Table of contents for 07-Jan-2021 in Pick Me Up!

Transitioning into secondary school, it was a daunting experience for all. I’d had an amazing time in primary, but within just a few weeks, things began to change. ‘Gay!’ some of the older kids started shouting at me. I’d never experienced anything like it before and as the years went on, the bullying only continued. From older and younger kids, it was relentless, and my mental health suffered badly. Calling me names, spitting at me and writing nasty graffiti on the walls – there was no end. Things got so bad that in January 2019, a doctor signed me off for two months. I was in a bad place and my family were deeply concerned. Thankfully however, in my own time, I’d already been building a work portfolio, by volunteering…

Scrolling through my phone, I suddenly had a notification pop up from Plenty of Fish. Someone’s trying to message you, I read with intrigue, clicking on the profile. It was a man called Barry McLaren, now 48, who was living in Wirral, Liverpool. With a quick glance, I could tell he wasn’t my usual type. Tall, muscled and covered in tattoos – he had the ultimate bad boy image. Having not long joined the dating world, I figured it was time for something new. After giving birth to my youngest son, Jet*, my relationship broke down and I’d spent the past three years dedicating all my time to being the best mum I could. Jet, along with my eldest two, Tyler*, now 17, and Chris*, now 10, were my world,…

Lounging by the pool in Cape Verde in September 2018, I noticed something wasn’t quite right. The vision in my right eye had gone slightly blurry. ‘That’s strange,’ I said to my fiance, Calum, 26. ‘I can’t seem to see properly out of this eye.’ ‘Maybe you need glasses,’ he replied. ‘But I’ve always had 20:20 vision,’ I told him. And with my hand placed over my left eye, I suddenly realised just how bad my vision had become. ‘Maybe you’re right,’ I said. ‘I’ll book an eye test once we’re home.’ And as I lay in the glorious September sunshine, I tried not to think about it. We’d been looking forward to this holiday all year – I wasn’t going to spend it worrying. So, putting it all to…

BIG health story Towelling myself down after getting out of the pool, I noticed something slightly strange. As I looked down, I realised I couldn’t see my left nipple. ‘That seems odd,’ I thought to myself. And as I felt around my breast, I immediately noticed a lump. But I was busy visiting my children and grandchildren in Queensland, Australia in May 2019, and I wasn’t going to worry about it now. I was there to spend time with the kids, and that’s exactly what I planned to do. Not telling anyone – including my daughter – I decided to wait until I got home and could see my GP. And two weeks later, I was ready to make the long journey back to Norfolk. ‘Bye Grandma,’ the kids said,…

Trailing my suitcase through the door, it was good to be home. ‘Nice to have you back,’ my mum, Karen, then 39, beamed in October 2014. I was back home in Nottingham, after completing my first term at Liverpool John Moores University. I was studying Psychology and Criminology and nowI had a weeklong break and was determined to make the most of it. ‘I’m out with the girls this weekend,’ I told Mum. ‘You’re feeling better now then,’ she chuckled. Just a few weeks before, I felt like I was on death’s door. Putting it down to freshers’ flu, I wasn’t too concerned. And as Saturday night rolled around, my friends and I got ready for a night out. ‘How’s uni then?’ I asked the girls, desperate to hear all…

Taking my seat in the front row, I was so excited for the show to begin. I was at the Galaxy UK Pageant competition to support my daughter, Leoni, 16. Are you excited?’ I turned and asked my son, Andrew, 18. ‘Can’t wait,’ he smiled. When Andrew was one, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and has always been his sister’s biggest fan. When Leoni first showed an interest in pageants back in 2018, she said from the get-go that she would use it as an opportunity to raise awareness around the condition. At first, I was cautious about her doing pageants – I didn’t want her to become too focused on her appearance. However, Leoni insisted she would use it for good. ‘I can volunteer and raise awareness about…

Handing my five-yearold son a notepad and pen, I rummaged through the fridge. ‘Tomatoes,’ I called to Heath. Watching as he added them to the shopping list, I loved our little routine. Before the two of us set off to the supermarket, I’d get him to write me down a list. It had always worked well for us and it meant he got to practice his writing. ‘Mummy forgets things,’ I’d tell him. And so, with the list in hand, the two of us set off. In August 2019, walking around the supermarket, Heath had jumped onto the front of the trolley. Directing me where to go, he was fully in charge. ‘Fruit aisle,’ he shouted. I’ve always enjoyed mine and Heath’s weekly trips to the supermarket, and as we…

Tickling tastebuds since 1985, Bull’s-Eye BBQ sauces are full-bodied and packed full of firepit spirit. Crafted by and for people with a passion for bold flavours, there’s no meat Bull’s-Eye can’t handle. Use them to take your dishes to the next level. Treat of the week Bull’s-Eye New York Steakhouse beef stew Serves: 4 □ 800g stewing steak, cubed□ 2 tsp ground cumin□ 2 tsp ground coriander□ 3 garlic cloves, crushed□ 2 tbsp tomato paste□ 2 tbsp soy sauce□ 1 – 2 tsp chilli paste (depending on how hot you like it)□ 5 tbsp Bull’s-Eye New York Steakhouse Sauce (plus extra to taste)□ 3 bay leaves□ 2 onions, peeled and thinly sliced□ 2 tbsp olive oil□ 500ml ale□ 500ml beef stock□ 400g butternut squash, peeled and cut into 2cm wedges□…

Good deed of the week Printing company Awesome Merchandise has launched a range of specially designed merchandise to support homeless charity Simon On The Streets. Simon On The Streets is an independent charity that offers emotional and practical support for homeless and vulnerable people in Leeds, Bradford and Kirklees. Awesome Merchandise are aiming to raise £50k this winter with their cool range, designed by Leedsbased illustrator Drew Millward. And printed on hoodies, mugs, T-shirts, tote bags and badges. All proceeds will go towards the charity, so you can show your support with pride. • Prices start from £5 • Shop the range at awesomemerchandise.com/keepleedswarm GET IN TOUCH Send us your stories and photos, including all names and ages, a daytime phone number and full address. E-mail hello@pickmeupmag.co.uk WRITE TO Pick Me Up!…

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. This week’s puzzle answers! Chinese Hot Trend! Umbrellas with personality!…

Be a winner! This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! A classic design but has stood the test of time. The Addis Unistore containers boast a large 30L storage capacity. You can never have enough storage and this bundle is offered with three lids and three bases. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Reel smart On a roll Wrap the end of your Sellotape around a cocktail stick to ensure you can always find the end. Judith Cairns, Colchester Citrus magic Put half a lemon in your dishwasher to keep your dishes, and dishwasher always smelling fresh. Angela Garvin, Essex Tip of the week Keep it flowing Save on expensive, frost proof, tap covers by using a child’s inflatable…

Hub of Hope Chasing the Stigma is a charity that fights to remove the stigma around mental illnesses. It was founded by Liverpool comedian, Jake Mills, seven years ago following his own suicide attempt. Jake and his team created Hub of Hope, a free app, which is there to direct anyone in need of mental health support. The app brings together all readily available mental health support obtainable to whoever needs it, in any given area. It is extremely easy to navigate through the app. It tells you exactly how many miles away the support is, along with clear information about the type of support, what it provides, opening hours, contact details, who it’s for, days and times of group meets, and anything else you’d want to know. Spread the…

The big ban It is estimated that there are over 150 million tonnes of plastic waste polluting the world’s oceans and marine life. In March 2019, legislation to ban the supply of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds in England was laid in Parliament, marking an important milestone in the government’s fight against single-use plastic. At the time, Michael Gove said: ‘These items are often used for just a few minutes, but take hundreds of years to break down, ending up in our seas and oceans and harming precious marine life.’ The ban was originally intended to come into effect from April 2020, however the move faced some delays and did not begin in England until 1 October 2020. Now, it is illegal for businesses to give plastic straws and…

The Chance couple fitted into their community seamlessly. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. After 16 years working in local education, Leslie Jenea Chance was a respected headteacher, at Fairview Elementary School, in Bakersfield, California. Her husband Todd had also spent over a decade doing a job he loved. Todd, 45, had a passion for vehicles, whether it was cars or motorbikes, so being a truck driver suited him perfectly. Both were busy with their vocations, but they also loved being parents. Leslie had a daughter from a previous marriage and Todd had raised Jessica since she was four-years-old. Leslie and Todd had also gone on to have two more daughters during their 17 years of marriage. When Todd wasn’t tinkering with motors, watching sports or playing video games, he…

Complete the grid then read down the shaded squares to reveal the hidden answer. Clue: herb. ACROSS 7 Bicycle part (5) 8, 10 Ac & 5Dn 2019 comedy-drama film starring 15 Across, 20 Across & 18 Down (3,6,6,6) 10 See 8 Across 11 Ditches with steep sides (8) 12 Gather together (8) 13 Magician’s stick (4) 15 Dakota _, star of 2015 erotic drama Fifty Shades of Grey and 2018 horror movie Suspiria (7) 17 Curved arch of hair (7) 20 _ LaBeouf, actor whose credits include Holes and Honey Boy (4) 22 Nudist (8) 25 Rule out a goal in football (8) 26 Absurd acts or postures (6) 27 Purpose or goal (9) 28 Military trainee (5) DOWN 1 Strong disgust (9) 2 Ancient temple in Rome (8) 3…

The colder months can be harsh on wildlife, with many finding their watering holes have frozen over or their cosy dry home is feeling damp. Thankfully, with just a few easy steps, you can help create safe places for wildlife in your very own garden! To provide some helpful tips and tricks, garden experts at Ryobi have put together some easy steps you can take to help make a sanctuary for winter foragers. A home for all 1. PROVIDE FOOD Although this may seem straightforward, this isn’t a suggestion to leave some leftovers outside your backdoor. Something that can really help wildlife is late flowering plants like holly, asters and sedums, as well as bird feeders and bird baths. Ensure these are maintained with the frost knocked off them so…

Getting my little boy ready for bed in March 2020, I noticed something on his ankles. Tiny red Tiny red dots – like blood spots – around his feet. But as I changed one-yearold Arlo into his pj’s, he seemed his usual happy self. ‘There’s not much wrong with you,’ I cooed, as he babbled away in my arms. Arlo was a typical little boy – he loved being outdoors. Any chance he could get, we were always in the garden or playing with trucks and cars, and that day had certainly been no different. With Arlo smiling, I told myself I’d keep an eye on him. Besides, I thought the cause was fairly obvious. Arlo suffered with bilateral talipes – meaning both his feet were pointing in slightly and…

DON’T MISS A Perfect Planet, BBC One David Attenborough returns with another stunning five-part series that explores the connection between animals and the forces of nature. The first episode is about the intriguing power of volcanoes. Responsible for both our breathable atmosphere and our oceans, volcanoes might be dangerous, but they are also the architects of the planet. More than 80 percent of the earth’s surface is the result of magma rising from its molten interior, providing a platform for life Volcanic islands make up just five percent of the planet’s land, but they are home to nearly 20 percent of its species and Sir Attenborough gets us up close and personal with everything from flamingos and iguanas. Traces, BBC One Traces is a suspense-filled crime thriller based on an…

PERFECT SCENT If you’re looking for a new perfume that is affordable yet undeniably gorgeous, the So…? Fragrance has just the answer for you! Introducing eight new signature scents inspired by the woman who seizes every opportunity with fierce optimism and passion. Meet the dream team: 1. Miss So…? DayDream: Let your dreams guide you to success! This fruity fragrance begins with sweet notes of pomegranate and pear, progressing into sumptuous notes of white chocolate and caramel, leaving you with a trail of sandalwood and amber. 2. Miss So…? Sugar Rush: If you like sweet scents then say hello to this perfume mist! A burst of juicy raspberry and candy notes open up the fragrance, followed by creamy praline and vanilla which add another layer of sweetness. Pretty white roses…

Looking up at the kitchen clock, I was wondering where my family was. On Friday 31 July my partner Miranda, 47, daughter Nelle, seven, and Bessie, our two-year-old Bedlington-Whippet, had gone to visit the grandparents in North Walsham. They’d rang to tell me they were running half-hour late. Daddy, you’re not going to believe what’s happened!’ Nelle yelled down the phone. ‘Is it something bad? Are you alright?’ I asked, filled with sudden panic. ‘We’re OK,’ she said. ‘We’ve got a surprise for you!’ ‘Is it good or bad?’ I asked. ‘Um, sort of bad, you’ll see,’ she told me. Waiting nervously for them to come home, I paced around the kitchen. The front door swung open and in came Bessie… my jaw dropped to the floor. After a couple…