Keep in mind that we've now been on this adventure in Germany for close to two years - how time flies. I always say when I look in the mirror everyday I don't see it.....but pictures tell a thousand words. Maybe a few more grays....certainly a few frown lines - but I'd have to say I think a whole lot more smile lines are apparent due to this adventure.
We just got back from summer back in the U.S. What a treat. Family, friends....convenience. As we boarded the airplane with our 6 suitcases packed just to capacity I knew I forgot at least one thing on my list of to dos. I checked most of the boxes....but of course forgot about one thing.....
I forgot to take my dress to the tailor. Ok - no biggie - there are tailors in Germany - I can handle forgetting that one. Thankfully I didn't forget something like Reese's peanut butter cups or my two jars of Jiffy or chocolate chips.
So I started unpacking the numerous suitcases full of everything possible...and came across the dress. It's not like it's a special, one of a kind dress....but it was a dress I wanted to take along to Italy. We were leaving in 5 days - so I figured I'd take it to my little tailor in our village. So I headed off into town to the nearest schneiderei (tailor). We had some friends visiting from the U.S. so I dragged Hannah and our friends daughter along with me. I open the door to the tailor shop and of course, it's a young, somewhat cute German man. I open with my usual pick up line, "Sprechen Sie Englisch"...and I get my usual line back....just a little. I proceed to put my lovely blue linen halter top dress on his table and try to communicate to him that I need some 'padding' put in the dress because it's a bit too low in the back. Now if you're a woman reading this you will clearly know what I'm in need of....it's fairly simple. The man looked quite puzzled.....actually maybe more than puzzled would be a fair comment. So at this point in the conversation I turn to no other that my 'cooperative, supportive, kind and good german-speaking daughter'. The color has pretty drained from her face as she knows what I'm going to say next.....My next line of fire....oh, my daughter speaks good German....she can explain. Ok - not so good when you have a young man tailor, and two 14 year old completely mortified girls with you...that know exactly what they have to try and communicate to this man. Hannah gives me a look..but tries to explain. She simply says (in her best german) my mom needs some padding .....and without her even finishing the sentence he says, 'ok'....your mother is klein (which means small).....I could pick up that word from the conversation....and she needs some - and he points to his chest.....As you can imagine the room was a bit uncomfortable....but of course with a smile on my face I agree...and think he clearly understands. It will be done in 5 days...because he has to go shopping for something special for me. I talked him into speeding it up a bit and would back to pick up the dress in 2 days. Needless to say...walking home was hilarious...as the girls re-enacted the entire conversation - with hand motions the whole way home.....I definitely developed some new smile lines from that conversation.
Well - two days later I head back to the tailor. Hannah goes with me without hesitation...she just can't wait to see the end result. As the little bell chimed and we walked in the door I could already see the dress....it was hanging right in front of us. I kind of knew there was a problem as the dress seemed to be a bit heavy on the hanger. The same young man comes to greet us.....Guten Tag. I now can get a glimpse of the dress.....houston, we have a problem....a BIG problem and let's just emphasize BIG. He takes the dress off the hanger and lays it in front of us. Hannah and I started to giggle and once we start...there's no stopping. He definitely needed to find something special for me.....and he did emphasize 'klein' the first time around....so let's just suffice to say that what was placed in front of us resembled personal flotation devices - yes PFD's. I honestly think that they probably will end up under a seat on an airplane and will certainly allow any size person to float comfortably down the Atlantic. Luckily he was a very wise tailor...and didn't sew them in....just simply pinned them. He wanted to make sure they were the right size.....needless to say we were able to communicate - please unpin...and return the PFD's to their original packaging.....and I think I will opt for 'au natural' when I wear the dress......
So.... we've been here close to two years...and there still are times when I just sit back and giggle! You have to..... otherwise I would have way too many frown lines! So - next time you walk into your local tailor...or you simply see a PFD.....please think of me! (and giggle...because everyone needs a few more smile lines)
Until next time,
Auf wiedersehen
