keyboard preference setting

[bradhtc]

i prefer to type with the phone keypad, i hate queerty. the prob is that every time i open up a new message, the damm thing defraults to my nemesis queerty. if there is a setting, for this i have tried and failed, if there is another one someone pleeeeeze tell me before i go friggin postal on my lamemagio.
i have also tried other keyboards but nothing i really want to further clog my junk with or want to use permanently. sorry if this was already addressed, i'll search better next time, i promise!