Table of contents for 27-May-2021 in Pick Me Up!

Growing up, my dad was the kind of person who would speak to anyone. And when I say anyone, I mean anyone. ‘Here we go,’ we’d all laugh as he sparked up a chat with a total stranger. My dad James, or Jim as everyone knows him, has always been an amazing man. Married to my mum Pam, 69, they were amazing parents. I’m the youngest of four sisters – Gemma, 44, Lucie, 42 and Sian, 38 – and for a long time, life was good. Only after retiring as an engineer, we noticed Dad was suffering from memory loss. He’d always been a switched on man, so at first, we thought it was just his brain slowing down now he was retired. Only, over the course of a few…

STABILO, best known for its range of pens, pencils and writing equipment, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its iconic STABILO BOSS ORIGINAL highlighter. To celebrate, all 23 colours are now available to buy in a single epic deskset (RRP £51.72). It contains all existing nine neon colours and 10 pastel colours alongside four brand-new pastel shades: pale orange, frozen fuchsia, breezy blue and dusty grey. Maintaining its iconic shape, STABILO BOSS ORIGINAL has an Anti-Dry-Out technology, which means the cap can be left off for up to four hours without drying out. While its ‘refill-ability’ means it can be re-used time and time again. • Find out more at: www.stabilo.com/uk…

Laying eyes on a fluffy hamster at Pets at Home in December 2020, I just knew I had to have him. ‘He’s gorgeous,’ I cooed, as the customer assistant started getting him ready for his new life with me. Having recently lost my beloved chameleon Indigo, I was looking for another pet to fill the hole in my life and I had my heart set on buying a Russian hamster. I loved animals, and already had two crested gecko lizards, Dracharys and Flame, and a gorgeous Siamese fighting fish called Thai. And while I loved them all to bits, this time I was looking for something a little more furry. ‘Maybe it’s time to try something new,’ I thought to myself. So a week later, I finally brought my new…

ACROSS 1 Perennial plant (6) 4 _ DiCaprio, actor whose first film role was in the direct-to-video horror film Critters 3 (8) 10 American city which hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics (7) 11 European language (7) 12 Natural beams of light (4) 13 Kindly (10) 15 Umbrella, informally (6) 16 To draw upon (3,4) 20 Move forward (7) 21 Customer or supporter (6) 24 Easy to reach (10) 26 Opposed to, informally (4) 28 Copiously supplied (7) 29 Avoidance (7) 30 Star of films such as Ocean’s Eleven and Fight Club (4,4) 31 _ Fanning, actor who starred alongside Tom Cruise in 2005’s War of the Worlds (6) DOWN 1 Forceful and bitter verbal attack (8) 2 Once Upon a Time in _, 2019 film directed by 17 Down, and…

Pushing a trolley round the supermarket, I picked up some candles and balloons from the shelf. ‘What else?’ I said to myself, as I studied my shopping list. With my daughter’s birthday party in just a few days, I was out shopping for some last minute bits. Ella was turning one and I’d been looking forward to celebrating with our friends and family for weeks now. Only no matter how hard I tried, I struggled to focus. In fact, I don’t know how I was carrying on as normal at all. Just days before, I’d been given the shock of a lifetime. Sat listening to my doctor at a hospital appointment, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Having not long turned 30, I couldn’t quite believe what I was hearing.…

Collapsing onto a bench in Disneyland, Paris, I was exhausted from all of the walking, and it wasn’t even midday yet. ‘Can we go on another ride, Mam?’ my five-year-old, Lily, said as she jumped around with buckets of energy. ‘I think I need to grab something to eat,’ I sighed. It was November 2019 and I’d reached the heaviest I’d ever been, 16st 11.5lbs – a size 22 dress. I wasn’t happy with how I was and when I looked back over the pictures of me standing next to Minnie Mouse I could see that I needed to address my weight. My confidence was pretty low, my skin was bad and being tired all the time was a pain but my general health seemed fine so I ignored it.…

Cutting into a delicious white chocolate cake, I placed a slice onto a plate for my son Kodie-Joe. ‘Happy birthday, big boy!’ I beamed at him. It was January this year, and we were celebrating Kodie’s second birthday at home. I watched his one-year-old sister Gracie-Leigh tuck into her icing with delight, whilst Kodie just picked at his. ‘You love cake!’ I reminded him – and yet, he’d barely touched it. Kodie is usually a cheeky, bubbly toddler that loves his food and going outdoors. He is obsessed with watching Hey Duggee, going on walks and playing with his little sister. Kodie didn’t want to walk anywhere But in January, I noticed that he hadn’t been quite himself in a while. ‘Let’s go to the park!’ his dad Leon, 21,…

Scrolling through Twitter, I stumbled upon a competition calling for the sexiest women over 50 to come forward. ‘Why not!’ I said to myself, and sent off a photo of me posing in front of the camera. It all sounded like a harmless bit of fun and I was more than happy to get involved. And with my long brown hair and curvaceous body, I knew I stood a good chance of winning. And I certainly wasn’t afraid to admit that! I’ve always loved the way I look and believe more women should be as confident in themselves as I am. But I know that’s not always the case – especially for women as they get older. With social media full of perfect faces and bodies, it’s easy for women…

Horlicks’ deliciously creamy, malty taste is traditionally crafted using malted wheat and barley, enriched with vitamins and minerals. As well as making a delicious comforting drink, you can use Horlicks to create some amazing dishes, too! • For more clever inspiration, head over to www.horlicks.co.uk to download their recipe book! Crunchy fish goujons Serves: 4 ⬜ 200g cod fillet, skinned⬜ 100g breadcrumb mix⬜ 50g panko breadcrumbs⬜ 50g plain flour⬜ 50g tartare sauce⬜ 2 eggs, beaten⬜ 2 tbsp Horlicks Instant (15g)⬜ Vegetable oil (for frying)⬜ 1 tbsp Sriracha sauce 1 To breadcrumb the fish, take three bowls. In one, add 1 tbsp of Horlicks Instant and the flour. In the second bowl, add the beaten eggs. In the third bowl, add 1 tbsp of Horlicks Instant, the breadcrumb mix and breadcrumbs.…

We’re loving this! Fancy yourself as the next star baker? These new baking mixes from The Bottled Baking Co. have made creating perfect sweet treats at home easier than ever. Simply shake and empty the bottle of cake, cookie or brownie mix into a large bowl, follow the instructions and get ready to bake! Taking all the hassle away from baking and leaving you with all the fun, each bottled cake mix is made with the highest quality ingredients. Flavours include Extravagant Gingerbread Brownies, Scrumptious Jellybean Cookies or even a Fabulous Unicorn Cake. Perfect for getting your little ones involved in the kitchen. • To find out more information, visit www.bottledbaking.co.uk GET IN TOUCH Send us your stories and photos, including all names and ages, a daytime phone number and…

THE BIG READ Playing in my bedroom with my siblings, Mum bellowed up. ‘Come on you lot, time for tea,’ our mum Linda, now 72, called. As a mum-of-nine, she had a lot on her plate. It’s safe to say, we had a full house! Living at home was Darren, William, Belinda, Sharlene, myself and Nicola – with two years between each of us. Not to mention our three eldest siblings, David, Susan and Janet. We might have been a big family, but that didn’t mean we weren’t close. In fact, I didn’t know anyone who was as close with their families as I was with mine. Belinda, Sharlene, Nicola, William and I spent all of our time together – we were each other’s best friends. With David and Darren…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! This folding step stool is convenient, easy to use, folds flat for storage and comes complete with a carry handle and non-slip surface. Perfect for when you need a little lift to get to those hard-to-reach places. The maximum weight is 150kg. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Knot a problem Always thread your necklaces through a straw to stop them from getting tangled when you’re packing for your jollies! Carol Adams, West Midlands Rise and grind Use your morning coffee grounds to eliminate odours in the fridge. Just place a bowl of the used coffee in the fridge and replace it every two months. Amanda Hadley, Cradley Heath Brushstroke of genius…

Sue Tappenden is a Coach and People Expert who helps her clients improve their relationship with themselves and others. (www.headspacefor change.com) Wrong choice Q I lost my three best friends when I chose to be with a guy that they all warned me about. They were right – he’s cheated on me and we’ve broken up. How can I tell them I’m sorry? I miss them. Sarah, Wiltshire A Support from good friends is so important when difficult things happen. You don’t say what went on when you chose your relationship over these friends, but they were likely left feeling sad, angry and rejected. Start by reconnecting and focusing on them individually. Explain that you are sorry and be honest about all that has happened and how you feel. If…

Victoria Beckham has declared gingham this summer’s biggest trend. Primark, Accessorize and Oliver Bonas are selling the dreamiest gingham printed frocks right now. Scoop up the trendiest pieces for the warmer months before they’re all gone! Re-Fashion recycle! Re-Fashion’s mission is to make fashion more sustainable for good. They want to reduce fashion’s impact on the environment by reselling and repurposing unwanted clothes to raise money for sustainable and charitable causes. Oliver Bonas have partnered with Re-Fashion to help you recycle your loved but no longer used fashion. Add a free bag to your next Oliver Bonas order, download a free Collect+ returns label and post your unwanted clothes to Re-Fashion. Just go to oliverbonas.com Find out more about our commitment to REAL woman womanandhome.com/real…

Death is a sad reality of life. No matter who we are, we will all experience grief. Sometimes we are prepared and sometimes we are not. However, regardless of whether we were expecting the death, grief is a difficult journey for everyone. This past year in particular, many families have been left mourning the loss of their loved ones. The journey of grief is life-long, and it looks different for everyone. In March of this year, Reverend Richard Coles spoke out about the loss of his husband David. The pair had been married a decade and in his new book, The Madness of Grief: A Memoir of Love and Loss, Richard discusses his own personal journey. ‘What I wanted, when I was in the thick of it, I just wanted…

As Megan Montgomery wrote down her thoughts in her gratitude journal, she also shared her dreams for a different life. They were heart-breaking. I hope I find a man in the future who won’t make me do things I don’t want to, Megan wrote down. Megan’s marriage to Jason McIntosh, 45, had turned sour after just a year. And as Megan wrote in her journal about the new future she was trying to carve for herself, she was recovering from a gunshot wound. The bullet had been delivered during a violent scuffle with Jason and could have been so much worse. Megan, 31, wanted freedom from her toxic relationship and now things had come to a head, she believed it might be coming. I am strong, Megan wrote, over and…

PG tips Decaf, from £2, all major supermarkets. The perfect cuppa alternative for those looking to reduce their caffeine intake, this caffeine-free brew tastes just like regular PG tips and is particularly good for those who love a cuppa before bed but without compromising on sleep! WW Chilli Con Carne & Potato Wedges, £2.50, Asda. Bursting with flavour, high in protein and only 303 calories, this tasty dish from WW takes less than five minutes to microwave! Heck Chorizo-Style 97% Burgers, £2.50, Tesco. Change up your BBQ game this summer with HECK’s newest addition to its popular sausage and burger range. The chorizo-style 97% burgers are sure to be a hit with everyone this BBQ season. Eatlean’s Flavour Drops, £4, Eatlean.com Available in six varieties; Banana, Chocolate, Raspberry, Strawberry, Toffee…

Will had been in the facility for about six years by now, and we’d seen vast improvements in him. However, in 2014, Mum returned from a visit with a concerned frown. ‘There’s this strange chap who hangs around Will every time I’m there,’ she told me. ‘Will’s not really speaking. He seems scared.’ According to Mum, Will had told her Matt was just a friend. However, on my next visit, I understood what she meant. As a patient with schizophrenia himself, Matt just hovered over us. ‘This is my friend,’ Will told me when I arrived, but something didn’t feel right. Will barely uttered a word the entire visit, and I felt Matt’s luring eyes on us. Something was just off about him and the entire family said the same…

• If you’d like advice from our Pick Me Up! expert, email us at hello@pickmeupmag.co.uk or write to us at the address on our contacts page (pg4). • If your problem affects your mental wellbeing, you can call the helpline run by the charity Mind on 0300 123 3398, open 9am to 6pm weekdays. True reflection The way someone treats you is often a reflection of how they feel about themselves. That moody look they gave you? It’s not about you. That snide comment? Not you either. The way a person behaves indicates where they’re at, in that moment so try not to take things personally. If they’re acting out, that probably means they’re in need of some extra support. So instead of lashing back, ask if they are ok.…

Rett syndrome 1 It is rare. ⬜ True ⬜ False 2 Symptoms develop immediately. ⬜ True ⬜ False 3 There is no cure. ⬜ True ⬜ False 4 There are four stages of it. ⬜ True ⬜ False 5 The cause is unknown. ⬜ True ⬜ False 1 TRUE Rett syndrome is a rare genetic disorder. It affects brain development which results in severe mental and physical disability. It’s estimated that around 1 in 12,000 girls born each year are affected by it and it’s hardly ever seen in boys. 2 FALSE Sometimes Rett syndrome isn’t obvious to begin with. The symptoms can take months to develop, or they can appear very quickly. 3 TRUE Treatments that are available focus on managing the symptoms of the syndrome but they cannot…

Rehome a dog safely Over the last year, more people than ever have been searching for a canine companion, and it is important that new owners know how to rehome a dog safely. The experts at Pets4Homes (www.pets4homes.com), the UK’s largest pet marketplace, share their tips on how to achieve this. 1. DO YOUR HOMEWORK - Researching a dog’s needs is vital, as different breeds may struggle with some home environments, such as ones with small children or a lack of garden space. 2. ARRANGE A VIEWING - Puppies must always be seen with their mother under Lucy’s Law. Make sure that the interaction between the puppy and its mother is natural to avoid the setting being staged. Come prepared with planned questions to ask the breeder. If you have…

Cook Clever, Waste Less with Prue & Rupy, Channel 4 Two of Britain’s best loved cooks, Prue Leith and Dr Rupy Aujla, are going to transform the cooking and food shopping habits of four British families in this four-part series. Food waste in the UK is a massive problem, with the equivalent of one in six shopping bags going to the bin. With most of this waste destined for landfill or incineration, it remains a huge global challenge. With top tips and expert advice from Prue and Rupy, the show aims help our pockets and the planet by being more creative and thoughtful about the food we buy and consume. Each week the cooks will team up with a different family to teach them recipes for easy-to-make, delicious meals using…

Take it one day at a time ‘Focusing on one day at a time can help you cope with your feelings and get through the simple everyday tasks that you need to do. ‘You may find that keeping busy and throwing yourself into different activities helps. If this works for you, try to do things even if you don’t feel up to it. Alternatively, you may find you need to take things more slowly and take time out of your day-to-day life and activities. You need to do whichever works best for you.’ Recognise your emotions ‘Lots of the emotions you might feel when you are grieving have physical symptoms. If you are feeling stressed, your heartbeat may be faster. If you are angry, you might clench your jaw. ‘Sometimes…

Start reuniting with loved ones and make memories beyond your back garden. Rabbie’s offer safe, small group tours across the UK, including day trips perfect for that first adventure out of lockdown. www.rabbies.com FROM MANCHESTER Discover the mountains, marvels and myths of North Wales and Chester. Cameras at the ready for Conwy, one of the most picture-perfect harbour towns in the world where you can enjoy some fish and chips, before heading into Snowdonia National Park and then on to the town of Chester. Rabbie’s Snowdonia, North Wales & Chester one-day tour departs from Manchester. • £42 per person. FROM LONDON Mix in a slice of history with your gin and tonic. Escape the big smoke to amble along the lanes and paths of the ancient city of Winchester. Take…

Glancing round to the waitress, I was ready to pay the bill for our breakfast at the North Sea Observatory. I’d taken my girls, Chloe, 12, and Lilly, 10, for a one night stay over in Chapel St Leonards in Lincolnshire. It was 18 August and we needed a getaway after being cooped up during lockdown. With the arcades shut because of Covid, we ate out, went for walks and made our own entertainment. ‘If you haven’t finished your waters, just bring them with you,’ I said, as we were leaving. The café was right on the coast, so we decided to go for a stroll along the sandy beach. ‘Mum, can I write a message in my bottle from breakfast and send it off to sea and see where…