Pick Me Up! 29-Nov-2018

The first time I spotted Nadine, I saw a sparkle in her eye that told me she liked a good laugh. And I wasn’t wrong! We were at our kids’ school’s Christmas fun day and I was half-heartedly humming to festive tunes. To be honest, I was looking forward to getting home and putting my feet up with a glass of mulled wine. Nadine was so jolly, though, I was delighted when she made a beeline for me and she soon had me in hysterics. Time flew by as we sat laughing together, putting the world to rights. Before long, we were meeting up regularly. I could tell her everything, we had no secrets. So when my health started to decline and I developed endometriosis as well as a host…

It was a magical Wingham Wildlife Park moment when my husband felt this bouncing lemur land on his shoulder. Jennifer Neal, Canterbury My son finally got to meet Mickey Mouse on our holiday to Florida. Dreams really do come true. Katrina Naruszewicz, Norfolk ‘One, two, three and streeeetch!’ say my children Milo and Aurora as they copy Mummy doing her workout. Laura Heckman, Trefnant We loved the view from the top of The Kelpies in Falkirk, but kept feeling like there was something behind us… Samantha Mckibbens, Glasgow The beaches in New Zealand go on forever. Walking Bella are my son Justin and his girlfriend Kelsie, who live in Hamilton. Jenny Harden, Ruthin Some children want to take dogs for a walk, but not my daughter. Scarlet couldn’t wait to…

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Digging around in the fridge, I was hoping to rustle up a quick meal for dinner. Me and my boyfriend of 10 years - Gary, 43 - had been out shopping in town all day and I was exhausted. But pushing aside the milk and cheese, I sighed. ‘Fancy a takeaway instead?’ I asked Gary. ‘I’ll pop to the pizza shop down the road.’ ‘Sounds great,’ he grinned. Grabbing my purse and coat, I gave him a kiss. ‘Back soon!’ I called, closing the front door. It was September 2017 and, although it was 8pm, it was still light outside. At the takeaway, I paid for our pizzas and popped next door to the off-licence for a couple of cans of beer. I couldn’t wait to flop on the sofa…

My daughter Grace, 3, stared up at the sparkling glitter ball I’d attached to the living-room ceiling. ‘Now it really is like Strictly,’ I chuckled, grabbing Grace’s hand, swirling her around. In a pink leotard and tutu, her long brown hair flowing, she looked just like a little ballerina. It was October 2015 - and looking back, it felt like a miracle she was here at all. After 20 years serving as a linguist in the RAF, at the age of 38, I’d decided I wanted to be a mum. Only, just as my biological clock started ticking, my 10-year relationship fell apart. ‘I’m going to do it alone,’ I told my friends. ‘If anyone can, you can,’ they replied. Although both my parents had passed away years before, I…

Time to clean up..? Clean up on Black Friday with up to 50% off Vileda electrical favourites between 23-26 November when shopping online at shop.vileda.co.uk . You can save a massive £100 on the Vileda VR 302 Cleaning Robot (RRP £299, now £199). Ooh la lait… Buttery brioche is a French breakfast staple – and Brioche Pasquier are bringing this comforting carb to us here in the UK. Their Pains au lait multipacks are only £1 (usually £1.50) at Tesco until 5 December. Fruity! Valdemadera Gran Reserva is a robust red with deep and velvety flavours and notes of rich fruit. Serve a glass of this alongside a roast leg of lamb for a Sunday roast with the most. It’s only £7 (usually £9) at M&S until…