Thanks everyone. I had a nice day - my DH pitched in more than usual and we went out to dinner to a Thai while the PIL babysat.
I don't generally mind getting older either Spacemonkey - it is just the 'stalled' aspect that got to me this year I think.
It is nice to hear your story Israel- we are also making plans to go back to Oz. Where will you emigrate to?
I will make an effort to get to the gym this week. My DS started napping again mornings, which was wreaking havoc with my mobility I found - but I think I will have to put a stop to it as he has started waking up nights again.
Papillon, I have thought of starting a thread for writers, but then I get all self-concious about it. I know there are a few freelance journos on here - like Aloha, but haven't heard anyone mention fiction writing before. But yeah, I would be in it if we founded a writers support group.
A neighbour offered that she and her DS might start going to the gym with us, I must follow her up (but she is tall and skinny and just wants to use the sauna and solarium I think - so I hater her).
My german is passable by now, in most situations. My grammar is still a bit buggered up, but generally people don't have too much problem understanding me if they are interested enough. I don't have the same trouble with dialect although there is a bit of local slang.
Roisin, I am in Dortmund (my DH says he thinks it is the UK equivalent of Newcastle or Manchester)- which is pretty big but not very cosmopolitan or anything. After nearly 18mths here though I am fairly settled although we are quite serious about going home, that is mostly because my DH is never home with the job he has.
Thanks again, Sim