
One afternoon in August as I was preparing for company, I heard a knock at the front door. Before I could even set my sights into the hallway, the kids had answered it and were well into their usual four-headed interrogation process of the poor soul on the porch. Peering through the 8-armed beast I managed a "hello there, can I help you?" as I had never seen this presumably hip guy at my door or anywhere else. Nicely enough he says something like 'yea, I was hoping I could talk to you a minute regarding Joseph'. (Uh-oh.) "Sure", I say and usher the little investigative team back into the house with not a small verbal struggle, and step out for a chat.
He introduces himself as Steve Bowman, which sounded vaguely familiar, but I was more intent on hearing about how my son had apparently been teasing his little girl on the school bus and he just thought he should stop by and talk about it. Of course I felt horrible (yet surprised cause Joseph's the nice one) and apologized and let him know that Joseph would be talked to. Among the offenses was tripping her, trying to make her get off the bus at the wrong stop, and calling her "Shorty McShort-short" which he quoted with a slight grin and which immediately made me cringe because I've heard this verbal abuse in our house before. He insisted it wasn't a big deal and that he just wanted to say hello in hopes that it would stop because his little girl was upset.

I continued to apologize and sympathize and let him know that both our boys had been at the other end of a bit of bullying on the bus so I understand. I also told him how nice it was of him to stop by in person to talk and how lots of parents don't do that sorta thing. We got to talking which led to trading occupation information. He said he's in the music industry (very common in these parts) and they just moved from CA. It gets a little fuzzy right after I asked him who he's played for, because the COUNTING CROWS flew out of his mouth ::My favorite. My college years. My inspirational music in my first I'm-an-adult-now-and-have-my-own-art-studio studio. The music I was convinced was written for me because I kept hearing "Anna" and "Maria" and "Picasso" and zillions of color references. And as it happens, the band that in-utero Joseph danced to in my belly during their concert:: Like I said, fuzzy. And ya know what, I told him all that-well mostly the Adam writing lyrics for me part. He was amused and unpretentious and glad for it. So, kindly he asked me what I did. Said I was a designer and he (even) pointed to my neck/shoulder area and said "textiles?" I replied "yea" with an open mouth grin like how did you know. Then I remembered I had fabric on one shoulder and a tape measure around my neck. Anyway. Yea. I was cool, baby, cool. The above picture shows my fashion accessories of choice when I answered the door. Nice, nice guy and he said his wife would love to meet me, etc, we exchanged info and joked that we were glad Joseph was a stinker to his daughter.

So I emailed Steve and his wife to let them know how the questioning went down and that maybe there is another Joseph that needs talking to, etc. and say that its hard for me to have Joseph write an apology when I'm sure he's telling the truth, he has the habit of being very honest so on and so on. There. All better. Jeff comes home and I begin with 'you're never gonna guess who I met today' and for some weird reason he's totally concerned with why he was there and foolishly passing up the simple exciting fact that he was there. I mutter something quickly like "hrmmerniminuh JOSEPH thigsallmoo BULLY shumana DAUGHTER" trying to get on with the important part and he immediately sets dad-eyes on Joseph who is behind me obediently putting away clean silverware. "JOSEPH did you do any of that?!" And I swear I must have felt the spit of the second round of tears against my back but this time it was accompanied with a "YES I DID ALL THAT STUFF. I'M SOOOORRRrrryyy" Blah Blah Blah. Can you imagine!? I was so understanding yet firm (I thought) in my questioning and he completely pulled the wool over me! All Jeff had to do was ask in that 6foot5 voice of his and an instant confession appears out of no where like rain after a drought.
Ashamed, Joseph and I both had to go and write our apologies. Both were accepted. Nice, nice people. And my husband? I love him. He really has written songs about me and I love those too.
whew. kids.
Anna Maria
Wowsers! It's the power of the Dad voice, I think they use it less then Moms so when they speak. EVVvvvery one stops and listens. Even if it's just "pass the mustard". Cool story.
ReplyDeleteyou have made my day, i am so glad to hear that these kinds of things happen in other homes as well as my own. i mean the bullying/confession/choas part, not the counting crows part, that is just too good to be true, i wonder if i would have been able to pick my jaw up off the ground to even continue talking? either way, good job!
ReplyDeleteOh Anna, what a story!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story! And Dad's do have a way of getting the "whole" story out of our boys. Doesn't seem fair, does it?
ReplyDeleteNo no no way. I don't even know which part to comment on, so I'll just say I'm going to be thinking about that one all day! :)
ReplyDeleteSandi
I love this story! And I love August and everything after too!
ReplyDeletethat has to be such a sureal memory. i would feel like i had dreamed it all up.
ReplyDeleteGreat story Anna! I mean bad reason...but Great Story!
ReplyDeleteNow that is LIFE. Great story. Thanks for the laughter and humanity of it all...
ReplyDeleteThis is the funniest story!
ReplyDeletei'm always a sucker when my children lie to me too. i flat out saw my daughter do something and she lied her way out of it somehow for a few minutes until i reminded myself again that i SAW her do it!!
ReplyDeleteGreat story - thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteFantastic story - so glad you've got it all recorded now!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story and it must have been a bit surreal for you. I mean come on the counting crows. jeez, who meets people like that. boys ugh, we just had a similar incident but it was lying about homework we were suckered hook line and sinker until a little email from his teacher surfaced. Straightened that out. Life with kids..fun stuff.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! That is too funny! It's amazing what kind of confessions Dads can get out of kids with just a look. I'm not so lucky. LOL
ReplyDeleteSeriously?! Amazing, and embarrasing, and funny. When life happens it sure can be a crazy ride! :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletethat is the greatest story ever!
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh do i love this story......and any parent can relate...just change the names!
ReplyDeleteOh my what a story! The power of the 6ft 5in voice. It works wonders in our house too!
ReplyDeleteHoly Crap - about every part of this story!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I would be spanking my child or giving him High fives...I mean really, of all little girls to pick on....Steve Bowman's little girl. How fun. One day he will be telling all his pals about it. Cute story. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat is so amazing about this is to see that you can get ga-ga over someone whose work and art you love. I get all excited when I open this blog because I swear you get 48 hours in your day to my 24, and you are so creative, your house so groovy, your kids so darn cute and I'm just the biggest fan...so it's good to see that you can get all stoked too. Loved it!
ReplyDeleteFun stuff! At least he was nice. I'm a huge counting crows fan too!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first visit and I felt instant bond with you, having a young son who has an impish side, as I think many boys do. His humor or zest for life and trouble is not always appreciated by teachers or principals (who knew you could visit the principal in kindergarten!).
ReplyDeleteHe is a delightful little boy who seems to be in all the wrong places, saying or doing the wrong things at just the moment a teacher walks by. Sometimes misunderstood, sometimes not thinking, sometimes laughing at things that shouldn't be laughed at (who knew bodily parts and strange noises could be so amusing).
He is always keeping me on my toes trying to sort out the reported incidents and trying to decide to whether to punish for the offense or reward for truthfulness. And forever trying to read body language and clues as to what exactly the truth was.
Thanks for the fun real life drama.
You have a lovely blog, full of inspiration!
Melissa
Hilarious!
ReplyDeleteHow honest of you to admit your misunderstanding of the situation. I did the same thing, except reversed. I asked a neighbor casually about his son being mean to my son on the bus. She called me the next day saying that her son swore he had never been mean to mine. So when I questioned my son further, he said, "No Mommy, the OTHER Austin!" So I had to apologize for that. Also, with you on the song namesake thing. The song "Beth" from KISS was written for me (granted a year before my actual birth....but still...)
ReplyDeleteI had a good laugh!! HELLO Jeff, drummer for Counting Crows!! Way to go Joseph! Anna, i have this cute little girl that would love to hoist herself on that shoulder w/that cute piece of fabric-she may even leave a little "present" on it for you!-kathy
ReplyDeleteFile this memory for when they're teenagers and less apt to buckle under pressure! And definitely kiss your husband!
ReplyDeletei'm so jealous!!
ReplyDeletejen
heee. also, you totally neglected to mention Perfect Blue Buildings...<3
ReplyDeletei saw the Crows last September, headlining for the Goo Goo Dolls and Eliot Morris (double love), and i thought "okay, concert buddy who drove me here. i paid for our tickets, so whether you like the Crows or not, we're sitting through them, so i can get my money's worth!"...and i'm glad i did. Rain King live is an amazing experience. heck. they all are. <333333
in other NON-CROWS commentary, i'd like to say, wow, i would have totally believed your son. i am SUCH a sucker. kids are funny.
wonder if he got the Shorty McShort-short thing from that new 5 minute cartoon they play on Disney Channel :( (although, i am totally one for making up names like that...Stinky McStink Pants and such...it's terrible :P)
What a great story and how scary must Jeff be to get such an immediate confession!! That's Dads for you. Thanks for sharing and lurve your shoulder decorations - very becoming x
ReplyDeleteLOL.... No wonder you were reluctant to share that story, But we're so glad you did!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a classic story. Thanks for enduring a little embarrassment to bring that to us. Fun. I, also, think I have a handle on the parenting/discipline thing until Daddy comes home. But it makes for a nice balance. Happy Thursday!
ReplyDeleteWe call it the "Voice of Doom" in our house when hubby gets upset. I have "The Mom Look" mastered, but he has the voice. Of course, we haven't had to test it much with only a 15 month old!
ReplyDeleteA neat story AM! It's neat how things work out, eh?
ReplyDeleteDaddies have a way, don't they!
ReplyDeleteWow! I was holding my breath thru your whole story. It was like reading a good book. My emotions were on a roller coaster ride....from OMGoodness! you met Steve Bowman, to Ahh! your sweet little guy is so innocent (yes, I have one of those too! they have such innocent little faces.) then to EEks! he was the one who did it. Then finally to that sigh of releaf that everything ended "Happily Ever After". Thanks for the cute story...you made me laugh. (P.S. I'm not a blogger yet...so busy with my new shop "The Blue Egg" Cottage Nest Interiors, my 2 kids and my sweet hubby. I love to read them but can't find the time to set up my own. Loving your fab fabric in Pennsylvania. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAwesome story, Anna! I'm impressed that he stopped by to calmly talk with you about the situation. And that your husband can get a confession with just a look ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat story.
ReplyDeleteJulia
ha ha ha ha.... I am laughing out loud!!!! We have these moments (minus the Crows) at our house all the time!! I'm glad to know that I'm not the only Mom who sometimes gets fooled. My husband and I find that lying is worse than any transgression they do and therefore worse punishment will follow. BUT...my son has yet to understand that!!!
ReplyDeleteGREAT story!
ReplyDeleteo, that's a goooooood story! and even more so because aside from all the fab rock-star stuff, the same happened at a confession meeting here once upon a time many years ago. i was totally snookered, her dad asked one question and got a complete and instantaneous reversal and confession! i think we always want to believe it couldn't be our sweeties doing anything wrong- and they know that about us. thanks for sharing that great tale! xoC
ReplyDeleteI MUST comment on this one!! How AWSOME would that be?!?!?! But to have your little angel pull the wool over your eyes!! LOL LOVE all of your goodies...LOVE the bright colors...I needed something like that to give my creative juices and boost!! You see, I paint furniture, and sometimes my creativity gets in a rut! I'm much more whimsical than my mother, in my choice of color and patter...to me...the more the BETTER!! Thanks for the laught and the inspiration!
ReplyDeletewhat a great story! :-)
ReplyDeleteI am just smiling. What a great story. Yes, daddy's do have some sort of power in getting the truth out.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! Great story! I always vowed that my husband and I would have the exact same power with our kids and that it would be unacceptable for them to act differently with Mom than Dad. Ha. Seven years in to this parenting gig, I am now treating the Dad/ Mom thing as an *asset*. That's why he and I are a *team*, differnt strengths, weaknesses, and different ways with the kids.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic story! (I love Counting Crows too - so can only imagine how surreal that conversation must have been) - it reminded me of my own embarrassing encounter with a rock legend that I mistook for being one of my father's friends (eek!)...I've blogged it today, so thank you for the reminder and the inspiration!
ReplyDeletejust read yours-hysterical!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine ole Pete would be cute in real life :)
AM
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteOh my...I would be thrilled if I had the same encounter.
ReplyDeleteThat CD defined like 3 years for me.....
sad but sweet and oh can I relate! It is cool that you had a brush with fame though, nothing like that happens around here. My sis lives in Franklin TN and her daughter goes to school with the son of the lead singer to Slaughter (from the 80's). It's just no biggie there.
ReplyDeleteSmall world, we also went to preschool with the Slaughters (its their last name)!
ReplyDeletealong with Martina McBride's and Faith Hill's kids. I have a long list of local celeb spottings here and there. I think they like being left alone, which is pretty easy to do in Nashville/Franklin.
xo, AM
Great story...bittersweet loving those little boys. I just found your blog, BEAUTIFUL...I didn't even know that you designed the fabric that I just had to have the other day. Yay you!
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