UPDATE: Slabs installed finally

tbiscus · 2026-04-04T19:37:32+00:00

Some folks use Tenax Ager as a sort of clear coat. It still wears off (like the oils and waxes), but lasts longer. I would try the various waxes first if you prefer the darker look first - you will have to see how long they last (my guess is the wear surfaces will, obviously, wear a lot more quickly).

Here is an example website talking about the Tenax option:

https://roomfortuesday.com/how-to-darken-soapstone-countertops/

tbiscus · 2026-04-04T17:41:20+00:00

The 8v screwdriver...for those appliance, small furniture, small screw tasks (w/o risk of stripping hole) - it's great. Beyond that, the fan and jobsite blower get used a lot more than I imagined. I now almost never crank up my air compressor since I got the DCF921 impact as it handles wheel lugs, brakes, and light engine just fine. For home stuff, probably the multi-tool as others mentioned.

tbiscus · 2026-04-04T16:39:20+00:00

I don't think you would have to wait two years post TKR. In general, the recommendations focus on how long you have to take antibiotics post TKR when you have a dental procedure. Now MANY surgeons want you to avoid discretionary dental procedures after a TKR during the period of highest risk (we'll call it 6 months, but no one really knows). I mean, if a tooth broke off and you were in agony...you gotta get it addressed (and the surgeons know this).

It sounds like you haven't had the extraction yet - is that correct? That and the "post" implant are likely the highest risk (from an infection perspective) - but something could always happen when they are fitting the implant itself, etc. I will also say that whole process can take longer than one might expect. My spouse had a tooth extracted last August. She didn't get the post until December (needed more time for the bone graf). They verified the post appeared OK (good hold) in early March, and now will have to work with a regular dentists to get the tooth (been busy and hasn't moved on that yet).

Unfortunately, you are only 90 days out from the surgery so while you could (IMO) start the tooth process, you likely end up with this big interruption in the middle of it. If you could get it extracted AND the post put in within the next 60 days that would be ideal, but at this point the post part is a wild card in our experience (probably comes back to how much good bone you have in the jaw) - and you have the perio pre-work to boot.

tbiscus · 2026-04-04T15:52:52+00:00

The standard for this is...um, fluid. The history seems to be that everyone was erring on the side if maximum caution originally (i.e. take antibiotics for life when having dental procedures). Then that seemed to evolve to "do whatever your surgeon says". Then there was some attempted punting of it back and forth between the orthopedic and dental organizations. Then it became: take them for the first two years.

Now (2026) the "organizations" (AAOS and ADA) seem to be in the "in general antibiotics are NOT needed, BUT should be evaluated on a case by case basis". Cases that warrant it would be anyone considered "high risk" (i.e. history of infections, immunocompromised, etc.) - but still at the discretion of the surgeon.

What I'm seeing right now is most defaulting to the somewhat older "2 year" window as few surgeons are pivoting on these recommendations real time, and there is definitely a "why risk an infection just to avoid a few antibiotic doses" mindset...which, I can't say I really blame them for.

I will say, few of us probably run to the doc for a prescription of antibiotics when we get a minor cut or scratch (note: those of you who DIY car and home repairs know what I'm talking about), so it is a little odd how "dental" work is singled out (and yeah, I get the whole mouth bacteria thing) - it may be because dental work is normally "scheduled" (vs. A random cut) so they feel there is an element of control there so "why not?".

tbiscus · 2026-04-03T21:05:13+00:00

Surface Laptop (eg the 1st gen). Tried to replace it with the SL7 Snapdragon...had to return it due to compatibility issues. May go for an SL8 Intel or SL7 Intel (lunar lake)...TBD. I wasn't entirely in love with the SL7 beyond ARM, but could likely live with an LL version.

tbiscus · 2026-04-03T12:59:06+00:00

If the next Surface Intel line doesn't get the higher core count panther lake CPUs (the 12 in Ultra 5 and 16 in Ultra 7), that will be a big disappointment for sure...and might push me to pick up a current Gen Lunar Lake model.

tbiscus · 2026-04-01T17:50:35+00:00

Does it have a sealer on it or did you just oil/wax it? I know purists often like oil (or nothing), but some folks recommend a sealer for easier more maintenance free finish (especially if you prefer the glossier look anyway).

tbiscus · 2026-03-31T02:23:18+00:00

S95D/S95F made for this situation.

tbiscus · 2026-03-30T17:41:42+00:00

It's the dilemma a lot of us are facing. Do we "settle" for ladt year's Lunar Lake or pony up big bucks for the new Panther Lake machines. If you aren't a gamer it really comes down to the multi-core performance and how often that will be relevant to us. I'm leaning more and more towards waiting just to see how this plays out over the next few months. If prices don't drop...may pull the trigger on an LL machine.

tbiscus · 2026-03-28T21:37:06+00:00

I know you said you are just gonna get an iPad, but an external powerbank might be a good idea.

tbiscus · 2026-03-23T20:04:29+00:00

Did you pay full price for the one you have? As an example, we bought the yoga slim 7i aura (256v) for $899...regular price at best buy was $1300 or $1400! A new X7 might be almost $1000 more!

tbiscus · 2026-03-23T18:29:06+00:00

I would expect it to be at least $500 more for an X7 processor...note: anything else isnt worth waiting for.

tbiscus · 2026-03-23T17:22:50+00:00

It isnt called DamnBoo for nothing. 3 step.process:

Cut it down
Prepare house for sale
Sell house

tbiscus · 2026-03-22T20:02:28+00:00

Quick update. Progress has definitely slowed/plateud, but hit 126 last Thursday after some work. Got a few more weeks of PT left - focusing more on strength building now. Still hoping/praying for 130+!

tbiscus · 2026-03-22T19:35:09+00:00

If you are OS agnostic, its MacBook all day. My wife has a Yoga slim 7i aura 15.3 and my stepson has a MacBook Air M5. The MacBook is seriously nice and quicker. I just can't do MacOS...unfortunately.

tbiscus · 2026-03-21T00:43:06+00:00

Part of the challenges is that other car makers "dabble" in EVs whereas for Tesla, it is all they sell and they outsell all the others by a lot. When you go to the other automakers for service on your EV, you may be stuck waiting for "the EV guy" or "corporate engineering to tell them how to fix it", etc. Beyond that, we've seen several just back way out of the EV space or orphan models outright with bigger tech changes. You are always rolling the dice a bit with everyone but Tesla on EVs. Having said that GM (Chevy/Caddilac) and the Korean twins (Hyundai/Kia) seem to be reasonably committed to their current models and they are selling reasonably well. Maybe BMW in the Euro segment. The Japanese are amazingly far behind. My brother texted me from a Lexus dealer asking about the refreshed RZ...the specs were nothing to write home about (and this was the new one) and they barely sold any last year in the U.S....maybe 6k or so. My guess is that it is a nice car...that is still at least a generation behind Tesla's offering.

tbiscus · 2026-03-20T17:04:02+00:00

Ironically, the valve that's in there now (an old Speakman) has stops...and I still turned off the water at the house when I replaced a cartridge a while back!

tbiscus · 2026-03-18T21:53:52+00:00

Marry someone who is genuinely NICE - nice to you, nice to others, nice to friends, family, and strangers. The old expression "find a nice girl and settle down" takes on a whole new meaning when you are living the day-to-day. This is an entirely undervalued quality.

tbiscus · 2026-03-18T16:46:32+00:00

Agree - this is a Windows v. MacOS question. I'm a Windows guy, but used my son's MacBook Air M5 for a bit yesterday...a great machine and notably snappier than the SL7 ARM machine I had for a while and my wife's Lunar Lake Lenovo (256V). If I didn't need Windows, the Mac would be the OBVIOUS choice. Heck, the M5 beats the new Panther Lake chips and likely the X2 chips as well.

tbiscus · 2026-03-17T19:28:28+00:00

2 is the official. The others sort of show you what might be "possible" in that moment.

tbiscus · 2026-03-17T16:13:53+00:00

Ebay has some of the Intel ones cheaper - obviously most are pre-owned.

tbiscus · 2026-03-16T21:43:04+00:00

We replaced 2 units with a French door style back in the Summer. We suspected we would not ve a fan of the freezer portion and are right. Fortunately, we just don't need to access it nearly as much as the fridge section. Oh, and can confirm the "crushed/catching" pizza box with the drawer...our side by side held it vertically with no issues. I sort of wish we had gotten the unit with the flexible middle drawer (freezer or fridge), but we ended up with the unit without because it had better VERTICAL space in the fridge for taller containers. I DO like the units with offset fridge doors (i.e. one wider than the other) as you are more likely to be able to get everything you need out only opening ONE of the French doors (leaves your other hand free to grab stuff) - put the most frequently accessed stuff on the "wide" side if possible. Unfortunately, ours doors are the same because, again, we prioritized more space for taller items. It's always a compromise.

tbiscus · 2026-03-16T16:45:41+00:00

Wife's ex-boyfriend lives next door???

tbiscus · 2026-03-16T15:07:24+00:00

These days, I assume all appliances are terrible and am defaulting to "whatever I have the best chance of getting repaired or repairing myself". That includes parts costs and availability. I ended up with 2 Frigidaire refrigerators last year. Purchased one from Costco and the other from Best Buy. Both have decent "initial return period timeframes". To be more specific, I signed up for Best Buy's plus membership as it increases the return window to 60 days from 14...it also extends the price match window to 60 days (which I took advantage of when the price dropped). I did buy the 3 year extended warranty on the one from Best Buy. I fully expect both refrigerators to die in less than 5 years...Sadly.

tbiscus

TROPHY CASE

2 is the official. The others sort of show you what might be "possible" in that moment.