Best Of

Harley, I once had an orthopod who responded, when I asked if my weight had contributed to my foot fracture, "I don't like to discuss that on the first date." At this point, I would just let it roll off my back—the trend now is for doctors to zero in on lifestyle issues no matter the reason for your visit (likely because they're trying to cut back on prescribing meds and especially procedures that cost the system $$$ or affect their capitation compensation). It is what it is and they are what they are. Alternatively, you could be proactive and start the discussion with an acknowledgment that you know you are several lbs. away from a desirable BMI, and then move on to the actual medical issue at hand.

I had a Fitbit Blaze (with the integrated band) that overheated and gave me second-degree burns on my wrist beneath the LEDs. Traded it in on another model with interchangeable bands—but after a year it would no longer hold a charge and it, too, got hot. So in 2017 I switched to an Apple Watch Series 2. I'm using the Series 9 now—and really appreciate the cardiogram and O2 sat features (the latter feature is no longer available due to a patent infringement lawsuit). Mine's costlier than a Fitbit because I got the cellular version (comes in handy if I've forgotten my phone); it also will send a 911 signal with my exact location should I fall or be injured and be unable to respond. Downside (besides price) is the battery life is inferior to a Fitbit (in good working order), so that I remove it at night to charge it, which makes sleep-tracking impossible (as if I couldn't tell the "old-fashioned way"). I wear my cheap old Indiglo to bed so I can see what time it is in the dark without having to stretch over and hit the Apple Watch in "nightstand mode" to find out.

The hits just keep on coming. Went over to the house to drop off laundry for Rinse. Landscaper was there. He was going to start sodding the yard, but it turns out the contractor (and his plumber) screwed up the hose-bib reinstall and the landscaper has to get a part to fix it and set up the hose & sprinkler. Turned on the dishwasher to test it with a Rinse & Hold cycle…instead I got a flashing red light next to "Intake/Drain." Yup—screwed up that connection too (probably when hooking up the disposal). Finally, over the past week our garage door opener has been intermittently refusing to acknowledge our remotes (fresh batteries installed). And now the wall button sometimes works & sometimes freezes up: the door opens & closes only part way the first few times I try to operate it. (Unrelated to the fire, as it's a detached garage). So tomorrow I have the garage door repairmen coming over—hope I don't need a new door & opener (ours is 20 yrs old).

I sent texts to the crew chief, contractor liaison & electrician about the various woes I described earlier (as well as to light a fire—pun intended—unter the contractor to measure and install the mini-blunds as promised). Contractor called me back, incredulous that we're still in Lincolnwood. He said "why haven't you moved back? The house passed inspection." So I let him have it: we can't get our stuff moved back till 8/8 (the few things we have were a rush order). I told him in no uncertsin terms that I have no intention of "camping out" like we did at our first apartment until we got some furniture. He backed down.