Oct 2007; This little piggie had loads of roast beef and ^This^ little piggie would have none of it!

[Dalrymps]

Psst over here!

oops, Sorry Muppet, meant to say that it is a good job you had some forewarning about your Mum so you were at least in part prepared for it...sorry she is behaving true to form...and hope you can deal with the issue without feeling guilty (even though you know you have no reason to) . (((hugs)))

Wow Inzi - Thats great! Well done Jane, what a clever girl!

Crochet - How horrible about the break in, scumbags! Hope you managed to get everything sorted.

Stefka As inzi said, I wouldn't worry about the bath incident, Dylan whacked his head off the side of the bath whilst I was in the bath with him, trying to hold him.

Muppet - Hope the letter isn't too emotionally draining for you.Least it gives you an idea of what frame of mind she is in without you having to actually speak to her iyswim.

We went to ikea today, got loads of cool stuff for Dylans room including a treasure chest to put his toys in and a play mat with roads on

Am knackered now though, has been such a long day, am off to bed soon.

Hi to all i've missed, chat soon x

Floria - x posted... Sounds a bit like the viral infection Dylan had a while back, although he had a slightly raised temperature. Anyway, all the docs I saw just said to carry on feeding as normal and make sure they're not dehydrated. Thats what you're doing anyway! Dylan was off for about 10 days although was only vomiting once a day or having diarrhoea once a day and was sporadically eating too. If you're worried, a trip to the doc wouldn't do any harm.

Right, night all x

Thanks Dal...Knowing someone has been through similar makes it a bit less worrisome.
Glad you had a good trip to Ikea..one of my fave places but Dh wouldnt set foot there at weekend if his life depended on it (he hates crowds)

Stefka, I really wouldnt worry about the falls..Alex is covered in bumps and bruises (seriously looks like a social services case sometimes)it is just the sign of an active child with an inquisitive mind (or so I keep telling myself)

Don't worry FT, as long as Alex is eating and drinking and has no temperature I wouldn't worry. Ben had continous vomiting for 9 days and wouldn't eat either, would just have his milk and then throw it all back up All the docs would say is to keep giving him fluids even if he threw up as he would keep some down but to stop solids until he settled. Hope he is better soon x

Inzi - Well done Jane Ben is really good at cruising round furniture atm and he is standing himself up and letting go of furniture for nearly a minute at a time but he just won't let go to try any steps yet other than the odd couple between me and dh. 2 weeks today till his birthday, I wonder if he'll do it

Crochet - sorry about the break in, I have been done over twice now, its not nice, the first time whilst a student I was in bed when the fcucker came in my room and took wallet, camera, CD player, I was a bit pissed though so didn't realise till the next morning The second time with an ex bf, we practically had the house cleared.. tv, stereo, cd's, camera, laptop, video, microwave, jewellery etc etc.

Muppetgirl - looks like your mother is living up to expectations hope you sort it all out soon x

Well the little so and so has had me up at 5.00am the past two mornings yesterday he went back to sleep for an hour but then screamed until I got him out of the cot at 6.15 thus waking Sam up in the process. So today I got him a bottle and gave it him in his cot thinking he might be hungry and would then go back to sleep... no, he just fussed and started crying till I got him out, I gave in as I don't want sam up so early again as we are going to the Midland Game Fair today, a tired walking 3 year old is not ideal at least Ben will sleep in the pushchair.

Well it is now 7.15 and surprise surprise he is getting tired again now, so bed beckons shortly, I'm too awake to go back to bed now. Also I have the laptop balanced on the arm of the sofa as its the only place the little sod can't reach but he is desperately trying to climb on the sofa to get it, and blow me he has just done it aaarrrggghhh! GET OFF ME he is driving me nuts trying to get at this thing

Aha, now I have barricaded myself in with the coffee table, he can not get to me This is what two nights of only 6 hours sleep does to me, I normally have 8 a night, I really feel for those of you that are still sleep deprived, I would be a monster in your circumstances. Right must stop posting drivel, just heard Sam get up

Thanks LLL, it is good to know I'm doing the right thing...though can help worrying, Alex doesnt carry much excess weight so can't really afford to lose any...we had another sick in bed incident last night and another liquid filled potty this morning .....shamed as I am to admit it, there is a plus side thoughI have had a wonderful hour and a half of cuddling, something he never wants to sit still for normally

Your post made me laugh LLL! It's funny how determined they can be when they want to get somewhere or get something. Dareh is unstoppable once he has set his mind on something . He had me up at half five today - it shouldn't be allowed!!!

Floria I hope Alex feels better today. There is nothing worse than a sick baby.

Well we're having a bit of a rubbish weekend. Gave Anya some bolognese sauce on Friday for lunch - I'd made it with green peppers in it (no idea if that's normal - I just usually use whatever veg needs eating up!) She's not really eaten peppers before as she's not had the teeth - she just sucks on them and spits them out. Well she wolfed down a huge amount of sauce, including peppers. Half an hour later she was screaming her head off, knees drawn up and her tummy was rock hard. Took ages to soothe her but I couldn't put her down. Had to cuddle her for 7 hours - she kept falling asleep on me but then crying when she woke up. Got a bit better by evening after much farting (dh took over when he got home) - she had a huge poo yesterday morning and was fine. But on Friday evening she had really really bad nappy rash - she was red raw. Think that may have been related to the peppers - maybe she was farting out the stuff she was reacting to. So yesterday we left her nappy off all day and kept her smothered in cream, but that meant she was confined to being upstairs so she didn't wee all over the new floor (it's not waterproof!) So I spent a lot of yesterday mopping up wee from the carpet. Luckily no worse accidents! She didn't seem to mind really - did lots of walking on her walker. Anyway she's much better this morning thank goodness. She's just got a cold now.

FT - I wouldn't panic about Alex as it's not getting worse. I'd only give him very bland food though, if anything at all, until it's all out of his system. If he has plenty of fluids it sounds like he'll be ok, but take him to a clinic if it gets worse or doesn't clear up in another couple of days. I know what you mean about the cuddling thing though - not that I want Anya to be ill but it's nice having the cuddles as she's not a cuddly baby at all.

Stefka - sorry you're having a bad time. Hope things get better for you soon. Have everything crossed for you for your interview.

Alice - great that you had a good week while your consultant was away. Glad things are working out for you.

Mine - hugs to you hun. Have you thought about looking for another job? Maybe something with a shorter commute or more flexible hours?

Apricot - hello, good to hear from you. Glad everything's going so well - Huw sounds like he's coming on great.

Inzi - wow at Jane - that's fantastic - clever girl! Hope that makes up a bit for losing the house - echo what others have said about a better one waiting for you.

Crochet - so sorry you were robbed - it could have been so much worse though, at least phones are easily replaced and while it's a hassle cancelling cards etc no damage was done. btw lol about the bra!

26th September- Alex (FloriaTosca)
1st October - Mairwen (crochetdiva)
2nd Oct - Adam (alicet)
5th Oct - Ben (LisaLessLumpy)
7th Oct - Anya (WhiteWineAndJaffaCakes)
21st October - Dareh(Stefka)
30th Oct - Dylan (Dalrymps)
3rd November - Jane (inzidoodle)
5th November - Henry (muppetgirl)

Morning all

Crochet - I still can't believe the audacity of some people...we got a yale/chubb lock fitted for the same reason. Our house had a door lock you had to lock yourself in else the front door was open. I didn't like the idea of having to have keys in the door all the time especially after seeing a documentary about people with bamboo please with hooks on them that they use through your letter box to get your keys.

Floria - sorry to hear Alex is off. I would echo what the others have said, keep hydrated but go to the drs if you're at all worried x

Inzi - Am so chuffed for you re Jane's walking 'Well done Jane!!' It's an amazing moment and fantastic to actually see.

J20 -How's the tooth?? How is Shannon?

Henry is now sitting virtually unaided. I still use cushions but are slowly pushing them further back so he gets used to the feeling of nearly loosing his balance. He loves playing with Oliver's take along thomas set and can put the train down the mountain to make it go. He can roll over from to back pretty well and actually quite fast but still gets cross when he's on his tummy and he can't flip back. He still shouts like a Lion and has the most amazing breath capacity as he can hold a 'shout' loudly, for a very long time. (Think 'AAARRRGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH' and you're there!) Oliver still loves him and this morning climbed in his cot and they played for a while.

I found a thread on here with mummies who are doing the same OU course as me so I am so excited now and feel very motivated. I have planned a study timetable and have given a copy to dh so he knows when I am studying so he can help. I'm finding the maths easier than I first though I would. I think I have more knowledge than my confidence leads me to believe.

Here is a copy of the letter I have written though might not sends as a reply to my mothers letter;
Dear Sue,

This was passed to me by a man named Jason though he was not my brother Jason . I am unsure as to how you found out the address you used but need to let you know it was the wrong person.

I see how hard that must have been to write, you have had a terrible time in loosing your husband.

I have passed copies of your letter to Russell and Jason who will, no doubt, be in touch should they want to.

I am sorry to hear that you cannot afford to return to England though I can understand your hesitance in leaving your husband behind. I would have thought that over the years you would have made a full life for yourself in * and to leave that behind to start again back in England on your own would be very difficult. I think that finding yourself somewhere cheaper to rent is prudent if you are unable to afford where you are though I am assuming adequate financial provision has been made for you especially now you are nearing retirement age.

I am fine and life has turned out very much how I wanted it to in that I have achieved all my fundamental goals and are now in the process of moving into a new phase and are very excited about what may lie ahead. Times have been tough and times have been good but everything is on an even keel and I?m settled and happy.

I?m not sure how to end this letter as I am unsure as to what it was you were wanting. You weren?t that specific in your letter though I can understand how after loosing your husband you may have slanted your letter more to details of his death rather than what you actually wanted.

I am unable to give you my address but have set up an email address should you feel you need to contact me further. I am unable to offer regular contact, financial assistance or help in an emergency so am a little unsure as to what I could offer you. The email address is for you mainly so you have a contact in England as I am under the impression that the rest of our/your family do not want contact with you are were certainly unaware of your husband even dying when I last spoke to them.

Best wishes

E

Not sure if I'm going to send it but that is the 'polite' version of what I'd like to write!

Love to all
xxx

Hi wwajc
x posted

Hope Anya is better today, sounds like the peppers really didn't agree with her!

Muppet - letter sounds very restrained under the circumstances but very clear - sympathetic but firm.

Anya does seem a lot better today - she's a bit unhappy about the fact that her nose is covered in snot (strange stuff!) but she fights all attempts to wipe it. Nappy rash and tummy are ok though - hurray! Well done to Henry on his sitting up.

xx

Hello lovely ladies,

Muppett - your letter to your mum sounds very restrained and controlled, it must have taken you ages to put into words everything you have felt and try and convey it without becoming too emotional. I would have been temped to say exactly what i thought without sparing feelings!!!! I'm a bit hot headed like that!!

Crotchet - i'm soo sorry about your break in. Its a horrible feeling to know someone has been in your home, but it does pass.

Inzi - congratulations to you and well done to Jane!!

FT - I completely understand about feeling really bad after a 'fall'. Eren has fallen off the bed and the sofa, but this weekends fall topped it all off!!

After a horrible first week at work, DH arranged dinner with some friends on friday night. We took Eren with us, who has caught my cold so i was not feeling up to taking him out, but we took him anyway. We were there for about 10mins when Eren decided he wanted to make his chair rock backwards and forwards (he was on a strapped booster seat, not a hair chair).......... he rocked himself so hard he fell backwards onto the concrete floor, hitting his head on a metal bar and the floor.

I litterally could not breath from fear! It happened so fast. Thankfully he was not hurt but just very scared. Naturally he screamed cried for about half an hour, but eventually composed himself to eat food from my plate .

God they can get themselves into trouble can't they.

Well, work has been awful. I absolutely hate it and will be looking for something far less stressful and closer to home. I'd be happier just doing an admin job or even stacking shelves with no responsibilities, no team to manage, no targets to meet, no meetings to attend, no editor diva tamtrums to mediate..... i just want to sit at my desk, mind my own business and come home!

I'm definitely not one of those women that need to go to work to get adult conversation or stimulate my mind!

Stefka - isn't it weird that we had our LO's on the same day! I hope you're having a better day. What will you be doing for Darah's birthday??

26th September- Alex (FloriaTosca)
1st October - Mairwen (crochetdiva)
2nd Oct - Adam (alicet)
5th Oct - Ben (LisaLessLumpy)
7th Oct - Anya (WhiteWineAndJaffaCakes)
21st October - Dareh(Stefka)
21st October - Eren (Mine)
30th Oct - Dylan (Dalrymps)
3rd November - Jane (inzidoodle)
5th November - Henry (muppetgirl)

God i have rambled haven't I . I'll shut up now!

Hi All!

36hrs and no vomiting!!! wahoo! He's still got explosive, saffron coloured diarrhoea but I'm hoping that if I syringe dioralyte hydration powders down him (only managed to get him to actually drink a total of 50mls (out of 200)from a feedercup all yesterday.. he hates it,and to tell the truth I don't blame him it tastes disgusting)that should improve in the next 24hrs or so too.

Mine; OOh that was a shocker of a fall for Eren, I cant totally empathise with your inability to breathe through fear, glad he came to no serious harm. must admit I'm not a fan of those booster seats, we were given one in a restaurant on holiday, the sort that only fastens itself to the chair, not straps for the lo, and Alex managed to push both it and himself off the chair sideways fortunately dh caught him before he hit the floor but he refused to sit in it for the rest of the meal and I had to manage with him on my knee.I'm sorry work hasn't improved for you. I hope the perfect job turns up quickly, is there nothing in your line of work that would let you work from home?

WWAJC; Peppers definately off the menu for the forseeable future then? Glad that she is better now. We have been doing "beep beep" on Alexs nose when we sing "the wheels on the bus", which he thinks is funny, and now when we need to give him wipe we just say beepbeep and he lets us!Its brilliant! Though I wish it worked for face washing after meals. ..
...which reminds me..
Anyone else got a child who thinks the best place to wipe sticky fingers is in their hair? It's driving me mental, I'm keeping Johnsons shareholders in champagne!

OUCH!! Inzi, that sounds horrid, make sure you are extra careful for the next few days. Good luck on the house front [fingers crossed]

FT - I'm glad Alex is on the mend

Mine - about Eren's fall, I understand how you felt. I was the same when Sam was small, I had put him in his rocker on top of the Island unit in the kitchen as he used to stay really still and I wanted him to see me whilst I was ironing, well I turned round to go back to the ironing board and he had made the chair rock and he fell off the island in the chair I have never been so terrified in all my life, he fell onto hard tiled floor, luckily he was strapped in and just sustained a big bump to the head, but boy I think he cried more because of the scream that came from me, I think I was more hysterical than him. These things happen and they do bounce, it just makes you think things through more carefully next time. Ben has had no injuries or bumps so far which I am amazed at actually

Muppet - well done Henry

Ben still has his cold, he has had it for two weeks now complete with thick green snot every 5 mins {tmi} luckily he seems ok with it and is still eating well. We are down to two bottles a day now, morning and night with an ounce or two from his cup during the day. His weight gain has finally slowed down but not his hair DH keep saying we need to get it cut, but I think he looks cute with his curls and am going to resist for a while

Yesterday he stood up unaided for nearly a minute, he has two weeks to take a few steps on his own before his 1st b'day but he doesn't seem keen to try yet. We are having a little pirate themed party for him because I wanted to make a pirate ship cake so we are having family round for tea which I'm looking forward to

He is also getting very vocal and has learnt to scream, and he loves it when I chase him and is very ticklish everywhere. Also when he is finished eating and I say 'all gone' he puts his hands in the air with palms facing upwards he also says 'ta' when I pass him something. DH hates the word but as I keep pointing out, it will be awhile before he can say thank-you.

The weather has gone crap again today but at least we had a fab weekend, Saturday we went to visit DH's Granny, she lives on her own is quite deaf and has bad eyes so can't see very well but she loves to see the boys so we stayed a couple of hours and it was so nice we all sat on the lawn and had tea Yesterday we went to the Midland Game Fair and it was gorgeous, a real summery day, typical seeing as last week I packed away all my summer stuff But I have bought some wellies and waterproof cowboy hat for the coming winter months so I have no excuse not to go out

Anyway I'm really rambling now so am going to go and do a bit of exercise on the XT

Inzi - That sounds horrendous I must admit I've never called an ambulance but I would have thought that your knee qualified for one? You must have been in agony you poor thing xxxx Hope all is well now though.

Floria -Yea!! 36 hrs and counting...

Well the tiler has arrived and we have 1 wall already done. IT looks fab! And I am so relieved that we appear to have picked the right colour that goes with the rest of the kitchen. Henry's al seep and we're off out to lunch anywhere as we can't use the kitchen.

Love to all and thanks for the 10 words. Try it with your hubbies it's a real eye opener. Dh said I was confident and nervous so we had a chat and I totally agree with his reasons that he gave.

Oh Inzi that knee sounds dreadful! Stupid ambulance phone assessor leaving you in unnecessary pain for much longer than necessaryI Hope it recovers with rest (not easy with a lo I know!)My aunt had a knee replacement and the best strengthening excersise she was given was stomping on a sponge football from a sitting position... fun and effective.
Well done Jane on Baa Baa Blaaa shshshpp, thats a word more than Alex who does a lovely Baa baa blaaa but wont attempt shshshspp yet.

I'm off to the doctors for a specimen jar now as I thought I'd better have a telephone consultation with her...she suspects rotavirus so we are having him checked out.
bye for now

OOOO Floria we had rota virus with Oliver. NOT NICE AT ALL.

I left dh with ollie whilst I went to the shop to get sweet things for Ollie to eat as the dr said he didn't care what ollie ate he just had to eat as he was getting dehydrated and would be hospitalised the next day...

I was queuing in the supermarket when I had to run outside to be sick! I then came back in to pay to which everyone was asking was I okay as I was green
When I got back to the house Ollie was sat in the bath as he has been sick and dh couldn't clear him up as he had his head down the toilet being sick himself. It was the WORST illness any of us have ever had as it just went on, was so violent and we all got it. In the end dh's parents had to drive down to take Ollie as we couldn't look after him. (This was good of them but they did make us wait 2 days after we phoned begging)
Thinking of you x

Hi everyone,

Floria - Glad Aex seems to be on the mend, it's such a worry when they're ill, especially when they don't carry a lot of extra weight. He'll be back to normal in no time i'm sure . Oh, just read your post re the docs, hope he's ok, what is rotavirus?

WWAJC - Hope Anya has got over the pepper incident. My MIL is allergic to peppers, must be something in them?

Muppet - Well done Henry with the sitting! Dylan can just about sit now too but he flings himself backwards and crawls off cause he doesn't like to stay still to long!

Your letter is very good. You sound like a reasonable person, a strong person who is kind yet knows her own mind and will not be taken advantage of again. I think it is perfectly worded and you have been careful not to get too emotionally involved. It's good you haven't shown any sign of weakness as she would probably have picked up on this and used it to her advantage.

All I will say is, don't expect her to be as reasonable as you, but then, you knw that already i'm sure

Mine - Sorry to hear about Erens fall, must have been sacry for you. know my heart was in my mouth when Dylan fell off the bed in july but he was fine of course.

Sorry work is so unbearable for you. I'm a firm believer in doing what makes you happy so it's good you're looking for something else. Lifes too sgort to be doing things that make you that unhappy.

Inzi - That knee sounds very painfull! at the ambulance not taking it more seriously. Glad it's not as bad now even though it's still a bit uncomfortable.

Hope the house people accect your offer but remember if they don't, everything happens for a reason. I always say this to myself in times of stress and it helps a lot and I have alway found it to be true! We lost out on about 6 houses before we got this one and it's the best and cheapest of the lot!

LLL - Poor Ben with his cold, at least it's not bothering him too much. Are you still being woken at 5am? Hope not!
The pirate themed party sounds lovely. We got pirate wrapping paper for Dylans presents, so cute

Well, I got up at 10am today !!! I use my mobile phone alarm to wake me usually but this morning the battery had gone flat over night and it didn't go off. I felt very annoyed with myself when I checked my phone for the time and realised it was dead. Thankfully Dylan only woke a few minutes before me and it was him chattering on the monitor that brought me round. I was just irritated as it means Dylan will be late with meals all day and late to bed. Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

Speaking of tomorrow, we have our check up with the paediatrician. I can't remember if I updated everyone but we saw the dietician on the 12th Sept and her advice was to try to give Dylan high calorie snacks in between meals like cake with butter on, peanut butter, nutella etc.

Her theory was that he is just a 'little and often guy', well, it hasn't really made much difference. It doesn't seem to matter when we try to feed him or what we are offering he will only eat it if he wants to and that is not very often at the moment .

We have been more adventurous at mealtimes though and offered several options and snacks instead of one main and pudding. This seems to work sometimes as he will usually eat something of what we have offered but it means we have to virtually take a picnic everywhere we go. All he would eat for dinner today was homous off my finger .

Anyway, we have decided we are going to ask the paediatrician if there is anyone we can refer Dylan to who will help us with the issue of actually getting him to eat the food!

We have tried the infant gaviscon I got from the doc on and off over the past few weeks and it doesn't seem to have made a significant difference. For the 1st week he was on it it was eating quite well, then we took him off it to check and hi wasn't eating so well so we put him back on it and his eating is still bad so we can't work out whether it is helping or not?! Will have to ask the paed I guess.

Well, it's time to feed him his tea so i'm off. Hi to everyone i've missed and chat again soon x

Oh inzi! x posted, so sorry the house is gone. What a bunch of arseholes! Hope something else comes up soon x

OHH Muppet! That sounded BAD,BAD,BAD!!!!! Alex hasnt been sick now since Saturday night/Sunday morning and since the Dr asked for a sample and I sterilised a jar to collect it, his diarrhoea seems to have dried up so I dont think it is RV, just the Dr erring on the side of caution.

For future reference anyone whose los are suffering these symptoms and are struggling to get disgusting rehydration powders down, 7UP (not the diet version) apparently has exactly the same properties but tastes good, my dr says boil it for a few secs in the microwave to get rid of the fizz and keep sipping to rehydrate and help stop diarrhoea!

Inzi for you, that is a despicable way to treat you... but I'm sure a house wonderful beyond your wildest dreams will come along just when you least expect it and make you glad you were cheated of this one

Hi all!

I can't believe everyone with their standing singing babies! Dareh doesn't do anything like that yet.

That is weird Mine!! What time was Eren born? Dareh arrived at 3.57am. Won't be doing too much for his birthday. I was going to give him toast and honey for breakfast as he is allowed honey and maybe have a few people over in the afternoon. I was also going to give him his first bubble bath as we haven't used any products on him so far. Hope Eren is ok after the fall - I think it is worse for us than it is for them.

Inzi that is shocking behaviour from the ambulance service - I can't believe they wouldn't help you. I hope you hear some good news on the house soon.

My anxiety levels have been bloody awful the last couple of days - I thought I was going to be sick this morning it was so bad. I think it's because I haven't been able to get to the gym. Hopefully get there tomorrow so that should help although I would like to find other ways to deal with it.

Hope Anya and Alex and Ben all feel better!

Just a quick one...

Inzi at the shocking treatment from the ambulance service - when I think of some of the shite arriving by ambulance when I worked in A&E I would have thought you were over 'qualified' tbh. What a crock of shite. So sorry to hear as well about losing the house. We are also now looking at a similar deal - more below...

Muppet a great very well worded and restrained letter! Good on you. I WILL get round to the 10 words thing honest - just been a bit busy...

Mine glad to hear Eren is OK after his fall. Adam fell down 3 stairs the other day and I was similarly paralysed with fear. I think my screams upset him more than the fall but he too was fine. Try and stick with work. I know you are hating it at the mo but it will take a couple of months (at least) to find your feet again. If after that it's getting no better then look for something else but it would be a shame to make rash decisions now when it does get easier and before Eren you worked hard to get where you are now. I felt like you after the first week and am now really happy again. Work will never mean as much to me since the boys as it did before but I am learning that it is good for them that I have a job I love - you may find this too given time but if you don't it will be a considered decision that you won't regret. Good luck whatever you do.

Stefka sending you great big hugs honey. Good luck for interview.

Dal good luck with paeds appointment. Stand by the fact that I am sure he is fine - just has a small appetite. but for your own peace of mind you are doing exactly the right thing. Hope all goes well.

Floria glad to hear Alex is on the mend - cure by specimen bottle hey!

Well can't remember rest? Sorry! I am however thinking of you all - just been very busy.

Well dh and I have finally decided to leave the extension. We are both lazy and unmotivated with 2 tiny children to put in the effort needed and also because we don't put in the time to maintain it we should never really live in an older house. So we have decided (probably!) to move. There is a new estate just north of where we live and we are looking at either part exchange or assisted move on a lovely 4 bed house. Depends on the numbers stacking up - if we can't get it for the right place we will be abck to plan B (extend) but I think we have virtually decided to go for it. We hear on Thurs if they are going to consider part exchange (suspect not from what the lady said) so we have a few days to weigh everything up and decide what to do. I'll keep you posted!

Oh and I heard from Choc a couple of days ago - she's been ill and also back at work so has been very busy and will try to get back on soon!