Dear Family,
Maytag Repairman –“The dryer isn’t turning and I need to get the laundry done.” cried Mom. Dad to the rescue! Thanks to Heavenly Father, Dad was able to disassemble the Maytag gas dryer, diagnose the problem - a worn out and broken belt; arrive at the appliance store just before it closed; purchase a new belt that luckily they had in stock and installed it –all within a couple of hours. Mom was a happy customer.  Success!


Happy Independence Day

Happy Independence Day-Mom and Dad joined the ward for a pancake breakfast and later were joined by Grandma Sparks, the Hui’s and the Lakner’s to celebrate the 236th birthday of the USA with a grilled steak dinner. It was great to catch up on what is going with Hui’s, to get to know Lakner’s better, and to share what the Corless Clan has been up to. Mom & Dad hope everyone had a good time celebrating Independence Day, and take the opportunity to contemplate how much it means to live in a nation whose law values the freedom to choose for oneself what to believe in and how live.


Safely Returned – Mom & Dad are grateful to have the Kulka Krew and Ryan & Maureen and their crew safely return from their visit with the Clark Family in Tennessee. Like here, it was very hot and humid there, which was great for all the water sports they were “deeply” involved in. Everyone enjoyed seeing the photos and videos of the fun and frolics of being in the water with a big family full of cousins and siblings. Maureen thoroughly enjoyed visiting her brothers and sisters, parents, nephews, nieces, and in-laws . . . . It was great to go, great to be there and great to be back home.  At least, we are very happy to have them all back.

Beating the heat – Dad has been biking early in the morning to avoid the 90o+ heat and humidity of the last several days, and using the elliptical machine on the rainy days to burn off the accumulated fat from all the celebrating and associated overeating.  Mom & Dad were cool as they watched “Spiderman” in the comfortable, air conditioned AMC 30.

Summertime Backyard

In the Pink- Inspite of the exhausting hot weather, the constant watering has all the flowers around the house looking good. The flowers, which are pink, have really brightened Mom’s days.  Thankfully, the rain has turned our mud hole back to a pond for the frogs, turtles and ducks to enjoy.  They received their renewed habitat and for us it is a much improved view.

Love y’all, Mom & Dad

Dear Family,
Artified – Mom & Dad found an open day and went to see the special “Five Spanish Masterpieces” exhibit from the all time top five Spanish artists: Goya, Velasquez, El Greco, Picasso, and Dali. Mom & Dad both like Goya the best. They also saw a less inspiring black & white photo exhibit from Patti Smith, a hippy with a Polaroid 250 camera.

Figure 1  Mom with an Ancient Masterpiece
Cool Movies – To beat the 90+ heat this week, Mom & Dad watched most of the World War II “Band of Brothers” series on DVD with Ryan. At AMC 30, they watched “Hunger Games” a futuristic government- run-amok movi,e and “Brave” a cute, animated, I-want-to-be-me, movie - All in air conditioned comfort, for which we are all very grateful.

Work & Work out-Early, in the cool of the morning, Dad has been getting his exercise by biking from home to and along the shady Clinton River Trail and back. Saturday morning, he and Vanessa biked on the trail together for a daddy daughter time. He also has finished the painful “Backteria and Kneemonia” front walkway portion of the paver stone leveling project.

Eagle Scout –Having successfully completed his 6/12/12 Eagle Board of Review, Nathan joins the Corless Clan Eagle Nest with Papa, Daniel, Ryan, David, Michael, and Tyler. Congratulations Nathan! We are all proud of your accomplishment. Go Nathan!

Fun Friday-Mom & Dad drove Ryan to the Bishop Airport in Flint, to catch a flight to Atlanta – first leg of a journey to get to Knoxville, and join his family that have been with the Clark’s (Maureen’s family) for the last week. Mom & Dad took Ryan’s car and went a little further North to Birch Run, to do a little shopping at the Corningware store and to have lunch at Victor & Merek’s. Dad enjoyed driving Ryan’s 2.0L Intercooler Turbo/6 speed manual Buick Regal.

Baseball Champs- Joshua Kulka was on fire Saturday with his defensive play and hitting a double, a triple and a home run in his team’s victory to win the Little League World Series. Go Joshua!!

Kulka Klan Kamp Over-Samantha enjoyed her Girl’s camp this year and got one night in her own bed before the whole Kulka Krew camped out at Papa & Nona’s for the weekend. Saturday night was a Jet’s Pizza Party to celebrate Independence Day and Josh’s Baseball Championship.


Love y’all, Mom & Dad