Table of contents for 4-Jul-2024 in Pick Me Up!

Slipping into my white costume and donning a carrot for a nose, I knew I looked the part. ‘That’s perfect,’ said my sister Kerri, 22. But I wasn’t dressed as a snowman for Christmas. Instead, me, Kerri, Mum and Dad were heading out to the cinema to watch the new Frozen film back in 2019. And I’d chosen to go dressed as one of my favourite characters, Olaf. Like every new Disney film that came out, we made an experience of it. As the music played and the iconic Cinderella Castle appeared, I was enraptured. Disney always had that magical effect on me. And it’s that feeling that kept me coming back to Disney years later. As a child, I was obsessed with Disney. It was hard to pick a…

Placing my shopping bags down on the kitchen floor, I was exhausted. After spending a busy day out with my family on 29 March this year, I couldn’t wait to put my feet up. My partner Kieran, 28, and I had taken our little boy Charlie, four, to Gulliver’s Valley Resort for a day out. Making the most of the Easter bank holiday, we’d spent the day swooping on rides and picking up a food shop on the way home. Getting home at 6pm, after unloading the bags and eating our tea, we were all pretty much ready for bed. Tucking Charlie into his racing car bed on the second storey of our home, Kieran and I headed up to our attic room. ‘Shall we get an early night?’ I…

By anyone’s standards, $30 million is a lifechanging sum. Mansions, luxe holidays and that wardrobe you’ve always dreamed of. Who wouldn’t want that? And when the promise of dollar signs shone in the eyes of Steven Riley Jr, 51, he had big plans to spend it. But Steven was not a materialistic man. When a lawyer got in contact with him in September last year, he was of course over the moon to learn he’d inherited $30 million from a long-lost relative. But far from superyachts and penthouse suites, Steven had his family on his mind. The construction worker planned on purchasing a few acres of land in his home of Minot, North Dakota, and setting up his own auto shop. And the rest would be given to his five…

Running a bath, I turned my back for two seconds before I heard a splash. ‘Duke!’ I laughed, as my Bengal kitten had jumped in the tub. Most cats hated water, but Duke was different. Me and my partner Michael had bought two kittens, Duke and Nero, in March 2015 after purchasing our first house. Full of adventure, when we let them outside to explore, I was worried that they wouldn’t come back. Yet, the boys knew where their bread was buttered –they scurried home for tea. Away for three days at a time, Duke would bring treats back with him. The occasional rabbit and kitchen sponges. However, after falling pregnant in August 2016, things changed. Three days away from home for Duke turned into four weeks instead. Reporting him…

What’s trending If you’ve got sports gear you’ve outgrown or no longer use, take advantage of Decathlon’s Buyback scheme – allowing you to return it for store credit and give it a second life. Covering Decathlon’s own-brand bicycles, kayaks, paddleboards, rackets, golf clubs and even camping gear, the aim is to help reduce the amount of equipment that’s left gathering dust at home. Simply complete a quick online assessment and register the return to get a quote, then book a slot at your nearest Decathlon store to drop off your equipment. Customers can redeem up to 40% of the item’s value, depending on its condition, to spend in store – meaning you can try something new for less! • Visit: decathlon.co.uk Fun days out If you’re looking for budget-friendly days…

Answering the questions as clearly as possible, that’s when I realised that the defence didn’t care. They didn’t worry about facts or evidence. To them, it was more about telling a story. The leading defence lawyer, Lorenzo Alonzi, claimed that I had tried to manipulate him. He asked me if I knew what a narcissistic personality disorder was and he made out that I was hiding something. Lorenzo tried to say that Daniel had gone to uni and ‘fell in love with the wrong person’. Not only that, but he claimed that it was an ‘injustice’ that I’d got a degree and Daniel hadn’t. I was made out to be some sort of villain. Over the course of the five-day trial, Lorenzo used the word ‘rape’ twice – but he…

Complete the grid then read down the shaded squares to reveal the hidden answer. Clue: Type of head of state. Answer on page 44. ACROSS 1 Battle suit (6) 4 __ __ to Candleford, 2008 period drama TV series, based on a novel by Flora Thompson, starring Olivia Hallinan and Sarah Lancashire (4,4) 10 Cutbacks (9) 11 Without a __, 2002–09 police procedural TV series starring Anthony LaPaglia and Poppy Montgomery (5) 12 __ Locke, Made in Chelsea star who has appeared in Celebrity Big Brother (5) 13 Ever so much (9) 14 Nibbles (7) 16 Radiate (4) 19 Harrison __, actor who played Indiana Jones in several films (4) 21 See 1 Down 24 Reasoning (9) 25 Make Me __ (Come Up and See Me), 1975 No 1 hit…

Get moving! Getting physical exercise into your daily routine is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. But did you know that physical exercise can improve memory, especially in those with Alzheimer’s? In a trial, it was found that a year of keeping up with regular exercise resulted in a small increase in the size of the hippocampus – the area of the brain involved in memory. This is the same as reversing one to two years of age-related shrinkage! And here are some of the best exercises you can do to boost your brain health. • Walking – this also helps to build stamina and improve your overall fitness. • Gardening – this helps strengthen your muscles and results in more controlled breathing, too. • Swimming – a great…

DON’T MISS Glastonbury 2024 Live, BBC2 It’s that time of year again where the peaceful green fields of Worthy Farm are descended upon by musicians and music fans alike – transforming into one of the biggest music events on the planet, the legendary Glastonbury Festival. From their studio up on a hill overlooking The Park Stage and beyond to the rest of the festival, Clara Amfo and Lauren Laverne will bring you all the stories from the first couple of days onsite and look ahead at what’s to come, joined by some special guests. With performances from Coldplay, Shania Twain, Dua Lipa and more, it will be another momentous year. Machu Picchu: The Discovery with Dan Snow, Channel 5 Historian Dan Snow goes in search of some of the world’s…

Running headfirst into the sea in my swimsuit, I screeched as soon as the water splashed me. ‘It’s freezing!’ I shrieked. And it seemed my family had just had the same realisation. Sure, diving into the sea at Sheringham Beach in Norfolk was nothing like the warm, tropical waters of holidaying abroad. But for me and my family, we could think of nothing better. Especially as we’d been holidaying to the great British seaside every summer since I was little. With my mum Mags growing up in Norfolk, every year she’d take me and my siblings to visit our grandpa, showing us her childhood hotspots. From Holkham to Old Hunstanton, we walked along her favourite beaches. And no matter the weather, it was a family tradition for us to pack…

These bees are definitely getting bigger… Krissie Cope, Manchester My three-year-old grandson Oliver might look scary with his face painted as a tiger, but he’s a a big softy cat at heart! Tina Vowles, Stroud STAR LETTER We got some sloth close-ups at Marwell Zoo – this one was super friendly and came to say hello whilst eating his lunch. Hannah Preece, Weston-super-Mare Me and my mates dressed up us Minions on a trip to Spain. Marie Gee, Newcastle If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying Flowers. With over 30 years’ experience of helping celebrate life’s special moments and FREE delivery by post, a gorgeous bouquet by Flying Flowers is a lovely way to celebrate sharing smiles and happiness. See flyingflowers.co.uk for…

Mix up your brekkie with these summery beetroot overnight oats from Florette. • For more, please visit: florettesalad.co.uk ☐ 4 cooked beetroots☐ Juice of half a lemon☐ 1 ½ cups oats☐ 2 cups of your preferred milk☐ 2 cups yoghurt☐ Mixed berries of your choice☐ 2 tablespoons maple syrup☐ Mint to garnish 1. Blend the beetroot and lemon juice using a stick blender or a food processor. 2. Stir through the oats and add the milk. Set aside to cool. 3. Split between two bowls or mason jars and pop in the fridge with some cling film on top for at least an hour or leave overnight. 4. When ready to serve, layer your yoghurt and berries on top and finish with a drizzle of maple syrup and mint sprigs.…

Hearing a commotion from the kitchen, I scampered into the room. My son Aaron, then four, was covered in strips of a black bin bag. ‘What on earth is going on?’ I laughed. He’d tucked the shreds inside his clothes and was waving them at me. ‘I’m Ursula,’ he giggled. He’d made black tentacles out of a bin bag! Aaron was Disney-mad, with one of his favourite films being The Little Mermaid. Unlike most kids, he wasn’t rooting for the princesses. ‘Boo!’ he cried at them. He’d cheer when the villain turned up! Dancing in front of the TV, Aaron sang along to Poor Unfortunate Souls, Mother Knows Best and Shiny. Bursting with energy, it was hard for us to keep with him! As parents, me and my husband Lee,…

Walking into my local leisure centre, I couldn’t wait to get my blood pumping. Getting in my steps on the treadmill and lifting the odd weight made me feel better. It brought back a particular memory for me, too – hiking through the Himalayas back in 2013. I’d love to go back there. Recently, I’d found myself drifting back into the past, living in my memories. Only, I was suddenly stopped at the reception desk. ‘Are you coming in for another session Sam?’ the receptionist asked. ‘You’ve already been in this morning!’ Wracking my brains, I couldn’t remember wandering in earlier that day. But slowly, things started coming back to me. I swear I did that yesterday, too… I realised. Yet I knew my forgetfulness wasn’t something to worry about,…

Bright and beautiful Do you want bright, radiant skin? Struggle with acne scars and pigmentation? You may be in need of some good vitamin C. Working to enhance dull skin tones, vitamin C is a great addition to your skincare routine – and it doesn't need to cost the earth. With Garnier’s new Vitamin C Night Serum (£13.99, Boots), it works to visibly illuminate the skin while you sleep, so you'll wake up to a radiant, smooth complexion. After three years of scientific research, this serum contains 10% pure vitamin C – Garnier’s highest concentration yet. For the ultimate glow factor, pair with the Vitamin C Anti-Dark Spot Serum (£12.99, Boots). LUXE FOR LESS Get your hands in tip top shape this summer with Sanctuary Spa’s new Ultra Rich Hand…

Cate Campbell is a BACP accredited sex, relationship and trauma therapist. She is also a writer and co-host of The Real Sex Education podcast. To find out more please search Cate Campbell and also make sure to visit: bacp.co.uk It’s like talking to a ghost… Q I want to be closer to my dad but I don’t get along with his girlfriend. They both live really far away from me. We don’t ever get invited to their house, so how am I going to build a relationship with him anyway? Sally, Wakefield A It’s possible your dad has no idea that you’d like to see more of him, especially if there have been tensions in the past. It may also be worth persevering with his girlfriend, as she could facilitate…