Table of contents for 27-Jun-2024 in Pick Me Up!

Slipping into my skin-tight costume, I looked just like my favourite cartoon character. With the letter ‘S’ on my chest and a cape billowing behind me, I was ready for my weekend run. ‘There he goes again,’ my wife Hannah, 28, laughed. It wasn’t your stereotypical jogging outfit, but my get-up meant the world to me. When our newborn son Jaxon was born on 29 March last year, he didn’t have the easiest start to life. He was placed in the NICU at St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol, but I dreamt of when we’d be discharged. I’d become a keen runner during the Covid lockdown in 2020 – my second biggest hobby next to collecting DC graphic novels about my favourite superheroes. ‘When we get home, you can run with…

Ripping open a KitKat as I sat in front of the telly, I quickly ate it before diving into another one. Before I knew it, I’d eaten an entire multipack. I’d always had a sweet tooth, and chocolate was my weakness – I loved Cadbury’s Dairy Milk and could eat an entire share bar in seconds. Growing up, I’d always been a big girl and my weight problems followed me into my teen years, too. But food was a comfort for me. Whenever I had a bad day, I knew a bar of Dairy Milk would cheer me up. Although it made me uncomfortable, I got used to being the biggest girl in school. I met my now-fiancé Ash, 28, when I was 16, and he never cared about my…

Every year, 3,100 people in the UK are diagnosed with AML Spot the symptoms According to Leukaemia UK, acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is the most common form of acute leukaemia in adults, and the second most common type to affect children. While AML progresses very quickly and usually requires immediate treatment, there are a few symptoms which can be spotted, helping you to catch it early for the best chance of recovery. These include: • Fatigue • Bruising or bleeding, and repeated infections • Feeling weak or breathless • Pale skin • Unexplained weight loss • Flat red or purple spots on the skin • Fever or night sweats • Discomfort or bone/joint pain Leukaemia UK is a research charity dedicated to finding better, kinder treatment options for those who…

A WHOLE SLOT TA FUN! One of the great things about playing online bingo is… Othere’s more than just bingo! Most online bingo sites have a range of slot games you can play while you wait for a bingo game to go live, or just because you fancy a spin. All slots are slightly different, but the general rule is the same. You select your stake (how much you want to gamble per line, usually 1p, 10p, 20p or a £1), how many lines you want to play, then hit spin. Most slot games online feature ‘wilds’ and ‘scatters’ that can trigger bonus rounds. Bonus rounds vary per site and slot game, but usually offer a chance to win free spins, extra games or even a jackpot. Some of the nation’s…

Have you heard? Forget Barbie’s dreamhouse – what about a dreamhouse for your cat?!Well, Royal Canin have teamed up with interior designer Whinnie Williams and International Cat Care’s expert Dr Sarah Ellis to bring the Kitten Dreamhouse to life – aimed at meeting kittens’ unique needs. And with one in five new kitten owners feeling overwhelmed by conflicting information surrounding pet care, Royal Canin launched its One in a Billion platform to provide them with a single, credible source of information. The purr-fect space for your kitty should have cosy corners for snoozing, places to scratch and feeding and drinking stations away from their litter trays. • Visit: royalcanin.com For tips on keeping your pets cool, see p34 GET IN TOUCH Send us your stories and photos, including all names…

This week, our tip of the week will win a wonderful prize from Addis. Perfect for summer picnics, this cute and space-savvy Berry Box keeps your fruit fresh while on the go with its handy locking lid. Be a winner! With a removable colander inside, you can easily wash and drain your fruit without using too many kitchen utensils – meaning you’re also saving on washing up! For more ways to make your life easier, please visit: addis.co.uk Hot in here When cleaning your glass fireplace door, place some of the ashes on a damp cloth and wipe the glass. The slightly abrasive texture makes the glass sparkle! Kath Fisher, Glamorgan This tip is fire! No mess here! I like to keep an empty cereal box to hold all my…

Heading home from work, I couldn’t wait to relax. Only climbing up the stairs to my flat, I was out of breath. This isn’t like me at all. Despite working full-time and being a single parent to my children Tyla, then 17, and Trystan, then 11, I was always full of energy. I thought I just needed a good night’s sleep. Until a few days later, I couldn’t eat the Sunday roast I’d made for me and my fiancé Dave, now 57. Lamb was my favourite, yet I couldn’t swallow a bite. Struck down by what I assumed was the flu, I was completely drained. Visiting my GP in October 2017, they thought it was a viral infection. Yet I was exhausted, unable to even go to work. ‘That’s it,…

Strolling onto the campsite, I couldn’t wait for a day of fun. As we arrived, I spotted fellow campers milling about, slurping on their cuppas, while others took a dip in the pool. Only, we weren’t kitted out for the campsite with loaded backpacks and hiking boots. Nor were the swimmers wearing swimsuits and trunks. Everyone was starkers. That included me and my husband Simon, 48. Despite the brisk breeze causing goosebumps across my bare breasts, it’s a sensation I’d gotten used to. Waving hello to everyone, it was lovely to see their faces. No, I wasn’t staring directly at their privates, or averting my eyes awkwardly. Instead, this was my norm. Not feeling the need to cover up all my wiggly and jiggly bits, instead, I felt free. The…

• To shop the range, please visit: very.co.uk Opt for a range of different fabrics to give your outfits more depth Pairing warm tones with matching accessories will make you glow! TURN UP THE HEAT If you want to elevate your summer look, then you should check out Michelle Keegan’s latest collection with Very. Choosing neutral tones paired with crochet, Michelle has created the perfect foundations for your summer capsule wardrobe. SPLURGE…

DON’T MISS House of Dragon, Sky Atlantic The wait is over. Return to the story of House Targaryen at the height of its power, where a battle of succession brews. But who will claim the Iron Throne? Queen Rhaenyra is in exile in Dragonstone, while Alicent’s older son Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney), has taken up residence on the Iron Throne. Both sides are shoring up allegiances. With visits to the North and the Wall, Game of Thrones fans know one thing – winter is coming. Happy Campers: The Caravan Park, Channel 5 The summer season is in full flow at Tencreek Holiday Park, Cornwall. Park manager Rob is doing the rounds when a mystery car grabs his attention. Seemingly abandoned and with no driver in sight, Rob soon discovers the car,…

YOU’VE GOTTA GIGGLE! Blasting the Coronation Street theme tune from the car, it wasn’t my usual playlist. Winding the car windows down and parking up, my grand entrance got the reaction I was hoping for. My nanna Barbara, now 80, was in hysterics. And I didn’t need to ask her if she was ready. She was on her front step dressed up to the nines. ‘Come on Nanna, shall we head off?’ I laughed. ‘Let’s go!’ she chuckled, getting strapped in. A die-hard Corrie super fan, Nanna had never missed an episode. Staying at Nanna’s on a Friday night as kids, me and my sister Lauren, now 28, didn’t have a choice about what to watch on telly. It was Corrie or bed! And Nanna made sure to record every single…

Complete the grid then read down the shaded squares to reveal the hidden answer. Clue: Type of ape. Answer on page 44. ACROSS 6 Evidence of absence from a crime scene (5) 7 Bigheaded (8) 10 __ of the Planet of the Apes, 2024 sci-fi sequel starring 12 Across, 4 Down, 5 Down, and 17 Down (7) 11 Length in units of three feet (7) 12 Dichen __, actor who played Katya Kinski in Neighbours (7) 13 Nonsense (7) 14 Museum events (11) 19 __ to Kill, 1989 Bond film starring Timothy Dalton (7) 21 Irish comedian who has regularly appeared on Mock the Week, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, and The Unbelievable Truth (2,5) 23 Impressive (7) 25 Surname of the pioneering aviator portrayed by Hilary Swank in the biopic…

Whipping up a sweet, tasty, vanilla buttercream all from scratch, I whisked all of my ingredients together. And as I did so, clouds of white icing sugar billowed into the air. Sticking out my tongue, I could taste not just the sweetness, but a familiar flavour, too. One that reminded me of my primary school days. I was trying to create one of my favourite recipes – one that I remembered indulging in during school lunch times. A sprinkle sponge cake – also known as school cake – topped with white icing and colourful sprinkles. And that’s not forgetting the generous dollop of custard over the top! Although I’d been baking for as long as I could remember, this one seemed to be a stand-out. Even though it didn’t require…

Verdict: GENIUS! Posh up your nosh Greasy Fingers Wine, £10, major supermarkets You can’t beat a good takeaway. But if you’re looking for a way to posh up your nosh, look no further. Greasy Fingers is a brand-new wine designed to pair with your fast food. Meaning you can go from greasy to gourmet! Choose from Luscious Red, which pairs with a classic cheeseburger and buttermilk chicken. Or go for Big Buttery Chardonnay which is ideal for portobello mushrooms. Sip back and relax with these unreal matches. Verdict: BONKERS! Smashing good fun Pop your top Smashing a cork out of a Champagne bottle using a knife not easy. The Gatsby-esque action is popular with wedding guests but was a trend started by Napoleon. There’s no denying sabering is a challenging skill…

Pouring another glass of orange juice, and reaching for a sour sweet, it was a combination that I’d been craving. I’d had a sweet tooth before, but now I really couldn’t get enough. Something that my fiancé Chris, now 31, was going to have to get used to. As after just one month of trying, in October 2021, we’d fallen pregnant. But at our early six-week scan, we’d received a double shock. ‘You’re having twins!’ the sonographer revealed. Despite being thrilled, as we’d always wanted two children, the news sent me into an immediate panic. I’m going to have a massive stomach during summer. Telling my mum, Madeline, my step-mum, Michelle, my sister, Lucy, and my dad, Paul, they were all over the moon. Plus, Chris’ mum, Jane, and dad,…

Heading into my kitchen and opening a cupboard, I reached up to pull down a bag of sugar and a bag of flour. What else do I need? I thought to myself, pulling out my KitchenAid mixer. One evening, in October last year, I’d decided to bake a Victoria sponge – I loved baking, and I’d often whip up a cake for my neighbour who cut my grass, as a little thank you. But as I went to plug the mixer in, I noticed the green light flashing away on my Hoover battery. I’d bought a lightweight stick Hoover the year before. At my age, my big old vacuum cleaner was a bit of a palaver to drag round, and with a dog and two cats I needed to keep…

Known as the local bird lady by her neighbours in Manhattan, New York, Sue Trott, 70, was certainly a character. Always seen with a loaf of bread tucked under her arm, befriending the pigeons on a stroll through Riverside Park was one of her hobbies. Sue had a soft spot for animals, even taking in two elderly rescue dogs, who lived with her in her apartment on West End Avenue. She had a heart of gold. But not everyone saw that side of her. Living in her apartment for over 10 years, Sue assumed that she ruled the roost. She let her two dogs run free and took them out in the night, regardless of if it interrupted her neighbours. Of course, that was bound to rub a few of…