Pick Me Up! Special January 2021

As we welcome in the new year, many of us will be looking forward to a fresh start. Now we’ve had time to reflect on the year gone, we can look forward to a more optimistic future. Carron (pg44) knows all too well how rewarding a fresh start can be. After tragically losing her partner unexpectedly, she made a change for the better. Determined to look at life with a glass half-full attitude, she now runs a successful women’s empowerment business for her fellow sisters. And she’s not the only person with a positive attitude this month. After struggling with her cancer diagnosis, Vanessa (pg30) turned to her family for help. With nine breast cancer survivors amongst them, the remarkable family created a naked calendar to raise awareness around this awful disease.…

As we welcome in the new year, many of us will be looking forward to a fresh start. Now we’ve had time to reflect on the year gone, we can look forward to a more optimistic future. Carron (pg44) knows all too well how rewarding a fresh start can be. After tragically losing her partner unexpectedly, she made a change for the better. Determined to look at life with a glass half-full attitude, she now runs a successful women’s empowerment business for her fellow sisters. And she’s not the only person with a positive attitude this month. After struggling with her cancer diagnosis, Vanessa (pg30) turned to her family for help. With nine breast cancer survivors amongst them, the remarkable family created a naked calendar to raise awareness around this…

Brilliant bake My mum baked me a delicious lemon drizzle cake, decorated with lavender from the garden. Debbie, Exeter Pony petting My boyfriend made friends with a Dartmoor pony. Monica, St Ives Weekend treats My patner indulging in a burger after a long week of work. Tina, St Albans Celebratory swans A wonderful stay at a local hotel for my husband, Heath's, 50th birthday. Linda, Bahrain Flaming good Nothing says winter like a Baileys hot chocolate and smores by the bonfire. Masie, Milton Keynes Very Vogue My son, Charlie, showing off his new clothes. Kate, Tewksbury Wonderful waters A winter weekend away with my boyfriend to the Lake District. Charlene, Carlisle Family celebrations New Year’s Eve fireworks at my parents’ house. Crystal, Warrington 'M' themed party Me and my friends managed a small but successful fancy dress party. Hana, Brighton How funny! Which kinds of hats are always frozen? Ice caps. What did the icy puddle say to the boy? Want…

Brilliant bake My mum baked me a delicious lemon drizzle cake, decorated with lavender from the garden. Debbie, Exeter Pony petting My boyfriend made friends with a Dartmoor pony. Monica, St Ives Weekend treats My patner indulging in a burger after a long week of work. Tina, St Albans Celebratory swans A wonderful stay at a local hotel for my husband, Heath's, 50th birthday. Linda, Bahrain Flaming good Nothing says winter like a Baileys hot chocolate and smores by the bonfire. Masie, Milton Keynes Very Vogue My son, Charlie, showing off his new clothes. Kate, Tewksbury Wonderful waters A winter weekend away with my boyfriend to the Lake District. Charlene, Carlisle Family celebrations New Year’s Eve fireworks at my parents’ house. Crystal, Warrington 'M' themed party Me and my friends…

My gorgeous black and white Staffie jumped up the garden path, scampering towards a young man. ‘What’s her name?’ he smiled, playing with her. ‘She’s called Mollie,’ I said. ‘She’s six.’ ‘I’m Christopher, I live next door,’ he explained. He was living in a shared house with a bunch of other guys around his age, then 23. It felt nice to make a new friend, and after our first meeting, I’d often let Chris look after Mollie when I was at work. We became good friends Chris was unemployed, and he got on so well with Mollie. They really adored each other. In 2014, I was working at a local charity shop in Chatham, Kent. I’d had a dreadful run of luck in recent years. My daughter had died, then my husband, and I even lost my house. Living in a new…

My gorgeous black and white Staffie jumped up the garden path, scampering towards a young man. ‘What’s her name?’ he smiled, playing with her. ‘She’s called Mollie,’ I said. ‘She’s six.’ ‘I’m Christopher, I live next door,’ he explained. He was living in a shared house with a bunch of other guys around his age, then 23. It felt nice to make a new friend, and after our first meeting, I’d often let Chris look after Mollie when I was at work. We became good friends Chris was unemployed, and he got on so well with Mollie. They really adored each other. In 2014, I was working at a local charity shop in Chatham, Kent. I’d had a dreadful run of luck in recent years. My daughter had died, then…