Pick Me Up! 11-Aug-2022

Clicking an advert that popped up on my computer, it came at the perfect time. ISP Fostering – the UK’s first therapeutic foster agency. Looking for way out of the stressful finance role I was in, I knew that I wanted to do something that could make a difference to someone, giving something back. I found that the information resonated with me, so requesting a call back, I waited for the phone to ring. Telling my partner, Ran, 49, all about what I had found, we looked at each other with a new excitement. After 21 years together, we knew this is what we wanted. And with Ran having a drama degree, encouraging a child with arts, as well as joining our little farm of two dogs, two cats and…

WE’RE LOVING Cleaning doesn’t need to be a chore. With Method’s Multi-Surface Concentrated Cleaner, you can spruce up your home with a gorgeous summer scent. Simply add water to make a spray bottle or bucket, or use it neat to tackle stubborn grime. Available in a 100% recycled bottle, you can reduce your plastic waste by switching to this fabulous new range. With just one bottle of your concentrate, you can make up to 24 spray bottles! Now that’s pretty neat! Available in four scents, you can pick a fragrance to suit you. • £5 each, available from Tesco Choose from: • Mango & Citrus • Lotus Flower & Sage • Bing Cherry & Bergamot • Jasmine & Cypress Wood FUN DAYS OUT Calling all thrill seekers! The London Dungeon…

My lovely flowers from winning your star prize arrived safely – they are so beautiful. Although, I’m not that good at arranging flowers – maybe some tips are needed! Rosemarie Webster, Windsor. STAR LETTER This is me and my partner Andrew enjoying a fabulous day at Hever Castle together. Paula Johnson, Kent. This cat is weird, she always sits on the edge of my bath dipping her paws in to steal my bath water! Lisa Adams, West Midlands. I like to keep myself active, so walking 20 plus miles a day is no trouble for me! Melanie Palmer, Bristol. I can’t resist a bargain, so when I saw flowers reduced to 50p each I snapped them up. They’ve grown to be ‘blooming’ lovely. Carole Gasan, Belfast. If your letter makes Star…

Giving the seat an almighty push, the swing flew into the air. ‘Higher,’ my 22-month-old son Kane, shouted, giving me a grin. After dropping my eldest Callum, now three, at nursery earlier on in the morning, it was our usual routine to head to the park for an hour or so of fun. Callum had been recently diagnosed with non-verbal autism which made life quite difficult at times. He wouldn’t be able to tell me what he wanted, and as a result he’d express challenging behaviours such as head banging – I could tell he was just frustrated. Only, in contrast, Kane would always tell me exactly what he wanted to do next. ‘Car,’ he pointed, spotting the mechanical rides. Kane was utterly obsessed with bikes, cars, and heroes. Batman…

Struggling to reach my toes, I finally managed to pull my socks from my feet, quickly throwing them onto the pile of clothing already in a heap on the bathroom floor. Stepping forward, I hopped onto the scales, avoiding the reflection in the corner of my eye. Only, looking down after a few seconds, I saw an unlikely result. Error. Taking another step forward, with a firmer step this time around, I waited for the numbers to flash on the screen. Yet, the same error code occurred. Grabbing my phone, I took a photo of the scales, before rushing to put my clothes back on. Squeezing into a size 26 outfit, I hurried downstairs. ‘Look at this,’ I sniffed, trying to hold back my tears. My then fiancé Dave, 37,…

This week, our tip of the week comes from a great product from Addis! This foldable chopping board turns into a clever chute which easily guides chopped food or waste into a pan. Just squeeze the comfortable soft grip handle. Dishwasher safe, with a non-slip base and a knife-friendly cutting surface. For more ways to make your life easier, visit: addis.co.uk Fresh kicks! To clean the white rubber areas on trainers, rub them with toothpaste. Abbie Cairns, Colchester. Tip of the week Every last bit! When you get to the bottom dregs of your lip balm, don’t just throw it away. Use it to spread on your cuticles to keep them soft and moisturised. Margaret Anderson, Sunderland. Going green for less… With many of us spending more time than ever in…