Pick Me Up! -julkaisun 4-Apr-2024 -irtonumeron sisällysluettelo

Preparing to ask one of the biggest questions of my life, I wasn’t exactly sure how to approach the subject. Rehearsing the same lines over and over in my mind, I didn’t want to hurt my dad Andy, now 58, in the slightest. But I had to approach the subject one way or another – especially as the countdown until my big day was finally on. After meeting my husband to be, Ryan, now 31, back when we were just 15, over the years we had drifted apart. I’d gone on to have a family of my own, Oscar, now 11, and Harley, now eight, after meeting someone in Greece after working abroad there. Only with everything coming to a head, I moved back to the UK with my kids.…

JIA stands for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis – juvenile meaning that you were diagnosed before the age of 16, and idiopathic meaning that there is no known cause. JIA is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system becomes unbalanced and attacks the joints. This causes pain, swelling and inflammation. An estimated 12,000 children have JIA, and around half will continue to have active arthritis throughout their life. Young people with JIA have an increased risk of developing inflammation in their eyes as well as their joints. There are many different subtypes of JIA, including: Oligoarthritis – the most common, affecting four joints or fewer. Polyarthritis – this affects five or more joints. Systemic – this can also affect organs such as the heart and lungs as well as the joints.…

Pins and needles Q If I sit down for too long, I get really bad pins and needles in my legs. This is especially frustrating when trying to play on the floor with my toddler. Why is this happening, and how can I stop it? Olivia, Jersey A Pins and needles, also known as paraesthesia, occur when a nerve’s blood supply is momentarily obstructed, often due to prolonged pressure from sitting or sleeping in an uncomfortable position. This sensation typically subsides once pressure is relieved after a few minutes. If you’re noticing other symptoms such as numbness, changes in skin colour, trembling, or rapid breathing alongside pins and needles, it could indicate underlying medical issues like nerve damage or nerve entrapment. Persistent paraesthesia can also stem from poor dietary habits…

How to register It’s FREE to enter and it’s so easy to do, just visit, comps.lifedeathprizes.com and register by hitting the Create Free Account button and then you can enter as many competitions as you like. Go on, have fun! For website rules of play, visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/rules. T’s&C’s apply, UK only.…

Glow up Soap & Glory has had a glow up! With six new makeup products added to its iconic portfolio, you can create stylish looks that are perfect for spring and summer. The new Love at First Blush Glow Blusher (£11.99) and the Solar Powder Glow Bronzer (£11.99) will give your complexion a sun-kissed boost that is perfect for the season. Pair with a natural yet powerful eye with the Kick Into Neutral Velvet Eyeshadow Palette (£14.99) and Thick & Fast Tubing Mascara (£11.99). Then plump your pout with the Fabu-Lipstick Satin Lipstick (£10.99). For that extra wow factor, the Specactu-Lips pH Lip & Cheek Glow Oil (£12.99) transforms from a clear oil to a personalised pink that complements the complexion. Designed to elevate your everyday look, this new range…

Lucy Power is a leading coach and educator, trained and experienced in a range of psychotherapeutic approaches. Lucy helps to raise self-awareness so you can go on to live freely and without limits. Follow @iamlucypower on Instagram and please visit: iamlucypower.com Nightmare neighbours Q I’m being bullied by my neighbours and it’s really having an effect on my health. I don’t want to leave my house, I can’t even go in the garden without them throwing or shouting things. I’m trapped in my own home. Help me please. Daphne, Manchester A What a horrible experience you are having, I’m glad you made contact to ask for advice. Bullying, harassment and verbal and physical assault are criminal activities, and the police will welcome contact from you. I advise you to make…

Accustomed to a life in Bologna, Italy, it was a place where 18-year-old Saman Abbas was able to embrace Western ways. Emigrating as a teen from Pakistan alongside her dad Shabbar Abbas and mum Nazia Shaheen, as well as her siblings and extended family members, it was a chance to explore a new culture. Saman thought so anyway. Despite following Muslim beliefs, Saman didn’t always follow the practices that her family did. She quickly shed her headscarf, got facial piercings, began wearing heavy makeup and even started dating a younger man in the local area. Just like all other young adults her age. Sharing her life on social media, she didn’t shy away from her new relationship either. Posting pictures of her romantic connection with her partner, they would kiss…

Have you ever found yourself digging for evidence and piecing together an unsolved crime while fully immersed in your favourite murder mystery show? Well, now’s your chance to step into the shoes of a detective and take on some shocking cases. You might even unmask a killer… Sherlock: The Official Live Game – London If you’re a massive fan of the BBC hit show Sherlock, then you’re in for a treat. Follow in the footsteps of the infamous detective Sherlock Holmes in an immersive escape room experience to unearth hidden clues, piece together evidence and crack puzzles. You’ll even be travelling through iconic sets from the show to discover your escape route – including Sherlock’s Baker Street flat. It’s the ultimate test of intelligence, so you best work hard to…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great prize from Addis This Comfi Grip dustpan and brush has been designed with comfort in mind. With soft, fine bristles, you can clean those hard-to-reach areas without difficulty. The dustpan is made from a durable plastic with a rubber lip, meaning you can catch dirt and grime and transfer it straight into the bin. Job done! For more ways to make your life easier, visit: addis.co.uk Light it up I made this fun light from my empty coffee jar. I used battery operated lights then stuck on stickers. It looks so cool for the kids’ bedroom! Tina Williams, Ebbw Vale Fresh food Use a new shower cap to cover bowls of food – it keeps it fresh for longer!…

Walking in through the front door, I instantly saw the potential. The council house I was viewing back in April 2020 was a complete state. Old wallpaper was peeling off the walls, the woodwork around the doorframes was yellowing, and there was loose plaster scattered on the floor. But despite the house’s worn condition, I saw past it all. This is going to be hard work, I thought. But I wanted to build a lovely home for my daughter Indie, then one. I wanted a better life for us both – I’d started studying to become a midwife. And this new home could be our fresh start. Gazing out into the back garden, it was completely overgrown. But I could imagine Indie out there, bouncing on a trampoline with glee.…

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Walking around the beautiful grounds of a temple in South Asia, there was someone that I just had to show. Whipping out my phone, I quickly FaceTimed my mum, Kate, 69. ‘Look at this,’ I beamed, showing her the beautiful scenery around me. ‘Wow, that really is amazing,’ she replied. For the past few years, my partner Becca, 27, and I had gone travelling for a few months of each year. We had visited countries such as Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, too. And wherever we went, I would call Mum every day. Living at home with her, Becca and my dad Graham, 80, we were all very close. So, I always liked to take Mum along virtually during our travels. I wished I could take her along with…

With a dull ache in your mouth, you can barely concentrate, let alone eat your dinner – toothache can be debilitating. Ringing your local NHS dentist, you expect to book an appointment that week. Only, the waiting list is three months long for a check-up. Over time, the pain worsens. But looking at your bank balance, private treatment is something you cannot afford. This has become a common story, as in September last year, the British Dental Association (BDA) found that waiting lists for appointments were up to two years long. And on 6 February this year, Bristol saw a three-hour long queue of patients hoping to register for the newly opened St Pauls Dental Practice. However, the British Dental Association found that 91% of NHS practices across England were…

Catch Claire live on Facebook ARIES 21 March–20 April Monday’s new moon is a solar eclipse, which helps you get back on track with those you found it impossible to find common ground with in recent days. Time you spend with family helps you reconnect with those you know you’ll never see eye to eye with. However, you can now agree to live and let live with them, after what has been a draining family time. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Mercury retrograde has made it hard for you to show patience to those who are already on borrowed time with you. Things you pay out for regarding to the home say a lot about what you’re going to be making your priority in the weeks and…

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 more details.…

The outside of our homes are often overlooked in favour of the warm and cosy inside. But there is so much more to making your house a home. So grab your paint brushes, gardening gloves and tools to start sprucing up the outside, too. Follow these simple steps from Ryan Calvert, product expert at Hiatt Hardware – it’s time to look from the outside in. Visit: hiatt-hardware.com 1. Upgrade your front door Whether bright and bold or classy and muted, a freshly painted door can work wonders – opt for finishes like satin or semi-gloss, which are known for their durability, and stick to neutral tones such as navy, grey or black. Plus, a new door knocker can go a long way to make your house feel like a home…

Versus Arthritis is the UK’s largest arthritis charity, changing lives through research, campaigns and support. There are many ways to get involved and help the 10 million people in the UK living with arthritis. It can be by a small donation, aiding future research looking for a cure, holding fundraising events around the country or supporting runners in the London Marathon, to campaigning on issues like NHS waiting times. You could even leave a gift to the charity in your will or donate in a loved one’s memory. Volunteers dedicate valuable time in different roles, and you can help shape medical research or take part in research studies. For more information, visit: versusarthritis.org…

Pulling on my favourite red jumpsuit, it was the most treasured item in my wardrobe. If I had a special occasion coming up and I didn’t know what to wear, I know I could throw it on and be totally fine. For me, fashion was always a way of expressing myself. And thanks to my seamstress Grandma Cherryl, now 83, she enabled me to feel like I was never excluded. By altering my clothes, making the arms and legs shorter, it meant that I could strut my stuff with all my friends, wearing the exact same trends as them. Which gave me the confidence that I needed to stay head strong and resilient against the horrible negativity I would face when I headed out in public. Born with achondroplasia, a…

Sitting in the doctor’s surgery, I was hoping to get antibiotics for an ear infection that had been giving me jip. Only, it seemed they had something else they wanted to discuss. ‘I have to check, do you know you’re pregnant?’ the doctor asked. ‘Sorry what?’ I gasped. That can’t be right… I still had the coil. In February last year, my partner Alec, 32, and I hadn’t been trying for a baby – we’d actually planned to start trying later that year, but I hadn’t had my coil removed yet. It turned out that the coil had displaced and then fallen out without me even knowing. I already had a daughter, Ellie, 13, from a previous relationship and Alec and I knew we wanted to grow the family. I…

Take your baking to new heights this spring with these mouth-watering recipes from Horlicks. Family favourites with a little twist, these recipes are sure to go down a treat. For more, please visit: horlicks.co.uk Victoria Sponge YOU WILL NEED: FOR THE CAKE: □ 4 medium free-range eggs□ 200g caster sugar□ 200g self raising flour□ ½ tbsp baking powder□ 50g Horlicks Original□ 225g butter, softened FOR THE FILLING: □ 100g strawberry jam□ 100g butter, softened□ 15g icing sugar□ 50g Horlicks Original□ 1 punnet of strawberries 1 In a mixing bowl, beat the soft butter and caster sugar until a thick and fluffy buttercream forms. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, Horlicks Original and baking powder. 2 Lightly beat the eggs, then add a small amount of egg into the butter…