At the memorial, I said this (with some tears):

Jen wasn’t one, in my experience, for fancy words or flowered frippery, which is good. I’m usually verbose, and I feel like I should say something eloquent, something wise. But though I am someone who bases my life on word and description, I have nothing wise, nothing eloquent, nothing elegant, nothing that can truly do justice to her life. So I guess I’ll have to make do with heartfelt. My poor attempt at poetry, it’s all the words I seem to have right now.

I remember.
I remember “Morning!” every day as I came through the door,
and “See you tomorrow guys!” every afternoon at four.
I remember a light and a grin whenever the word “hike” was spoken,
And a laughing, “there’s no crying in science!” when another experiment proved broken.
I remember a quick smile and quicker offers of assistance,
And kind supportive suggestions of persistence.
I remember a kind heart, an open mind,
And strong opinions of the well informed kind.
I remember one of the strongest, smartest, best people I have ever met.
I remember someone who makes me happy to have known her, even if it was for far too brief a time.
I remember… Jen.

I’ve never been one to believe in angels or the like, but I did – and do – believe in Jen. Thank you, Jen, for making the world a better, richer place, even if you had to leave far before you should have. Everything you did, you did completely, with all you had, from football to science to mothering. You are an inspiration.

There are no words that can capture the strength of her personality or the depth of her character, so this will have to be enough… I’m going to miss you, Jen.

~The Gnome

It started at this

At 7:00 am this morning, it looked like this

Or, in lab in the light, like this

Yes, you read that right. 12 hours later. I fail at figuring out how much is left when I’m not seaming in easy to follow square order.

Which is why it doesn’t have a white border. Which bothers me, but most people won’t notice. And Travis won’t care. But it still bothers me.

Final listing (if you’re not on this and think you should be, let me know today if possible so I can add you to the list I’m giving Travis).

USA Kentucky C-Ville
Canada Manitoba Woodlands
USA Utah Logan
USA Texas Katy
USA Arizona Glendale
New Zealand Unknown Wanaka
USA New York New York City
USA Wisconsin Madison
USA Oregon Gearhart
UK Unknown Unknown
USA Florida Crestview
Norway None Bergen
USA New York White Plains
USA New York Endicott
USA Minnesota Columbia Heights
USA Washington Lacey
USA Maryland Columbia
USA California Redlands
USA New York Binghamton
USA Illinois Chicago
USA North Carolina Hendersonville
USA Pennsylvania Conshohocken
USA Washington Tacoma
USA Oklahoma Broken Arrow
USA Alabama Huntsville
USA Maryland Huntingtown
USA Georgia Acworth
USA Idaho Moscow
USA California La Habra
Canada Ontario Oshawa
USA Oregon Portland
USA Massachusetts Somerville
USA Massachusetts Worcester
USA Wisconsin Madison
USA New York Babylon
USA California San Francisco
USA Washington Renton
Canada Ontario Stouffville
USA Nevada Boulder City
UK None Bedford
USA Ohio Northfield
USA California Oak Park
USA Minnesota Chanhassen
Denmark Unknown Kobenhavn
USA Ohio Cleveland
Denmark None Aarhus
USA New Hampshire Belmont
Canada Ontario Oshawa
USA Waretown New Jersey
USA Dallas Texas
USA Washington Kent

So yeah, it’s finally, finally done. I didn’t sleep. Hopefully Travis will like it, and find some comfort there.

Squares that weren’t used (ended up with more than fit) will be made into a pillow to go with the afghan.

~The Gnome

I’m seaming, still. Almost all the green seams done, a few white ones left.

Here’s two photos of progress.

And one with the white spiral seam begun…

Memorial is at 4:00 tomorrow. Which is when I have to give it to Travis. I’m hoping to all that’s Holy that I remember to take a finished photo, since it will likely be very late at night.

~The Gnome