In Which Polyurethane is Applied.

Here's a look at the original drawer front and the refinished drawer with the first layer of polyurethane.I need to sand it and apply the second coat before I replace the handle. This was what I completed a few days ago, before the job search binge.

Pretty Awesome
Great news on the Awesome Front - one of  my friends just got a job using a resume which I formatted for her. Obviously, it was her great history and work ethic that actually landed her the job, but it's very satisfying to know I'm providing something valuable.

Fitness
I ran 45 minutes on a treadmill yesterday. I think the longest I've tried before was 25. As usual, the day after working out, I gained 4 pounds which stuck around most of the week. (No, you do not gain four pounds of muscle in one workout.) The Internet says I'm either eating more OR retaining water due to not drinking enough as a rule. I have a calorie tracker that assures me I'm not eating more calories than prior to the I was prior toning class and elliptical running. So, retention it is. I've started drinking a big bottle of water each day. This should convince my body to stop retaining water after work outs. Today, I'm down 2 pounds. Maybe next week, I'll manage a pound less. This time, I won't freak out and quit before the exercise and diet has a chance to work.

I don't really feel like doing much more than cleaning my house today. Maybe I'll put something on the television and finish my pattern today. That would be Awesome.

Progress on the Nightstand and Costumes.

Nightstand
Today, we started applying the stain and fixing the bumps in the paint on the nightstand. I'm sanding out the drips, then applying the paint one layer at a time, one side at a time. It's slow progress, but the end should be a laquer-like finish.

This is what the walnut stain looks like. It really brought out the grain of the wood. I got some of the stain on the new drawer side, but it won't be visible so I'll probably leave it.

I'd just started the staining of the bottom while waiting for the inside to dry. This was not a good idea, as stain takes a long time to dry and the white paint dust from sanding kept getting on my hands and its legs.

Costume Pattern
In between coats, I started creating the pattern for my catsuit. The 2 costumes I am making will be modifications of the basic pattern. Hopefully, I'll want to head downstairs to the workshop again tomorrow.

Sort of Awesome
Yesterday, I partitioned the hard drive on a MacBook Pro. I don't recommend trying this if you want to keep your sanity. I pulled it off eventually, but the entire project was horribly complex - not just partitioning, but downloading Windows from the school store, moving things to discs, backing things up, creating the partition and finally installing CAD. This is actually the tail-end of a months long project intended to make our lives easier. It was a total headache. I wish I could feel accomplished, but really, I just feel relieved.

Fitness
I found an app for my phone that tracks calories for the day and tells me how many I have left. It even gives me more if I exercise. It's called MyFitnessPal, and I like it so far. My goal is to have my costumes be too big by the time I wear them. We'll see if it works.

That's all for today. I'm off to eat some injera.

The Daily Awesome - The Store Exists and Contains Items

My cold seems to be almost gone.

The Store
Behold! Konkolova Etsy Store! 

Since the pricing is all done on the cardboard versions, I've posted them to the Etsy store. If you are interested in the acrylic or wood versions, they will be up as soon as we make a batch and I photograph the results. I already have the prices for these if my fair readers are interested.

Health
Jon and I signed up for "Total Toning" classes today and will start next week. Goals, we have them.

Costumes/Sewing
I sent a panel request to a local convention to force a deadline for a costume. I've wanted to make this for awhile:

I believe I could take the same pattern and make some nice work shirts, one of the goals I've made for the year. I've been looking for some inspiration that I could turn into a concept. I believe I'll try this. Pattern for this and the bunny suit to follow. 

That's all for today. 

The Daily Awesome - Fitness

So, my friends, I have fibromyalgia. My awesome today was to walk 3 miles to the waterfront and purchase fresh fish to make my own homemade sushi. I walked the 3 miles back as well, instead of opting for the bus. I could have driven, but I didn't. I chose to do something that is very hard for me - walk! My ankle, knee and hip are killing me, but I made it.

Here's a pic so you know it happened.

Cheers, everyone. Keep up the good work.