Pick Me Up! 22-Nov-2018

In 1997, when I was just 18 years old, I lost two of the most important people in my life - my mum Teresa, then 53 and my uncle Frank, 58. Mum lost her battle to cancer and Uncle Frank’s death was totally unexpected. But as bereft as I was, my dad Joe, then 60, and my aunty Teresa, then 49, were both left devastated, they’d just lost the loves of their lives. Aunty Teresa became Dad’s shoulder to cry on and the woman I turned to as well. The mother figure that I so desperately needed. She and my dad became a couple and, later, they married and became husband and wife. She could never replace my mum, but she helped me with everything and looked after me and…

A recent day trip to Brimham Rocks left my nephew Charley as a giant! Here he is placing my daughter Sam on a rock. Gill Dennis, Scarborough Rocking out at my friend’s 60th birthday party. I'll let you guess what the theme of the night was. Penny Morris, Ashford My grandson Max did say he was ready to explode after we had lunch, although this isn't quite what I’d pictured. Mel Griffiths, Anglesey Staying at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, I met some great new friends. Here we all are, united in our endeavour to help stop cruelty to elephants. Alexa Poole, Helsby Wandering about in London, we bumped into none other than Hollywood movie star Christian Slater! I couldn't believe our luck. Sian Cowley, Birmingham When the rain settles…

Send us your stories and photos, including all names and ages, a daytime phone number and full address. E-mail pickmeup@ti-media.com CALL 020 3148 6460 WRITE TO Pick Me Up!, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP FACEBOOK facebook.com/pickmeupmag SEE OUR WEBSITE lifedeathprizes.com TI Media Limited reserves the right to reuse any submission sent to Pick Me Up! magazine, in any format or medium. Unfortunately, we can’t return photos without a stamped sae. Letters/photos must not be sent to any other publication.…

The nursery was painted in pink and full of teddy bears. I hadn’t wanted to know if I was having a girl or a boy, would have preferred it to be a surprise. But my partner Jason, 34, impatient as ever, had managed to talk me round during one of the scans. ‘At least we know what colour to paint her room,’ I’d laughed. I’d had a really easy pregnancy, and when our beautiful daughter Lexi arrived in January 2013, she was as good as gold. The minute we both held her in our arms, we were smitten. She was so sweet and calm, hardly cried. She’d stare, mesmerised, at our tropical fish tank, and her blue eyes lit up every time she caught sight of our little Chihuahua dog,…

I grew up in a country so different from the UK - war-torn, dangerous. But, as a 19-year-old girl, I wasn’t so different to the trendy teens I see in my home town of Croydon now. I loved fashion, boys, pop music. But, more than anything, I loved my 12-month-old son Junior. ‘Mummy’s going to miss you,’ I told him one day in December 1998. I was driving to a neighbouring country on family business, would be away for a few days. I missed Junior something rotten, but he was safe with my family and, before long, I was on my way back. Singing along to my car stereo, I thought of Junior and smiled. I couldn’t wait to kiss his chubby cheeks. But, as I approached the border, two…

Get the party started! Ocado Gold frozen party bites make festive entertaining a breeze! From crunchy veggie tartlets to moreish prawn toasts, they’ve got everything you need for a fuss-free Christmas bash. Each option is £3 but you can get two for £5 until 27 December. Animal magic Kids will love the Petlandia story books personalised with the name of their pet. Usually £17.99 for a paperback copy, or £27.99 for a hardback, they’re on offer from 21-27 November with 30% off the original price! Visit petlandia.com. Well off Online food-supplement store Power Health is offering 30% off all capsule sizes of its turmeric when you quote powerhealth30 at the checkout. Valid until 29 November. Happy glampers Wigwam Holidays are offering a 20% discount on glamping stays at participating sites…