Pick Me Up! Special December 2020

Winter is often a good time to reflect on all we have achieved. As we spend more time at home, we can take a breather before the festivities begin. It’s easy to imagine Natalie (pg15) reading one of her own stories to her little ones in bed. As she drafts new ideas for her creative children’s books, the evenings are a wonderful time for her to reflect and brainstorm – after all, it’s probably one of the few moments she gets to herself! As busy mums, ‘me time’ is a rarity, so when we have it, we should make the most of it. Whether that’s a bath, a cup of tea, or reliving the torturous bleep test. Abi (pg34), always wanted to be a firefighter like her father, but her weight stood in…

Winter is often a good time to reflect on all we have achieved. As we spend more time at home, we can take a breather before the festivities begin. It’s easy to imagine Natalie (pg15) reading one of her own stories to her little ones in bed. As she drafts new ideas for her creative children’s books, the evenings are a wonderful time for her to reflect and brainstorm – after all, it’s probably one of the few moments she gets to herself! As busy mums, ‘me time’ is a rarity, so when we have it, we should make the most of it. Whether that’s a bath, a cup of tea, or reliving the torturous bleep test. Abi (pg34), always wanted to be a firefighter like her father, but her…

Girl gang Celebrations with my group of friends. R. Crass, Bristol Piled high A delicious mountain of pasta in my local Italian. Tory, Sheffield New home Celebrated my friend’s first home with a takeaway night! Audrey, Manchester Top of the world Sunday morning hike with my partner. Mandy, Newport Feeding the ducks My children love nothing more than a trip to the park! Gerri, Portsmouth Cheers! This bar had over 400 gins! How could I possibly choose? Mollie, Bristol Cocktail club I’d like every cocktail I have to come with a biscuit from now on. Katy, Bath Being the best My daughter sent these gorgeous flowers in the post during lockdown. Theresa, Salisbury Eggcellent Brunch date with my sister in our favourite spot. Cheslea, Dorset…

Girl gang Celebrations with my group of friends. R. Crass, Bristol Piled high A delicious mountain of pasta in my local Italian. Tory, Sheffield New home Celebrated my friend’s first home with a takeaway night! Audrey, Manchester Top of the world Sunday morning hike with my partner. Mandy, Newport Feeding the ducks My children love nothing more than a trip to the park! Gerri, Portsmouth Cheers! This bar had over 400 gins! How could I possibly choose? Mollie, Bristol Cocktail club I’d like every cocktail I have to come with a biscuit from now on. Katy, Bath Being the best My daughter sent these gorgeous flowers in the post during lockdown. Theresa, Salisbury Eggcellent Brunch date with my sister in our favourite spot. Cheslea, Dorset…

Chatting to a colleague in work, she seemed a little stressed out. ‘I can’t find a babysitter,’ Lily*, 33, groaned, as we were serving on the tills at the convenience store where we worked. ‘When do you need one?’ I asked her. ‘Well, I was hoping to go out for a bit on Boxing Day,’ she said. ‘I’ll do it,’ I told her, without hesitation. Lily and I had been friends for eight years after we met at the shop where we were regularly on shift with one another. ‘You deserve to let your hair down,’ I smiled. ‘Rachel, are you sure?’ she asked. I nodded and she squealed with delight, throwing her arms around me. When I told my husband, Wayne, 41, what I’d agreed to, he wasn’t happy.…

Chatting to a colleague in work, she seemed a little stressed out. ‘I can’t find a babysitter,’ Lily*, 33, groaned, as we were serving on the tills at the convenience store where we worked. ‘When do you need one?’ I asked her. ‘Well, I was hoping to go out for a bit on Boxing Day,’ she said. ‘I’ll do it,’ I told her, without hesitation. Lily and I had been friends for eight years after we met at the shop where we were regularly on shift with one another. ‘You deserve to let your hair down,’ I smiled. ‘Rachel, are you sure?’ she asked. I nodded and she squealed with delight, throwing her arms around me. When I told my husband, Wayne, 41, what I’d agreed to, he wasn’t happy. ‘But it’s Christmas time,’ he said. ‘And you’ve got a…