I have actually answered the phone “Someone better be dead or in the hospital.” when it rang at 6 a.m.*

So I feel you.

*I would, of course, have felt horrible if this had turned out to be true, and thus have not repeated the statement. The call in question was a wrong number.

AMEN. Though I would even change it to 9 a.m.

We’ve had church members call the house before 7 to confirm that either I or my husband received an email saying exactly the same thing they then leave on the answering machine.

Oy.

One of the reason all phones ring in my office is that people seem oblivious to respecting 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. as a “proper” time to call. And since I have clients in other time zones, often they don’t check what zone I’m in.

You could just not answer it. That is why I believe God or some God inspired human created the Answering Machine. A lovely devise. Lovely.

Oh, please! I didn’t pick up the phone. I never pick up the phone unless it’s someone I want to talk to and I’m completely free. I’m one of those people…..

Our phone is in the office and we can’t hear it from the bedroom.

My only worry, and it’s a big one, is that something will happen and we won’t hear it ring. Particularly since we don’t have a light indicator to show we have a voicemail. And because my mom is so reticent. I just fear something bad happening, me not listening to the message for a week, and missing my dad’s funeral or something.

I am living a landline-less existence these days, and it certainly has benefits. Caller ID generally lets me know whether it’s someone I want to talk with. The only downside is that if I leave the ringer off, it may be later in the morning before I get a message. But frankly, most things can wait that long anyway.