Squares are Finished--well almost

I've finished 25 squares, mine measure 5" each and they're supposed to measure 6" each. The total blanket should measure around 31" when finished so apparently they didn't do anything around the squares to put them together, directions say, " Crochet Motifs tog as shown in Diagram" and the diagram shows the colors: A, B, C. Other than that, it says that you do an edging of 2 rows of sc all the way around. So that's where they get the extra 1". I've decided I'm going to attempt to do the Flat Braid join which will give the squares some width and then I'll finish with whatever I have to do to make it 31" because I do believe a 31" baby blanket is a nice size blanket, 26" isn't. I guess its possible when I block the squares I'll get a little more width and length too but probably not much because this is an acrylic and I don't want to kill the stuff. I did notice that Bernat Softee Baby yarn isn't all the same, the 2 blues are shiny and soft and I had to watch I didn't split the yarn as I worked with it and the white is more cotton-looking and feeling and there was no problem at all working with it. Oh well, nearly done, I'm anxious now to finish it.

Baby Blanket NOT Done

Doggone it, I had 3 more white squares to make and supposedly I'd be done but when I laid them out this morning my worst fear was confirmed. The squares aren't as big as they're supposed to be. How come? I swear I knitted them fairly loose, any looser and they'd be holey. The blanket is supposed to measure 31" square. Mine is 25" square. I realize when I crochet the squares together that's going to add some length and width but not enough. I'm going to knit one more set all the way around and then join them all. I hate teeny little baby blankets and refuse to finish this until I'm happy with it. Besides, I still have 1 1/2 more seasons of Gilmore Girls to watch and its too hot and humid to be outside anyway. (my excuse and I'm sticking to it).

I've tried to upload a picture of it but my computer is too slow or the network is giving me problems or something, I've had a devil of a time with files the last couple days so I'll wait and add the pix later.

In Memory

My husband was finally placed in his final resting place Friday. He was thrilled when he heard there was to be a new State Veterans Cemetery near his home town. Building was started before he passed away but the official opening wasn't until December, 2007.

He was placed in the columbarium which took another 6 months to complete but it is finally ready. When I drove up to the cemetery I noticed the flags were at half mast. The director told me that the flags are placed at half mast all day whenever someone will be buried there. That was a nice honor that I appreciated. After I got home and looked at my pictures I wondered what the 3rd flag was. The first of course was the US Flag and the second was the South Carolina Flag but what was the third? After investigating all over the internet this morning I finally figured it out, its the POW/MIA flag and under the picture it says

"You Are Not Forgotten" . Very appropriate.

The very first cemetery to honor the nations soldiers was planned in 1862 when Congress enacted legislation to build one. Now, more than 3 million Americans, including veterans of every war and conflict—from the Revolutionary War to the present war—are honored by burial in the national cemeteries. Approximately 17,000 acres of land from Hawaii to Maine, and from Alaska to Puerto Rico are devoted to the memorialization of those who served this nation. More than 300 recipients of the Medal of Honor are buried in VA's national cemeteries. Today, more than 24 million veterans and Reservists and National Guard members with 20 years qualifying service (who are entitled to retired pay or would be entitled, if at least 60 years of age), have earned the honor of burial in a national cemetery. Its an honor and I'm proud my husband wanted to be part of it.