Pick Me Up! 25-Jan-2018

What A Lotta Bottle! This beer definitely gave me a very nice pick-me-up when I was on holiday in Dorset recently… 10 …that’s how many dishes my son Oscar managed to pile up at our local sushi restaurant. What A Cutie! Our golden retriever puppy Bobby is such a fun addition to the family. We even forgave him for digging up the lawn! What A Face! This app shows what I’d look like young, as a woman and old(er!). Time will tell! What A Snow-show! Not totally sure that Oscar and his big brother Louis are the best snowman-builders ever……

Green goddess! Gorgeous! My beautiful mum Susan didn’t hesitate to put on the outfit we bought her to celebrate her 60th in Galway. She’s fab! Rhiannon Thomas, Caernarfon Hoppy to help! Bunny-sitting! My 13-year-old pooch TJ’s got his paws full here! Danielle Seago, Romford Love and laughs Don’t my hubby Ted and I look happy, cutting the cake on our wedding day? That was 24 years ago and we’re still laughing – and eating cake – today! Val Brennan, Sale Techie tots! My 4-year-old daughter Luna is already teaching her baby sister Hera, 6 weeks, how to play on the iPad! Marianne Hawksworth , Sheffield Little champ Chuffed! My son Malacai, 8, was super-proud of getting Man of the Match in his footie game. He plays for Ystradgynlais under-8s. Lisa…

‘The party was well and truly over,ending on a sour note’ ‘Tears filled my eyes. It was far worse than I’d imagined’ Looking around the flat, I smiled seeing our mates dancing and drinking. It was January 2017, and one of our friends was celebrating her birthday. Stephen Thompson, another pal, had offered to host a party at his place. My boyfriend Damion, 25, had known Stephen for more than 10 years. Damion and I had been dating for a year so I’d got to know Stephen, 27, quite well, too. Laid-back and friendly, he seemed like a good guy. Damion and I arrived about 8pm. For the next few hours, the alcohol and chat were flowing. Everyone was having a great night. But, as the early hours drew in,…

Judge Sarah Mallet told Thompson, ‘You were aggressive and threatening. You waved the Stanley knife in a slashing motion but you slashed the female complainant. She has a lasting scar to the face that she will always have. The problems are carrying on. The injuries, in my view, are very serious... I accept that you had the Stanley knife because you were having a carpet fitted... I take into account that your age and intelligence levels don’t tally. I accept that you are sorry and I accept that that is genuine.’…

‘Four months pregnant, I was suddenly a widow’ Brandishing a bouquet of flowers, Colin gave a shy smile. It was my 18th birthday and he’d bought me 18 red roses. Right then, I knew Colin was the man I’d marry. Four years later, in May 2002, we wed at our local church. And in January 2005 baby Cameron made us a family. A doting dad, Colin, then 26, made every moment special. But in 2007, he seemed lethargic and developed dark rings under his eyes. Successful op I was worried. In 2000, he’d been diagnosed with a heart murmur and a leaky valve. ‘It’s nothing serious,’ we’d been told. ‘Still,’ I said now. ‘Best get a checkup.’ So Colin went back to the doctor’s and was referred for another scan.…

My little boy loves stickers which can sometimes prove very difficult to remove. However, I’ve found it easier if I use a hairdryer to heat up the glue so they peel straight off. Sian Walker, Halesowen This pricey candle was a lovely wedding gift. So when the wax started running out, I cleaned it out and put some cheap fairy lights inside, wrapped a bit of fancy ribbon round it and now it looks great! Samantha Mckibbens, Glasgow Crisps in tubes tend to go soft quickly if the lid isn’t on properly. Take them from the tube, pop them in the microwave for 5-10 seconds, and they’re good as new. Angela Garvin, Romford Fawkes, my lazy cat, doesn’t like to do much exercise, so now I make him work for…