Oh no - I assure you, you're not alone!
I'm glad you brought this thread back to life. Those posts were from last year, but just as funny the second time around!! Things have gotten a bit more chaotic around my place lately, and I've put radio interviews (and *most* phone calls, even!) waaaayyyy on the back burner for now. While the kids are getting older, quieter and more independent (and easier to bribe, hehe) - my latest issues are with my Grandmother. I love her to peices, and she's very healthy for 92yo, but she's a bit loopey (I say it in the nicest way!)
She tends to "escape" from me when I turn my back to get the phone - OR - if she hears me talk, she assumes I'm speaking to her and she strikes up a loud one-sided conversation about anything under the sun (she cant hear very well, so she goes with just whatever).
If you havent already guessed - I live with and care for her full-time. We have our highs and lows, but overall it's been a really good situation for all of us. However, the last six months have been particularly hard, and I find myself adjusting my entire lifestyle (work included) to keep up with it all.
I attempted a conference call last week but no amount of hand signals did the trick... I finally had to bail out of the call