Table of contents for 24-May-2018 in Pick Me Up!

Thanking her for all that she does is most important Please can I say a big thank you to my mum for being such a wonderful person? When I was a little girl, I was a real daddy’s girl and definitely took my mum for granted. And, as I got older, there were all the usual dramas. But, as I grew up, I realised just how much I needed my mum in my life. And now, Mum is my best friend and I want her to know how much I love and appreciate her. Even when she was robbed of celebrating her golden anniversary because my beloved dad passed away beforehand - and her heart was breaking - she still managed to stay so strong. I just wanted Mum to…

I rolled down the window an inch and a hand shot into the car... With a large glass of wine, I settled onto the sofa. The house was silent apart from the murmur of the TV. I had nothing to do. No-one to talk to. And it was absolute bliss! It was last November, and a month earlier I’d broken up with my hubby Andrew, 52. After 24 years of marriage, I’d simply had enough. We’d met as teenagers and had two sons together, Lee, now 30, and Joe, 24. To begin with, our marriage had been happy. But over time, Andrew had developed a possessive side. He didn’t like me seeing my friends and stopped my family from visiting. He’d accuse me of cheating on him, which was ridiculous.…

We were united in one thing: our hatred of physical exercise Next thing I knew, I was on the floor, struggling to breathe From the moment we were born, my identical twin sister Lindsey was my closest friend. But she was also my biggest rival. From toddlers to teens, we were always trying to outdo each other. Wanting to be the funniest or loudest or most helpful when we were young kids. Then we wanted to be the cleverest and most successful. ‘I’ve been predicted an A for Science and Maths,’ I gloated one night in April 1999. ‘Oh, really?’ Lindsey smirked back. ‘Well, I’m getting A stars!’ Our mum Heather, 38, just rolled her eyes. As it turned out, there wasn’t much between our results. Which was probably just…

Keratosis pilaris 1 It is a rare and very serious condition. 2 There is no cure for this condition. 3 You must seea GP as soon as possible. 4 It's mostly found at the topof the arms. 1 FALSE It’s a common and harmless condition where the skin becomes rough and bumpy–similar to goosebumps, but permanent. 2 TRUE There’s no cure, but the rash can be improved by using soap-free cleansers, gentlyexfoliating, and moisturising. 3 FALSE There’s no need to see a GP unless the condition is causing you real concern. It usually improves as you get older. 4 TRUE It is also often found around the buttocks and onthe front of the thighs.…

My daughter Caitlin danced around the living room, pop music blaring out. She knew all the moves, didn’t miss a word. Not surprising... It was the third time we’d listened to that particular album that day! To say Caitlin, 6, loved music was an understatement. ‘I don’t know where she gets the energy,’ I’d laugh to my hubby Jake, 44. So I knew something was wrong in September 2008 when Caitlin complained of pain in her right knee. The doctor wasn’t sure what was wrong, so when the pain began travelling up Caitlin’s leg she was sent for an X-ray. Nothing showed up - yet months later, the pain was so bad our girl would be in tears. Her days of dancing around in the living room seemed so far…

She’d only joined the site the month before! By Donna McTigue, 50, from Glasgow Starting up my brand-new car, I grinned. I’d been able to splash out on it just weeks earlier thanks to a whopping Pick Me Up! Bingo win! I’d wanted to put a deposit on a shiny new car for ages. Back in July 2017, it all changed after I won the £1,000 Full House on Sapphire Bingo. I’d only been a member since the month before. After a long day of chores, I sat down to play Bingo. That night at about 9pm, I decided to give Sapphire Bingo a try. I normally played slots, and I’d won small amounts on spins. But I wanted to try something new. The tickets were 10p. I purchased 37,…

Bourjois Healthy Mix Anti-Fatigue Blurring Primer, £9.99, Superdrug Now you can fake the appearance of a full-night’s sleep with this clever primer. It instantly blurs imperfections, evens out skin tone and conceals dark circles, with or without foundation. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream, £5.99, Superdrug After the huge success of Hydro Boost skincare Neutrogena is helping the rest of your body get in on the action. Using super-hydrating hyaluronic acid, this lightweight, easy-to-apply gel gives skin a huge boost of moisture with no greasiness. Starskin Coco-Nuts Nourishing Coconut Hot Oil Hair Mask, £8.50, feelunqiue.com Hot hair masks are the new beauty buzz. For glossy locks, pop this in the microwave, apply to dry hair, wear the kit cap and leave for 20 minutes before shampooing. Wilkinson Sword…

My two pet degus Chester and Duggee love just chilling out in their hammock. Sasha Wilkins, Skipton My aptly named 3-year-old cat Siesta loves her mid-afternoon naps. Here she is, felinesleepy… David Jackson, Lancashire This is what happens when you leave a ball of wool and your puppy unattended for a few minutes. Whoops! Susan Wallace, Belfast This treat was almost as big as my puppy! But look at those eyes – so adorable, how could I resist? Kimberley Greener, Tyne and Wear Sun-worshipper Cooper loves it when the sun is shining! The garden is his favourite place to be. Charlie Whitehall, Llanymynech Meet our giant African bullfrog Jabba. We think his name suits him! Rochelle Brazier, Meysey Hampton…

ARIES 21 March–20 April You’re trying to run before you can walk. It would be wiser to slow your pace and enjoy the view – it’s the only way you’ll find out if where you are can truly make you happy. New places you visit on a whim bring you happiness. Use Tuesday to return important calls. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Why have you been asking others for advice when you already demand to know every detail of what you’re involved in or committed to? You’re high-maintenance, so let’s not pretend you’re not! Chance meetings with people from your past can change everything. Call: 09058 170 711* 22 May–21 June GEMINI There’s an emotive feel to your chart that finds you wearing your heart on your…

I’ve never had much luck with cars - over the years I’ve gone through my fair share of old bangers. But my old Peugeot 207 really took the gasket! Last November, my dad Bobby, 52, offered me money towards my new wheels. A single mum to 7-month-old Arianna, I was so grateful. ‘That one looks good,’ he said, pointing towards a grey car while we were out looking for a suitable vehicle. ‘Does it?’ I said, unsure. The dirty old Peugeot had seen much better days. It was also a three-door car and I needed a five-door so I could put Arianna’s car seat in the back easily. But, Dad was nice enough to offer £800 towards the £1,000 cost - so I bit his hand off! But the problems…

Home chic home Aldi’s Designer Lounge range will be back online and in stores on 17 May. The latest collection includes everything from floor lamps and stools to towels, cushions and marble accessories. Prices start at just £3.99. Get to the Greek Greek yogurt is a versatile ingredient that can be used in baking, savoury dishes or simply enjoyed as part of a healthy breakfast! Lancashire Farm Greek Style Yogurt is only £1.50 in Morrisons (usually £1.97) until 9 June. Heaven scent Versace Yellow Diamond EDT Spray, 200ml, is less than half price at The Perfume Shop until 30 May. Usually £110, it’s now £49.99. Low-fat snack Popchips are a light and crunchy snack that have all the flavour and half the fat of regular potato chips. These moreish crisps…

I knew what I wanted to say, just couldn’t get it out Jumping up to reach the ball, I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my head. It was September 2015 and I was training with my volleyball team. As the headache worsened, my body started to feel weak. Then my hand dropped and I could barely move. ‘I’ll call an ambulance,’ my coach said, clocking me. When it arrived, my symptoms had gone, but I couldn’t stop vomiting. At the hospital, tests came back clear. ‘It’s probably just stress,’ a doctor said. A few weeks on, I flew to Poland with my then-boyfriend to visit family. A week after, I was tidying up when my arm went numb. ‘Here, lie down,’ my boyfriend advised. But an hour on, I…

Flicking through the TV guide, I kept my eyes peeled for one kind of show. True-crime documentaries. I was hooked on them, obsessed with the stories of serial killers. It sounds odd, but I always wondered how their minds worked, what made them tick. And it was the people who lived seemingly normal lives, then went on to commit heinous crimes, that particularly intrigued me. ‘You’re going to marry someone on death row!’ my friends would joke. I’d read about those women who write to prisoners and fall in love with them... ‘No way!’ I’d laugh. But it’s true I was bored with my life. I’d been working in insurance for years, was always desperate to get home for my crime fix. One night, as I settled on the sofa,…

A Very English Scandal, BBC1 One of the biggest scandals in British political history happened in the 70s when the leader of the Liberal Party, Jeremy Thorpe MP, was caught up in a conspiracy to murder his former gay lover Norman Scott, leading to an infamous trial in 1979. Hugh Grant plays Thorpe while Ben Whishaw is Scott in this three-part drama that goes back to when they met in the 60s and continues through to their split and the murder plot hatched after Thorpe, a married man, feared Scott would expose their affair. The NHS Heroes Awards, ITV As part of a celebration for 70 years of the NHS, Paul O’Grady hosts a night at London’s Hilton on Park Lane. He’ll present awards to real-life heroes – the NHS…

She stretched out her arms – we hugged and cried... Throwing back the duvet, the itch all over my body was unbearable. At 1am, I trudged downstairs, wrapped myself up in my green fleece. It was the only remedy I’d ever found. It was July 2008, and over the next year, I suffered from horrendously itchy skin. It might not sound so bad, but it was hell. ‘I’ve scratched myself raw,’ I cried to my husband Anthony, 47. I wouldn’t even give my son Jack, 2, cuddles. Instead, I taught him ‘scratches’. We’d sit gently scratching each other’s backs. Doctors couldn’t figure it out. At first they suspected a skin infection, then an allergy, or eczema. No treatments worked. Being a busy mum to Millie, 6, Billy, 3, and Jack…

Beating PMS Q What should I eat to reduce my period symptoms? I want to gorge on stodge but that doesn’t seem very healthy, and it makes me all spotty and bloated. Katy, Sutton A Ensuring adequate magnesium and calcium - both found in dark-green veg, seeds, nuts, dried fruit, oily fish and dairy - may improve symptoms and help with carb cravings. Fluctuating mood QI get a lot of mood ups and downs. I’m not depressed, but I can feel down for a few days before I feel OK again. I don’t want medication, would anything else help? Izzy, Birmingham A Continuously fluctuating moods can lead to a more persistent problem, as it changes behaviours and thoughts over time. Consider talking therapy to help regulate it. My littl’un has…

Since when is getting drunk and having a good time illegal? This is nothing short of bullying. The impact on the victim could be horrific, from job loss to effects on mental health. It's cruel and cheap entertainment for people with nothing better to do. Gemma Carrick, Sunderland I disagree with naming and shaming people under any circumstance. Spreading nasty content online drags society down. We should be using this wonderful tool at our disposal as a way to uplift and encourage. Marian Green, Herne Bay The only ones who should be shamed publicly are criminals. If we don't know someone, we shouldn't judge them, and shouldn't publish things about them online that may not even be true. Chrissy Russell, Warwick…

We put some truly original products to the test… Toucan Inflatable Drinks Holder, £14.99, firebox.com The ultimate pool accessory, this floating tray can hold four drinks at a time – so you can quench your thirst from the comfort of your lilo! Verdict: GENIUS! It may look crazy, but it’s practical nonetheless! Swipes Eyeglass Cleaner, £3.20, beautynaturals.com Keep specs and sunnies perfectly clear and free from pesky smudges. This gadget cleans both sides of the lens in one go and attaches to a keyring so you can keep it close to hand. Verdict: GENIUS! Who hasn’t been waiting for this! The Iron Throne Egg Cup, £9.99, firebox.com Game Of Thrones fans will know the good and bad eggs. Now it’s time for your egg…

Oven-Roasted Tomato, Spinach And Mozzarella Tart  Serves 8 Prep: 25 min Cook: 30 min ◻ 12 British medium vine tomatoes, halved ◻ 1tbsp olive oil ◻ 200g young spinach, washed ◻ 270g pack filo pastry sheets, thawed if frozen ◻ 100g butter, melted ◻ 2 x 125g balls mozzarella, sliced ◻ 2 eggs ◻ 150ml single cream ◻ Basil leaves, to garnish 1 Preheat the oven to 180C/ Gas 4. Put the tomatoes into a roasting tin, drizzle with olive oil and season. Roast for 10-15 min, then cool. Meanwhile, blanch the spinach. 2 Unroll the sheets of filo. Brush each with melted butter and stack them one on top of the other on a large, greased baking sheet, criss-crossing as you go. Gather and scrunch the edges, bringing them…

Looking into his brown eyes, my heart melted. ‘He’s really lovely, Dad,’ I sighed. My dad Fraser Robertson had just picked up Blue, a 2-year-old greyhound, from his local rescue centre. Blue was gorgeous, and such a faithful companion for Dad, now 70. Every day, he and Blue went out walking with Dad’s friend Joe, who also had a rescue greyhound, Ronnie. Blue and Ronnie did everything together. Ronnie even had a spot on Dad’s sofa. If anyone sat there, he’d jump up, paw at their legs. Then, one day, Joe rang to tell me that Dad had fainted while they were out walking. ‘Blue must have known it was going to happen because he positioned himself by your dad’s side so he didn’t fall in the road,’ Joe said.…