Pick Me Up! 30-Jul-2020

When my grandfather Eric, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the age of 62 and then Parkinson’s at 64, the whole family was shocked. He and my grandmother Mollie lived a 45-minute drive away from us, and we knew they were going to need all the help they could get. So, we moved them into a purpose-built annex next to our family home. However, we soon realised we needed professional support to help my grandma when we were not there. Bringing in outsourced care was great, but we still felt out of the loop. Although there was a file logging everything that happened during the day, we wanted more detail. And so, my husband Jason gave up his job to become a fulltime carer, with the help from my family. Now,…

Who would have thought? Does your street have a happy name? After analysing thousands of road names in the UK, Bankrate.com has found that houses on a ‘happy’ street can increase your home’s value by an astonishing average of over £24,000! When house hunting, most of us don’t pay much attention to the road name, but this seemingly small feature can have a significant effect on the value of your house! Who would have thought it? Street names that can increase your property’s value, and the area they are most frequently found in are: GAY: worth £40,293 more in the South West PLEASURE: worth £39,029 more in the South East DANCERS: worth £32,029 more in the East of England BEAM: worth £30,623 more in the North West and North East HEAVEN: worth £29,273 more in…

If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying Flowers. With over 30 years’ experience of helping celebrate life’s special moments and FREE delivery by post, a gorgeous bouquet by Flying Flowers is a lovely way to celebrate sharing smiles and happiness. See flyingflowers.co.uk for more details.…

Opening my mouth, I let out a big yawn, feeling exhausted. It was June 2018, and I was sat on the sofa after a sleepless night. As a single mum, taking care of two lads had taken it out of me, especially as they were both autistic and had epilepsy. Back in 2000, at just two days old, my son Peter had started having fits. In and out of the hospital for various tests, he was eventually diagnosed with epilepsy at a year old. As he grew, I noticed he wasn’t developing the same as other kids – Peter wouldn’t interact with people, and never learnt to talk. Finally, at five years old, he was diagnosed with autism. It was a big blow, but knowing the truth made it easier…

Cradling my newborn baby girl, I rocked her from side to side. ‘Five days old today,’ I smiled. It was April 2016, and my partner of six years, Luke, 30, and I had just welcomed Layla into the world. Whilst I was enjoying being in a baby bubble, I was also worried about my son Kye, then eight. Kye was usually a bubbly, happy boy who loved watching SpongeBob SquarePants and Star Wars on repeat. We were so close and he was excited to be a big brother. Only, straight after Layla had been born, Kye fell ill. ‘I think he’s got a tummy bug,’ I said to my mum Veronica, 53. ‘I’m concerned that it could be meningitis,’ she replied. ‘No, it can’t be!’ I said, considering his symptoms.…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! Laundry items you don’t mind hanging around. This gorgeous hummingbird design will instantly inspire, help take care of your laundry and look gorgeous. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Happy hens My dad made my eight girls a dust bath for the hot weather out of some wood. They loved it! Nicola Partridge, West Sussex Hose down ‘Coil back’ hoses never do! So I keep mine neat and tidy by threading it onto an old rake. Carol Casan, Devon Go nuts! I needed to buy some screws that matched the ones I already had. To make sure I didn’t lose the screw on the way to the shop, I put it into…