Carpet cleaners are def the answer helen, I've got a vax that gives me a hernia thorough workout every time I use it, plus it's big, loud machinery...makes housework a lot more entertaining.
Small Elk's took it in turns to keep me awake last night, a combination of night terrors and falling out of bed (you're SEVEN FFS!). I'm here by myself too, mrElk's dad is v poorly, so he's been there all week. Taking kids to him today tho.