Pick Me Up! 28-Jun-2018

I’d like to show my older sister Sylvia how much she means to me with a bouquet of flowers. Growing up, we were very close, despite there being a nine-year age gap. I was the youngest of four and she was the oldest sister and the one who I’d always turn to. It was also her wardrobe and make-up bag that I raided the most! But that has never stopped us becoming the best of friends. Since we’ve grown up, we moved almost three hours from one another - me living in Colchester and Sylvia in Chadlington - but we still talk nearly every day. She’s been through a very tough time recently and deserves a pick-me-up. Despite everything that she’s gone through, Sylvia has always remained her strong, determined…

After five years of dating, my boyfriend finally popped the question while on holiday in Majorca. It was perfect. Lara Payne, Dursley Our three children made a new friend on a visit to the New Forest. I told them he couldn’t come home, though! Karen Wells, Gravesend My son Joel was loving his first candyfloss. Just look at that cheeky face. Ginalea Price, Lancashire Hill I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this. Now even pooches can get in on the sweet summer treats! T Griffin, Warmley Murray’s favourite subject at school is history, so a day out at the Viking festival was just the thing for him. Kelly Imrie, Hurlford My friends and I taking full advantage of the sunshine for a picnic at Leeds Castle. Natasha Douglas,…

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As I clung to my little sister Leanna, 19, a tear rolled down my cheek. It was May 2015 and we were supposed to be celebrating my mum Verity’s 50th birthday. Instead, we’d just held her funeral. Everything had been so sudden. I’d got a knock on the door one morning two weeks earlier from Mum’s boyfriend. ‘It’s your mum,’ he’d said, sounding panicked. As Leanna and I rushed round to the house, paramedics told us Mum had suffered a heart attack, died almost immediately. A single mum, she was the only family we’d had. With only each other to lean on, Leanna and I struggled to come to terms with her death. An inquest had found that Mum had died from previously undetected ischaemic heart disease. ‘I’m afraid this…

My daughter Mia shot down the stairs, swishing her newly-dyed turquoise hair. ‘What do you think, Mum?’ she grinned. I laughed. Mia, 16, was obsessed with dying her dark-blonde hair a crazy array of different colours. She was such a good girl, though, working hard studying Art at college, I didn’t mind. It was just part of her personality. ‘Looks great,’ I smiled, kissing her cheek before she had a chance to push me away. ‘Get off!’ she shrieked, grabbing her bag and dashing out of the door to college. She’s like a whirlwind , I chuckled, getting the vacuum cleaner out of the cupboard. It was April 2017, and my first day off from my call-centre job in a while. With my younger son Dylan, then 6, at school,…

Tanks a lot Argos is offering £10 off Tetra Despicable Me Starter Line aquariums (RRP £59.99) when bought in-store or online at argos.co.uk until 28 June. Spread the word Pip & Nut Honey Almond Butter is an all-natural nut butter made from Californian almonds with a drizzle of blossom honey for sweetness. Try it slathered on an apple for a tasty snack. It has absolutely no palm oil or refined sugars. Just mix it up before spreading. It’s down to £3.45 (usually £3.95) in Tesco until 4 July. Share the love Kettle Chips are an essential for any drinks party, BBQ or picnic! The sharing bags, in all the classic flavours, are down to £1 (usually £1.50) in Morrisons until 8 July. Stay sharp Snap up a Quattro for Women,…