Box attempt #3

So finally Cheryl broke me down and bought a book for me. ( I didn't want to buy a "book" to show me how to make something this simple) I took the books advice and build a small box out of scrap wood with a simple butt joint. I did not realize that the boxes could be that simple. Well, Finally, some success! The wood is 3/4 inch pine scrap. I finally got my router table to cut an edge totally square and smooth, but did it after I assembled my first box. So I had to do a lot more sanding to fix the "mistakes". All in all, This one is a little sloppy, but I think I can make a better one down the road. Until I master the assembly, I'll stick with the butt joint, maybe reinforced with some brads or screws. I still want to carve them after all. The box has no hinge, Instead having a "keeper" that fits tightly inside the box. I cut it just right, then assembled the box upside down ( YEAH!) so I had to retrim it. its still a little "too snug" but at least the top won't be lost or fall out easily. My room is still a disaster, so today will probably be spent cleaning things up and carving a seat.
Current weight : 266.2.

New Year, New Goals!

Happy new year everyone! And to Bring in the new year I want to announce that our new website is finally up! It's called http://www.allenbrite.com/index.html We plan on making it a hub and integrating all our products so you can find it all. And it will be packed with information about our seats, purses, soaps, carvings, and so much more! We will be building it over the next month. Our goal is to be off eBay completely by Feb 1st.

Another goal is to increase sales. Not sure how we are going to do it, but we have relied on EBay for too long and this last year has just been the last straw. In addition to our sales over all being down from previous years, EBay and our suppliers had consistently been raising their fees and prices while "encouraging" us to offer free shipping and sales! ( If you have been on EBay this year, you will know what "encourage" means) You don't have to be on EBay to figure out that this effects your bottom line and ours has been very thin. So for 2009 we are going to take our business back and do things the way we want. I feel confident that with a little brain storming and a lot of persistence, we can make things happen.

And last, I will join the millions of other Americans in the journey to lose weight. I stepped on the scale today and discovered I had gained a little more than I wanted ( OK a lot!) Cheryl and I have attempted to lose weight before, but always fall off shortly after we start. The one time we lost a LOT of weight and KEPT it off for over a year and a half, was when we joined weight watchers. The only thing they did that was different from Our plan was they offered accountability. (We had incentive not to gain before the next weigh in) So, in the spirit of Weight Watchers, I will post my weigh ins here on my blog. This is an honor system on my part, But I will strive to be honest and vigilant in my records. Today is the first. My starting weight is 276! I would like to get down to 230, possibly less! We do not have a very good full length mirror, so I have not taken a "before" picture yet. Besides, who wants to see a chubby guy in his underwear! ( even I don't, and it's ME!) So let the melting begin!