Pick Me Up! 22-Apr-2021

I’ve always struggled with my speech. As a baby, my first words were delayed and speech therapists believed I would never have a full vocabulary. Thankfully, as the years passed, my voice and speech progressed, but I suffered from a severe stammer. Growing up, I hated the way I spoke and I was badly bullied at school. ‘Why can’t you say your own name?’ kids would taunt. ‘Why can’t you speak properly?’ Some of the comments were particularly nasty, but sadly, I just got used to it. With the help of therapy, my speech did improve, but by the time I began college, it all went downhill. Struggling to cope with the vast amount of social interaction demanded from me, my speech was worse than ever. So, in the summer…

Support a small business The socks that save species! A decade ago, Dom Desmond visited Borneo and fell in love with the world’s oldest rainforest and critically endangered wild orangutans. In 2017, Dom returned to Borneo. Only, the once lush rainforests he remembered had fallen victim to greedy palm oil plantations and illegal logging. With a drive to protect and restore the rainforest, Dom created Critically Endangered Socks. On a mission to help every critically endangered animal, Critically Endangered Socks sell the most beautifully crafted, ethical socks to raise money for multiple charities, such as WWF, IEF and WDC. We must act now if we want to rescue some of the earth’s most beautiful endangered creatures from the brink of extinction. The simplest way to do that? By wearing your…

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.…

Picking up my phone, I reactivated my Plenty of Fish account. What’s the harm in looking? I thought to myself in November last year. And it wasn’t long before I received a message from a chap named Alec Maguire, now 41. Hey, how are you? he wrote. He seemed nice, and when I looked at his profile, he looked it, too! We started chatting and seemed to get along. So much so, we agreed to go for a walk that very weekend. For years, I’d been going out on hill walks and climbing the likes of Snowdon and the Three Peaks in Yorkshire. So, the fact that Alec had suggested going for a walk, I was well up for it! We spoke every day after that, so by the time…

Running from the shower to my room naked, I heard a squeal behind me. ‘Mum!’ my daughter Rebbecka, 28, yelled in embarrassment – having caught a glimpse of my bottom. ‘Sorry, Becky,’ I giggled. I was always running around in the nude and Becky hated it – so I tried my best to cover up if I knew she was about. If I had it my way, I’d walk around naked all the time. I was proud of my body. I may be in my 50’s but I still feel young and full of life. Becky and I are mother and daughter, but we are also the best of friends. After getting divorced when Becky was a baby, I have raised her as a single mum. I had her at…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! This stylish soap dispenser and sponge keeps your sink side area organised and clutter free. It comes with a soft touch non-slip base. Fill with your favourite detergent or hand wash. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Can full of cola For a sparkling toilet bowl pour coke, or a similar sparkling drink, into the toilet and allow it to sit overnight before flushing away. Angela Garvin, Essex Splatter free When decorating, slip your hands inside a plastic sandwich bag to keep them clean of paint drips. Benita Graham, Devon Kitchen queen When my dishwasher gave up the ghost and I had to get rid of it, I saved the cutlery basket…