Dear Family and Friends,

I am sitting here at my desk, amid bills and unanswered letters and e-mails, and unused recipes, and stacks of travel brochures—-and amid all of this distraction it is still my A-list to connect with you.

I am in my 7th cycle of chemo, since my recurrence, in Feb. I had a 7 month period of being off of meds.  We have established a pattern of about one completed cycle a month, and then I have a week off to let my body recover, and this round it has often taken 2 weeks to recover my white and red counts enough to have the next treatment. My doctor does seem pleased, and only in the last several months have I had to take a few days after chemo to feel better again. I certainly don’t have my normal energy, but as long as I keep up my exercise, diet and daily naps, I do very well. I can’t get a clear long range plan, because the results of my first treatment cycle left some impt. unknowns. So for now we’re just keeping on, keeping on.

Luke and John were both home for good visits this summer, and are doing well. After taking the CA Bar at the end of July, Luke still had one major exam to take- his ethics exam- did very well on that, and now is working at the Law firm where he worked during Law School. In this day of instant everything, they still do not get the results of the CA Bar Exam until late Nov. John is still in Tokyo and plays for the IBM Big Blue. Last weekend was a national holiday, so it allowed them to have 3 days of a.m. to p.m. practice. John plays on the offense again, blocking and catching touchdown passes. He will also be going in on certain plays as a linebacker, which he played in college and high school, so he says it is fun but just doubles his practice time/ film study etc. The biggest game of the season is this Sun. so he is very excited about that. He works with a company that is putting together various plans for U.S. Japanese football connections at the high school and college level. They also are very interested in a plan for baseball.

Clark and I had a fabulous trip to southwestern France. My doctor just said we would make it work, and so far all is well. Clark’s brother Jim and his wife Jolanne purchased a week at this wonderful “farmhouse”and invited their sons and several other friend couples to join, as the house, a refurbished farmhouse B&B slept 12-14. It was in the country, but not a working farm and had a great pool and tennis courts. We enjoyed figs, blackberries, and peaches growing on the property, and the one thing we didn’t have in the big, well-equipped kitchen was a micro-wave. Our other stroke of luck was that this will be the last season they rent the house publicly. So it was a trip and vacation combined as we did side trips and almost everyone built in some time before or after. We had a group of great cooks, so we spread around cooking, cutting and prep, and of course, clean-up. One of our patterns was to do things early in the day, have a good local lunch out, and then a lighter meals at night. Sometimes we had our big meal out, and then had a more delicious meals at home, at night. Big favorites of course, were the bread, cheese, and wine. Side trips for us were French castles and fortresses, which involved steep long walks up to the top of the mountain. Clark was so good to stay with me, as my biggest challenge was having the oxygen to do it. My anemia is an ongoing chemo side-effect, but it is still fun for us. We visited Roman ruins, and hiked near the Spanish border in the Pyrenees, and saw the
Circ de Gavarnie and its waterfall which is 4 times the height of the Eiffel Tower. We also had a fabulous weather, and when we got home from outings there was always a group to play tennis. All of the other players had not played for a while, and our two athletic 20 somes were the most enthusiastic to learn. I didn’t have my best play, playing with all men, but it was really challenging and fun. We usually would play for 2-3 hrs. When we left the house everyone had side trips going, and Clark and I went to Lourdes. This was esp. significant after John had such a terrific service trip there with Bishop Tom Daly and a Marin Catholic grad group, while he was in college. The one surprise in Lourdes was that it rained while we were there, so we did some ducking in and out in panchos. We both also took the healing baths, did the nightly rosary processions, and were touched by the faith of all the pilgrims there. I guess you see what you want to see, but the touristy schlock seemed about normal for a tourist spot, and the ceremonies and pilgrims at the grounds were phenomenal. Know that special prayers were offered for you at Lourdes.

We are at home for a while, but will going on MN to see the Johnies play. With a new coaching plan this year, they just beat St. Thomas, ranked #2 in the country in D3 football. We also will travel to Japan in the fall, and are working on that, now. With John working, and having practices and games, we have to maximize time with him, and still get out and see new areas. For any SCL’s Nov. group, really anxious to see all of you who can make the get together. Special cudos to Michael Locke, Steve’s son who did the Iron Man Competition at Tahoe last weekend. We didn’t go, but Clark followed all the stages. Congrats Michael!

Sorry I continue to be so erratic in doing the blog. Let’s see if this season will be better. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we do you.

Love Annie/Noel

Dear Family and Friends,

It has taken me about 5 times longer to think how to start this post, than it will to write it. I do have a couple of decent excuses for periods of time, but there really is no excuse for not staying in touch. Thank you for all of the notes and catching up that so many of you have shared with me.

Health report first. I am in my 5th cycle of treatment. Normally the chemo would end with the 6th cycle, but that decision would also be based on my Sept. CAT scan. This period of chemo has gone on longer, because I have had to wait an extra week or so to let my blood recover. At times my white cell count plummets, platelets are “puny”, and then other cycles my red cells and hemoglobin are low. I do receive injections- pro-crit for Red, and neupogin for white cells. They are injections which help my marrow rebuild, and unfortunately all I can do about it is let time heal and get the shots. So, my treatment plan depends on the scan. All of my health numbers are quite good, except, of course, the blood which is attacked by the chemo. My tumor markers are also very low, and have been since about the 2nd cycle. My ups and downs correspond to when the chemo is administered, and how the blood is affected. I generally am sleeping about 10 hrs. a night, and have a one-two hr. afternoon nap. I know my physical activities really help my overall condition. I don’t know if I mentioned they have a stationary bike in the chemo infusion area and people are encouraged to use it.

I am sure it is hard to imagine why I play so much tennis, or at least try to. It covers my physical therapy, psycho-counseling, and some social stuff all in one. Summer is also sort of in and out between company, trips, etc., but I can always know that I can have some tennis with somebody. I also had a good hiking schedule with several fun friends and Ellen, and will be getting back into that.

July was so special because we had such good visits with John, on vacation from Japan, my sister Sarah, from Denver, and Luke and his special friend Ashley. On the first visit we had limited time with Luke and Ashley, because they were doing intense study for the Bar Exam, which was July 29-31. All of the courses and review material were on-line, and so it was very portable. Luke left his wonderful dog, Mary Jane with us for his final period of study, exam, and recovery. We haven’t had a dog all of these years because the guys both had animal allergies, as well as a few others. MJ, however, whom Luke has had since she was a pup, is the ideal dog. The only exception is her long white and black hair, which she was shedding. For dog-people, she is a mix of queensland heeler, a cattle dog, corgie, and maybe some border collie. She is very intelligent, and well-trained, which made it easy for us. She also really prefers people to dogs, and doesn’t bark. While she was here, I always had an extra walk a day, which was good for both of us. Luke and Ashley came back to pick up MJ, and have more of a visit. The last hurdle now is the Ethics exam which all law grads have to prepare for and pass.

John had a lot more free time, but it was very interesting that he timed his Japanese study with some of the BAR study, so it worked well for all. We had good dinners every night, and the students went back to work, and John was able to catch up with local friends. John still really enjoys life in Japan, despite recent bureaucratic hassles with his visa. The reason Luke came up was to be sure he got to see John. It is such a blessing that they are still so close.

In Aug. we had a good visit with Jane and Peter Hayman, and hope to see Jacky and Greg Young. Usual projects around the house keep me as busy as I can afford to be. Because the chemo is cumulative, I am struggling a little more now than I have this summer. Today, I’m feeling good and energetic, and haven’t even taken my nap. No dinner prep tonight, so I’m cruisin’. Ellen is on the last week of her cross-country motorcycle trip. They had great weather, ad quite an adventure, motoring from Minneapolis thru Sturges and Yellowstone, Tetons and Mt., an should be home on Thurs.

I am so sorry it has been so long since I have posted. Will do better, as this time has been ridiculously long. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we do you.

Love
Annie/Noel

Hello dear friends and family,

Happy summer to everyone. Sorry I haven’t been very active, always think I’ll do better and then I don’t. It does mean a lot to me to take this time and hope I am reaching out to all of you. Let’s see. I’ll give you my health report first. I have completed three cycles of chemo, which should take 3 wks each. Each time it has taken more time because I have to let my blood counts catch up. This is my normal week off from chemo, because I have to have 4 injections of neupogin to help build up my blood. All of my other processes, as related to the chemo seem to be going well. Side effects, except for my blood seem milder than my first chemo time. Last time the neuropathies is hands and feet were esp tangible, and I was very anemic and weak. Last time I did lose all of my hair, and this time, so far, it had thinned out a lot, but the symptoms don’t seem the same. So that is a wait and see. Otherwise, I am still impressed that I have such good energy. Now, I compare myself to my dear sister, Ellen, and I realize my good energy isn’t up to hers. On my big days I may plan and do 3 or 4 things, whereas Ellen will be doing 10—with much more social effort. I am being good, getting lots of sleep as I need it, cooking and eating very healthily and well, and getting lots of exercise. I do 2-3 planned walk/hikes a week, take classes once a week in Pilates and Tai-Chi, and play tennis=doubles 3 times a wk for about 2hrs. or 2-3 sets depending. Clark and I also walk on weekends, and then we just started our weekend swimming now that it is a little warmer. Our pool is long enough that 2 lengths are about a lap.

We have had two more busy and fun weekends. Clark, Luke and I went back to Notre Dame the last weekend of May for Reunions. They are on the same 5year cycle, and this was the first time either of them had gone back for this weekend. We stayed at the Inn at St. Mary’s, and the shuttle service to ND was fabulous. My mother attended St.Mary’s for 2years and got a teaching certificate, before coming back to Omaha to teach. The reunion was a lot of fun and a lot of campus walking. 4 or 5 of Clark’s close friends and wives were there, and of course, it was fun to reconnect with others. Having Luke there was special treat, because we would all get together and see people from both classes in the nightly Beer Tents. To Chicago friends, it was just too packed a time to get to Chicago to visit, but we want to make a trip and just see you in Chicago.

Our next special weekend was getting to host Clark’s brother Jim and wife Jolanne, and son Matthew and friend, Danielle. Matthew had planned a great hike out to the Stinson Beach are so everyone else went out for that. It was supposed to be 90 that day, and the hike had some extremes, and was about 7 and 1/2 miles, so I did feel I should just play tennis. The day didn’t get that hot, but I, nevertheless got t play an extra hr of tennis, having extra time. They got home around 4 and enjoyed th pool and hot tub, and we went out to dinner. Next morning we went to Farmers’ Market and got everyone some breakfast burritos, and then we had a Memorial service and they all were heading in to the city to see friends. Ellen joined us for dinner, as we have to schedule to see her these days.

Well, here I am going on and on, but this is a way to share a little of my life with you. Next week I am going to take a class for Facebook beginners, so I will let you know how that goes, and see if I should be trying to connect with you there. I don’t spend a lot of time on the computer, as you can tell, but there are things I need to do. Know I am thinking of you and remembering you in my prayers. Please continue to remember all of us.

Our biggest summer event will be the next two weeks. I will give you this preview because it should be fun to write about and hear about. John will be home from Japan until July 11, and Luke and Sarah will be coming for about a week . So, we will have lots of activity. Sorry if this all reads too chatty–but that’s about how things are. Do stay in touch as I will.

Love Annie/Noel

Dear Family and friends,

I have looked back over my blog notes- those in preparation for a new one, and what still fits is how can I feel this good? Then, of course, when will the magic end? Well today I should have begun my third cycle, but again, like the last delay, my red and white cells are too low to do the chemo. You probably know, but the whites esp. help fight off infection, among other things, and the red help process the oxygen in the body–so anemia, dizziness, shortness of breath and fatigue are common. I actually haven’t been experiencing any of the negative side effects (as we just returned from Luke’s Law School Graduation ceremonies at Pepperdine, in Malibu.) Anyway, now that I’m home, I still haven’t had any problems. I did do a work at the desk day to try to catch up, but still no probs beyond being a little discouraged. I am only disoriented because I have re-planned my day. Me blog was top priority either way, but I hoped to have a different report.

The good news is that my tumor marker continues to drop, I have very little bloating, and have had better that usual energy since my last full chemo treatment. Now I am not faking it, and my good two hour tennis(doubles) good gardening time, business energy, and good hikes convince me that things are good. My doctor, by the way, is still very pleased with the results of the chemo—except for the red and white cells. I told him this round of chemo seems to agree with me so well, it worries me it isn’t working. I am doing so well in many ways that he quoted me in my weekly report.

Back to the garden for a moment. OUr soil is basically clay, so we have raised beds for our vegetables, and a few “cutting” flowers. I usually have a few tomatoes, and quite good cherry tomatoes until Dec. After seeing Ron and Nancy Kelley’s garden in Falls City, I have to say my tomatoes look paltry, but they do taste good. I also do some basil, and have a convenient herb garden outside the kitchen. Falls City note of the year.

After reading my blog, a longtime lawyer friend of ours from LA, Mark Kadzielski realized that his significant other had visited Falls City many summers and that her Mom, Ilene Thiltges was from FC. We did get to meet Barbara, and she had e-mailed her mother who knew Mom, Dad and Sarah, and remembered where we sat in the old church, went to Sacred Heart, and still has a group of families she knows
and visits. Pure FC. What a surprise and what fun to meet Barbara.

Luke’s graduation was an amazing, high energy weekend. He had ceremonies for his MA in Dispute Resolution and Mediation, and then his Law Degree. His guests were Clark, Ellen and I, John and Kathy Stanton from Houston and Clancy and JUlie Wilson from San Diego. Luke and friends had arranged it so that we had lunches and dinners in fun places with room for families and friends. We enjoyed meeting the guests of roommate, Jeff, and friend, Ashley, and we all had a great time and mixed well. We did take many pictures, and Clark has put some on his Facebook.

Well, next occasion this summer will be Notre Dame reunions for Clark and Luke. We’re also starting to think about those plans. I had hoped to have other reunions or trips this summer, but my chemo sched. and side effects really temper that. Last summer I had successful travels, but was all finished with chemo.

So please do continue to keep us all in your prayers as we do you. Love you all, and do enjoy all communiques.

Love
Annie/Noel

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you to so many of you who have e-mailed since my last posting. Well, I had my first new chemo and it seemed successful, and then our insurance cleared the use of another important drug. So, when I went in for Cycle 2, I flunked the blood tests. Both my red and white count were too low to have the next treatment. I asked, of course, if there is anything I can do to help, but it is just a matter of the body recovering, or next time I have to get some injections to help the situation. So, I was very discouraged at the time, and then thought, well, I have a whole morning free that I didn’t think I would have.I enjoyed a little retail therapy, an extra walk, and some good gardening that really needed to be done. My energy is good and I feel good so I will just have a week to get things done. I go in for my next appointment on Fri., so I hope we can get it done. There certainly are highs and lows to these treatment phases, but I’m coping fairly well, and am actually busier than I usually want to be. It’s not rocket science, but I have so much energy when I’m doing fun and satisfying things, so I do try to keep that perspective.

I’m wondering what others do in the midst of American mayhem, so much suffering, and Congressional paralysis, mixed in with the Chinese earthquake, continued refugee crisis, and just worlds of folks out there trying so hard to make it. Sometimes I think the best I can do is just really fight “disaster fatigue”, and just make sure I still try to identify with someone in those situations,find one note of help that they are receiving, and think thru if there IS anything I can do now. I know I can always pray, but I should want to do more. NOw the gun control is another topic for another day- but being Leo Nusbaum’s daughter, and having grown up with hunting and guns in the house—–strangely enough we had no hand guns and no automatic rapid fire killing guns. Enough for now–but culturally, there is much work to be done. And by the way, some of our “hunter friends” in Falls City, NE. and Minnesota now use bows and arrows. Seems much more sporting, although I don’t know if that works on ducks and geese.

Well just another social item or so. We had a really good evening at a fundraiser last night, and they had a danceable band- 70’s-80’s stuff, and we had fun dancing. It was a the MC Student Center, and was for MS research. A great gal and her family have done so much. Last week we went to Clark’s CA. Health Care Attorney’s meeting in Balboa. It is always a great Meeting and a good chance to see long time friends. After the meeting we went on to San Diego to see Julie, Clancy, Katherine and Brian Wilson, and Steve and Carolyn Locke-Prosi. Steve is Clark’s first cousin, and Clancy and Julie and college-plus friends. After delicious meals, and lots of catching up Clark and I headed up to the Long Beach area, where we were able to see John and meet his Japanese boss. They were here on a 4-day trip to interview admissions counselors and see foreign student programs at some local Jr. colleges. This is part of John’s new job. We had a good short visit and dinner, and were happy to get in a visit in their busy schedule. John returned for Spring football season in the X-League.

Need to close now, but know it is just fun picturing all of you as I write. Please keep us in your prayers as we do you.

Love
Annie/Noel

Dear Family and Friends,

I began my second round of chemo this morning at 8 a.m. It is disappointing that it is only 9 months since the last treatment. One of the things that isn’t clear is whether I was resistant or sensitive to one of the major drugs used in my chemo. Under 6 months is clear, 9-12 months it isn’t known what the effectiveness is. Many folks don’t have clear signs that the cancer is back, so in my case my symptoms are back, the numbers are indicators, And the CAT scan is conclusive. So now to just hit it hard again. I will have 3 week cycles, and have Gemzar, Carbo-platin, and Avastin every 3 wks, and then the second week Gemzar only. I definitely don’t feel good,but the worst of it is watermelon size bloating, and new fatigue. So that is the cancer on its own, so we’ll have to see if the chemo can reduce the bloating. My metaphors of watermelon, and beached whale are descriptive, and give you a little idea of struggles to get around, etc.

We are still keeping a fairly busy schedule because Clark has CA. Health Care Attorneys. a 3-day conference in Newport Beach,next week Fri.-Sun., and we will be able to see John on Mon. He is here on a 4 day business trip to visit Jr. colleges to see about Japanese athletes getting in to these schools. He and his boss will visit various admissions offices and foreign student departments. We will probably get to see him for dinner or breakfast.

This week Ellen in hosting Mrs. John Stone, Carmelita. We grew up with John- sort of the brother we didn’t have. We usually get to see John when in the Midwest, and Carmelita is going to get in some good hiking and a little touring.

May marks the biggest event of the year in that Luke graduates from Pepperdine Law School. He will have his law degree, plus a Master’s in Negotiation and Arbitration, in which Pepperdine’s program is #1 in the country. He has also held down a job in a Law firm during these years, and will continue with them after school.

Well, this afternoon I was very anxious to see if I would get a boost from my chemo- or rather prep. steroids, as I did with my first chemo. So far, no boost. I don’t feel any better, but I also don’t feel any worse. Such is life; it is what it is.

Do know one of my joys is knowing I can connect with you, and thank you for so many of you who have been in recent touch. I’ll get back to the blog every two weeks or sooner, if there is any good gnus.

Please do keep me and us in your thoughts and prayers as I do you.

Love
Annie/Noel

Dear Family and Friends,

Today as I write I am thinking of the times I had to really stretch to find some news. Well, today as I write I just have to say I don’t know very much, but I have had symptoms, a CAT scan, and blood work that say I have had a recurrence of my cancer. I had a wonderful 9 month respite, but now we are back in the battle. I see the docs during the end of Holy Week, so it will be after Easter or around then when we will have made the decisions about what to do. Because I did feel so good, and all of my tests were so good, it was very disappointing to have it come back so soon.

Tennis, hiking and going over to volunteer at Salesian are really my physical and psychological therapy. I do especially enjoy being outdoors when I can. It’s also just time to get the garden going, so, I definitely have to figure that in.

So, rather than going on and on, I feel as if I should just get this news out there. Do know that your prayers are always my great sense of hope and support.

Love Annie/Noel

Dear Family and Friends,

It continues to be fun to hear from you all and I do want to stay connected. In my “retired schedule” it was so strange to celebrate Ash Wed. in my parish. I’m starting late, but am trying to structure my Lent with some inspiration, prayer and service. I do love the Church year, and it does continue to call me to stay close and walk with the Lord in many ways. You have probably guessed anyhow, my first project will be to re-examine all of my cooking, exercises, and supplements. We have an appointment with Dr. Donald Abrams at UCSF to help look at all of this. When I first saw him I was desperate to put on some weight-starting at about 100 lbs., and continuing to lose. Anyway, I did gain the weight and then some—-so this time we will look at weight and cancer control. I will definitely pass on any new insights. Dr. Abrams is one of the Intergrative Medicine experts out here. For reading I am returning to some old favorites,daily reflections, and esp. Scripture. My meditation, also needs some good focus, and attention. Isn’t it good that we’re never finished.

I know many of you are in the throes of winter weather, and despite Cal. cold, we are having some very sunny, clear winter days. Several friends and I have started a good hiking plan. It is just fun to plan and do some new hikes that we haven’t done before. Ellen will join us, or I’ll go with her. Sarah and Ellen just got home from a month in Patagonia and Argentina. They always do walking’hiking component to their travels. Sarah returned to Denver but we saw Ellen for dinner, Mon., and finally, she was feeling a little tired.

I felt really busy in late Jan. Busy, busy week- colonoscopy, business conference in SF, Salesian, Scripture
study and then I hosted Bunko, with dinner for 12 on Fri. night. The best news is simply that the week went well, and my energy remained really good. That’s my best news for this time.

In this month of the presidents, I hope you all saw Lincoln. Amazing! Spring holds some great art exhibits, and several plays- dramas, and soon the high school basketball playoffs. Will stay in touch. Please continue to keep us in our prayers as we do you.

Love
Annie/Noel

Dear Family and Friends,

Will do a short blog today, so that I can just say hello, and wish you all good blessings for 2013. I am seriously in a blur as to the month of Jan., so I’m thinking writing will make a little more sense of it. Luke
and John were home the first week, and Luke left for LA and Miami, and John for Japan. We had several great dinners that week, seeing Jim Peterson and Bert Morris one night and Fr.(Bishop Tom Daly) from San Jose diocese the night before John left. Bishop Daly was our pastor, and Marin Catholic’s President while John was there.
He gives that deep sense that the Church survives in good normal people like all of us.

It was really good to have the boys–young men-here together this year. They have a very close relationship, sort of unusual as they are 7 years apart. It was also a joy to have Sarah here from Denver. She made a special effort since the guys were both here. Sarah and Ellen left for Patagonia and Argentina, Jan.11.

We did have a real spell of California cold- after Christmas. We play tennis outside, so it meant bundling up a bit, but other than “heavy” balls, it was still so good to be outside.Looking at the temps around the country makes us really realize the CA. treasure. I suppose I do have to comment on the National Football championship. After an exciting football season it was just a bummer to have the game be so one sided. Oh well, as true ND fans, we just look forward to the rest of basketball season.

I have started going back to the gym to do some Pilates, and work with a trainer. I still have tennis and walking as my main exercise, but have lost so much strength and flexibility—I really need to work at it. I have also started going back to Salesian High, and help out one day a week in the Library. My new activity is a Scripture study at St. Raphael’s. The theme is Good Girls, Bad Girls, and we will use a book by TJ Wray which studies 12 women in the Hebrew Scriptures. Should be fun.

We continue to learn more about “good food” and nutrition, and continue to find new things to cook and enjoy. I do need to focus more on new things as the seasons change. My doctor visits and blood tests have been very positive. We are going to have another nutrition appointment to just double check and see if there are other things we can do. My latest good healthy snack is Kiwi. Has good potassium and anti- inflams, and is quite satisfying.

Will close so I get a little communique out. Hope your year is going well. Do keep us in your prayers as we do you.

Love Annie/Noel

Dear Family and Friends,

We hope the beginning of these holy days finds you well and energized at all of the prospects of great family and friend togetherings. We surely have a newly honed sense of health, healing, the energy of prayer, the strength of friendship, and the rock of family. It has been a year of many challenges and many more blessings.

Winter and Spring were marked with chemo and doctor visits for Noel. Great breaks were seeing Salesian win the State BB championship, and a trip for a working weekend to Monterey. We also have had great visits with John and Kathy Stanton from Houston, Jim and Jolanne Stanton from Seattle, Bob and Mimi Nusbaum from Charleston, S.C., and Noel’s cousins, Patty and Virginia, from Topeka, Ks. and Yuma, Ariz.,and Janie and Peter Hayman from Austin, Tx., and Dana and Donna from Minneapolis. We also had a chance to catch up with Judy and Brian Henderson, from Pasadena on their way to Tahoe.

Summer was wonderful , and heighthened by Noel’s trip to K.C., the MotherHouse of the SCL’s and Reunions in Falls City, NE. Clark and Luke also traveled at about the same time to Oklahoma City and Tulsa, to visit Judge Holloway, for whom Clark had clerked after Law School, and Joe Morris, a family friend and expert in arbitration and negotiation. They also had good visits with friends, Peggy and Jennie, who have been such great support with nursing, cancer information. It was also a great joy to see college rommate Pat Virnich, and husband Woody.

Clark and Noel enjoyed the powerful ND football season, attending the Michigan game at ND, and seeing the ND victory over USC at the LA Colliseum. We began football season by traveling to St. John’s, for the season opener. In Nov. we traveled for about 2 wks. to Japan. Luke, who is in his third year at Pepperdine Law School was able to come over for about a week. We had also had a good wkend visit with Luke in Oct., when he and his law school Trial team competed in a national event in SF, and we were able to meet his partners, coach, and group, and see them compete.

I have to break here to explain that I started this Dec. 14, and in between we put together the Xmas card. I haven’t sent any of my cards, yet, so you may get both, but because I only have web addresses for some folks, I want to complete this version, and get it out. I can also just add a little holiday news- so it is now Dec. 28.

Japan was an amazing trip, and of course, especially to be with John and Luke. Because John’s X-League team made the playoffs, we did get to see two games while there, and meet his teammates and coaches. During the week Clark and I, and John’s close friend Rita traveled to Hiroshima, Tsu(where John lived and taught, last year), and Kyoto, which are marvelous cities. While in Tokyo we barely began taking in all of the attractions, and are anxious to return. We did a lot of reading and research before we went, but it makes it so much more real to dig into aspects of the country, culture, and life there.

I won’t go on and on, but my health is still going well. My last visit was to my surgeon at UCSF, and he was very pleased. I just need to check back in with them every 3 months. So, whew! very happy things are going so well. The progress from last Xmas, when I was sort of a guest, is remarkable. It was quite fun to decorate this year, and we had a real tree, and had the house, just the way I wanted it. Over Xmas we were blessed to have both Luke and John home, as well as Sarah, from Denver. Beginning with a belated birthday celebration for John, we had had many nights of celebrations. Our last evening was going in to SF to see Robert and Laurel Jones, her parents, Elmer and Jean Hinkle, and their three daughters. We had celebrated Thanksgiving with them, but this time John, Luke, and Amanda, completed the celebration.

So, I had better get going, and finally get this out. Know that you are and have been in my thoughts and prayers. If you have moved or changed addresses please send us an up date. Please do keep us all in your prayers.

Love
Annie/Noel