Pick Me Up! 29-Mar-2018

I would like to nominate a very special woman for a well-deserved bunch of flowers. Susan Laing is an amazing lady who’s been like a mother to me, and like a grandmother to my children. I lost my own mum, but Susan is always there whenever we need her. She truly has a heart of gold and is always putting other people before her own needs. I first met Susan when I was working at a nightclub that her son ran. My mother passed away from a brain tumour when I was just 11 years old. But Susan’s always been there for me. She’s a shoulder to cry on and always listens. She was also lovely enough to take me on holiday when I was at a low point in…

The weather turned out to be a little unpredictable during our trip to Devon. Here’s me and my mum Joan braving the rain! Ruth Bateman, Pendeford I was so proud of my son Joe, 10, after he played me the James Bond theme on his guitar! Wayne Rolfe, Upminster For my next trick, I will make the Eiffel Tower appear out of the top of my hat… Ta-da! Emma Matthews, Stockport My daughter Emily may be a teenager, but she still couldn’t resist having a nose around this little acorn house! Paul Headen, Woking A girl can never have too many bags! Here’s my 2-year-old daughter Alice all ready for preschool. I’ve always told her it’s important to be prepared! Jo Cole, Newton Abbot Here’s how to enjoy a real…

Waving goodbye to my son Harry, then 5, I grinned. A single mum and working full-time in retail, it was rare I had the luxury of a night out. But when a friend said he was singing at an open-mic session in town, I thought, why not?! I’d recently moved in with my parents, temporarily, and Harry was off to his dad’s for the night. ‘Have fun!’ my mum said. It was a warm August evening in 2015, and I strolled into town. Not one to dress up, I’d chucked on a T-shirt and skinny jeans. The bar was quiet - typical for a Tuesday night. But it had a friendly atmosphere, so being alone didn’t bother me. As the musicians warmed up, I ordered a pint, sat down. For…

My oldest son Caleb, 9, grinned ‘I can’t wait to see my new sister or brother,’ he told me happily. Me and my fiance Dean, 43, were excited to have our first baby together, too. I already had Caleb and Jacob, 5, and we couldn’t wait to complete our family. It was last summer and we were at the hospital, with the boys, to get my 9-week scan. ‘Let’s get you a good picture of your new baby,’ said the midwife as we all watched the screen excitedly. But, slowly, her face dropped. ‘Is everything OK?’ I asked. ‘I need a second opinion,’ she said as she left the room. Then another nurse came to look at the scan and said, ‘I agree the same thing.’ ‘What’s happened, what’s the…

Half-price furniture The ‘More For Less’ sale at Harveys Furniture is on now until 27 March. Hundreds of products will be up to 50% off in store and online at harveysfurniture.co.uk Better nails in a month Renunail Nail Strengthener helps you achieve longer and stronger nails in just four weeks. The formula is enriched with calcium to strengthen damaged nails. Until 17 April, you can save a third on the product (RRP £17.50) at Tesco stores nationwide and online at tesco.com Relief from itchy skin You can get £3 off Suu Balm (75ml) at amazon.co.uk . Developed for dry, itchy skin, the balm provides itch relief in minutes, thanks to the cooling effects of menthol. Ceramides also work to restore moisture. Enter code PMU3OFF1…

On a roll When toasting a thick bread roll, cut it into three instead of in half. This way, the roll will be easier to fit in your toaster and won’t get stuck! Paul Baldwin, Yeadon Colour-coded keys Make it easy to remember which key opens what by painting each one a different colour! Beth Webb, Bodfari Nailing it Polish your fingernails with an old electric toothbrush! Judith Cairns, Colchester Sticker solution Help your little ones learn which shoe goes on which foot by putting two halves of the same sticker on the soles! Carol Adams, Halesowen Clearing the hole An ordinary straw is great for clearing plugholes of those hard-to-reach bits! Angela Garvin, Chadwell Heath Stay sharp If you need to sharpen a knife, carefully run the blade across…