I am a internet junkie....tomorrow I begin detox......**

Guten Nacht (Gooten Knock-T means Good Night) Blog!

Weather conditions by Tank Girl: Sunny and cold...but not as cold as yesterday, in fact this afternoon was beautiful!

My Daddy got me traditional Thai Boxing Fight Garb- check out my headband!

Hi. My name is Tiffany. I am an internet junkie.  The first step is admitting it.  The second step is getting clean.  Tomorrow morning at 730 I begin my internet detox for two weeks.  


Tonight I will write my last blog for a couple of weeks.  I am feeling slightly sad about this because I have recently picked up in popularity and I worry without posting I will lose my viewers.  However, I am looking forward to a break as writing the blog does take a lot of my time. AND I am also hoping to be revitalized and come back with new ideas to re-vamp the blog.

I have plenty of ways to get on the internet for the next two weeks while we are in the dark, but I have decided to conduct this 'Internet Detox' as an experiment.  I will write in a diary every day narrating my experiences and document them on the blog when I return. 

Today I had a beautiful day.  It was one of those ordinary days where even though you are doing ordinary every day things, you are pausing to reflect on where you have been and appreciating where you are now, with such thankfulness your heart swells with joy.

I had the pleasure of meeting a very bubbly, happy, and beautiful woman today who happens to be my dentist here in NEVER NEVER LAND.  Small world.......She knows the dentist that LEGS and I saw in Alaska while we lived there, she went to LEGS' rival high school, and Oregon State University where LEGS went as well.  I very much look forward to hanging out with her and getting to know her better because she seems SOOO COOL!

After that we went to get VAT forms. (VAT forms are forms that we can fill out when we purchase things out in the economy so that we don't have to pay the incredible GERMAN taxes)

There is a man that works in that office.  He is an old man, who served many years in the ARMY.  The first thing he told my husband was 'You have a beautiful woman there.' After that he regaled us with stories of he and his wife's marriage which has lasted 40 years.  He showed us a photo of the day when they were engaged.  He told us that during Vietnam he she would send Koolaid packets because even though the water was purified it still tasted 'wild.'  So they used Koolaid to cover up the 'jungle taste.'  

I don't know why.....perhaps I could see the love in his eyes when he spoke of her, perhaps its because I know the longing that happens to you when your husband is gone and in danger, or the fact that I know LEGS will soon be shipping out....but the story of Koolaid packets made me cry.......it was a silly but amazing story of the simple things like a letter with Koolaid packets in it can create joy in a soldier and love that will last for all time.....

Can life be any more GRAND? I did have high blood pressure today....however I joyfully carried the two birthday packages my ALL OVER BASE on FOOT today.....ALL THE WAY to the train station, ALL THE WAY from the train station, and they were SO WORTH IT! Thank you Sister, Sissy and Daddy-O for the wonderful gifts!!! MUAH! .*D

I bought my first batch of yarn in a German knitting shop, the lady did not speak any English, but we got through it, I cannot wait to become a better knitter and speak German! 

We packed up our non-mission essential belongings and took them over to the house this afternoon so we don't look like complete lunatics trying to shuffle a billion bags on the train tomorrow morning.....

To finish off the night we took Squirrely and Heidi out to dinner as a thank you treat for all the assistance and support they have given us.  We really are so thankful and lucky to have met such generous and helpful people.  We also ate THE BEST food I have had in NEVER NEVER LAND.....but....I did not take pictures because this was a special dinner.  

While at dinner Heidi introduced me to a man who owns a gym in Nuremberg, two of GERMANY's best females train at his gym.  I am very fortunate to have Heidi who speaks German and English, and also that she is very motivated in hooking me up with the right people.

To Heidi and Squirrely: A Herzlich Thank You from LEGS and I.  We are overwhelmed with your generosity.......we have so much love in our hearts for both of you and cannot wait to shower you with it.....as Beethven once said......'Continue to be my friend, as you shall always find me yours...'

Today I have met some really special people....and spent time with some really special people.....

Today I actually looked up at the sky took a deep breath and said WOW I really am here living in NEVER NEVER LAND.... 

Today was a day where my life flashed before my eyes and although ordinary- definitely worth watching.......

Random Thoughts:

I was thinking today after the man told the story about him and his wife....its so damn hard to find inspiration like that these days.....marriage has become a complete joke....a game people like to play.....I take marriage VERY seriously, and I am so honored to have met a man who gives LEGS and I hope about the future!

Okay....I need to learn German I am so tired of not understanding what people are saying- are they talking about me? or him? maybe its about something stupid....maybe not.....I bet its about me and I hope its good!

The sun feels warm and good on my skin.........

Okay Home Skillets.....Ill catch your act in two weeks......

Over & Out....

Just another day in the life of an unlikely military wife.....**

LEGS has morning sickness....**

Dear Bloggy face head....

Weather by Tank Girl: Butt a** cold.  

Last night I had the strangest dreams.  I had dreams that Karmella ran away, Clancy and Jake were ours again but they were destroying my car, I was swimming with sharks, my MEMA was wearing a Punk Rock wig, and my Uncle Mikie was trying to tell me something but I couldn't understand him, I felt like I was losing my freakin' mind! I woke up feeling like I hadn't slept a wink, with a seriously busy day ahead.

LEGS and I caught the train from Bad Windsheim to Illesheim (on base) for PT, I went along with him so I could get a workout in. When we got off the train we had to walk through a large field in the freezing cold in the pitch black, definitely not something I will be doing alone.  Ever. 


Once we got on base we were headed toward the gym, this is the conversation:


ARMS:'Oh my GAWD I am so cold...this is seriously cold.'
LEGS:'Yeah....I am not feeling too well...'
ARMS:'You think you are coming down with something?'
LEGS:'No....I have morning sickness...............er, uh...sickness of not having something in the stomach....not to be associated with pregnancy..'
ARMS:Laughing! 'Oh you silly thing you know right where this is going...in the BLOG.'

I had a serious work out today, ran 3 miles in 26 minutes, push-ups, heavy bag and shadow boxing.....It felt good, but I know tomorrow I am going to be sore as hell!

LEGS wanted to give me some love today....and he said:

LEGS: 'Such a lovey soft body..'
ARMS:' You mean fat ass...'
LEGS: 'Your still lovey...'
ARMS: In my mind......WHAAAAA.....??? Has my husband lost his goddamn mind!?!

When we got back from the gym, we both showered, LEGS had a dentist appointment and I had the meeting.  LEGS had a complete 'ID Card' meltdown:
LEGS: 'Where is my ID card.....I can't find it....'
ARMS:'I don't know where did you have it last?'
LEGS:'I had it on the bed....I can't find my ID card...'
ARMS:'OK, relax, left all the blankets up.....is it under the bed? Did it fall into your shoe?'
LEGS:'Its not here! I CAN'T FIND MY ID!!!!'
ARMS:'Okay seriously empty ALL your pockets out...'
LEGS: He begins to empty every single pocket in his flight uniform.....which takes FOREVER.....
ARMS: I stand there patiently waiting.....
LEGS: 'I FOUND IT!'
ARMS: In my mind....'Go Figure...'

I had my VERY first Family Readiness Group Meeting today.  I just want to say I am totally impressed.  All the girls were funny, exciting, talented and the exact kind of girls that I would surround myself with BY CHOICE.....Overall the BOYZ in Germany have EXTREMELY GOOD TASTE in Women.

I was able to introduce myself, I met another girl that is brand new too, and she lives in OBERDACHSTETTEN, we both received a welcome gift of flowers.  (Side Note: I have received more flowers since I have been in NEVER NEVER LAND than I have in years!)  

We also discussed many of the upcoming events the FRG is volunteering for.  There is a craft bizarre, BINGO, Lunch in the Hanger, and Raffles.  The main objective beside supporting our husbands/single soldiers and each other is to raise funds for things like welcome gifts, gifts for expectant families, prizes for Bingo, and other fun events that bring the military family closer.  

Lunch in the Hanger is for the guys that don't have a wife at home cooking, or have to commute too far to go home for lunch, since we are such a small base many places to eat are not opened every day- so we make dishes and serve lunch in the hanger for donations. 

We can also log/keep track of our volunteer hours and keep them for our resume's, but more importantly getting involved and doing nice things feels good. 

OKAY- I know I have said this before, but I am going to say it again.  I am an internet junkie. The first step is admission.  The next step is treatment, I am going to an involuntary detox of facebook, blogging, and yahoomail, starting on Friday.  I wish I could say that I was going voluntarily but this addiction has a strong hold on me.  I really am going to document my detox and recovery and update post recovery.....I promise to admit any relapses I have during this crucial time......

That being said....I do not take addiction to anything lightly, so if I offended anyone I am sorry.  One thing I have learned to live without so far on my journey has been coffee.  I have had pounding headaches on more than one occasion.  I very much believe that the internet can be an addiction.....if this is so....I am guilty.....


Random Stories and Thoughts:

We ordered 'Black Sambuca' at the Aussie Pub, but they didn't have black they just had white......so LEGS says 'What does white taste like?' We all laughed our asses off......

Such a small world.....so LEGS went to the Dentist today, turns out the Dentist on base did her residency under our Dentist in ALASKA- Dr. Wenzell our teeth are in good hands!!!

For some reason I was given an extra ordinary amount of reading material today....a welcome bag from the company, a stack of paperwork for the house, a book on trash sorting and recycling, and mold, moisture and mildew......I suspect these things will be read back to front, and the phone book I was given will come in handy for crank calls..... 

Our FRG leader said the word 'Dobie' today......all of us were scratching our heads until we realized she meant 'doobie...' LMAO!

I would just like to say that I have a lot of love in my heart for my friend Squirrely- she has been AMAZING to me and I shall always be in debt to her.


Over & Out....


Just another day in the life of an unlikely military wife....**

 

I've got SUNSHINE......**

HALLO! Bloggy Blog!

Tank Girl is VERY VERY happy to bring you the local weather here in NEVER NEVER LAND: Sunny Skies and Blue Birds! God has answered my prayers.

LEGS had his flight physical this morning, so he had to get up really early. I couldn't sleep last night so I was up really late.  Apparently you wear your PT gear when you get your flight physical.  You know what that means, at 5am this morning LEGS woke up and proceeded to put the noisiest clothes on. 

Just picture a great desire to sleep, but you can't because Bubble Wrap man is snap, crackle and popping all over your 10 by 10 foot bedroom.  That damn PT ARMY Windbreaker is SO LOUD, it probably woke everybody else in the hotel up!  At one point, I was begging the Lord to take LEGS away.  I finally asked him, 

ARMS: 'What time are you leaving?'
LEGS: 'Supposed to leave at 630...'
ARMS: 'And what time is it now?'
LEGS: He sheepishly answered....'630.....I got up too early...'
ARMS: 'Ya think?'

I got up this morning, ate breakfast and took Karmella out into the park for a good run.  Germany is beautiful when it is overcast and foggy, but it is gorgeous when its lit up with the sun.


I called LEGS this morning....he was at the housing office.....(insert Jeopardy Song here) I wonder if that means we will be in the house soon......now I am in the hotel room just waiting and waiting (insert more Jeopardy song).......


This is the happiest time for me....snuggling with LEGS and Karmella.

We were graciously and kindly transported to Katterbach (Cotter-Bock) today where I was able to enroll in TRICARE.  This was extremely important because due to my Zombie Disease and Asthma I have certain medications I am dependent on.  


LEGS' flight physical went well, although apparently Fort Rucker didn't put any of his medical records in the computer.....which does present some inconveniences.

I have my VERY first Family Readiness Group (FRG) meeting tomorrow. My experience with these kinds of groups in the past has not been positive, but I am going to give it another shot.  Family Readiness is like support group that gets everybody ready for deployment, they do positive things like put single soldier welcome home baskets together and organize other things of that nature.  


AND the best news of the day: We have our final walk through the house tomorrow! So we should be in our new house by Friday.  We have organized and requested loaner furniture and pots and pans.  And I hoping our Un-accompanied baggage will show up soon- this is the stuff we were living with right before we left, like the air mattress, sleeping bags etc. etc.  


We will not have internet for two weeks, this will be VERY difficult for LEGS and I, but I plan on detoxing a little bit from that stuff and doing things the old fashion way- writing in my diary, writing letters, and tons and tons of knitting!!!  I plan on keeping a diary and posting the probably rare highlights of my lone days in an empty house on the blog once we get our internet set up.  And I am sad to be leaving my brand new friend Heidi......

The cold is wearing on us.  I feel very tired, I crave sugar, carbs and booze and I have to really push myself to go outside.  I think it might be a little better if I would have packed a few more hats and gloves....I only brought one set, which have been sweaty and wet from running outside in the park.


We went to a Greek Restaurant called DELPHI.  We tried Cola-Wiessen, and Ridal.  Cola-Wiessen is half cola half Hefeweissen, LEGS didn't like it as much as I did- it was a sour sweet kindive taste.  Ridal is half lemonade/beer, I liked it and I did not feel as guilty.  

With our drinks they served us a shot of Black Sambuca- the black licorice liqeur, which I have never had before but it was AMAZING and I think it might just be my favorite new shot! (Watch out WHISKEY COMPANY!!!) 

We had salads, and the house special for an appetizer it was like shrimp pizza with garlic and cheese. 

He had a platter of meat- go figure, and I had lamb meat in mushroom sauce.  Definitely a regular date night type of place.

Random Thoughts:


McDonald's is delicious in NEVER NEVER LAND.....and all the trans fat etc., isn't even allowed over here......I know you hate me....


I feel like a complete freakshow when I take pictures of the food in the restaurants over here.....


Sh*T.....I forgot the damn GERMAN phrase book.....

Today.....more than most other days, I have been thinking how much I love my LEGS, he is such a good man and so good to me...he is my SUNSHINE, my ONLY Sunshine and he makes me happy even on Sunny days....


LEGS and I are proud to announce the birth of our child, we aren't quite sure how she got such big ears but isn't she adorable anyways?

Over & Out...

Just another day in the life of unlikely military wife....**

LEGS & ARMS complete ANSBACH SOLO MISSION......**

Guten Abend (means good evening in German pronounced 'Gooten AH-Bent') BLOG!

Atmospheric conditions brought to you by TANK GIRL: Bitter freezing Cold.  I haven't seen the sun since the day we got here......I miss the sun.....in Alabama I used to wish for a dreary day....be careful what you wish for.

When we got back from Rothenberg on Saturday, we were pooped.  Walking around all day outside in the fresh air and cold can wear on you.  We spent a few hours lounging, but then realized we were hungry.  We took Karmella for a walk and decided to stop at one of the Doner shops in town.  

As I have said before Doner sandwiches are like Gyro's. There is a Doner shop around every street corner, they are open every day and late into the night, which means they are a reliable source of food for nomad's such as ourselves.  

These shops are owned and operated by the 'Turks.' Before LEGS and I came we did some research on crime in GERMANY, much of the crime in GERMANY is accredited to the Turks.  What I have seen is they are very hard working people, but if you cross them they don't take any sh*t.  Not surprising since most minorities I have been around tend to stick together and stand up for each other.

Every Sunday in NEVER NEVER LAND, many things shut down.  The grocery store is closed, along with all the shops, a few restaurants stay open because they make business since the grocery store is closed, but for the most part the GERMANS hang out inside and at the very most take a walk through the park.  

LEGS and I decided when in NEVER NEVER LAND be lazy on Sunday.  We got up for breakfast, but went back to bed after.  We went for a run through the park.  I find it aggravating how many times LEGS' feet hit the pavement to how many times my feet hit the pavement, most of the time I feel like a small child running behind him when he is just walking, when we run together I feel like I am chasing after a GOD DAMN Olympic track and field star. We showered, got into PJ's surfed the net, watched movies, skyped with family, and laid around some more.  

Finally we were hungry.  So we HAD to get up, get dressed, and search for food.  We stopped at a local pizzeria.  The ENTIRE menu was in GERMAN, usually they will have the menu in GERMAN and ENGLISH, this forced us to close our eyes and pick an entree'.  LEGS was more lucky than I.  I would say that although whatever my finger landed on was edible it wasn't my most favorite meal here so far.  

The Salad was really good, the Prosciutto was fresh and amazing!

LEGS had Spaghetti Carbonara 

I don't know what it is but this is what I had

Last night I could hear the GERMAN man staying in the room next to us snoring....it kept me up until I heard him roll over and quiet down.  Then I proceeded to have the most bizarre nightmares all night long.  

This morning we were on a mission.  

Since we have been nomadic we have gotten fat.  Also, I am expected to make an appearance in the boxing gym this week.  I have promised myself to run hard, do push-ups and some core workouts this week to be SLIGHTLY prepared.  We got up and went for a run, then LEGS timed me while I did a combination of shadow-boxing and push ups.  I thought I would be horrible, but to my surprise I felt strong and sharp.

Karmella was out of dog food and we needed more 'safe' water.  We walked down to the market and searched the store for dog food.  I haven't wanted to change her food because I am quite sure there is nothing worse then a dog with the runs when your staying in a hotel.....best I could do was be sure to buy food with rice instead of corn.  Karmella went from NUTRO dog food to Pedigree because that is all we could find.  And it was expensive, but.....

LEGS said:' I don't care how much it is she deserves it....'  

When we got home and fed the dog 

LEGS said:'Karmella hasn't had her dose of GERMAN food yet so this is it.'

Looking over the pictures from Rothenberg I have also come to the conclusion that I need eye cream.  Preferably the anti-aging kind with whatever the hell takes wrinkles out.  Try finding that kind in a GERMAN store when every thing is in German.  To my disappointment I will have to wait one more day, a day that I cannot afford, until we can get some on base, with the ingredients and options in English.

I am sure you can tell by my tone that we have been here for 12 days.  I am tired of not having a fridge, I am tired of eating out every single night.  I am tired of not sleeping in my bed.  I am tired of not being able to speak and understand German, every time we go out to do anything its a bunch of work, and I feel out of place and awkward all the time.  With the German Language I feel like I am doing better than most people, its just so hard to remember all the words and pronounce them right, and conduct a conversation without clamming up.

But I am not giving up, we went to the same restaurant we went to last night for dinner, and I ordered in GERMAN, and looked up what was in the food in the stupid GERMAN phrase book- embarrassing as it was I am quite smitten with myself.  Pizza from that Restaurant and it was good!

We took made our first adventure SOLO today.  The plan was to buy tickets and ride the train to Ansbach.  And we did it! (Ansbach is pronounced 'ONS-BOCK')

Lunch before the train at one of our NEW favorite places, Schnitzel sandwich:

We bought tickets, we got on the train, we switched trains, and arrived in Ansbach.  When we switched trains, I distracted LEGS because I wanted a kiss, so we hopped on and then started to worry maybe we had gotten on the wrong train.  But we didn't.  I cannot begin to tell you how scary it is to be on a train you aren't sure is taking you where you want to go, and all you can do is ride it out.......

Once we arrived in Ansbach we were again amazed by the architecture, the city streets, the European style and swag we saw walking down the street.  It was very cold out, so we had to hold hands and snuggle close while we walked to our destination.  I was thinking today that riding trains, and walking hand in hand places that are surrounded by such beauty is incredibly romantic....like out of a movie.....

 

We found the mall, and only had to pull out our GPS twice.  I took a few pictures but I felt like a total tourist so I had to abstain a little.  

 

The not so romantic part is using the city bathrooms, or searching the mall for the bathroom.....the GERMANS call bathrooms 'Water Closets.'  One of the bathrooms I used today was THE most disgusting bathroom I have ever been in.....and I just want everybody to remember that I traveled all over the South on very remote highways while I was boxing....so my resume' as far as bathrooms is concerned is not too shabby.

We mostly window shopped.  We went into the Grocery Market that is in the mall, looked around compared prices etc. We didn't purchase anything so when we got ready to leave it was a little tricky.  We didn't want to be rude and push through the people in line to make purchases, and get stopped knowing no GERMAN etc.  At one point LEGS tried to go through one of the rails that has a minus sign on it, and he rammed right into it- I laughed out loud it was so funny.  So we decided the only way to get free was to buy something......a chocolate bar at the check out lane.....there goes our diet......

I am proud of myself on our way out of the mall I ordered us coffee using all GERMAN.......yeah.....so I had to used a phrase book in order to request it to go...but give me credit reading from a GERMAN phrase book in a crowded cafe' takes balls!

And I would also like to thank our life line, Sir Bradford, we had to call him twice to double check information on the train....I am glad we did because the Train Inspector guy checked us both there and back....

Random Thoughts:

I feel like this whole blog was random thoughts....

I have been struggling personally with somebody in my life.....I don't know quite how to say what I think or what I mean....this is the best I can come up with:

Sometimes in life, our faith in people is blind, they make horrible terrible mistakes, they cut us, burn us, and crush our hope for the future, and because of all the songs, movies, and stories, we always believe that they will rise again, they will become the people we want them to be, good, genuine, caring, but sometimes in life that hope is perishable...and the reality is....very very sad.....**

ALERT! New Squack Pack Information: Squacky girls are the same in every country....Loud, annoying.....and STUPID.....

I did see a verbal altercation between a German Train Operator and three Turkish teenage boys today.......

We walked ALOT today....I can see why Europeans are skinny, their biggest meal of the day is lunch, they drink a lot of coffee and they walk ALOT!

Over & Out...

Just another day in the life of an unlikely military wife....**

LEGS & ARMS' adventure to Christmas City......**

Hey Blog!

Weather Report:  The snow that fell yesterday didn't stick until we got up closer to Rothenberg (pronounced ROW-TEN-BURG), but we did have freezing rain this morning.  Its deceivingly cold outside.

Everybody around here keeps talking about Fraconia (pronounced Frank-Cone-nia).  So to better understand what exactly they meant I did some research. Here is what they mean when they say 'Franconia'

Franconia is a region of Germany comprising the northern parts of the modern state of Bavaria, a small part of southern Thuringia, and a region in northeastern Baden-Wurttemberg called Heilbronn-Franken. The Bavarian part is made up of the administrative regions of Lower Franconia Unterfranken, capital city Würzburg), Middle Franconia (Mittelfranken, capital city Ansbach), and Upper Franconia (Oberfranken, capital city Bayreuth).  

Why this is especially important to me.  My Mother was born in Wurzberg.  Ansbach is where the larger base with the larger Commissary and PX are located.  And as I mentioned before people keep talking about it.

Why 'Franconia?'

Franconia is named after the Franks, a Germanic who conquered most of Western Europe by the middle of the 8th century. Though one might assume that Franconia was the homeland of the Franks (indeed in German, Franken is used for both modern day Franconians and the historic Franks) this is not the case.

Modern Day Franconia:

Most of modern day Franconia became Bavarian in 1803 thanks to Bavaria's alliance with Napoleon. Culturally it is in many ways different from Bavaria proper ("Altbayern", Old Bavaria), however. The ancient name was resurrected in 1837 by Ludwig I of Bavaria. During the Nazi period, Bavaria was broken up into several different Gaue, including Franconia and Main Franconia

While Old Bavaria is overwhelmingly Roman Catholic, Franconia is a mixed area. Lower Franconia and the western half of Upper Franconia is predominantly Catholic, while most of Middle and the eastern half of Upper Franconia are predominantly Protestant. The city of Furth in Middle Franconia historically (before the Nazi era) had a large Jewish population; Henry Kissinger was born there.

East Franconian region is very different from the Austro-Bavarian language. Most Franconians do not call themselves Bavarians, but their insistence on this point is generally a lighthearted matter in modern times. In fact, Franconians will most likely take umbrage at insults directed at Bavaria. 

Franconia has almost 300 mainly local, small breweries. The northwestern parts, the areas around river Main called Franconian wine region produce also a lot of wine. Food typical for the region includes Bratwurst (especially famous small Nuremberger Bratwurst), Schäuferla, Saurbraten, dumplings, fried carp, Obatzda, Head cheese. A traditional sort of biscuit are Lebkuchen or Küchla (sort of sweet fried dough).

Why people are talking about it:

 

Every time it is mentioned by a local they are really proud of it.  I suspect it is very much how I happily and pridefully claim I am from Alaska!  Also, the dialect of German that is spoken here is different then they way Germans in other regions speak German.  This has become obvious since my High School German teacher taught us a dialect that is closer to Munich, I have been corrected or people have looked at me like I am not from around here.  And last but not least, the diet, Heidi did tell me that Bratwurst and Saurkraut were a 'traditonal franconian dish.'

Okay......after 45 minutes of searching for a good map and a near divorce between LEGS and I, I have given up on putting a map!

Our first ride on the train!

This morning we got up early to take our very first travel trip in NEVER NEVER LAND to Rothenberg, also known as The Christmas City.  Those of you who know me, know that I love Christmas so much I was married just 5 days before Christmas. 

 

Rothenburg is a town in the district of Ansbach well known for its well-preserved medieval old town, a destination for tourists from around the world. In the Middle Ages, it was an Imperial Free City. 

The name "Rothenburg ob der Tauber" means, in German, "Red fortress above the Tauber". This is so because the town is located on a plateau overlooking the Tauber river. As to the name "Rothenburg", some say it comes from the German words Rot (Red) and Burg (burg, medieval fortified town), referring to the red colour of the roofs of the houses which overlook the river. The name may also refer to the process of retting ("rotten" in German) flax for linen production.

In March 1945 in WWII, German soldiers were stationed in Rothenburg to defend it. On March 31, bombs were dropped over Rothenburg by 16 planes, killing 39 people and destroying 306 houses, six public buildings, nine watchtowers, and over 2,000 feet (610 m) of the wall. 

 

The U.S Assistant Secretary of War John J. McCloy knew about the historic importance and beauty of Rothenburg, so he ordered US Army General Jacob L. Devers not use artillery in taking Rothenburg. The local military commander Major Thömmes ignored the order of Adolf Hitler for all towns to fight to the end and gave up the town, thereby saving it from total destruction by artillery.

 

What makes Rothenburg ob der Tauber Germany even more exciting is its reputation as town of eternal Christmas. All year round lots of shops offer beautiful handcrafted Christmas gifts and keepsakes. In December the town gets really crowded, because nobody wants to miss the famous Christmas Market, one of the most romantic ones in Germany.

We went to the World Famous Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas Village of Rothenburg ob der Tauber today. Inside there is countless handcrafted Christmas decorations and ornaments of wood and glass, twinkling lights and nutcrackers as well as many other souvenirs. But be careful, prices are accordingly high! I was only able to purchase one very simple ornament for Grams, Mema, The Mommy, Sister, Sissy, Rylee, and The Daddy and Lena, without breaking the Bank of LEGS.

We had a delicious German style lunch at one of the local restaurants.

 LEGS said 'This is a man meal, 3 Phallus like meats over beans.....

 The Mommy: Spaztel....very good gotta learn how to make it- need machine!!!

 Homemade Maultaschen- Stuffed noodles DELICIOUS!!!

After lunch we went and had Schneeballs (pronounced SHNEE-Balls or known as 'Snowballs') this is something special Rothenberg does.  They were also VERY yummy!

 

 Random Thoughts:

Even though I am eating a lot of junk my a** still isn't getting too fat!

Please if you have facebook, check out the other pictures that were not included in this blog, we took 120 pictures and it took me hours to load this small handful.

Over & Out...

Just another day in life of an unlikely military wife.....**