Table of contents for October 15, 2015 in Pick Me Up!

What A Drag! DIY. Do I have to?! I wrote about the things you learn when you’re doing up your home. Find out what I mean by going to www.lifedeathprizes.com and search ‘renovation’. What A Tweet! My boyfriend has a phobia of birds… So I never thought I’d see him holding two whopping great parrots when we were on holiday in Dubrovnik! That’s one way of facing your fears. What A Cat-nap A mog-loving friend and I went to Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium – a cafe where resident pussies have the run of the place. They even have their own beds! 4  That’s the number of weddings I’ve been to this year. Luckily, I didn’t buy four new dresses – it’s amazing what you can do by changing accessories (and…

Almost at once, I knew it was a mistake. ‘Mum!’ I cried from the bathroom. ‘I’m burning alive!’ It was January this year. Earlier that day, I’d picked up a home hair-dye kit. A rich brown. Time for a new me, I’d told myself. My hair was a deep, red burgundy. Not natural - the remnants of dying it a couple of years before. Now I’d decided to colour over it with the closest shade to my natural hair. Only... ‘Help me!’ I screamed. I’d followed the instructions and applied the dye. But then a searing, red-hot sensation ripped through my scalp. I couldn’t stand, couldn’t get to the bathroom door. Instead, I collapsed in a heap on the floor. ‘What on earth’s going on?’ my mum, Barez, 56, cried,…

Gemma, 34 Teenagers! Always got their heads glued to a screen. Telly, laptop, mobile phone. Coaxing conversation from my daughter, Amy, 14, could be tricky. I was lucky to get a yes, no or a simple shrug. Still, she was a good kid, and sensible. I’d never worried about who she spoke to online, assumed it was just her mates. Then, in December 2013, my fella, Stuart, 33, went on an evening’s Internet-awareness course for parents. There, he learned how quickly scary situations with strangers can escalate. ‘In chat rooms, grooming can start instantly,’ he told me, after. Shocked, he decided to be more responsible about Internet safety. Between us, Stuart and I have five kids, so we introduced a new rule. Once a month, at random, we’d ask to…

Cradle cap Q My baby has really scaly cradle cap and, although everyone tells me it’s harmless, sometimes big clumps of hair come away with the scales. I’m worried she’ll have no hair left soon – help! Nikki, Bournemouth A Don’t worry, the hair definitely grows back. But, you can reduce scale build-up by massaging almond or baby oil into her scalp at night, and regularly using gentle or baby shampoos. Wedding woe Q I’m getting married soon, and I’m fairly sure my period will come right in the middle of it and ruin it. Is there any way of changing my cycle so I miss it? Kate, Warrington A Yes, there’s a medicine that can delay your period for some time, or you can start the mini Pill, which…

Some crimes are so barbaric that they shock the world. When Jorge Beltrao Negromonte da Silveira’s evil acts of murder and cannibalism were finally uncovered in March 2012, the world couldn’t help being shocked, repulsed... Because residents of his hometown of Garanhuns, Brazil, also made a sickening discovery - that they had unwittingly eaten the cannibal’s female victims. Their flesh was stuffed in meat pastries, which his wife had sold to locals. Love triangle So, who was Jorge Negromonte da Silveira, and what turned him into a satanic cannibal killer? Born in Recife, Brazil, Jorge Beltrao Negromonte da Silveira was the son of Portuguese immigrants. The youngest of four brothers, his father was a lawyer, his mother a university professor. Jorge had few friends and spent most of his time…

Blueberry Muffins Serves: 6 Prep Time: 10 min Cook Time: 20 min 1 Preheat oven to 180/Gas 4, and place 6 paper cases into the holes of a muffin tin. 2 Beat butter and caster sugar together until light and creamy. Add eggs, and whisk until mixture is pale and fluffy – this is key to keeping muffins lovely and light in texture. 3 Gently fold in flour and, finally, stir in blueberries, adding milk as required to keep mixture moist, but not runny. 4 Divide between paper cases and bake for 20 min, until muffins spring back when lightly touched. 5 Cool slightly and serve warm. What To Eat Now Beetroot This versatile root is around until the end of the year. CHOOSING:…

When I first met Neil, I made my mark. It was 2002, and I was on a night out with friends, and making my way to the bar when... ‘Mind your stilettos, love,’ came a voice. I’d trodden on some poor bloke’s toe! I turned to apologise. And - I know it sounds weird - but I knew straightaway that Neil, now 37, was the man I’d spend the rest of my life with. We got chatting, swapped numbers. Soon, we were an item. Bubble burst Within a couple of years, we’d moved in together. And, after another year, in 2003, along came our daughter, Rhianne. ‘She’s just like you at that age,’ my mum, Frances, smiled. But then, in 2006, the bubble burst when I was diagnosed with breast…

Getting out of my relaxing bubble bath, I wrapped myself in a towel. Turning to drain the water, I paused and laughed. My moggy, Simba, was chilling in the tub as the water drained away. ‘What are you like?’ I said, giggling as he sat there with bubbles on his head. It wasn’t the first time he’d done it... It’s safe to say Simba, 2, is no ordinary cat. While moggies are known for hating water, he likes nothing better than a good, relaxing soak. Sometimes he can be in there for over an hour! I first realised he had a fondness for pampering when he was 5 months old. He’d come back from being neutered and was really dirty from being in his pet carrier. ‘I’m going to have…

Cocktail Spinner, £19.99, www.prezzybox.com If you like your drinks stirred, not shaken, then look no further! This clever contraption has a unique pump action that spins your drink for you, saving you time and arm power! BLK Water, £14.99 for six, www. firebox. com This might look like sludge, but it tastes almost exactly like normal water. The result of mixing water with supplement fulvic acid, its high content of electrolytes is said to make it great for curing hangovers. Manties, £19.99, www.firebox.com If your man enjoys the finer things in life, then these rose-embroidered pants might be right up his street! Available in black, white, hot pink and red – they’re certainly unusual!…

Examining the ultrasound scan, the doctor frowned. ‘What is it?’ I asked, anxious. ‘Your baby has water on the brain,’ she replied. First-time parents, my wife, Aimee, 40, and I were stunned. The pregnancy had been plain sailing until now - just two days before Aimee’s due date on 27 May 2006. We’d been called for a scan at Southampton General Hospital, as doctors suspected our baby was breech. ‘We won’t know more until after the birth, I’m sorry,’ the doctor added. The birth Both reeling with shock, we went home. ‘Whatever happens, we’ll cope,’ I assured Aimee. Worried sick, Aimee’s waters broke on her due date, and it was a tough, painful labour. After 24 hours, doctors rushed Aimee for an emergency Caesarean. Holding her hand, I watched, amazed,…

Clicking open the photo, my heart melted. ‘What do you think?’ my fiance, Shane Hampson, 28, asked in June this year. An adorable white-and-tabby cat, named Sheila, 3, was living at the Blue Cross charity, Cambridge, and needed a new home. Our son, Riley, 5, absolutely loves cats and really wanted one. Then Shane saw an advert for Sheila in an online newspaper. Gazing at her sweet little face, I couldn’t resist. ‘Let’s go and see her!’ I agreed. When we met her, it turned out she was no ordinary moggy... Born with a rare congenital disorder called polydactyly, little Sheila had an extra toe on each of her front paws. Instantly, Riley spotted her special addition. ‘She looks like she’s wearing mittens!’ he giggled, gleefully pointing at her unusual…

LIBRA 24 Sept–23 Oct It’ll be tempting to say things you don’t mean to close ones just to get a response. Stop and think about what you want to achieve from confrontations. Your answers could turn out to be very different from your initial reaction. Call: 09058 170 716* SCORPIO 24 Oct–22 Nov You’re approaching a really exciting time in your career where you no longer have to please everyone else – but you can afford to do what feels right for you. The stars favour solo projects and come with some very exciting travel. Call: 09058 170 717* SAGITTARIUS 23 Nov–21 Dec Children are of special significance and you start to see what you can do to help the younger generation who haven’t been able to help themselves much…

All babies put things they shouldn’t in their mouths - it’s normal. That’s what everyone said when my daughter, Lily, started chewing the carpet and her cuddly toys. But unlike most toddlers, Lily wasn’t just having an exploratory chew on things - she was actually eating them! When I started finding chunks bitten out of inedible things, I knew something was wrong. My fiance, Liam Mullins, 26, and I first noticed Lily had a taste for the unusual when she chewed her bathtime sponge at 5 months old. Worried, I spoke to my mum, Gerry, 53. ‘She’s teething, the sponge soothes her gums,’ Mum told me. I bought Lily teething rings and other rubber soothers but she just wasn’t interested in them. Then when she turned a year old, I…

I should’ve been happy. I’d just had a baby, and I was cradling him in my arms. But all I felt was despair. It was July 2003, and I knew that feeling all too well. Five years before, when I’d had my first baby, I’d been diagnosed with postnatal depression. Now I’d had my second, the PND was back. Only this time, it was worse. I started hallucinating wildly, like being in a nightmare except I was awake. It didn’t take long for me to be diagnosed with postpartum psychosis, given strong drugs. But I couldn’t help thinking this was all linked to other symptoms I’d suffered since I was 14, when my period started. At 16, I was diagnosed with depression. Except none of the treatments I was given…

1 This condition affects the blood supply to certain body parts. True False 2 Symptoms include colour changes in the skin. True False 3 There’s a known cause. True False 4 There is a cure for Raynaud’s. True False 1 TRUE In sufferers, the blood vessels go into temporary spasm, restricting the flow of blood – usually to fingers and toes. 2 TRUE Raynaud’s causes symptoms such as colour changes – for example, the extremities turning white – numbness, pain and pins and needles. Symptoms can last minutes or even a few hours. 3 FALSE Nobody knows the exact cause. It may be due to a chemical imbalance in the brain, genetics and triggers such as relationship breakdown or bereavement. 4 FALSE There is no cure, but treatments can help.…

A new word has made its way into Oxford Dictionaries. It’s the verb to ‘fat-shame’, defined as ‘to cause someone judged to be fat or overweight to feel humiliated by making mocking or critical comments about their size’. But the practice of fat-shaming is not new. One young woman, Steff Davies, 25, was walking her 4-year-old home from school recently. Crossing the road, a driver leaned out of his car window and shouted: ‘Get a move on, you fat b**ch!’ at her. ‘It really hurt me,’ she admits. ‘I don’t understand what possessed him to say that - in front of my young son, too.’ Disastrous effects A size-20, Steff has experienced similar comments since teenage. ‘I had a lot of name-calling at school,’ she says. ‘A lot of it…

Warming Quorn Sausage Cobbler Serves: 6 Prep Time: 10 min Cook Time: 45 min Scones: 1 Preheat oven to 190C/ Gas Mark 5. 2 Heat oil in a large saucepan and brown sausages for about 5 min, turning regularly. Remove from pan and cut each sausage into 4 pieces. 3 Add garlic, carrots, celery, onion and mushrooms to pan, and fry for 3-4 min until slightly softened. Pour in vegetable stock, add sausages, cannellini beans and oregano. Cover and simmer for 10 min. 4 Meanwhile, make scones. Sieve flour into a bowl, add herbs and a pinch of salt. Rub in butter, then slowly pour in milk (reserving a little), mixing to a soft dough.…

’That’s a hard-hitting story. How much can one person and one family take? But what really amazes me is how strong Teressa is. The whole family is an inspiration.’ Colette Mellor, Rotherham ’Teressa has such a brave attitude. To get through cancer and then find you have MS is horrific. But she’s making the most of life and enjoying it. We could all learn from her.’ Kellie Imrie, East Ayrshire ’I think it’s amazing that Teressa’s kept smiling throughout everything. She has a fantastic approach to all the rubbish life sometimes throws our way.’ Mayah Till, Derby…

Lacy Lund, 20, Grimsby, Lincolnshire Flowers, chocolates and champagne - my boyfriend, Dean Campbell, knew how to sweep a girl off her feet! We’d met two weeks earlier, in January 2012 - Dean had been celebrating his 20th birthday. I was 16 and had snuck in to the nightclub with mates. Dean had showered me with gifts and compliments ever since. Older and gorgeous, I couldn’t believe he was interested in me. Friends warned me about his bad-boy reputation. Dean said they were jealous and I agreed. But it wasn’t long before Dean showed his true colours. I was out with mates when Dean turned up out the blue. ‘I missed you,’ he smiled. So sweet, I’d thought, but later, his eyes had flashed with jealousy. Dean demanded to know…

TRIED & TESTED This week: Lip balm 1 Blistex MedPlus Repairing Lip Balm, £2.30, Boots I felt the tingling menthol getting to work straightaway on my cracked lips, instantly soothing them. I’ll stock up for winter! 2 Burt’s Bees Squeezable Beeswax Lip Balm, £4.99, www.burtsbees.co.uk This one had a sticky texture with a lovely peppermint taste. It stayed put on my pout for ages and gave it a glossy sheen. 3 Anatomicals Stop Cracking Up Lip Balm, £2.49, Boots I was already sold on the funky packaging alone, so was pleased to find this one was really soothing, and one tube lasted for ages. Jess’Beauty Hero Bubble T Bath Infusion T-Bags in Summer Fruits Tea, £5.99 for 10, Superdrug, make a fun, bathtime treat! READER’S TIP Remember to…

Jumping out of the shower, I wrapped myself in a warm dressing gown. I’d had a long day at work, was looking forward to a cuppa and an early night. But, first, I’d have a quick game of Pick Me Up! Bingo. I’d been playing since 2009. I loved that I could play in my own home. Plus, it was great having a natter in the chat rooms. The variety of games made it fun, too. I’d won six jackpots so far... The first was in October 2013 when I won an amazing £2,688. My second win of £2,122 came just two months later. And last February, I pocketed an incredible £9,726 jackpot! Since then, I’d gone on to win another £4,364 in total. I found each win just as…

One Monday morning in July this year, my hubby, Sonny, 26, was taking me to work in his van. On the M20, we suddenly heard a clicking noise, and smoke started rising from the engine. Sonny quickly pulled over, and, while I ran back down the hard shoulder, he lifted up the bonnet and peered inside. In horror, I spotted flames beneath the engine, out of Sonny’s line of vision. ‘Get away!’ I screamed. But Sonny didn’t move. Out of nowhere came a uniformed soldier. ‘Come away, now!’ he called to my builder hubby, and they ran towards me. Then… BANG! The engine exploded, and the van was engulfed in flames. Someone must’ve called the emergency services, as two fire engines arrived to tackle the blaze as we…

I was taking in the sea view from Blackpool Tower when my boyfriend, Simon Fenney, 38, dropped to one knee. ‘Will you marry me?’ he asked, holding out a diamond ring. ‘Yes!’ I gasped, surprised. It was August 2014, and Simon and I had only been together for seven months. But we started talking excitedly about the future. ‘Let’s get our own place,’ Simon grinned. ‘What about kids?’ I asked. ‘If it happens, it happens,’ he said. He had two children from a previous relationship, and we were happy either way. By February this year, we’d got our own house and started saving for the wedding. But, over the spring months, I suffered several dizzy spells, fainted twice. Other than that, I felt perfectly healthy. ‘It’s the heat,’ I said…

Tuning into the news, my heart was thumping, my stomach churning. ‘Royal Marines invade Iraq,’ said the reporter. It was March 2003, and my husband, Lee, 34, was a corporal in the Marines - and part of the 3 Commando Brigade that’d been shipped out to the Middle East, waiting for orders. It’d all been top-secret. When he left, we’d had no idea if there would be a war. But now I knew. My husband is in a war zone. Motorway smash I’d met Lee at a youth club when we were both teenagers. He’d joined the Marines aged 23, just before we married. In 1994, aged 25, he’d completed his first tour of duty in Northern Ireland. And, by the time he was deployed to Iraq, we’d had Harriet,…

Light up Use fluorescent stickers on your bathroom light switches and door handles so they’re easier to find at night. Annette Chambers, West London Sweet scent Dab a few drops of scented oil onto the inner tube of a toilet roll to keep the bathroom smelling nice. Angela Garvin, Romford Protective layers Put old place mats or coasters under toilet brushes and cleaning products to prevent stains. Jacqueline Wilkins, Frome DIY toys Hang onto detergent measuring tops – they make fun bath toys for kids. Hayley Tomkins, Swansea…

Seasickness When some people travel on a boat, they can experience dizziness, nausea and vomiting, the symptoms of seasickness. Most will adapt as they get used to the feeling of motion. Wearing acupressure bands and getting fresh air can help. If your symptoms continue back home, see your GP, as they could be due to the viral inner-ear infection, labyrinthitis. Give Yourself A Lift Toast to that! Mash avocado with lemon juice and pepper and serve on wholemeal toast. It’s full of healthy fats to give you energy.…

But Debra’s girl is back dancing I grinned and whooped as I watched my daughter, Lucy, 13, perform a series of difficult moves on stage. I was so proud, loved watching her perform her gymnastic and dance routines. She worked hard, too, practicing five days a week for competitions. The whole family was behind her. Her dad, William, 50, and older sister, Penny, 16... But, on 7 September last year, I noticed something strange. Her back looked weird, and her ribcage was sticking out. Panicked, I decided to take her to A&E at the local hospital. She was referred to a spinal specialist at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, who gave her an X-ray. ‘Lucy has idiopathic scoliosis,’ the doctor said. I’d never heard of it, but he explained…

’I’m a size-16, and happy with my weight, but an ex-partner’s son once called me a ”fat b**ch”, and it did sting. People that horrid are obviously insecure.’ Alana Worthington, Merthyr Tydfil ‘I’ve been ”fat-shamed” all my life – at school, college, and even by strangers. I constantly worry about what people think of me now – which is so superficial, I feel guilty.’ Abbey Jo, Barnsley ‘I was once very thin through illness, and told by a stranger that I should eat some cakes. I’m now a bit overweight, and a man told me he’s glad he doesn’t have to pay for my food. Both hurt.’ Cass Green, via Facebook…

1 Lidl Newgate Carrot & Coriander Soup This strongly flavoured soup, enriched with creme fraiche, is quite thick, so it’s good and filling – and with just 79 cals for a half-can serving, it makes an easy, healthy lunch. 2 Heinz Carrot & Coriander Soup This one narrowly missed the top slot when we tasted it – it was just pipped to the post on price. But we loved this for its almost-smooth texture and creamy, vegetable flavour. 3 Morrisons NuMe Carrot & Coriander Soup Despite its low-fat label, it has 1 calorie more per serving than the Heinz soup. But this has a lovely, chunky texture and a tastes just like home-made.…

‘I’m shocked by how cruel he was. I’m glad she no longer looks in the mirror and is reminded of what her ex did. The sentencing is a disgrace.’ Kelly Imrie, 32, Hurlford ‘It’s brave that Lucy’s told her story. The strongest of women can get caught up in believing a violent partner can and will change… Gemma Louise Stidolph, 32, Newcastle upon Tyne ‘It’s so positive that she now feels confident enough to enter pageants. And it’s good that she wants to warn women about the signs of domestic violence, too.’ Brita Bevis, 65, Sleaford…

Flattering Fashion GET SHORTY! Love these clever running shorts. They have a tight, stretchy layer to hug your skin, keep you warm and soak up the sweat, plus a pretty, baggy layer to help you look great! And they’re a bargain price, too! Food Swaps Swap LARGE GLASS OF ROSE WINE… 180 CAL For A SIN GLE GIN AND SLIMLINE TONIC… 50 CAL Did you know..? According to MAN v FAT, obesity kills over twice as many people annually (30,000) as sharks (5), rollercoasters (6), vending machines (13), ants (30), jellyfish (40), tornadoes (60), volcanoes (845), hippos (2,900), lightning (10,000) and falling out of bed (450) combined! Have You Tried? What is it? Three winter-themed, 10k runs in London, Liverpool and Manchester, are inviting participants to conquer the cold and…

In November 2011, a new bloke, Craig Burt, 25, started working at Trocaderos, where I had a job as a barmaid. ‘I really fancy him,’ I confessed to my workmate, Kayleigh. With dreamy brown eyes, he was gorgeous - and he made me laugh, too. A month on, Kayleigh told Craig I had a crush on him! Thankfully, he felt the same, and it was fun working together and becoming an item. Our boss, Kimberley, was always full of team-building ideas. We’d often do bonding exercises, like scavenger hunts. And, on 8 June this year, she’d planned another... At 7pm, Craig and I were put in different teams. Working against the clock, our task was to decipher riddles, each one leading to the next. The first took us to another…

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