and further down the to-do list. I find myself with a few spare moments today, so I thought I'd show you what's on our minds: Izzy (white) & Ginger (uh, ginger) at my sister's house. Dogs. Tayter, Linda's new best

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-29663995132024848212013-12-11T06:04:00.004-08:002013-12-11T06:04:47.952-08:00

Last year Linda, Matt, and I spent our first Christmas together in Vegas. It was fun, but not a true Christmas - we didn't decorate (leave a decorated tree at home with two cats?? no thank you), didn't have snow, and didn't get to participate in many of the local events. This year, however, I'm going all out, and I'm taking Linda with me. Why Knot? The brave pretzel vendors. Well, sort of

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-22034825985182076802013-11-25T06:56:00.000-08:002013-11-25T06:57:01.249-08:00

Mr. Matt loves sugar. He doesn't just enjoy sweet things; he somehow knows which sweet things have the highest sugar content (and lowest nutritional value) and prefers those snacks. Example - Cathedral Windows. Really nothing more than chocolate covered sugar. These are super easy to make, so I don't mind making a batch. Mr. Matt lucked out this weekend, too - I needed a couple of pictures of

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-5851157036776742292013-11-07T05:52:00.001-08:002013-11-07T05:52:47.060-08:00

A couple of years ago Matt and I bought Linda a ceramic snowman for Christmas. She never got around to painting it, but when I came home the other day she had everything out and ready to go. Problem: after two years those little tubs of paint turn into solid masses of color. So, about week later we made it to JoAnn's and picked up so more paint. Linda found some pastel and glitter paint

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148473.post-53789922006064281902013-11-01T01:00:00.000-07:002013-11-01T01:00:00.642-07:00

Linda and Matt share a passion for holiday decorations. It doesn't matter which holiday - 4th of July, Christmas, Sweetest Day - so long as they can find a decoration for it. If we can't find a decoration, we don't have a problem making our own. Recently my sister created a fabric wreath for Halloween: Growing Up Gabel We don't celebrate Halloween, but I liked the idea behind the wreath:

Karin Beeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10601491373456724279noreply@blogger.com0