Pick Me Up! 18-Nov-2021

During my time at college, I enjoyed the nursing course that I was enrolled on. But after completing my exams, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my career. I worked as a prison custody officer for over 15 years, transferring offenders from the police station to courts and then prisons. Although I had a duty of care, I wasn’t able to change people’s lives for the better and that was something I had always wanted to do. I was involved in a serious car accident, where the van carrying the prisoners crashed. In that moment, I knew something had to change. I can’t do this anymore. So, in 2011, I took the plunge and changed careers. I applied to be a caregiver. As soon as I walked…

WE’RE LOVING Calling all chocolate lovers! World renowned luxury chocolate producer, Lindt & Sprüngli has announced the launch of their new hot chocolate. A velvety smooth and luxuriously creamy hot chocolate drink crafted with passion using the delicious Lindt chocolate. This new hot chocolate is the first drink to be produced by the iconic chocolatiers. With frosty mornings and shorter days, enjoy everything you love about Lindt in a warming drink during the winter season – guaranteed to satisfy any chocolate cravings! • Available now from Tesco, £4 Fun days out Birmingham can boast that it’s home to the world’s largest Primark, but now it has another claim to fame as Legoland Discovery Centre opens the doors to the world’s smallest store! The LEGO model, which will be situated within…

Flying Flowers 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.…

Slipping on a black leather bodysuit, I couldn’t wait to get my groove on. ‘You look nice,’ my husband Steve, 43, smiled. It was 21 August this year, and I was off on a night out with my friend Vicky, 44. We worked together as support workers, so we thought we deserved a night out after Covid. ‘Have a good time,’ Steve smiled before I left. He was staying at home with our children Ryan, 16, and Connor, 13. Our daughter Elisha, 24, no longer lives at home, but we’re all still close. Jumping in the car, I drove the 40-minute journey to Vicky’s house. Our plan was to hit a gin bar for the evening, before crashing at hers. However, known as the party animals, the gin bar we…

Lugging her bags through the door, I was glad to have my girl home. It was March last year, and due to Covid, my daughter Emily, then 21, was forced to return home from university. ‘I hope this doesn’t go on for too long,’ she sighed as she sat on the sofa. At the time, Emily was studying business psychology at Loughborough University. In her second year, she was studying for her exams and Covid had really put a spanner in the works. However, despite now being at home, Emily knuckled down, and put all of her energy into revision and studying. After completing her degree, she planned on doing her PGCE training so she could achieve her dreams of being a primary school teacher. We were so proud of…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! With a slotted design, this handy spatula has a high-grade Nylon anti-scratch head to stop your pans getting marked or scratched. There is a serrated edge, for cutting and separating and as well as being durable and easy to clean, it’s dishwasher safe. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Sweet smell! I pop cardboard air fresheners into my husband’s trainers overnight when they start to pong a bit! Katie Gooding, Tidworth Ultimut idea! Try washing your dog’s bedding in dog flea shampoo as a deterrent against any stray beasties! Mandy Keay, Angus Dish you were here The draining rack can get a bit yucky. Every now and then I pop it in…