Table of contents for December 31, 2015 in Pick Me Up!

What A Feast! I’ve overeaten this festive period, so I’m going on the Adam Ant diet for a bit. It’s called the ‘Don’t chew ever, don’t chew ever’ plan. What A Delivery! One of my presents was launched through the cat flap halfway across the landing! Thanks, Pat! For more parcel disaster stories, go to www. lifedeathprizes.com  and search ‘parcels’. What A Festive Feline! My cat Kushi has ‘helped’ with the Christmas decorations! What A Squash! On the way home to my folks’ this Christmas, I saw this bear had struggled to find a seat on the train. I hope he wasn’t fare dodging! What A Pair! It’s normally me who has the hump! Ed’s Test £25! Can you unscramble this 10-letter word to reveal something…

Things can change in the blink of an eye. And, in November 2014, my whole life was flipped upside down. I was six months pregnant with my first baby. My husband, Matthew, 30, and I were so excited about our new arrival. One afternoon, I was keeping busy with housework. But, as I flicked a duster around the living room, I felt a searing pain shoot through my temples. ‘I’ve got a funny headache,’ I told Matthew. ‘Sit down, babe,’ he said, concerned. But the pain just got more intense. Hunched over the sofa, I took a deep breath, hoping it’d pass. Deep down, I knew something was seriously wrong, though. The pain in my head was unbearable, and I couldn’t talk properly. My speech was muffled and slurred. Then,…

Food anxiety QI get very stressed this time of year, because there’s so much food – and I’m terrified of putting on weight. I don’t want people to notice I’m not joining in. Helena, York A While healthy eating’s important, your level of anxiety might indicate an eating disorder. Please seek help and discuss with your GP how food makes you feel. Worried about mum My mum’s staying with Q us this Christmas, but her memory’s really deteriorated. If she gets ill, who’s responsible for making decisions about her? Katherine, Lymm Even if your mum has the A onset of dementia, she may still be able to decide what she wants. If you’re worried, then talk to her and your GP about establishing her best interests before anything happens. Turkey…

I’d always been shy. But, by my teens, it was crippling. I couldn’t order a coffee, or even walk to the toilet in public without my mam, Sharon, 46, coming too. Every moment of every day was plagued by a nagging, constant dread. I was terrified something bad would happen to Mam, my dad, Phil, 56, or my brother, Daniel, 16. And I performed daily rituals to help relieve my fears. When walking, I’d internally count 18 steps. I’d count up over and over, and always have to finish on 18 - it’s always been my favourite number. So terrified Every night, I arranged my shoes to precisely face the front on a bottom shelf in my room. If not, I was convinced Daniel would die - and I’d be…

Celebration Cake Serves: 20 Prep Time: 40 min Cook Time: 1¼ hr Frosting: 1 Preheat oven to 180C/ Gas 4. Grease and line base and sides of 20cm and 13cm cake tins. 2 Beat together marg, 400g sugar and lemon zest. Beat in 1 egg with spoonful of flour. Mix in remaining eggs, flour and milk. 3 Divide mixture between tins, level and bake small cake for 50-60 min and large cake for about 1¼ hr. 4 Mix lemon juice and 150g sugar to make syrup, set aside. Beat frosting ingredients together, cover and chill. 5 Cool cakes in tin for 5 min, then turn out on to a wire rack, top down. Peel off paper, skewer all over…

Pull-Apart Cheese Scone Wreath Serves: 8 Prep Time: 20 min Cook Time: 15 min 1 Preheat oven to 220C/ Gas 7, and grease two large baking sheets. 2 Sift flour and salt into a mixing bowl, and stir in rosemary. Rub in butter until mixture is like breadcrumbs. Stir in ¾ of cheese. 3 Beat egg and milk together, stir into mixture and bring dough together with your hand. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead till smooth. 4 Roll out to 3cm thick, then use a small (4cm) cutter to stamp out scones, rerolling dough as necessary. 5 Arrange 15-16 scones in an overlapping circle on one baking sheet. Put any remaining scones on second baking sheet. Brush tops…

I collect fashion dolls and have a daughter, and believe dolls are a great imaginative tool. The key is diversity – if you look beyond the big names, there’s a huge range!’ Jessica Powell, Cwmbran ‘I bought a doll for my niece recently and had to go through the whole shelf to find an appropriate one. What’s wrong with making dolls which represent all kinds of different women?’ Kelly Imrie, Hurlford ‘My daughter’s 12 now, but I would be very reluctant to buy the dolls on sale today, as they put pressure on girls to lookgood and behave older than their years. ’ Caroline McCabe, Barwell ‘These dolls are supposed to be realistic. And as for body image, how about bringing your kids up to have confidence, so that they…

I’d always wanted twins, to get it out of the way! Starting to try with my hubby, Shaun, 39, we discussed our hopes. ‘Definitely one of each,’ Shaun said. ‘Twins, a boy and girl!’ I replied. But, with only one set of twins on my mum’s side, it was unlikely. Celebrating our first wedding anniversary in August last year, sightseeing in London, I felt exhausted. My period wasn’t late, but instinct told me to take a pregnancy test. Back home, I snuck into the bathroom... Positive! ‘I’m pregnant!’ I yelled, as Shaun ran upstairs. A few days on, the GP confirmed I was seven weeks gone. Shattered already, I’d a funny feeling... ‘It’s twins,’ I said. ‘Keep dreaming!’ Shaun said, laughing. But at my 12-week scan, I told the sonographer…

Three red sacks hung on the wall, with letters to Santa tucked inside. Christmas wish lists from my kids, Riley, then 6, Georgia, 5, and Aidan, 1. ‘Santa will collect them while you’re fast asleep,’ I beamed. ‘By magic?’ Riley asked. ‘Yes,’ I smiled. It was December last year, and the kids were so excited for Christmas Day. I loved spoiling them, shopping for all the things on their lists. That night, I sneakily took out their letters. Georgia wanted some play dough, Aidan, a rocking horse. And Riley... I’d like to go horse riding in the Brecon Beacons, he’d written in his infant-school scrawl. With Mummy. Bless! We’d only just moved to Brecon. Riley had spotted a nearby horse-riding place and was desperate to go. Opening my laptop, I…

The kids were in bed and my hubby, Will, 40, was watching the telly. So I logged onto Pick Me Up! Bingo. I’d become a member in 2011. I’d always been a fan of the bingo halls, but Pick Me Up! Bingo was better value. Plus, I loved being able to play at home. Tiki Bingo was my favourite. I enjoyed nattering with the other players. I’d had a few small win, but I just played for fun. And, this time, I wasn’t expecting to win big. Buying tickets for Tiki Bingo, I watched the game play out. Then, suddenly... ‘I only need number 18!’ I cried to Will. The last number was called - 18! £1,000, just like that. Both thrilled, Will and I jumped around the room. We…

Pie Do! You can’t beat a good pie. Growing up, I lived on the same street as the Holland’s pie factory. The smell of freshly baked pies would make my mouth water. Mincemeat and gravy, chicken and mushroom, vegetable... I loved them all. So, when my fiance, Stephen, 35, and I began planning our wedding, there was only one meal fit for our guests... ‘Pie, chips and peas,’ I grinned. So we asked our caterer to serve Holland’s pies. Next I contacted the factory and asked if they had little flags we could stick in the pies for our reception dinner. The manager told us he could do better than that... ‘How about a lift to the wedding in our pie lorry?’ he suggested. He also offered to bake us…

Exhausted after a long shift at work, I turned my key in the door. As I flopped onto the couch, I was hoping my boyfriend, Vinnie Vernon, would be ready with a smile and a glass of wine for me. Instead, he just glared at me. ‘You’re late,’ he snapped. ‘Where’ve you been?’ I sighed. While I worked long hours in a sofa factory, Vinnie was at home all day, with too much time on his hands. And he was becoming possessive and unreasonable. When we’d met, in May 2009, he’d seemed like a nice bloke. I was keen to settle down, and thrilled when we moved in together that November. But it wasn’t quite what I’d hoped. Vinnie had a jealous streak. He wanted to know the names of…

I was only 13 when I had my first allergic reaction, during a PE lesson. My arms broke out in a bright-red rash after I’d handled a volleyball. My mum, Gwenllian, 53, took me to the GP and, after blood and allergy tests, I was diagnosed with Type 1 latex allergy. Latex is in so many things, so I was given antihistamines to take daily. But, as I got older, my symptoms got worse. Age 18, I moved to Bangor University to study Zoology. On a night out, my friend came up to me holding a balloon. She didn’t know about the severity of my allergy and was holding it just centimetres from my face. My throat got tighter and my lips swelled...I felt as if I couldn’t breathe... An…

1 Hypothermia is caused by the body temperature dropping. 2 Constant shivering is a symptom. 3 Hypothermia doesn’t need immediate medical attention. 4 Wrapping up warm can reduce the risk. 1 TRUE Normal body temperature is around 37C. Hypothermia occurs when it drops below 35C. The elderly, babies and people with certain chronic medical conditions are most at risk. 2 TRUE This is one of the early symptoms. Others include low energy, cold skin and fast breathing. This can progress to confusion, lack of co-ordination and eventually unconsciousness. 3 FALSE Severe hypothermia can be fatal, so seek medical attention if you suspect the condition and call 999 at once. 4 TRUE Dress appropriately – layering is helpful. And keep an eye on the elderly to make sure their homes are…

My little girl, Georgi, 22-months, had been ill for weeks. She’d cold- and flu-like symptoms, didn’t engage with me, my husband, Stuart, or her big sister, Taylor-Rose. And she was tired and lethargic. But every time I went to the doctor’s, I got the same response. ‘It’s a virus,’ they’d say. By February last year, she wasn’t sleeping well and looked grey. ‘Has she always been this colour?’ the GP asked, referring Georgi for blood tests. We called for an appointment, but they gave us one weeks away... The following day, Georgi was at nursery when I got a call. ‘She’s fitting,’ the teacher said. They’d called her an ambulance. Panic-stricken, I raced to Hull Royal Infirmary, calling Stuart, my sister-in-law Michelle, 38, and mother-in-law Marion, 60, on the way.…

Paul Hollywood Ready To Bake Crusty Rolls, £1.49, Waitrose, Tesco and Ocado Six delicious ready-to-bake rolls in Crusty, Seeded and Multi-Seed varieties. Thanks, Paul! English Provender Proper Pickle, Asda Beetroot, Pickled Onion, Chunky or Finely Chopped – tasty with Boxing Day leftovers! Cadbury Amaze Bites, £2 Bite-size, choccovered brownies. Choose from Double Chocolate, Chocolate And Orange, and Chocolate And Mint. Iceland Irish Meadow Irish Cream Liqueur, £6 Served over ice, this is such a treat – and at this price, you just can’t go wrong! Press’d Coffee, £2.99, Ocado A tiny bottle of concentrated coffee – just squeeze and add hot water. In Colombian, Caramel or Vanilla flavours. So easy! Schwartz Mulled Cider Spice, £1.79 Heat a sachet with cider and sugar for a delicious, spicy, hot toddy to celebrate…

There’s nothing better than a girls’ night out with a good mate - especially when it’s New Year’s Eve! My friend, Helen Jenner, 18, was home from uni for Christmas last year, and I was making the most of time off from my job as a sales rep. ‘Let’s stay local,’ I suggested. ‘It’ll be cheaper that way,’ Helen agreed. So, in the early evening, she arrived at the house I shared with my mum, Jackie, 56, and stepdad, James, 38, in South Woodham Ferrers, Essex. Music blaring, we had a few glasses of wine as I got changed into my new white peplum top and black disco trousers. At about 9pm, we headed to the Town Crier, then onto another bar for a dance. As midnight approached, the countdown…

SAGITTARIUS 23 Nov–21 Dec LOVE There’s a great deal of competition in your chart as you enter the New Year, but don’t allow this to push you to act in anything but an exemplary fashion. It’ll only come back on you later, when those you’re trying to impress find out, which they will. A new attraction from February requires a slow pace while you prove you’re worth a romantic investment! FAMILY The Eastern sector of your chart is highlighted, so you’re able to use your gift of charm throughout the year. Yes, that does mean it’ll get you out of many a sticky situation – but it also means you’ll be tempted to pull the wool over others’ eyes to get what you want. Respect older people’s privacy this year,…

My son, George, 8 months, giggled happily as everyone made a fuss of him. It was Christmas last year and the family had gathered at my mum Jacqui’s house for a festive lunch. But everyone’s attention was on George. ‘Such a brave boy,’ the family cooed, giving him lots of cuddles. See, George is a little miracle. When he was born in April 2014, we weren’t sure he was going to make it. My 20-week scan revealed abnormalities on his heart. His little ticker was back-to-front and it had three instead of four chambers. ‘It’s unlikely he’ll survive,’ a doctor warned me and my hubby, Rick, 30. We were offered a termination. ‘No way,’ I said, devastated. I wanted to give my baby a chance, so Rick and I continued…

Have You Tried? What is it? A fitness class using a combination of aerobic exercise with traditional burlesque showgirl moves that promise to burn calories and tone your wobbly bits! Is it for me? The moves are easy to follow – and the resistance section even uses a feather boa with dumbbells! Find out more: For local classes, visit www.burlexercise.co.uk Food Swaps Flattering Fashion If you’re planning to get fit in the New Year, this fab sporty top and matching shorts (great length!) should help to keep you right on track! 165 million …cups of tea are drunk daily in the UK, and a whopping 30% with sugar added. If each cup takes just 1tsp of sugar, that’s 1,042,105 cups of sugar each and every day! 100-Calorie Gallery…

Me and my mum, Marlene, 78, have always loved playing bingo together. ‘Dabbers at the ready,’ we’d laugh as we settled into our seats at our local bingo hall. We had such fun playing together and, if one of us won the jackpot, we’d always share our winnings. ‘That way, we’re both winners,’ I’d say. But really, it wasn’t about winning - it was just a bit of fun. Then, three years ago, I started a new job and couldn’t go to the bingo halls as much. Mum was busy, too, with her friends, and going to the bingo hall wasn’t convenient for her any more. ‘You should try Pick Me Up! Bingo,’ a friend suggested. She explained I could play whenever I liked in the comfort of my own…

For the most part, I had a happy childhood. I adored my parents, my mum’s cousin, Joyce, who I called Auntie, and my Nan. The only person who made me uncomfortable was Uncle John. He’d married my Nan before I was born, yet I called him Uncle John. He’d give me a kiss and cuddle when he came over. ‘Let’s play hide-and-seek,’ he’d say. I thought it was a brilliant game. So, while Nan was knitting, Uncle John would lead me upstairs to play. ‘Found you!’ he’d announce every time. But, at 4, the game changed. When I got caught, Uncle John, then 39, would scoop me onto his lap and slide his fingers down my knickers, inside me. He had long, scratchy fingernails and I hated every moment of…

My girl, Codie, 12, entered our local pet shop, and made a beeline for the rodents. We’d popped in for supplies for our four rabbits, but my little animal lover had other ideas. ‘Can I buy a hamster, pleeease?’ she’d begged. She’d been saving her pocket money for the equipment. So golden hamster, Beth, moved into a cage in Codie’s room in October 2014. Codie handled Beth at every opportunity, or watched her running on her wheel. Then, one weekend in April this year, Codie went away with her dad, and Beth didn’t eat, or stir from her bed. When Codie returned, next morning, we opened Beth’s bed and were horrified to see her back left foot had turned black! An inch-long wire had wrapped around her leg, cutting off…

I’d been on tenterhooks since New Year’s Day. I was expecting my first baby and by 13 January 2014, I was still waiting. My mum, Sharon Bland, 41, said I could face a lengthy labour. ‘You took your sweet time!’ she chuckled. At 11am that day, the midwife came to my home to give me a cervical sweep. Later that evening, I started getting really bad backache. ‘It’s starting!’ I exclaimed, phoning Mum, my birthing partner. My nan Margaret, 61, drove Mum and me to Colchester General Hospital. Examined at 4am, the midwife said I was too bubbly and comfy to be in labour and was told to go home for now. We went back to Mum’s as she had an orthopaedic bed that I found comfortable. But I couldn’t…

Twinkle, twinkle, chocolate bar, Daddy drives a rusty car,’ sang 2-year-old Effie, bursting into giggles. I looked at my husband, Paul, 38, and smiled. Effie had been cast as a star in her pre-school Nativity play, and we were desperately trying to teach her the proper lyrics to her song! It was Christmas 2012, and Effie was loving it. Every day, we visited the local shop to look at all the lovely decorations. Then, on the day of the Nativity play, Paul and I were bursting with pride watching our little star perform. Come Christmas, Effie took three days to open her pressies, playing with each for hours before moving on to the next. She’s growing up, I thought to myself wistfully. No longer a baby, Effie would bring me…

Norovirus If you have sudden, forceful vomiting and watery diarrhoea, it may be norovirus, a contagious stomach bug that’s common in winter. It’s best to let the virus run its course, so rest and drink plenty of water. You should feel better in a couple of days but, if not, see your GP. The virus is easily spread, so always wash your hands after using the loo and before handling food. Give Yourself A Lift Your festive turkey can be a mood booster. Turkey’s a key source of the amino acid tryptophan, which is converted by the brain to serotonin – the happy hormone. So tuck in!…

My son, Lucas, now 6, was only 5 months when a scan showed he had a condition called developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). It’s caused by the ball-and-socket hip joint failing to develop properly. Looking online for info, myself and partner, Oliver, 41, were terrified. All the images showed babies in casts, with their legs up in traction. Lucas’ doctor, at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London, said it was likely he’d need an op, as his condition was severe. If his DDH went untreated, Lucas could be left with lifelong disabilities. We were so worried about what the future would hold. When Lucas was 8 months old, he had his first op, called a closed reduction. During this surgery, doctors manipulated his hip joint to get the…

USA: A PLANNED DISAPPEARANCE? It was a cold winter’s afternoon in February 2004 when Maura Murray, a 21-year-old nursing student at the University of Massachusetts, told her professors and boss there’d been a death in her family. She said she needed to go back to her home in Hanson, around two hours away by car. She packed a week’s worth of things, including her textbooks, and clothes. In her car, there was also some alcohol, and directions to Burlington, Vermont. Lost control At 7pm that evening, Maura was driving along a pitch-black stretch of Route 112 in Haverhill, North Hampshire. But she lost control of her car, crashing it into a snow bank. A passing motorist pulled up and asked Maura if she needed help. She said no. When police…

Champagne Bucket, £38, Oliver Bonas We know our Ed, Gilly, has a secret stash of fizz, so we reckon she needs something lovely to keep it in! Gnome Salt and Pepper Shakers, £10, Marks & Spencer Our Jess is a sucker for novelty homeware, and this fun set will (hopefully) be taking pride of place on her kitchen table! Opulence Bath Elixir, £12.50, M&S This luxury bottle is almost too gorgeous to open, but we think a pamper night and bubble bath is just what our Tracey deserves! Coin Purse, £15, www.whitestuff.com Ever practical Glenda’s after a new purse. Fingers crossed her hubby takes the hint! Pug Mug Set, £9.99, New Look Tanya’s fallen in love with these adorable mugs. If she can’t have a puppy for Christmas,…

1 Morrisons 40 Prawn Party Platter, £4 With 10 butterfly prawns, 15 garlic king prawns and 15 Thai popcorn prawn bites…this big pack is perfect for a party! 2 Sainsbury’s 8 Party Tempura Prawns, £2.25 Big prawns in lovely, light batter. Keep these in the freezer to heat in just 10 min or so. A nice nibble to have with drinks or as a starter. 3 Tesco Finest 10 Butterfly Prawn Selection, £3 With a sachet of mango sauce dip, this pack contains five each of sesame seed crumb, and coconut crumb prawns. What a treat!…

If you have girls, it’s safe to say a Bratz or a Barbie doll could feature on their Christmas list. The toys have long been childhood favourites. But in recent years, there’s been a backlash against them, with experts saying they’re over-sexualised, present an unrealistic image of beauty and contribute to problems such as eating disorders. And it appears parents may agree, with the latest figures showing sales of Barbies falling for the eighth quarter in a row. Although this is partly due to the popularity of electronic items, it’s also down to the fact that mothers want their children to play with toys that better represent them. The rise of a viral social media campaign, #toylikeme, early this year saw a group of mums lobbying toy manufacturers to make…

It was 13 December 2011, and the square was full of happy shoppers at the Christmas market in Liege, Belgium. At 12.30pm, a man crossed a raised walkway above a bus stop - and threw three grenades into the crowd 15ft below, before firing down a hail of bullets. Could it be significant that the shocking scene took place near a courthouse? As terrified shoppers fled the bloody scene, the shooter held the rifle to his head and pulled the trigger, killing himself. His name was Nordine Amrani, the man who killed Christmas. Marked by fate Amrani, then 33, was born in the Ixelles district of Brussels in November 1978. Of Moroccan descent, his parents died when he was young and Amrani spent time in foster homes in a poor…

I work as a mental-health nursing lecturer and live with my partner, John. I signed up for Quidco two-and-a-half years ago, after hearing about it from a friend. It seemed like such a good idea. It’d certainly help me out, and let me have some extra treats along the way, too. I’ve always been a big online shopper. I find that it’s so much more convenient for me, and it also means that I don’t have to trawl round town every weekend. So, why not get some extra pennies in the process by signing up to Quidco? I started noticing the benefits of using Quidco straightaway, especially when I had to pay for things like utilities and insurance. The biggest amount I earned in one go was £120 cashback on…

PUPPY LOVE Coco’s farewell gift… When our gorgeous Rottweiler, Coco, peered out of the pages of Pick Me Up! in May, it was tinged with sadness. She’d been diagnosed with bone cancer and given just six weeks to live. Me and my partner, Symon Spencer, 41, were distraught. Yet, instead of moping, we were working our way through Coco’s doggy bucket list, filling her last weeks with happiness. Run on the beach, sit in a fire engine, share an ice cream with Daddy, meet a celeb... And, after appearing in Pick Me Up!, Coco ticked the last thing off her list. Meet her brother, Scruff! A bittersweet moment for us all. A week later, Symon called me at work. ‘It’s time,’ he said sadly. Coco could hardly move, was in…

The Library Of Fragrance Cologne Spray in Pizza, £15, thelibraryof fragrance.com We all want a perfume that suits us, so why not smell of your favourite food? This is just like your beloved margherita pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella, freshly baked dough and oregano. Wishbone Smart Thermometer, £34.99, www. wishbonebaby.co.uk Designed to fit into any iOS or Android-enabled device, this contains an infrared sensor to measure temperature from 3-5cm away and shows the results on your phone within 2 seconds. Great for taking the temperature of bath water, food or sleeping babies without disturbing them! AirWheel AirBoard, £599, Maplin This self-balancing electric board is controlled by your own body movements, so all you have to do is lean in the direction you want to go in and…

It’s family that makes a house a home, so when my husband, Kenny, 58, and I bought a house with our daughter, Lorna, 35, and her family, I couldn’t have been happier. It meant I’d see my three grandkids, aged 8, 6 and 4, every day. We moved in on 11 June this year, and the house is noisy and full of life - just the way I like it! But every now and then, for a bit of relaxation, I like to play a few games of bingo. I used to go to the local bingo hall but, during the winter, I didn’t like driving in the dark. ‘Try Pick Me Up! Bingo,’ my sister had suggested. She played and said it was fun. Why not? I’d thought. Favourite…

‘What’s next?’ asked my girl, Jess, 9, in August 2009. She’d raised £2,500 for Cancer Research UK, hosting a garden party, for 200 visitors. Inspired by reality TV star Jade Goody’s battle five months earlier, Jess wanted to help beat cancer. And after just one event, she’d got the charity bug. Soon she was putting on different events, supporting a variety of charities, including Parkinson’s UK and Make-A-Wish Foundation. Her zip-wire challenge and abseil down Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower were particularly memorable! And by December 2014, she’d raised a whopping £44,500. This year, she chose to support Hannah’s Holiday Home, a charity providing holidays for families affected by life-threatening illnesses. For 18 July, ahead of her 15th birthday on the 30th, she planned a mini festival in our garden, charging £5…

The minute I laid eyes on Dan Foster, I knew... He’d dark hair, beautiful blue eyes. It was April 2003, and I’d left Scotland to travel around Australia - I’d gone to Surfer’s Paradise to stay in a hostel. Soon, I was working there and moving into the staff quarters, where Dan was, too. One night, we all went out to a bar and got a little merry. Well, I did! But I realised something back at the hostel. I clambered onto my bed, while Dan stood next to me. ‘You don’t drink?’ I asked. ‘I have a liver condition,’ he said, explaining he’d been diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis aged 17. It’s a rare condition where the bile ducts inside and outside the liver shrink due to scarring and…