So we decided to bake some brownies, here's how it went...

...they were amazing!!

What a crazy couple of weeks...

On Monday Feb 19th we found out that Tim’s grandma passed away so we went to the hospital to be with his family. We stayed until 10:00. When his parents left they were hit by a drunk driver. We rushed back to the hospital and got there right when the ambulance pulled in. I stayed there until 6:00 in the morning. They put the drunk in the room next to his mom. We heard him scream while the doctors put his elbow back in place. The name swalms came up a time or two that night.

I just found out my sister bought a house outside of Indy [excuse to go shopping @ Ikea].

I’m not allowed to watch LOST “live” anymore. I have to tivo it and watch it when someone doesn’t have band practice…. still waiting….

I held Lilly for the first time in a long time.

I had my first car “accident.”

I found out I still need to take my series 6 & 63 exams.

Life is good.

Straight from Egypt...

Miss Kara Burkey!!

It was a bittersweet trip, but it was amazing seeing you again!!

I LOVE YOU!!

Peace.

Gloria A. Burkey

Oct. 18, 1937-Feb. 19, 2007

LAGRANGE, Ind. — Gloria Ann Burkey, 69, 1415 S. 460 West, died Monday at 6:20 p.m. at Elkhart General Hospita following an extended illness.

She was born Oct. 18, 1937, in Goshen, to William and Lela Belle (Snodgrass) Hartman.

She married Ralph Edward Burkey on May 3, 1956, in Mississippi. He died Sept. 3, 1980.

She worked for 26 years at CTS, Elkhart, and a number of years at A.R.C. Opportunities, Howe.

She was a member of the Lake Missionary Church, where she served as children’s director. She also served several years as the Bible Release Teacher through the Steuben County Association of Churches. Over the years she has served as a Sunday school teacher/superintendent, children and vacation Bible school director, curriculum writer and Women’s Bible Study leader.

From 1996 to 2000 she served as a missionary in Donesk, Ukraine, working with the university students and helping them start and develop Hope Church.

She enjoyed playing Scrabble and the piano.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Ann (Jeff) Grate, Bronson, Mich.; five sons, Daniel (Erin) Burkey, Granger, Stephen (Lisa) Burkey, Howe, Jonathan (Twyla) Burkey, Lima, Ohio, David (Juanita) Burkey, Hamilton, and Peter Burkey, LaGrange; two sisters, Wanda (Robert) Hooley, California Corners, Mich., and Carol (Roy) Parker, Elkhart; a brother, Jim (Betty) Hartman, Union, Mich.; and 19 grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and a grandson, Reuben Paul Grate.

Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Miller-Stewart Funeral Home, Middlebury, and one hour prior to the funeral, which is scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m. at Shore Mennonite Church, Shipshewana. The Revs. Mike Cain and Bob Renner will officiate.

Burial will take place at Shore Cemetery, Shipshewana.

Pallbearers will be Timothy Burkey, Andrew Burkey, Adam Burkey, Jonathan Burkey, Caleb Burkey, Daniel Burkey, Micah Burkey and Matthew Burkey.

Memorials may be sent to Hope Church, Donesk, Ukraine.

Online condolences may be sent to millerstewartfuneralhome.com.

It has been awhile...

Some fact about Sweden from Car...

Sweden.

Also known as The Kingdom of Sweden. A very large country. I learned where it is located today. But this is not all about the new (about 20-something) countries I learned the location of. This is all about Sw eden...

Sweden just happens to be the leading industrial nation. (hence IKEA)

Sweden has a king right now who's name is (appropriately enough since this is for KIMMI Gustafson): King Carl XVI Gustav

Sweden has one of the world's highest life expectansies. Lucky ducks.

In the 60's and the 70's Sweden was considered the international leader in the "sexual revolution".

As of right now, Sweden has one of the highest number of single people in the world.

Also, they have this building (the Twisting Torso):

Sweden has also given us musical gifts such as ABBA, Ace of Base, and The Hives. But Ebba Gron is considered the first "Swedish punk band".

So you see, IKEA is the best thing that ever happened to America.
Nuff said.

♥♥♥Car.

Anti BW3's Group
[taken by Car]
So the plan was Houlihans for Timmy's birthday... that didn't work out, the wait was over two hours. So after calling around and around we settled on BW3's...
BIG MISTAKE, BIG.
Half the table ate; Half the table watched.
No fun. No fun at all.
We were all VERY angry.
[as you can tell]

Those that ate only paid half their bill.
Those that didn't eat didn't pay at all [and eventually got their food].
So, I guess, it worked out in the end [sort of].

Join the Group on MySpace.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIMMY!!

P.S. BEAR DOWN!!

My poor Jeep...

So I bought new tires last Saturday and spent $600. I drove maybe two miles and look what happened...

Tim could have fixed it an hour earlier if he would have gotten off of the phone!!

last weekend...

... in CHICAGO

Vince [won't leave me alone] Vaughn


So I'm driving down Michigan Ave on Sunday afternoon with Car, Tim, Kim and Aaron for some shopping and coffee. All of the sudden we notice random snow on the ground {it's 50 outside} and a ton of Christmas shoppers. Next thing we see are a bunch of santas running down the street and Car and I say it's probably Vince [stalking us again] filming another movie.

So today during lunch i log on to people.com to catch up on the news and what do I see...

"Vince Vaughn forgoes a sleigh for his own two feet Sunday in Chicago while filming a naughty scene for the movie Fred Claus. The comedy – about Santa Claus's bitter brother – is due in November. "

Field's clings to a sweet spot with Frangos of yore

By Heidi Stevens
Tribune staff reporter
Published January 7, 2007

The bags say Macy's, the gift cards say Macy's, even the awnings along majestic State Street say Macy's.

But oh, sweet salvation, we've still got our Frangos--for now. Buyers of the chocolatey Chicago icon will notice the boxes still sport the eloquent Marshall Field's moniker, a lone standout in the New York-ified institution. Macy's spokeswoman Jennifer McNamara says the store is using up its "existing supply" of Frango boxes and when those go, so goes the name.

The new line, McNamara says, will simply be called Frangos, not Macy's Frangos.

In the meantime, you chocolate lovers may want to snatch up what's left of the soon-to-be-extinct version, and you don't have to be in Chicago to do so. McNamara says Frangos are now available in about 200 Macy's locations--and in some cases are proving a tough sell.

A recent story in the Philadelphia Inquirer told the tale of Philly shoppers encountering the new-fangled chocolates at the Center City Philadelphia Macy's: "I wouldn't buy it for $18," Anita Donahue told the paper. "Not unless I knew it was really good," added her sister-in-law Regina Donahue.

Of course, $18 (a 1-pound box of Frangos actually retails for $17) is a pittance for the serious chocolate lover. A list of 21 Ultimate Gifts in December's Robb Report highlights the Michel Cluizel special: a shipment of $200 worth of Michel Cluizel chocolate every week for the rest of your life, a chocolate room designed for your home, a tutorial on how to better appreciate fine chocolate and a private tour of the Cluizel factory in Damville, France, with Michel Cluizel as your guide. The price? A cool $4 million.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

...ahhhhhh the world is coming to an end; forget global warming what am I going to do when there are no more Frango's?!?!

[thank you lisa jump]

2007

[ahhhhhh!!!!]

...more to come

Christmas is Over?!?!

I Just Bought a Tree!!

Kimmi, Betsy & Amy

[notice how natural I look with my eyes crossed]

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE BARNARD GIRLS!!!

{we are really Gustafson's and Arnold's... minor detail}

Wow, Christmas flew by this year!! I can't believe I am already back to work... ahhhh! My Christmas was great this year, I received everything I asked for (which wasn't much) and so much more!! Thank you to everyone!! I can now be sandwiched in feathers... this was my goal this season. I was able to spend time with my ENTIRE family which was kewl. I also discovered that I don't mind cats TOO much... my sister brought hers to my parents house over the weekend.

I had one minor problem this year... I twisted my knee. All I did was walk out of church on Christmas Eve and POP! There was a lot of pain and swelling but it's on its way to working normally again. ... leave it to me to twist my knee while walking ;)

I spent yesterday shopping with my sister getting Christmas decorations for my apartment for next year. Yikes did I spend a lot of money! Now I'm ready for Christmas... again ;)

I also found an apartment that I love in Mishawaka. It's kind of expensive for just me... but I think I will be very happy. It's only one bedroom... but it's huge. I keep going back and forth on whether or not I should live in Mishawaka, South Bend or Elkhart... I think I'll stick to the Mish. [Car you can still change your mind and buy that second bedroom from me so you have your own ROOM on the weekends] ;) I am really having a hard time signing a 12 month lease... ahhh!! Who would have thought I'd have a problem with commitment!! I can hopefully move in between Feb 1st and March 1st... we'll see!!! I'll keep you posted...

Happy Birthday Danny!!!

He turned 27 [yesterday]

some of my family...

Sweet home...

Do you see a theme?

... I have a problem ;)

December!!!


I am so happy... Christmas is just around the corner!!