Table of contents for 22-Dec-2020 in Pick Me Up!

Heading into school, I dreaded the day ahead. I’d been diagnosed with autism at the age of five, and I hadn’t received the support I desperately needed throughout my education. Finding it difficult on both an educational and a social level, I suffered with anxiety. The only thing that got me through it was my love of cars. I first fell in love with vehicles when I was three-years-old. I remember it clear as day. Sitting down on the floor watching Top Gear, I was absolutely fascinated. From there, my passion continued to grow. Learning all about super cars and classic cars, I knew one day, it would be me behind the wheel. That’s why, in 2018, I started up Autoism. It’s a social media page created to combine my…

Solve the puzzle to spell out a term related to the picture. The arrows show you where to put your answers. The answer is spelled in the yellow squares. Follow it! Gardener Hot Trend!…

Tapping away at my laptop in August this year, I was trying to get some last minute work done. It might have been a Sunday evening, but running my own digital marketing company, I was always busy. Besides, my partner Luca, 47, wasn’t feeling very well, so the day had been a right off anyway. He’d been sick a few times, but neither of us thought it was anything to worry about. I’d left him to get some rest and decided to use the time to crack on with some work. Luca and I had been together since meeting back in 2013. Sharing a love of gaming, we met at a computing event in Manchester. Luca had slicked back, dark hair and wore utilitarian style clothing. And although I wasn’t…

Role playing with my friends in primary school, I declared to everyone: ‘My character is going to be a woman!’ My mates were all 10, so none of them questioned my desire to be female. We were all just young children, having fun with imaginary play. Only, my yearning to be a female came from a much deeper place. From a very young age, I used to think: Why can’t I just be one of the girls? I didn’t want to be called Joseph or Joe, and walking into the boy’s toilets didn’t feel right. I loved football and I was quite androgynous, but I wasn’t comfortable in my own body. When I hit secondary school, I started to lose physical control and my feelings escalated quickly. Puberty brought on…

Emptying felt tip pens and crayons onto the table, I called out to my son Sam: ‘Come and write a thank you card for your grandparents!’ Huffing and puffing as any other six-year-old would, Sam wasn’t interested. So, I started doodling our black Labrador Nala. ‘Why don’t you colour it in?’ I asked, trying to inspire him. In no time, Sam had coloured in Nala and written the thank you card. Later that day, I uploaded a photo of the drawing onto Facebook with a jokey caption: Pet portraits for sale, £299, place your orders! It was just meant as a bit of fun, but by the end of the day, I had seven requests for drawings of people’s pets. ‘Surely not?’ I laughed to my wife Ashley, 38. ‘My…

Twinkle and shine MAVALA TWIST AND SHINE COLLECTION, £5.50 PER BOTTLE, JOHN LEWIS No matter your plans this New Years Eve, add a touch of sparkle to your look. Not one to dim the shine, multi-award winning Swiss nailcare brand, Mavala, has created a dazzling new nail collection that encapsulates all the glitter and joy of Christmas in one collection. Inspired by astrological wonders, parallel universes and enchanting fairytales, the Twist and Shine collection comes in six sparkling shades. Each polish is made with ultra-fine mica pearls, which are ground down to a fine powder, creating a natural shimmery effect, to sparkle and twinkle any end-of-year celebration. Meet the collection: 1. Copper Twist: A bright copper – blazing reflections of the fire. 2. Moon Twist: A pale pink – soft…

Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I took a deep breath and smiled. You can do this,’ I said to myself, after finally settling on an outfit. It was November 2000, and I was getting ready to go on my first blind date. I knew nothing about the man I was meeting, other than his name – Neil. After running a brush through my hair one last time, I headed out the door and walked to my local pub in Bardwell, Suffolk, before settling at the bar. As corny as it sounds, the moment I saw him walk through the door, I knew it was true love. ‘You must be Carol,’ he grinned, walking over and kissing me on the cheek. Strangely, I knew he felt the same way,…

From KFC’s Quorn Burger to Subway’s Meatless Marinara and the all-famous Greggs’ Vegan Sausage Roll, meat-free alternatives are popping up everywhere. And we’re all eager to try a slice of the vegan pie! According to The Vegan Society, the number of vegans in the UK quadrupled between 2014 and 2019. As the demand for plant-based foods increased, popular fast-food chains and supermarkets began producing mainstream vegan food and drink. In January 2020, over 650 new vegan products launched into the wider market. The same month, 400,000 people worldwide signed up to the Veganuary movement. That’s over 150,000 more people than 2019. Veganuary is a 30-day challenge that asks participants to only eat plant-based foods in January. Over 1 million Brits are now vegan. However, for many it’s not just one…

GET INVOLVED Young people’s mental health and wellbeing has never been so important! On Wednesday 3 February 2021, Now and Beyond on Inside Out Day will host the UK’s first ever mental health and wellbeing festival for schools. Beyond are a grant-giving organisation committed to making a difference to the mental health of young people up and down the UK. Inside Out Day marks a day during Children’s Mental Health Week, where children and teachers are asked to wear an item of clothing inside out. This February, Beyond and Inside Out have joined forces to create an important event: Now and Beyond. They aim to reach as many school children across the UK as possible by facilitating free virtual sessions between schools and mental health hosts. They are recruiting a…

Scrolling through my phone, a notification popped up from Plenty of Fish to tell me I had a match. I wonder what he’s like, I thought, opening the app. It was a guy called Damion Duffin, 30, and he was really goodlooking. When I’d first seen his profile a few hours earlier, I was instantly attracted to him. He was a good looking bloke, so I was pretty chuffed when the two of us matched up. And then, moments later, I received a message from him. You’re stunning, he wrote. I felt my cheeks blush as I read on. Typing back a response, soon the pair of us were deep in thoughtful conversation. Messaging back and forth, in April last year, it soon became apparent we had a fair few…

There’s nothing cosier than wrapping yourself up in faux fur! We’ve rounded up the chicest fluffy options available to shop right now. From prints to classic neutrals, trims to collars and investment pieces to affordable pieces, there’s something for everyone in this edit. Top tip Add texture to your look with an accessory. Top tip Dress with a clear conscience in faux fur! Top tip Embrace the cold weather in a warm coat. Wardrobe declutter January is the perfect time to have a proper clear out of your clothes and reorganise your space. However, it can feel like a hugely daunting task. The more clothes we have, the harder it is to declutter! Award-winning stylist Susie Hasler (www.styledbysusie.co.uk) shares her top tips for a quick decluttering this New Year… DITCH…

Walking into the kitchen, I smiled at my hubby Blake, now 33. ‘Morning, love,’ I said. ‘How was work?’ It was early 2019, and Blake was working night shifts as a care assistant. ‘Not bad,’ Blake said. ‘I’m starving, though!’ Every morning, he came home from work ravenous for a fry up. I watched him plate up four pieces of white bread, bacon, eggs and sausages, and dive in. Blake and I had been married for 10 years, and we had two children Toby, now six, and Sophie, now five. The kids always ate separate, healthy meals to us. Whilst my weight has always been a steady 12st, Blake has always been bigger. At 23st, with a 40-inch waist, Blake loved any greasy food that would fill him up. He’d…

As I listened to the practise nurse tell me I needed to take daily medication, my heart sank. It was March 2019, and I’d just been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and now the only way to control it was by popping pills every day. ‘I don’t want this,’ I sighed. ‘If you make changes to your diet and lifestyle now, you might not need to take them forever,’ the nurse explained. ‘But for now you need them.’ I knew I’d gained weight over the years, but I was never one to worry about it. As a busy social worker, I was often snacking on chocolate or treating myself to the odd slice of cake in between meetings. I even had a treat tin sat on my desk for when…

Complete the grid then read down the shaded squares to reveal the hidden answer. Clue: Scientist. ACROSS 1 _ Iscariot, love interest in the 1979 film Monty Python’s Life of Brian (6) 4 Counting frames (8) 10 Playwright (9) 11 Bird type (5) 12 Pulped fruit or vegetables (5) 13 2018 comedy film starring 21 Across, 5 Down, 20 Down and 22 Down (4,5) 14 A hold-up (7) 16 Pleasant (4) 19 Stern and miserable (4) 21 Jesse _, played Todd in hit TV series Breaking Bad (7) 24 Indirect costs (9) 25 __ Starr, drummer (5) 26 Rhinoceros, in short (5) 27 Correction (9) 28 Brisk clash or encounter (8) 29 Thrown casually (6) DOWN 1 Riding breeches (8) 2 Forceful and bitter verbal attack (8) 3 Vestige (5)…

Standing with a pair of scissors in my hand, it was time to give my son a trim. ‘Sit still, I don’t want to cut your ear,’ I told Gabriel, then eight. ‘Fine,’ he huffed. I’d been cutting his hair for years, but he hated having to sit still while I did so. ‘There, all done,’ I told him. ‘Wasn’t too bad, was it?’ ‘No,’ he shrugged. It was hard not to laugh at his cross little face as he got up from the chair. ‘I think I want to try growing my hair out,’ he told me a little while afterwards. I knew he’d only said it because he hated getting his hair cut, so I didn’t think it would stick. Only, as the weeks rolled by, he was…

Scouring through Facebook Marketplace, I was doing my usual evening browse. ‘Any luck?’ my partner Stephen, 41, asked me. ‘Not today,’ I said, popping my phone back down onto our vintage coffee table. Although today hadn’t been a success, I’d been pretty lucky with some of the hidden gems I’d found online. From our velvet green sofa, to 70s artwork - I’d found it all on Facebook and I certainly wasn’t stopping my search for 70s paraphernalia any time soon. You see, I adore everything about the decade. From the clothes, to the decor, I love it all and within two minutes of walking into my home, you know that. From floor to ceiling, my house is decked out in entirely 70s style decor. My obsession started when I was…

FILM 1 Who won an Oscar for best actress for her role in Judy? a Jessie Buckley b Renée Zellweger c Scarlett Johansson 2 Which Broadway production was released as a film in July? a Hamilton b Moulin Rouge c Wicked 3 Which WW2 film, released this year, did Tom Hanks star in? a Greyhound b Jojo Rabbit c Enemy Lines 4 Which Jane Austin novel film adaption came out this year? a Persuasion b Mansfield Park c Emma 5 Which comedy actor starred in Netflix’s Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga? a John C. Reilly b Eddie Murphy c Will Ferrell SHOWBIZ 6 Which US state did Meghan and Harry move to in March? a California b Los Angeles c Las Vegas 7 Which Justin had a baby boy in July? a Bieber b Long c…

However, almost immediately after he moved in, things began to change. Damion was quite controlling and wanted to be with me at all hours of the day. I’d always been quite an independent woman, so it was suffocating me. ‘We don’t need to be joined at the hip,’ I tried to tell him. ‘I just love spending time with you,’ he’d smile. Maybe he was trying to be flattering and a good boyfriend, but I wanted time to myself. Even just a couple of hours. ‘I’m off to see my friends,’ I explained as I headed for the front door. ‘I’ll join you,’ he insisted, grabbing his coat. It was exhausting and my friends were starting to become concerned, too. ‘It’s getting a bit weird now,’ they told me. ‘He…

Looking at my Christmas list just a few days before Santa was due, I still had loads of shopping left to get. ‘I’m never going to get all this done,’ I sighed to my husband Alby, 22. ‘I don’t think anyone is expecting you to,’ he laughed, cradling our newborn baby in his arms. But I was determined to make Christmas special - not just for them, but for my two boys, Mayson, nine, and Brynlee, four. ‘The boys will just be happy we’re all together,’ Alby reassured me. And as I looked at Maylee who wasn’t even a month old yet, I knew he was right. The boys were happy we were all home, spending Christmas as a family. Besides, I’d not exactly been able to see much of…

On a countdown to a romantic break with her boyfriend, dentist Kendra Hatcher had plenty to smile about. She’d spent the day doing a job she loved and was one sleep away from a long weekend to Cancun, Mexico. As Kendra, 35, finished work and headed back to her luxury Dallas apartment in September 2015, she felt the happiness that her loved ones knew she deserved. Originally from Illinois, Kendra had worked hard at everything she put her mind to. In her spare time, she was involved with the church and the community. Everyone was drawn to her kindness and smile. After studying dentistry, and coming out of a broken marriage to her college boyfriend, Kendra moved to Dallas in 2010 to start her career as a dentist. She made…

Fireworks and furry friends New Year’s Eve fireworks can be a stressful time for many of our four-legged friends, with loud noises and bright lights causing anxiety. The Kennel Club has rounded up some tips to keep your dog safe and comfortable: PREPARE You can prepare your dog by playing them firework sounds in the weeks leading up to the night. Create a safe den for your dog for when they feel scared. Try to anticipate timings and feed and walk your dog before fireworks start. KEEP CALM AND CUDDLE When fireworks take place, try to behave as normal as possible and remain happy and calm to send positive signals to your dog. Shut all doors and windows and turn the TV up. Give your dog cuddles and don’t punish…

In New Albany, Indiana, there was a missing mum, and police were trying to reunite her with her children. Rebecca Hoover was a mum of three, that included an eight-year-old son. But Rebecca’s mum hadn’t seen her in a few days and was growing concerned. It was August this year, and Rebecca, 38, hadn’t contacted any one in days. As a committed mother to her kids, it was extremely unlikely that Rebecca had left them, but life had been tough for her recently – so did she feel she had no other choice but to get away from her volatile relationship? Rebecca always fought for what was right, so maybe she’d finally taken a stand and had gone on the run. Rebecca’s marriage to her husband, Judson Hoover, had sadly…

Holding my husband’s hand, I waited patiently for the ultrasound results. My heart was thumping with anxiety, and I had a hunch that something was wrong. ‘It’ll be okay,’ my husband Rob, 42, smiled. I was 21-weeks pregnant with our baby boy. ‘I’m so sorry Valerie,’ the sonographer said. ‘The ultrasound revealed that you have an incompetent cervix.’ I had never heard of it before, but I quickly learnt that an incompetent cervix is a medical condition where the cervix shortens and opens prematurely in pregnancy. Early into pregnancy, it can be fatal and often causes women to miscarry. Superman was the same size as him Looking at Rob, I felt overwhelmed with shock. Quickly, I was rushed to hospital for a cervical cerclage to attempt to stitch my cervix…

Animal Park At Christmas, BBC One In a special week of programmes, Animal Park returns to celebrate a magical Christmas at Longleat Safari Park. The keepers are working hard to ensure their creatures are ready for the winter, whilst Ben Fogle and Kate Humble are set to deliver us a huge slice of festive spirit and heartwarming tales. Joy spreads across the park as the keepers welcome some early Christmas presents – lots of new animal arrivals from afar. There are furry binturongs, cute fennec foxes, adorable dik diks and some jumpy ostriches. We’ll be following their first steps into the park as the keepers nervously mix them with the current residents – will it be love at first sight–or claws at dawn? Elsewhere, Christmas arrives at the elephant house…

Crowding round for our morning meeting in work, I listened to my manager Louise Lambert, then 39. ‘Next up, has everyone completed the stool charts?’ she asked. ‘Here she goes again…’ I said, as we all chuckled. ‘Always on about their bowels!’ We worked in Ashcombe House Nursing Home, and Louise was always worried about the residents being regular. The Bristol stool chart had become a bit of an inside joke. It’s a chart used to classify human faeces into one of seven categories, which can then diagnose other health issues. Bowel movements are a big issue in care homes – to make sure people are going and, if they aren’t, why not. However, Louise had become a bit obsessed! She was always on about bowels As we dispersed back…