Pick Me Up! 31-Mar-2016

What a laugh! I learned some new cockney rhyming slang this week – George Michael…menstrual cycle. Poor George! 20 That’s how many years it’s been since Toy Story’s UK release in March 1996. Blimey! Haven’t Woody, Buzz 'n' co aged well? This calls for a rewatch… What a treat! At a beer festival with my other half at the weekend, the tables were turned. The queue for the gents was massive, but there was no wait for the ladies – so I walked straight in!! What a watch! I love true-crime dramas, so it was fascinating to write about stars who, like Charlize Theron (left), have played real murderers. Visit www. lifedeathprizes .com and search ‘real life killers’ to have a read. What a find!…

Waste not, want not Got myself recycled, at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales… Susie Kearley, Princes Risborough Snowed under Now that’s a cold call! This snap was taken on holiday in Ekaterinburg, Russia, where they know how to do winter! Lucy Robinson, Bristol Love you, bro I just love it when I see how protective my son Harrison, 3, is of Robin, his 6-month-old brother. Leagh Bailey, Stockport Little sheepish While visiting a friend’s farm in Devon, I met this fella – he was so cute, I had to pick him up for a cuddle! Nina Rees, Swansea Cute couple Both looking gorgeous – my daughter Tamara, 16, with her boyfriend Cam, 16, on prom night. Kerry Tosh, Donnington Just Brazilliant! Perfect time to try out my new…

‘Lewis was my first boyfriend, I thought it was normal’ ‘I tried to cut ties, but he sent me so many messages’ Grabbing my best friend Sophie, I dragged her to the dance floor. Wiggling my hips to Rihanna, she cheered me on. I was 14, carefree and loved to dance. I’d been looking forward to my nana’s birthday do for ages. Then I noticed a waiter who’d been working at the party. ‘He’s gorgeous!’ I said to Sophie. And he was coming over... A date I flushed crimson as our eyes met. ‘I’m Lewis,’ he said. ‘Our secret.’ With that, he handed me a vodka and Coke. We chatted all night until it was time to leave. ‘Can I have your number?’ Lewis, then 17, asked. In the days…

‘The doctors couldn’t find my baby’s heartbeat’ ‘Together Lauren and I have helped each other heal’ My daughter Isabella, 5, couldn’t contain her excitement. Me and my partner Daniel, 28, were expecting our second baby - a boy. And Isabella was ecstatic. ‘How many more sleeps until he gets here?’ she asked me and Daniel. ‘A few!’ we told her, laughing. In December last year, we celebrated an extra-special Christmas. ‘This time next year, Santa will be bringing presents for your brother, too,’ we told Isabella. But the following morning, I noticed the baby wasn’t moving. I thought he was probably just hiding in my tum, so I tried not to worry. Meanwhile, days later, I went on Facebook and noticed one of my friends had shared someone’s post. A…

‘What a sad story. But it’s so great that these two women are raising awareness for stillborns. Not a lot of women get that precious time with their babies. I wish them all the best.’ Lauren Balmain, Gateshead ‘It’s nice they have each other to lean on after they’ve been through so much. And the fact they’re fundraising so soon after their tragedies is truly admirable.’ Lorna Young, Salen, Isle of Mull ‘Being a mum myself, the thought of losing a baby just doesn’t bear thinking about. I hadn’t heard of cuddle cots so it’s great they’re raising awareness and money for them.’ Gemma Stidolph, Newcastle…

Lauren, 21, says, ‘I hadn’t felt Mylah move in a few days, so I went to hospital for a scan. The room seemed to spin when doctors broke the news that I’d lost her. ‘They didn’t know why it’d happened, was just one of those things. ‘I was beyond devastated. I’d been so excited about her arrival, it was soul-destroying. ‘I was induced later that day and Mylah was born weighing 1lb 1oz. ‘She was beautiful. I’ll treasure the time I had with her in the cuddle cot forever. ‘When I saw a friend comment on Laura’s Facebook post, I decided to contact her. If anyone knew what she was going through, it was me. ‘Raising money together for cuddle cots has been a way for us to channel our…