Pick Me Up! 28-Sep-2017

Welcome To Your Thursday What A Baby! I’m obsessed with hippos, so it was love at first sight when I saw a video of baby calf Fiona. See her in action at lifedeathprizes.com/ baby-hippo What A Chump! Apparently, firstborns are the brainiest – but I’m not convinced. My younger brother has a degree in Maths, but I can barely add two and two together! 7 That’s how many years my friends Calum and Alice took to tie the knot. It was a beautiful day, and we danced the night away to our fave 90s songs! What A Bonus! I might be 25, but I still love a trip to the zoo! This time, we got the chance to help feed the giraffes and elephants. You’re never too old to be a…

On your bike! Even at 83 years old, you’re never too old to start training for the Tour de France. Pauline Hook, Mirfield Guard duty I love this photo of Bigfluff guarding our shoes – she’s a bit of a bossy boots! Karen Baker, Watford Crazy cake When my friends organised a baby shower for me they told me that they’d make me a special cake. But this is not quite what I was expecting. Louise Milne, Worthing Yoga girl Thought I’d get in a bit of yoga practise while I was busy exploring the Costa del Sol! Carys McCauley, Hackney The big 9-0! This is my 6-year-old son Joel hanging out with Great-grandad Harry on Harry’s 90th birthday! Susan May, Cannock, Staffs Get in touch If you’ve got a…

Pick Me Up! BIG STORY Three sisters who couldn’t be closer Cancer death sentence, then a brutal murder Justice for Louisa and remembering them both Natalie Chalkley, 35, Mitcham The day my big sister moved in was like having a celebrity come to stay. My mum Bernie, now 56, was rushing around making sure her bed was ready and laying treats on the table. Louisa, 14, wasn’t a sister by blood – she was my stepdad Dave’s daughter. She’d often come round, but now she was moving in with us for good. I was 7 and chuffed to have a big sis full time. That first night, we giggled till late. ‘We’re gonna have so much fun,’ Louisa told me. There was another big change about to happen, too. Mum…

He took out his anger on my poor innocent sister Continued from previous page We held Louisa’s funeral months on, sobbed as her daughter Ebony stood to speak beautifully about her mum. It still seemed so unreal. As we waited for Ludlow’s trial and answers about Louisa’s death, Kayleigh’s illness progressed. But she was more determined than ever to stay around as long as she could for her family. Twice, she ended up in a hospice, and each time she made it home. Her strength kept us all going. ‘You’re my inspiration,’ I said. Slipping away In August 2011, Kayleigh was admitted a third time. I went to visit her, did her hair and make-up, pushed her around the hospice gardens in her wheelchair. Back in her room, Kayleigh gave…

Rhys Eales, 26, Cantley, Doncaster After a busy morning at work in January 2015, it was time for the best part of the day… Lunch! I had the same as always – my favourite, cheese sarnies. But, taking a bite, something exploded in my mouth. And it wasn’t the flavour! Something had popped. And then I tasted it… Pus! Vile. I ran to the toilet and got there just in time to vomit. What on earth..? Mystery lump Feeling around my mouth with my tongue, I found it – a lump, right at the back of my mouth on the right-hand side. It was nestled behind my bottom set of teeth, so it wasn’t surprising I’d never noticed it before. The mysterious lump leaked into my mouth all day. Getting…

I made some very useful and unique bookmarks using pastry cutters as templates and attaching coloured wool to match! Sally Stone, Dudley Avoid getting bitten by pesky mosquitoes on holiday by squeezing a few drops of lemon into your soap, shower gel and shampoo. When mozzies catch a whiff of it, they’ll vamoose. David Anderson, Sunderland At the end of summer, detach your hose from its tap and make sure all the water has been removed from the hose, to stop it freezing up in the winter and cracking the pipe John Dunn, Cranham Tip of the Week If you unplug the iron when you have one item left to press, it’ll still be hot enough to iron without using electricity! Linda Keen, Sheffield Magazine holders are also really useful…