It's my "Saturday."

I'm glad that (for this week at least) we hewed to the summer university schedule of Monday through Thursday on, Friday off.

As I said yesterday, fieldwork is intense. I was extremely tired last night (put in a longer day yesterday: one student had an emergency on Wednesday and was not able to complete her part of the research. I worked with the other student exclusively on Wednesday, then the first student came out yesterday and we spent a longer day getting caught up on her research). But yeah, I was worn out. I think I was approaching heat exhaustion as we were finishing up - starting to get shaky and feel chilled, even though it was really hot out in the forest. Fortunately I was able to power through it (we were nearly done, and I stopped and drank the rest of the gatorade* I had brought) without ill effects.

(*Because the little coconut water packages seem flimsier (like they'd break or puncture if something heavy pressed on them), I've gone back to carrying Gatorade for electrolyte-replacement in the field. Unfortunately, I grabbed what I thought was the fruit punch flavor the other day, but it was actually strawberry - the strawberry flavor is disgustingly sweet. Well, all gatorade kind of is, but I find the fruit punch flavor less disgusting than some)

Today I need to go down to Sherman - one of the other sites we are doing, I need to fill out some paperwork in advance in re: permitting to go on site, and I also want to get a map so I can figure out where is the best place to go. So I'm going to piggyback going shopping on top of that. (I can go out to the site first, because they open early). I need to buy some of the supplies (like the special hypoallergenic laundry soap I use) that are more easily found in Sherman.

And I'm going to the craft stores there. No, I don't "need" anything, but it is fun just to look. (Well, actually, there is one small piece of fabric I need if I'm going to do a project I'm thinking about doing). And I need a day out.

And I'm going out to lunch somewhere. Not sure if I'll go to the Chinese buffet, or, if I'm thinking now, "It would be nice to eat lunch somewhere where they take your order and bring you your food" - maybe one of the Mexican places there, I don't know.

***

One last project-from-over-break I forgot to post about. I made another Amineko. This time, I used the book that's been published (I think the pattern is still free on the Internet).

One thing about the book - or at least the version I have - there are a few typos in the pattern (one place where it doesn't explicitly tell you to increase, but it's clear you need to, based on the number of stitches you're supposed to have). I would say the Amineko pattern, as written, is probably best for someone with some experience making amigurumi. (Also, I made the nose "wrong" as per the photographs - I thought you stuffed it, but now, looking at the photos, I see the original Amineko did not have stuffed noses. So my cat has a smaller but more projecting nose.)

Anyway. This is "Azalea."



I think I used a G hook to crochet her. And I used the just-plain "Vanna's Choice" yarn in a spray-dyed hot pink color. I also stuffed her partly with those stuffing pellets - of course, with a crocheted toy, you need to enclose them in some kind of a cloth bag so they don't slip out through the stitches. (I used bits of an old pair of nylons)).

I made Azalea in part because I thought Umeboshi needed a girlfriend. (I guess it's OK for your girlfriend to be taller than you).



I think I must have used a smaller hook to make Umeboshi; that's why he's shorter and slimmer.