AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: You must have the wrong number DATE: 7/06/2008 02:29:00 PM ----- BODY:

Usually when our phone rings, I check the caller ID before answering it. If it is Wife #1, I don't answer. Not because she has demanded this of me, but because I don't have anything to say to her, and I know she's not calling to talk to me. Plus, getting screamed at isn't high on my list of things to do.

Today though, she and Kevin were going around about something or another when she started saying ugly things about me to him. When that happens, he simply hangs up the phone. Then she calls back. And calls back. And calls back.

To those of you who have tried talking to me on our home phone: That is the purpose of our incredibly crappy voip service. Because we used to have to track how many times she would call after being asked to stop. Well, that, and for recording her voice messages. They are real treats, let me tell you.

Usually I don't care what's going on with the phone and those two. Kevin will take as much as he wants and then cut it off. He's a big boy and can handle himself.

What I do care about is the phone ringing time and time again while our baby is trying to take a nap.

So I answered it. I told her politely that the baby was sleeping and that she needed to quit calling at this time.

I doubt that she heard it though. I doubt that she heard anything for the yelling she was doing, telling me that she would like to speak to her husband.

The last time I answered the phone and she screamed at me that she would like to speak to her husband, I was snarky and told her she had the wrong number. Because the only man in at this house was my husband.

Today, I simply hung up after telling her that the baby was asleep.

Snarky used to be amusing. People who are so easily riled are easy targets. I learned that growing up with a big brother who loved to tease and was really good at it. The less reaction I gave, the less fun he had. Wish I had learned that before he convinced me of the toilet monster's existence.

Now, it's just sad. Not in a pity sort of way, because I wouldn't waste good pity on such a subject.

Or perhaps she did hear me. Because she hasn't called back.

I'm thinking that it has little to do with my request though, and far more to do with the simple fact that I answered the phone. In my own home. Heaven forbid that I ever do that again.

For right now, I'm just enjoying the silence and the fact that Bird is still snoozing away undisturbed.

Labels: Divorce, Guy and Me, Things I Should Keep to Myself

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Stimey DATE:Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 4:24:00 PM EDT Wow. Calling an ex-husband and referring to him as a "husband" to his wife? That is bold. And a weird little power play that she can't possibly win. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

No Minimom DATE:Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 5:25:00 PM EDT Isn't there something you can legally do to stop her from harassing you guys like that? That's just ridiculous. Give it up and get a life already, Ex. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Marty, a.k.a. canape DATE:Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 7:01:00 PM EDT KD - There would be if she was still harassing us. That's why we keep good phone records.

Really though, she calls very rarely. This is the first time in a long time that she has had an 'episode.'

It is ridiculous, isn't it? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Stella DATE:Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 11:42:00 PM EDT I'm glad to hear that this is the first time in a long time but still...my goodness!! That's terrible!! I'm sorry you have to deal with that!

I'm glad she stopped calling and you're so right about the snarky comments and people like that! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Candygirlflies DATE:Monday, July 7, 2008 at 5:51:00 AM EDT Up here in the Great White North, we have a service available from our telephone company (which is Bell Canada) called "Call Privacy". I can block all calls (so that our phone doesn't ring), or block specific phone numbers all of the time (great for telemarketers, and, no doubt, for ex-wives...) Whenever a call is blocked, the caller is played a relatively polite message from the phone company, informing them that "their call is not welcome at this time". It is basically a far more polite "f-off" than I could ever dream up.

I wonder if you might have something like that available through your phone company? If not, it sounds like it would be worth switching servers for... I have found it to be worth every penny I pay for it.

Good luck, Sweetie. Thinking of you!

xo CGF ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Bon DATE:Monday, July 7, 2008 at 9:19:00 AM EDT ridiculous, indeed.

oy. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Susie DATE:Monday, July 7, 2008 at 11:44:00 AM EDT I must say, I think you have a better attitude about this than I would. Telemarketers are bad enough but geez, it doesn't feel good to be harassed in your own home. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

TinaGirl DATE:Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 2:14:00 PM EDT I think that she is a little messed in the head which is why your man is your man and no longer HER man. How hard for you and how strong of you to take care of business and not falling into her trap. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Becki DATE:Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at 12:54:00 PM EDT What a psycho. ----- --------