Clearing

It has been so hectic lately. Steve is officially done with his daily life as an active duty soldier. He spends the days clearing. I usually go with him for half of the day. Since the car has been shipped, we walk around post and I just carry our drinks, paperwork and what not, in my backpack. I spend the other half of the day cleaning and getting ready for moving out and final housing inspection. Its pretty fun and we get to spend time together. Yesterday when we were walking around, we walked under a tree that is full of crow nests (Germany is over flowed with Crows) and we were just walking when all of a sudden we heard a "splat" right in between us. A bird almost went number two right on us.. literally inches away from us. It was crazy.
  As part of his clearing, he has to do a physical to see how much disability he is entitled to. Since he is Airborne he gets certain percentage right off the bat. Then, they did the full exam and he is 40% disabled (I think) somewhere around there. Being an Airborne Infantryman sure had its tole on him. He has a permanently crushed hip flexor, tendonitis, and some other very painful things wrong with him. It really hurts him to climb stairs or walk for more then short periods. If he stayed Airborne, he probably wouldn't be able to walk in a  few years. He is only 22 years old. That is just too young to be in such bad condition but that is what being an Airborne Infantryman does to you.  

  We are trying to soak in as much Germany as possible. Even though we can't wait to get back to America, their is a few things that we will miss about Germany such as the food and sights. I try and get a Doner every chance I get and the Greek salads.. so good.

Turning in his gear

Walking around clearing

You know you live on an Army post when you see these everywhere

Waiting at the bus stop

Adam Andrade and Steve. They went to Basic training together, deployed together, stationed together in the same unit and same troop. They have been together the whole time. They are brothers in arms.

Squadron on a beautiful morning

Goodbye Conn Barracks (where we were stationed)

Goodbye Ledward Barracks

Garrison Headquarters

I am going to miss Papperts, a German bakery. Best sandwiches I have had.

Yummy cold German coffee for on the go. SO good.

favorite Doner shop

Tubbs wrapped up in her Daddy's PT jacket

How you know your PCS/ETS date from Germany is fast approaching (or how to tell you *really* miss Germany!)

1. Ausfahrt isn't funny anymore, and roundabouts are second nature.
2. You no longer mind the person behind or next to you only giving you half an inch of space.
3. 2 hrs for dinner is "fast food".
4. You judge mustard by how well it opens your sinuses.
5. Jumping across the border to get away for the day is no big deal.
6. You reach for the Jägermeister instead of Pepto Bismol.
7. You think family pictures taken at a castle are "so cliche."
8. You forgot how to use round doorknobs.
9. You forget how to flush a toilet that doesn't have a push button.
10. 100 MPH seems like you're driving really, really slow.
11. You no longer think it is strange that beer and water are the same price.
12. Even at home you don't put ice in your drinks. You never go shopping off base without a shopping bag or VAT form.
13. You NEVER shop on payday or the day before a German holiday.
14. You never leave home without your keys, ID card, license, and passport.
15. You think anything with chocolate sounds like a good breakfast.
16. You think it is natural to pass Army tanks on the highway.
17. You answer the phone "Hallo" instead of Hello.
18. You need a power drill and sledgehammer to hang a picture on the wall.
19. You rig your lawnmower and vacuum cleaner to give you an electrical shock if you try to operate them on Sundays.
20. You no longer even want ketchup for your French Fries
21. Christmas is incomplete without Gluhwein at a castle.
22. You sing "Tschüss" instead of say Good Bye.
23. Your children no longer say please or thank you ... it is bitte and danke.
24. You wonder how you ever lived without Rouladens.
25. You wear a scarf every singe day .... even in the summer.
26. You plan your route around ESSO locations.
27. You believe AFN is quality programming.
28. You own shoes just for walking .... and know you will walk everywhere.
29. You no longer need Google translate at the grocery store
and last but but not least ....
30. You have said out loud at least once .... Stupid Americans!!