Sunday, February 26, 2012

Corless Clan Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan - 26 February 2012


Dear Family,
Knee-monia - David had an arthroscopic knee surgery to relieve the pain he has suffered with over the last few years. Hopefully, it will heal well and he will return to work on Monday. Meanwhile, Pedro Armando’s saga continues with waging war against the bacteria that likes to hang out in his artificial knee joint. He is in Sao Paulo for the next couple of months on an out-patient basis receiving treatment. We are very concerned about his well being.
Temple - Mom & Dad enjoyed serving in the baptistry this week. They were happy to start the work for a couple of Toye Stebar’s relatives, which made it an extra special evening. 
Opportunity - Bishop called Dad to speak at a funeral on Thursday. Being retired presents some “interesting” opportunities to serve and feel the love of Heavenly Father as he comforts those who mourn. It turned out well and the family was pleased.
Mystery Island - Mom & Dad’s date night turned into experiencing Jules Verne “Journey 2 - Mystery Island” in IMAX 3D in the afternoon and a yummy steak and shrimp dinner in the evening at Outback.
Mills Mourning - The Mills Family mourns the tragic loss of Jena. Dan’s canine companion was the victim of a hit & run accident while at work, on Friday evening. Dan witnessed the whole incident and had no way to do anything to stop it. It’s hard to loose a companion this way.  Dad still remembers when as a teenager, he saw a dog run over by a tractor that died right in front of him.  Sad.  We send our condolences.
Sam Swims - Papa was finally able to watch Sam swim as she came from 3rd in the last leg to take 1st place in her heat of the 200 yard free style on Saturday afternoon. She has qualified to compete next weekend in another meet. Go Sam!
pastedGraphic.pdf
Sam Swims
Isaiah 8 - Happy Birthday and baptism for Isaiah. The whole Michigan Corless Clan attended Isaiah’s Baptism at the Detroit River Branch building in Detroit.  We also saw-  Holli’s Parents, Pablo Carbajal, Sam Skousen Jr., and the Branch President, Carlos Junca (Silvia Gray’s brother). Afterward, Mom & Dad took Ryan, Tyler, Preston and Jacob to Dan & Holli’s for a hamburger and hot dog, cake and ice cream birthday dinner and party. Ryan and Mom played the guitar and sang with Pablo. Papa helped Preston make “Robogator” with Lego Mindstorm, while Tyler, Nathan and Ryan threw the football outside. Everyone had a good time together.
Photos - http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#101532
pastedGraphic_1.pdf
Isaiah with his Family
pastedGraphic_2.pdf
Isaiah’s Extended Family
pastedGraphic_3.pdf
Preston with “Robogator”
Love y’all,  Mom & Dad

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Corless Clan Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan - 19 February 2012


Dear Family,
Happy Valentine’s Day - We hope all had a Happy Valentine’s Day with nice thoughts, cards and/or gifts from the heart.
Minor Matter Organized - While Mom went to her medical exam, Dad cleaned out part of the garage and threw out some old useless stuff. There is still much to be done, but at least, it was a start.
Vintage Vehicles - On their “Date Day” Mom & Dad went to the Henry Ford Museum to see the new “Driving America” exhibit.  It is well done and, of course, Dad photographed a few of the vintage vehicles. They had a BLT sandwich and split pea soup for lunch in the street car sized Lamy’s Diner. 
pastedGraphic.pdf
pastedGraphic_1.pdf
Mom reads about the Bugatti
pastedGraphic_2.pdf
1932 Ford V8

Mainly Mild - Tuesday morning Dad swept an inch blanket of snow off the driveway and sidewalks, however, the weather has continued to be relatively warm. So on Wednesday, Dad biked on the Clinton River Trail to get some exercise and to enjoy the outdoors.  Talking about exercise, on Monday morning, Dad, Jim and Ryan played two games of racquetball at “Courtland”. All three survived without any damage. Dad thinks he needs to develop a new strategy because these two are fast enough to get to and return his shots.
GM Boguses - Ryan stopped by after basketball on Thursday evening. He shared the irony of the GM employee bogus bonus process. After record profits, management decided to only give a part of the target bonus because “they did not meet the objectives”. It seems a little ironic that the management objectives were set by upper management and not met by upper management so they will discount the employee bonuses to make up for it. Oh well, at least, everyone is still employed.
Soggy Strength - Super Samantha displayed her excellent swimming form, strength and endurance, as she placed in several races and earned Jr Olympic times in four events and state time in one other event at a multi-club swim meet this weekend. GO Sam!
Ranger Rescuers - Mom and Dad were invited on Ryan & Maureen’s Saturday Date Night, which included a stop at the GM Tech center to install a new battery in the Ranger. After a chilly and expedited battery installation and a prayer, the Ranger started right up. Once again Ryan & Dad rescued the Ranger from an overnight stay in a lonely parking lot. They celebrated their successful rescue with dinner at “Pei Wei” and watching a DVD “Moneyball” .
Love y’all,  Mom & Dad

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Corless Clan Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan - 12 February 2012


Dear Family,
Looking Good - Congratulations - Brother Stebar has successfully completed his cataract removal surgeries. He says can see so much better. Things are much brighter and clearer. Dad told, “You may be able to see better, but you don’t look any better.” They both had a good laugh. What are friends for anyway?
Tax Man - This week, Dad has spent the most aggravating part of his life’s annual routine - preparing Federal and Michigan state income tax returns. “This is worse than trying to work with the bean counters at Ford to make any logic out this tangled web of evil secret combinations. This is clearly the “Darkside.”
Date Day - Since Friday evenings are now taken with their Stake Service Missionary calling, Mom & Dad moved their date day to Thursday. This week they went to Cranbrook to see the “Life on Earth” exhibition (science mixed with the philosophies of men) and later to “Red Lobster” to share a shrimp and lobster dinner (praiseworthy and of good report).
Scout Committee - The Scout Committee was reorganized and Dad volunteered to help out.  He can’t resist. There a are number of good men to share the load and a large number of good boys to support.
White Knuckle Conditions - It started to snow as Dad attended Tyler’s basketball game, picked up a few things at Costco and drove directly home to pick up Mom to go to their ARP meeting. Afterward, Mom and Dad drove home in blizzard conditions with very slick roads. Being on the Lord’s errand has its advantages because they made home safe and sound without sliding off into the ditch.
Family Photo File - Mom and Dad scanned a number of photos from Mom’s Gatti and Sanchez families. It was fun to relive and share the stories about them. The photo below, taken about a century ago, is of Mom’s Grandparents - VoIta’s parents, Jose Maria Sanchez and Flora Christensen they were married in Argentina in 1895 and had six children. VoIta is their 5th child.
pastedGraphic.pdf
Hi Tech Spirit - Dad was sitting in Sacrament meeting today and felt like he needed to check his email via his iPhone. He found about the quorum instructor was sick and not able to attend. So, with the help of Mom and Heavenly Father, he was able to quickly prepare a lesson, which, thankfully, turned out to be well received. 

Happy Valentiners - Due to everybody/s hectic schedule on Tuesday, Mom & Dad hosted the annual Valentine’s celebrations with a dinner and, of course, candy, on Sunday after church meetings. They worked together all afternoon on Saturday, buying stuff, preparing the dinner (Peasant Pasta and home-made Gnocchi), and decorating the tables with red colored everything. Everything added to the festive mood, complete with candy stuffed in the short-stem glasses. Looking good! 
pastedGraphic_1.pdf
Clan Valentine Celebrators
Love y’all,  Mom & Dad

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Corless Clan Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan - 5 February 2012


Dear Family,
Rembrandt - Mom & Dad finally found the time to take in the exhibition of  “Rembrandt: Faces of Jesus” at the DIA on Wednesday. It took them back to Amsterdam in mid 1600‘s and was very informative and well done - Mom & Dad highly recommend it, but, you better hurry, it ends on the 12th.
pastedGraphic.pdf
Sam’s 1st - Sam and family celebrated his first birthday at Dan & Lara’s. We all wish we could have been there to sing “Happy Birthday” and “Parabens a Voce” to the youngest clan member. Thanks to Dan & Lara for sharing the celebrations by taking and sending the video clips of singing to Sam and Sam’s cake eating technique. Happy Birthday Sam!
It’s a Bug’s Birthday - Saturday, Sophia (Bug) became 5 years old. The princess themed celebration at Ryan & Maureen’s was attended by Kulka’s and Papa & Nona. The fare of pizza and salad and “Tater Tots” were gleefully devoured. Sophia enjoyed her candle and sparkler bedecked cake and the presents and, of course the candy game. Of course, Papa took a few photos to commemorate this special occasion. Happy Birthday to Sophia. Photos of Sophia and Jacob B-ball: http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#101473
pastedGraphic_1.pdf
Rex, Ryan, Sophia, Jacob and Preston.
Grand Basket Ball Buddies - Papa attended and photographed Tyler on Friday and Jacob on Saturday playing basket ball. It is fun to watch them play; of course they are at completely different levels of play, but nevertheless,                      it is always entertaining. Photos Tyler B-ball: http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#101468
pastedGraphic_2.pdf
pastedGraphic_3.pdf
Love y’all,  Mom & Dad