Corless Clan Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan - 29 January 2012

Dear Family,

Yumanized - Mom & Dad flew with Grandma Nilace to Yuma. They helped her get settled in her winter residence. Dad, power washed the dust off the house and cleaned windows, pruned the dead branches from the grapefruit tree, replaced a weed strangled rose bush and cleaned out a ~20 year old mess in the shed/shop. Dad met and pestered neighbors to borrow space in their garbage bins to get rid of all the accumulated trash and yard waste.  Dad thinks he and Mom need a rest after this “vacation”. However, it was good to help Grandma get settled in for her warm weather winter in Yuma, and to be comforted knowing she has good neighbors and Jim & Amy to watch out for her. Photos:  http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#101437

Grandma’s Winter Residence on Senita Drive in Saguaro Estates

Grandma “triking” in Saguaro Estates

iPad-er - Grandma Nilace, after seeing what Mom’s iPad could do, had to have one of her own. Of course, the fact that her twin brother has one probably had something to do with “I got to have one.” Mom & Dad helped her get it set up and showed her how to use it. Also, Dad downloaded all of her digital pictures on to her laptop computer. There some photos from our Egypt, Jordan, Israel trip in March of 1999.

California Connection - Dad drove the Fusion 240 miles to the Sorenson home in Chino Hills. It was great to re-connect with Uncle Nile and Aunt Charlene. They are great hosts and a joy to be with. It was easy to feel at home there. On one very special occasion Uncle Nile brought out the latest draft of “The Way Things Really Were” (his life story) and both he and Grandma took turns reading the first several pages of it. The most touching part was at age eight when their father, after being ill for a couple of months, died from Typhoid (Salmonella Typhi). 

Myriam with Sorensons - Chino Hills, CA

Cousin Connection - Dad’s cousins, Michael, and his wife Nancy visited on Sunday evening and Nile Jr. and his wife Breta, visited on Monday evening. It had been 5 years since seeing them, and it was good to re-connect through sharing stories about children, triumphs, challenges and adventures. They are great relatives to have in our family tree.

Gratitudes - Thanks to Jim for shuttling the Explorer back home from the airport. Thanks to Grandma for the airline passage and room and board in Yuma. Thanks to Sorenson’s for their warm & gracious hospitality. Thanks to Br. Stebar for the pick up at the airport and the delivery home. You all helped make the trip possible and enjoyable.   

Love y’all,  Mom & Dad