Annie’s Mailbox: Prank phone calls cause stress
Dear Annie: In June, I began receiving prank phone calls from kids. I had no luck trying to trace the calls myself, so after nearly three weeks of continuous harassment, I contacted my phone company to find out who was doing this.
Once I received the phone number, I immediately called their house requesting to speak to their parents. However, the kids simply hung up on me every time I called and continued to phone my house with obscenities. Finally, I was able to get in touch with the mother of the children, a single parent, but all she said was “kids will be kids.” She said they were just trying to have fun.
After arguing with her, she assured me that the children would never call again. But while the calls are not as abundant as before, I still receive a few now and then.
Is there anything more I should do? I do not wish to get the police involved. I am an elderly woman who has raised four kids of my own, but none of them were ever this rude. I do not want to stop answering my phone, and neither caller ID nor call blocking is available in my area. Please give me some advice. — Annoyed Patty
Dear Annoyed: Even though call blocking is not available in your area, talk to someone at your phone company and ask if there is anything it can do to keep those calls from reaching your home. The phone company often can block calls from their end. If not, invest in an answering machine, and let it screen all your calls.
Dear Annie: Regarding the letter from “Anal Retentive” about the toilet tissue debacle, my wife has a solution. In each bathroom she has placed a wicker basket that holds five to six rolls of T.P. Since the dispenser is not used, there is never an issue on which direction it should roll. The big plus is you never run out in the middle of a job. I can’t believe this subject has come up so often. — R.B., Jacksonville, Fla.
Dear R.B.: YOU can’t believe it??! You should see it from this end. Read on:
From Sylmar, Calif.: Your answer regarding how toilet paper should be hung is WRONG! Never mind if it has a pattern. It should always be hung so that the end is over the top. That way, the “tail” always will be within easy reach.
Midwest: You should always roll from the back. It takes a little of the weight off the axle, thereby making it easier to pull. It may be harder to find the paper hanging off the back, but it is absolutely easier to roll.
Sierra Vista, Ariz.: This woman has a husband who actually replaces the toilet paper roll, and she is complaining about how he does it? You should have recommended counseling.
Lebanon, Pa.: Here’s how I solved the toilet paper issue. I was shopping at my favorite store and found a holder that holds TWO rolls. I placed one with the tissue going over the top, and one that rolled behind. Now everyone is happy. By the way, the roll that is used the most is the one that rolls over the top.
California: Haven’t those people who mount toilet paper so that it rolls off the back seen the TV ad where a cat furiously unwinds it when it rolls forward? Don’t they realize how cruel it is to deprive a cat of one of its greatest joys? She should report her husband to PETA if he doesn’t stop abusing the cat.
Jacksonville, Fla.: If the paper is rolled to the back, one will frequently brush one’s knuckles against the wall while retrieving the paper. This will leave marks on the wall, which will become unsightly and need cleaning or repainting.
Florida: I have heard many answers to this dilemma. My favorite is, “From the bottom to the bottom.”
Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to [email protected], or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, P.O. Box 118190, Chicago, IL 60611. To find out more about Annie’s Mailbox, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.