I managed to totally offend someone in the office at my daughter’s elementary school. Dangit. Hopefully, after speaking to her today, she understands that I wasn’t in fact mad at her. I guess leaving a voice mail when I don’t feel very good isn’t smart. She seemed to think I was very upset with her, which makes no sense to me, considering the content of my message. But I left the message last night, so I was tired, and sick, and probably sounded less than happy.

The problem is, you never know with people. We had a fine conversation this afternoon, but she may still think I’m a total rag. I kind of got that impression. Apparently, she was a bit hysterical when she called Nate today to follow up on my message. Fortunately, I dropped in to talk to her before I found out about her conversation with Nate, otherwise I probably would have gone in defensive. As it was, I was all smiles, as usual, and that probably disarmed a bit.

Maybe I’ll send her a note. I absolutely hate contention and will do all in my power to diffuse it.

That reminds me of a funny story. I meant to blog about it, but never got around to it.

Nate and I went to the Bellevue Arts and Crafts Fair over the summer. It’s a large, crowded assembly of painters, glass artists, sculptors, and a variety of other “craft fair” type booths, a bit on the fancy end because after all, it is Bellevue.

Well, I had my camera. I took a few pictures. I didn’t realize this would be offensive, and when I was in the booth of a weaver (a fiber artist no less), she full on attacked me. She proceeded to tell me how incredibly rude I was, and how it was HER work, and I had no business taking pictures and how any of the other booth owners would feel the same way, and how I should at least have the decency to ask first.

Ok, fine. I hadn’t thought of that. I apologized sincerely, told her how beautiful her work was, that I had no intention of copying it, and I appreciated her bringing it to my attention. I continued to peruse her booth, and she literally followed me around and continued to tell me how incredibly rude I was. And again, how this was HER work. I continued to apologize.

I told her that I admired her use of color and that her work was beautiful and I was very sorry to have offended.

This didn’t stop her from verbally abusing me. I complimented her one more time, apologized a fourth time, and left. Nate, who had been outside of the booth, but had been listening, was fuming. I could sort of see her point, but she was out of line and took it way too far. Nate on the other hand, who is in the art industry and is very familiar with the legal and ethical uses of art, completely disagreed with her argument.

As we walked through the rest of the fair, if I saw something I particularly liked (and I was mainly looking at color combinations), I asked the booth owner if I could photograph it. Without exception, they were flattered and gave me permission.

I couldn’t help myself. I had to tell them why I was asking, although I was good and didn’t tell them who had behaved so badly.

One lady said that an Arts and Crafts fair was no place for a “Diva”. Good point. Others just couldn’t believe someone would act that way. I was amused, Nate continued to be annoyed with the mean lady, and here we are.

I hate contention. I never intentionally hurt or offend anyone. I would rather apologize, even when I’m not in the wrong, than maintain a feud with anybody. We’re grown ups, aren’t we? And it is my experience that more problems are caused by misunderstandings than actual malicious intent.

So, I will send a nice, apologetic note to the lady in the office, who really does seem like a soft hearted, sweet woman. She will hopefully not hold a grudge, (although I know she’s already talked to Abby’s teacher about the situation, but I don’t know how far the conversation went), and our happy little life will continue as ever.

Some of you will think I’m a big weenie. And that’s fine, too. As for me and my life, I’m happier without the bad feelings.