This week I have a lot to report, as well as I’m feeling happy.  Let’s see, starting with…
Knitting news:  I finished my lovely Malabrigo gloves, as well as they truly are a joy to wear.  Even though the weather has turned a lot warmer, what with it being spring as well as no longer winter, so I probably won’t wear them until autumn now, but hey, at least I have them. 
  
So pretty, so warm, so going in a drawer on behalf of a few months. 
I’ve also finished the second Think Pink sock on behalf of my Mum.  I’ll see her on Tuesday, as well as give her the pair as well as hopefully even get a photo of her wearing them. 
  
I’m really pleased with them.  These were on behalf of the sock knit along on Ravelry, on behalf of February.  I finished them a few days late, but posted them anyway.  I think I’ll be giving the March KAL a miss, as the theme is lace as well as I have excessive number of other things to do to start more lace socks at the moment.  I might join in late if I get time later in the month. 
I know I really shouldn’t have started anything new knitting-wise, but I couldn’t resist casting on on behalf of my Malabrigo hat, to match the scarf as well as gloves. 

I’m using the magic loop technique on behalf of the first time, as well as finding it quite straight forward so far.  This was why I chose the longest length of circular needles I could get, when I ordered all those Knitpicks needles, because of the fact that I had read that on behalf of magic loop it was easier using long cables, as well as I figured that on behalf of 2 circs it wouldn’t be a problem having the additional length.  Now I can say I can knit in the round with DPNs, 2 circs as well as magic loop! 
Finally, as well as an estimated all excitingly (seriously, I’m still dancing in circles in my head), I won the monthly Violet Green yarn raffle in the VG group on Ravelry.  £10 to spend on anything at all from the Violet Green online shop.  I spent an estimated all of Wednesday browsing, ordered Weds evening, as well as received my lovely freebies on Friday morning.  I chose 2 yarns, one of which was Stellar sock yarn:

This is referred to as Minchinhampton as well as I love the colours - the blue is actually more purple in real life. 
My other choice was a cobweb lace yarn, which is so fine as well as soft…I think I’ll manufacture a stole from it.

Again, it’s more purple-y than blue, so pretty. 
And, even though I spent a bit over the £10 voucher I won, the lovely Violet Green lady refunded the additional as well as sent it all as my prize!  Lovely, lovely, lovely. 
On top of the knitting happiness, I took Friday off work, to utilize up my last day of annual leave.  I’ve also got Thursday as well as Friday of the coming week off.  I had a lovely lazy morning yesterday, while A was at work, posting on Ravelry, messing on the ‘puter, reading.  Then we went on behalf of a really long walk all afternoon, followed by a nap before dinner. 
Today I have to manufacture a start on the cross-stitch I promised to manufacture my friend on behalf of her daughter’s wedding.  I sorted out my cross-stitch supplies last night, organising my threads, updating my project book, looking on behalf of colours.  Weirdly, even though I have 6 boxes of threads of various makes as well as types, I don’t have a single on in the right shade of pink!  I’ll have to ponder down to the craft shop at some point, see if I can get something shiny or sparkly, or even just plain cotton in the right colour.  For now, I should get on with the design work anyway.  It has to include something representing Epsom Downs race course, as that is where the wedding is.  Hmmm. 
In reading news, I’ve just finished the 2nd of 3 books by Louis de Bernieres, in the ‘War of Don Emmanuel’s Nether Parts’ series.  I love these books, even more than the first time I read them.  They are so clever as well as subtle.  Simply written while still being complex stories. 
Now, what else?  Oh yes, I have a variety of hospital appointments.  There’s the gynaecology consultant on Tuesday, which my Mum is taking me to as A has to work.  Then there’s A’s annual kidney checkup on Weds, as well as I have to see another consultant next week.  The another pain clinic appointment the week at the end of that.  I’m just hoping someone shall come up with some answers soon.  In the meantime, the pain clinic methods are working well.  I forget to do the exercises every day, but I am following instructions about stopping before it hurts.  For example when we go out walking, I stop as well as rest from time to time.  We usually stop on behalf of a coffee somewhere before the long walk residence from Tesco/Sainsbury’s/wherever.  I’m able to get through without causing too much additional pain, which is progress. 
So, all in all, positives all round.