Whew! We've hit February already so it's about time to look back at my resolutions and see where I'm at...

Here we go:

Learn to knit
I have learnt to cast on, knit, and cast off. I even knitted a very basic scarf! I've also hosted a knitting group meeting - the very height of rock and roll. I loved it. YouTube has made the entire process incredibly straightforward and it has been fascinating to find out more about how I learn: No verbal instructions when actions are sufficient, thank you, or my head is likely to explode.

Find out more about mosaics
I dug out some books and I've been mulling over a small project to give me a better understanding of mosaic design before I get bogged down in the technicalities of mosaic making. Really looking forward to doing it this month.

Get fitter
We started walking everywhere during the snowy weather, when I deemed the roads too treacherous to attempt in the car. Despite my caution, we almost got mown down by an old man who joined the many other drivers losing control down our road. He spun rather dramatically on black ice and came to a standstill a metre or so in front of us on the pavement. Not good.

Nevertheless, spurred on by the fresh air experience, if not the near death one, we now do a four mile walk three or four times a week. I take the double buggy and throw a mei tai in; invariably I end up carrying a 36lb Mollusc for at least part of the journey. I feel much better for it, but I've still not got into the routine of regular, balanced meals and that means I often choose the wrong things when I finally find the time to eat. I think Mollusc was about 9 or 10 months old before I managed to get it right last time, though, so perhaps I need a little more time.

Cupcake business
I've been doing some research, making notes, and sketching out some ideas. Nothing more for a while. As we're working on launching a couple of games in the next month or two, I'll probably get to grips with this in the second or third quarter of 2010.

Devote time to reading books
Thanks to my iPhone I've been watching podcasts, doing research and reading blogs - but I can't get my head around reading real books at the moment. It takes a significant mental commitment I don't appear to have. Mollusc and Pocket have been so unpredictable at night times, which is when I imagined I would sit down with a book. Pocket goes to bed at 9.30pm, but needs settling, and Mollusc can still be bouncing off the walls at 11.30pm. How can a 2 year old need less sleep than me? 

So, I either ride it out, get up super early in the mornings, or drug my daughter. Probably the first option, then.

Make my office mine
I am making seriously good progress here. A couple of weekends ago I tidied most of my craft stuff into a large wooden crate and onto some existing shelving. I cleared my desk, aside from a couple of objects I enjoy looking at. I bought a large bookcase which houses my most-used library and I'm in the process of sorting out an inspiration board. I've also bought a lovely sunny yellow garland from Debs which hangs in my window and cheers up my day. I shall be snaffling more from her as the year progresses.

Blogging LAS and RP
I've had a couple of weeks off to try and clear my head. I am really enjoying writing here but RP is a little more challenging, mainly because the subject matter can be so stressful. The emails I receive from readers often concern me and I really believe that home educators are only scratching the surface of what lies beneath with regard to the government's agenda for children and families. So I've taken some time to sit back, do some reading and research, and think. Tick tick tick....

Follow my principles
Done. I wish I had the strength to say how I feel sometimes, rather than withdrawing silently from the source of irritation. But I can't help thinking that some problems won't be solved if the other party is not also willing to change their perspective or behaviour, in which case perhaps withdrawal is the best course of action.

Be thankful

I am nowhere near where I want to be. But if I catch myself thinking in unhelpful negative patterns I give myself a boot up the bottom and go off to snuggle a squirt.

That helps a lot. Perhaps G needs more snuggles too, though... The other thing I've got into the habit of doing is indulging my creative side as much as possible. I love making things, especially for other people, and it's a nice way to thank them for being who they are.

Keep connected with nature and Keep a visual record

This has been the highlight of my year so far! We've been a bit too busy with groups to go to some of the outdoors places I had planned, but I am sure that will change as the weather improves. However, walking more has allowed us to feel far more connected with our outdoor surroundings and participating in the 365 photo challenge has encouraged me to focus on the detail in life and appreciate my surroundings.

There's something beautiful to see wherever you go:

I think it's been easy to make progress because I didn't pluck my resolutions out of nowhere - they were all a product of letting go of some of these unhelpful emotions and thought patterns at the end of last year. Six months in and I still can't quite get my head around the bit after Pocket's birth, but I'm going to tackle that sometime soon.