28 February 2010 - Sterling Heights, Michigan

Dear Family,

This week was full of getting matters organized - it is impossible to completely seperate physical, mental and spiritual matters because they all contribute to our well being.

Physical - Dad shoveled the heavy snow for a couple of hours on Monday, which was a good workout, but the best part was the Jacuzzi afterwards. Great news - Mom’s broken toe has healed enough to go for walks again. They walked for two miles at Lakeside mall on Saturday morning.

Mental - This week’s spare time was dominated with the preparation for a Single Adult Fireside next Sunday evening, on temples and the tabernacle. It was great to remind ourselves and organize ours thoughts and visiual aids to make it presentable.

Spiritual - The Stake Conference was great. The spirit was strong and bore witness of the truths being spoken and encouraged us to be better disciples of Jesus Christ by demonstrating love through service to others.  After the Saturday evening session Mom & Dad with Ryan Maureen, Barlow’s and others went to Pei Wei for dinner. After the Sunday morning session, Kulka and Corless clans come for dinner at Papa & Nona’s house. All had a good time eating and playing games together.  Then the children and grandchildren left, and “the old ones” returned to the Stake center to present the fireside.  They took a lot of maps, models, pictures and objects to show and the presentation turned out pretty well.  Mom’s feet are tired and a bit achy from standing so long.  Now it feels good to be done and to be back home.         

Love y’all,

Mom & Dad

Corless Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan - 21 Feb 2010

Sunday February 21st 2010

Dear Family,

The Valentine’s Day celebration included red-heart decorations everywhere, a ravioli dinner, glasses full of candy, eight grandchildren, video call (iChat) with Dan, Lara, Abby & Sarah.  It was a great connection for all involved and everyone had a great time and enjoyed being together.

After the party, the old dishwasher gave up the ghost. Dad pronounced it dead, uninstalled it and put it outside. Mom, the powershopper, was commissioned to pursue a new machine.  She was, as usual,  successfull in finding a great machine and a place to buy it at a very good price. Tuesday Lowe’s delivered the new machine and Dad installed it, just in time to prepare dinner for the missionaries. 

Wednesday morning, Dad took Mom to her RS presidency meeting and returned in time to help Holli with a project to make an oak chest of drawers.  They made a great start, but still have a long way to go for a finished product. 

Thursday morning Mom & Dad were the witness couple for an endowment session at the Temple. It was a great treat to be there.

Friday morning Dad survived an hour of racquetball.   It was his first outing since being diagnosed with pneumonia and he felt great after it was over.  Dad bought a new laptop (Acer), to replace the stolen one and spent the day configuring it.  

Mom & Dad enjoyed their date-night italian dinner at Francesca’s with Stebar’s.  The cream broulee Sis. Stebar prepared for desert was truely delicious. 

Saturday afternoon Mom & Dad were invited to Ryan & Maureen’s where Dad and Ryan installed their new projector and screen with the new surround sound system in the basement. The whole family watched “Horton Hears a Who” to test the system, which, of coursed, functioned perfectly.

Sunday, Mom & Dad hosted the McLennan family for dinner after church and shared some wonderful faith promoting stories.

Love y’all,

Mom & Dad 

14 February 2010 - Happy Valentines Day from Sterling Heights, Michigan

Dear Family,

Happy Valentine’s day.

Hard Labor - Dad survived removing the 1/2 cubit of snow on driveway and deck left by the mid-week winter storm. 

Dental Dates - Both Mom & Dad survived their dental appointments without any permanent adverse psychological or physical damage. Dad got his “perfect” teeth cleaned and Mom got a tiny hole filled in one of her teeth.

Parties - Mom, not only survived, but enjoyed the successful RS “Unity” Activity on Thursday evening with her “sisters”. After shopping on Saturday afternoon, Mom & Dad visited Jim & Vanessa’s and Ryan & Maureen’s for another set of impromtu party ing. Sunday evening is Nona’s Annual Valentine’s Day Party. Nona had the tables set in red & white, complete with balloons and candy-filled glasses ready since Friday evening for the grand celebration of love this Sunday. 

Matter Organized - Good News - A new kitchen window with internal blinds was installed Friday morning. Bad News - the new door that was supposed to be installed opened on the wrong side, so it was not installed, but reordered. Frustration and disappointment have littered the trail to the new more secure door, but there is still hope on the horizon.  We will prevail!

We love y’all,

Mom & Dad

7th February 2010 - Sterling Heights, Michigan

Dear Family,

Thanks to and with the help of Heavenly Father we are both doing just fine. Our problems are nothing compared to the challenges of many of the people we know.

Personal Improvement - Dad's X-ray and doctor visit results - he is significantly improved, but will continue coughing until the lung has cleared itself of the pneumonia residue. 

Mom's broken toe is getting better as indicated by the reduced level of swelling, pain and limping, but it will take another 3 weeks or so for it to heal enough to wear her regular shoes.

However, these "conditions" have not stopped us from getting some of the needed exercise on the strider and elliptical machines.  On Tuesday, Dad swept the 1-2 inches of snow from the driveway with no adverse reactions.  Dad walked two upper & lower laps of Lakeside Mall while Mom was in her presidency meeting. Also, Dad took Mom to visit and uplift three people who are experiencing challenges of their own. 

Learn by doing - Mom & Dad are reading the Book of Mormon together - Dad reads from a copy of the original published text while Mom follows along in her copy. 

Saturday afternoon Dad & Ryan learned how to hang doors through "on the job training".  Results -  two closet doors hung without any personal injury or property damage or duct tape. 

Love you all, Mom & Dad