Car stress

Today I am stressing about my car. Last week it failed its MOT, and therefore, by next Monday I have to:

a) spend extortionate amounts of many to keep it on the road, with no guarantee (or even expectation) that I won't have to do the same next year (or even next month)
b) spend exortionate amounts of money to get it back on the road, and then sell it, probably for a net profit less than if I...
c) scrap it - which would break my heart, but would probably cost less in the long run, and would be a lot less stress.

Of course, the downside of c), is that I would then need to replace it [we would just stick with the Fiesta, but for the fact that we can't fit in it {and I might have to cycle to work!} Which would cost even more extortionate amounts of money. But then, it would be a capital investment - not just pouring money into the toilet - and I would get a new car!

Unfortunately, the extent to which I can spend extortionate amounts of money is limited, and therefore it might just be a new car, rather than a better car. Our needs are simple - 3 distinct and separate back seats - each big enough to take a child seat, and with a three-point seat belt; reliable; and cheap to run. Also not too old (I mean, say, 7 years or less) and not too much mileage (maybe less than 80K). And for less than (say) £3K - depending on the current value of the endowment that we'll have to cash in.

We shall see...

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Outside of the world of stress, Rachel (Libby's other sister) is here for the week. She is also stressing (but not about my car, strangely enough), so its a nice relaxed household! Caleb continues to grow (9lbs last Thursday). He hasn't caught up with Kalia yet, but give him time. We've been thinking about it, and as he was three works early, and Kalia was a couple of weeks late, she actually has five week's head start, so he's not doing badly! At the rate he eats, I'm surprised he's not 9 stone by now! [I think its mostly on his cheeks!]

Caleb has brown eyes! This seems to have happened a lot quicker than with the other two. Once again, the baby starts off as a Simkins. If he's anything like the other two, he'll be a Jones before long!

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Good news! Child benefit has gone up! We are now getting an extra 86p a week! Every little helps! (Incidentally the tax credit claim has gone through (and money has started 'pouring' into the coffers) - the child benefit claim has yet to be acknowledged, which is kinda worrying. I may have to investigate).

I must go now. We're watching Fahrenheit 9/11, and its hard to concentrate on while writing! I also need to take over the ironing, as Caleb is feeding...again...