Pick Me Up! 26-May-2016

What A Lucky Girl! This month, I’m off to Kerala in India – a state by the Arabian Sea. Sigh… 14 days of yoga and meditation doesn’t sound too bad to me! What A Film! Anyone watched the 1975 musical Tommy? I’m a fan of rock ’n’ roll, and this musical by The Who – featuring Jack Nicholson, Tina Turner and Elton John – definitely rules. What A Rat! No, I’m not talking about men – they're new additions to my pet family! Meet Keith, Oliver and Byron. Can you guess which bad boys they’re named after..? 65st That’s how much hefty Hercules weighs. He’s officially the world’s biggest big cat! From the USA, he measures almost 11ft in total length. We bet he’s a pussycat really… What A Legend!…

Little STAR Ground control to Major Tom! My 5-month-old son looks like an astronaut when he’s chilling out with these headphones! Kerri Morgan, Swansea Hot air This balloon was about to fly away, but luckily my son Benjamin, 7, grabbed it just in time! Lucy Travell, Barnwood Horsing around Right, I’ve given up on kissing frogs… Maybe this lovely chap will turn into a prince! Jill Corbishley, Stockport Tache attack Our pet dog Jess is totally confused by my 13-year-old daughter Lily’s cunning disguise! Samantha Priestley, Sheffield Slippery friend Yup, that’s me, sporting a real snake necklace in Benidorm! Alan Hayes, Droylsden Giddy up! I was a bit scared to ride a real one, so it’s lucky I found this fella in Mijas, Andalucia. Celia Salter, Cowplain Look who I…

"He pinned me down, slipped his hands around my throat" "I’m proud of myself for standing up to him" I smiled as I flicked the switch to boil the kettle. Weeks earlier, in May 2011, I met Gareth Keeping in my local pub, and we got chatting. Swapping numbers, we arranged to meet again... Three cups of tea later, and he never left! Head over heels, I got Gareth’s name tattooed on my right foot. But, six months on, his behaviour started to change. Gareth became paranoid and jealous. Every time I chatted to a man, he thought I was cheating. ‘Don’t be stupid, I love you,’ I’d insist. But Gareth began scouring my phone and bank statements for anything suspicious. He even checked my dirty underwear! We were bickering…

"Getting to hold my babies was a dream come true" "It was a bit of a juggling act, but we coped!" When Richard and I got together in September 2011, he was honest from the start. ‘I’m not sure I can have children,’ he warned. Filling me in on his history, he’d tried to conceive before with a former partner but nothing had happened. I already had a daughter, Letetia, 7, and loved being a mum. But Richard was funny, handsome, hardworking. I wasn’t too upset if we could never grow our family. And on 21 October, after six weeks together, we were getting ready for bed one night when he got down on one knee. ‘Will you marry me?’ he asked, presenting me with a white-gold diamond solitaire. ‘Yes!’…

Once you’ve scooped out and eaten your tasty avocado, keep the shell as a little bowl for snacks. Frances Rutherford, Southbourne This old computer disc spindle makes a great holder for jewellery. It even has a protective dust cover. Joanne Campbell, Whitehead I had a spare shower curtain ring, so I now use it to keep all my rubber bands together in one place. Vivien McLaren, Alsager If you’ve got pet rabbits, it’s easy to grow greens like kale in your garden for them to nibble on… They’re also healthy food for other family members! Caroline Laytham, St Helens Instead of buying a plastic tablecloth for my daughter’s party, I used the Twister mat. It wipes clean just the same! Richard Clifton, Felixstowe A wide (and thoroughly clean) stainless-steel paint…

1 Be an early bird They start early, so get to boot fairs first thing to bag the best bits! 2 Hidden treasure Look at the back of stalls for hidden gems. Check later – maybe they’ll put out more! 3 Dress down Sellers may bump up their prices if they see you wearing smart clothes or carrying a designer handbag. 4 Swot up! Learn what’s worth buying. Pick up the item, have a good look at it. Ask the seller how old it is, where was it made etc. 5 Know your limit Have a maximum price you’ll pay and don’t go over it! 6 Always haggle Most sellers are open to negotiation and will accept a…