Callie Bloomberg January 21, 1922-December 8, 2011

On Thursday, December 8 my Mother, Callie Bloomberg, passed away from this earth. She would have been 90 years old on 21 January. I have been blessed throughout my life by this great lady. She has struggled in the past year as she moved from her home to assisted living and then spent her final month in a nursing home. She was always healthy and energetic until 2007 when she was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. She bravely pushed forward with medications and the recommended treatments. I know the Lord has welcomed her home into his loving arms.

I have also been blessed by my sister, Margaret Harris, as her life brought her to live in Longview, Texas a number of years ago. She has been faithful in assisting mother in every need. Her being there locally has been such a blessing to me. Also my brother, Charles Bloomberg, since his retirement one year ago has faithfully driven from is home in Grapevine, every other week to spend several days with Mother. Knowing they were there has given me peace of mind living so far away in Berlin.

Craig and I are preparing to travel this coming week to Texas to honor her at her funeral. I only hope and pray I can be to my children and grandchildren the influence and example in life my mother has been to me. This photo is from the family Thanksgiving Dinner at her home in 2009.

Christmas Markets

Germany is famouse for its Christmas Markets. Last weekend was rainy so I didn't get out. This week I've made up for lost time. First on Thursday my co-worker and I went out to the Potsdamer Platz market on our lunch hour. Then Friday afternoon, I ws home early from work and Craig and I spent about two hours and visited Gendarmenmarkt and the one at Hackescher Markt. Unfortunately I went our without my camera. We had a good evening enjoyed the activity and decorations. So tonight we headed out again to Alexander Platz and this time I brought my camera so here are my photos.

Driving in Germany

We are getting used to driving in Germany now and one drive we take every few months is to Grafenwoehr,the closest American military base. They have a new Px and Commissary loaded with American food and products. This week we drove there on Wedneday, and here are a few photos to show how the day progressed. First, to explain, there is one stretch of the autobahn that is still the East German Autobahn and still has 2 lanes which are aging. To give Germany credit there is construction started to upgrade this last section of road. Here is a photo of one of the old bridges. Note the netting on the bridge which is supposed to catch the falling debris from the bridge before it hits your car.

We had weather which changed throughout the day from clear, to gray, to rain to freezing rain, to snow, and then back to clear and more rain. All in all we had a safe drive and here are a few photos of the landscape.




It was the first snow we have seen this year. So far having a mild winter in Berlin.

My German/American Christmas Tree

I decided that a live Christmas tree wasn't practical in our apartment in Berlin so I went out to my local Obe Store. Obe is the German version of Home Depot and even has Orange Letters on the store sign. So here is what I found. Exactly what I wanted! A Colorado Pine Pre-lit tree, made in China and purchased in Germany. I also purchased an extension cord to complete my quest for the day.

And here is the tree standing and then fully completed.




A little baking and I was ready for the holidays to begin!