Pick Me Up! 05-Nov-2020

Watching as my six-month-old baby slept, I was in total awe of him. Noticing my mobile buzzing beside me, my partner’s mum was ringing. Answering the call, I never could have prepared for the words I was about to hear. ‘He’s gone,’ she wept. At just 24-years-old, in February 2014, my wonderful partner Joshua, the father of my child, passed away in his sleep from an allergic reaction to walnuts. He had no idea he was allergic to them, but one fatal dosage sent him into an anaphylaxis shock. Stricken with grief, I put all of my energy into being the best mum I could. I didn’t want my two children to see me sad. But I was broken – and every night, I’d sob after putting them to sleep.…

Have you heard of? Planning a wedding in a pandemic? Bring the jewellers home with CAST. British start-up company CAST are changing the rules and enabling couples to design their own wedding rings from the comfort of their own home. By delivering their jewellery making kits straight to your door, you can carve and create your personalised rings using wax. Once you’ve created your bespoke jewellery, pop them in the post and CAST does all the rest! Choose from gold, platinum, palladium or rhodium. The creations are made with love in Birmingham. • Visit their website at experiencecast.com to find out more. What a great idea So long, shame and stigma! Urinary incontinence affects one in three women, especially new mums and those who suffer with hay fever and migraines.…

After packing the overnight bags into the car, I said goodbye to the kids as they set off for their grandparent’s house. ‘I’ll be straight there after work,’ I said, giving my wonderful husband, Russ, 38, a kiss goodbye. In May 2019, we were celebrating Memorial Day weekend at my parent’s farm in Star Valley, Wyoming, US. I was working as a florist and had a few orders to fill before I could join them that evening. My parents, Rex and Debbie, had a large family – 12 children and 45 grandchildren – so it was always a big occasion when we got together. There would be hot dogs, fireworks, and a few tractor rides around the farm, courtesy of my dad, known as Papa Rex. ‘Have fun!’ I yelled,…

Follow it! Solve the puzzle to spell out a term related to the picture. The arrows show you where to put your answers. The answer is spelled in the yellow squares. Answers on page 47. Hot Trend! Winter gloves! Fill it! Complete the grid then read down the shaded squares to reveal the hidden answer. Clue: fabric. Answer on page 47. ACROSS 6 Complete (5) 7 Intermittent (8) 10 Fruit type (7) 11 Game using glass balls (7) 12 Distinguished (7) 13 Examine methodically and in detail (7) 14 Punishment involving confinement to one’s home (5,6) 19 Overlook (7) 21 Fundamental (7) 23 Falsehood (7) 25 Paved area next to a building (7) 26 States emphatically (8) 27 1979 sci-fi horror film starring 4 Down, 6 Down and 24 Down…

Watching a Michael Bublé tribute, I was at a wake with my loved ones. However, this wasn’t a normal wake – it was a living wake… for me. It was August this year, and with a maximum of nine months to live, I wanted to make the most of my time. Me and my sister Rachel, have always loved singing Michael Bublé together, so it seemed fitting. I’d first been diagnosed with cancer nearly eight years ago, back in 2012, after my barber had spotted a mole on my head. ‘I think you need to get this checked out,’ he said to me. At 21-years-old, I wasn’t worried, but a few weeks later, I was diagnosed with melanoma cancer. Despite having just qualified as a firefighter, I had to give…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! This storage shelf is ideal for use both in the house or in the shed. With four levels of shelving this unit is perfect for storing all manner of items – from office equipment through to garden tools. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Lemon fresh Lemon absorbs smells so I always keep a sliced lemon in my fridge. It keeps it smelling beautifully fresh! Lisa Adams, West Midlands Good as new The perfect way to sharpen your scissors is to cut through aluminium foil several times. It works a treat! Sian Salsbury, Cradley Heath Glowing skin I pop a teabag on my eyes. The caffeine helps freshen the skin and reduce…