The only comment I have to make is if you decide bernina get bernina not bernette....they are the low end cheaper version and have a reputation for the motors carking out after 12 - 18 months or so. The old bernettes were awesome when they were all metal and quality parts (we also had them at school) but the new ones are pretty dodgy and the motor in them is a cheaper version to what goes into a true bernina. I pray that yours is the exception for you snugglybean!
Oh... and I was having such a good weekend

Maybe DH will be rigging up some dodgy parts for it like he did with the old one...