Pick Me Up!の 25-Oct-2018 の目次

From the moment I first laid eyes on you in August 2010, I knew I was going to love you forever. You were such fun and gorgeous - my partner in crime. We hadn’t even been dating that long when I’d joked about marrying you. ‘If I asked you to marry me right now, would you say yes?’ I’d questioned you. ‘In a heartbeat,’ you’d said, beaming back at me. It made my heart flutter and I couldn’t wait for the day that I asked you properly. Of course, I had to get the blessing from your eldest daughter Laur Thankfully she agreed... So in September 20 I finally proposed and, jus like you’d promised, you did say yes in a heartbeat! We got married in the May of 2013,…

It’s never the most graceful of things - peeing on a pregnancy test. But it was the result that had me falling back onto the toilet seat. ‘I don’t believe it!’ I gasped, as the test showed that , yes, I was pregnant. Talk about tricky timing. It was spring 2017, and I was in a very new, and very casual relationship. But, after the initial shock wore off, I felt a flip of excitement in my stomach. You see, I’d not had it easy. Back in 2016, I’d had an ectopic pregnancy - a fertilised egg had implanted in one of my Fallopian tubes, meaning surgeons had to remove it. They couldn’t make any promises when it came to my fertility in the future. But now, a positive test…

Trick or treat When throwing your Halloween party, turn an old jar into a jack-o’-lantern-style sweets pot with a permanent marker and a bit of orange card. It looks great and effective, especially when filled with orange treats. Lisa Adams, Halesowen Makes scents Place a few drops of essential oil on the cardboard tube of your toilet roll. It’ll make your bathroom smell wonderful. Angela Clifton, Felixstowe The game’s up! Declutter a games room by hanging your board games on the wall. Simply tuck the pieces and instructions behind to keep it clean and tidy. It looks pretty, too! Zowie D’Souza, Southampton Wipe-clean worksheets The best way to help children learn is to take worksheets, laminate them, and then reuse with board markers. They can keep…

Syphilis 1 Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is usually spread throughsex. ■ True ■ False 2 Symptoms may not be obvious, but can include sores and a rash. ■ True ■ False 3 Syphilisdoesn’t need treatment and symptomsdisappear on their own. ■ True ■ False 4 You can get treatment for syphilis over the counter in chemists. ■ True ■ False 1 TRUE It can be spread through any sexual interaction with someone who is infected, including vaginal, anal and oral sex, and through sex toys. 2 TRUE Other symptoms can be small skin growths, white patches around the mouth and a general fever. 3 FALSE Even if the symptoms disappear, the infection usually remains and, if left untreated, can cause serious, long-term health problems. 4 FALSE If you’re…

6-in-1 Hammer and Screwdriver, £9.95, Rex London DIY newbies, listen up! Hidden inside the handle of this little hammer are two cross-head and two flat-head screwdrivers. While we can’t promise it’s going to turn you into Handy Andy overnight, it’s surely a step in the right direction. No more excuses! Verdict: GENIUS! This great little gadget saves on space, too. Pink Puff Nail Varnish Holder, £4.99, firebox.com It might seem silly, but this little cushion is a real game-changer. Fit your nail polish bottle in the middle to avoid spills, keeping both hands free for painting. It’s super-light too, so easy to use on the go. Verdict: GENIUS! Paint your nails anywhere! We love. Black & White Farfalle Pasta, £2.49, Home Sense The first thing that sprung to…

Before I was 4, my childhood memories are vague. The youngest of four girls, I remember being doted on by my family, and I know I was looking forward to starting school. But, after those first few years, my memories become more vivid and haunting. My parents had come to England from Uganda in 1972. And, in 1978 we moved to Croydon, where they met Sayeed Shah, who lived three doors down. An accountant, he’d help my parents with their finances. I remember Mum and Dad sharing jokes with him, their beaming smiles, and offers for dinner at each other’s houses. At first, Sayeed barely noticed me. But, as the months went on, he burrowed further into our home and family life, becoming my parents’ friend and confidant. Soon, he…

Is an exclusive relationship an outdated idea? Before the digital age, it used to be the case that you’d meet someone at work or at the pub, and go on some dates. Then fast forward a few years, and you’d be married with a couple of kids. But now, the way people date has completely changed. The soaring popularity of online dating sites and apps - such as Bumble, Tinder and Happn - mean that, from the comfort of your sofa, you can spend the evening scrolling through profile after profile, swiping right when you come across someone you fancy. Which means, on a night in front of the telly, you may have lined up several dates with several different men or women. So, this begs the question - do…

ARIES 21 March–20 April Holding a grudge against someone or being too hard on yourself reduces happiness and is also bad for your health! Try to take back control of your life as I can see you now know what and who is bad for you after the dramas you’ve had over the last fortnight. Call: 09058 170 710* CANCER 22 June–23 July We can’t change what has happened to you in the past, but we can learn from your mistakes, can’t we, Cancer? You should be trying hard to make your plans for the future based on what your heart tells you is the right thing to do. Aries will have a link to new work paths… Call: 09058 170 713* LIBRA 24 Sept–23 Oct Why are you avoiding…

Head down, school books clutched to my chest, I prayed I’d be able to get to my next class without anybody saying anything. Some hope. ‘Oi, granny!’ one of the boys shouted out. ‘Shouldn’t you be home knitting?’ As his mates snorted with laughter, I felt my jaw clench. ‘Just rise above it,’ I told myself, trying desperately not to cry. But after years of ‘rising above it’ I longed to tell this bully where to shove his insults. Not that it would have helped much. Once bullies can smell hurt or fear, there’s no stopping them. And I didn’t need to encourage any more hate towards me. I was 15, a time when every girl is insecure about her appearance. And longing to attract some compliments, maybe even a…

Mouth misery Q I’ve always been prone to chapped lips, but now I’m getting splits on the side of my mouth which take ages to heal. What’s the best lip treatment to heal them? Ellie, Bedford A Inflammation or splitting of the corners of the mouth, known as stomatitis, is due to an iron deficiency. Speak to a doctor about having blood tests to find the cause and take an iron replacement to heal the sores. Fighting fungals! Q I’ve suffered with fungal toenail infections a few times now. I take the medication, which usually needs several months to sort it, but often it comes back after just a short while. Can I prevent it? Lucy, Liverpool A After clearing up the infection with oral medication, follow up with medicated…

My eyes scanned ‘ the bulging packets of crisps, stacked up high on the shelves in the supermarket. ‘Which flavour do you fancy, then?’ asked my boyfriend Will Curtin, 23, heading towards the family-size bags. ‘Mmm...cheese and onion, I think!’ I replied. So into the trolley went the crisps - to join the mountain of giant chocolate bars, mini doughnuts and millionaire’s shortbread cakes. Shopping together was one of mine and Will’s little traditions, an opportunity to squeeze in some time together as a couple. We’d curl up on the sofa and stuff ourselves until we felt sick! Each time we went to the supermarket, we came home with enough food to last us for a week. Trouble was, by the next day it’d all be gone. We’d curl up…

Lowering my baby boy Max into his crib, I felt a stab of panic. ‘Promise you’ll phone if you’ve got any worries,’ I whispered to my mum Liuvmila, 40. It was May 2017, and this was going to be my first night out since Max had been born, six months earlier. I was 19, feeling mixed emotions. Excitement about going clubbing with Max’s dad, my boyfriend Andzejus, 20. And worry about leaving my precious son. ‘He’ll be fine,’ Mum reassured me, ushering me to her front door. ‘Now have fun.’ I ran out to find Andzejus waiting in the car. ‘You look gorgeous,’ he grinned, leaning over for a kiss. I was so lucky. I had all I’d ever wanted in life - a beautiful son, great friends and Andzejus,…

Bringing my newborn daughter Sophia home from hospital in July 2018, one person was particularly excited to see her. ‘She’s so tiny!’ squealed her big sister Eilidh, 5, as I carried her into the house. Wrapped in a little fluffy blanket, Sophia was adorable. I felt that motherly urge to protect her from the world. Keep her cosy and safe. ‘My girls,’ smiled my hubby, Derek, 27, gathering us all in his arms. Over the next weeks, Eilidh wanted to do anything she could for her baby sister, even offering to help change her nappy. ‘You can hold the baby wipes for Mummy,’ I smiled. She was besotted. The girls quickly formed a strong bond, with Eilidh scooping Sophia up for a cuddle whenever she could. But, at the end…

Breathless and beaten, I rested on top of Pendle Hill. But the climb hadn’t knocked the wind out of my daughter Daisy, 4. ‘Come on, Daddy!’ she said, doing a cartwheel in front of me. ‘Let’s go back down!’ Slapping my hands on my thighs, I stood up again. ‘Right - come on then,’ I laughed to her. With Pendle Hill right on our doorstep, we often did this climb together. Daisy never tired of it, physically or mentally! Not long afterwards, in January 2018, Daisy and I were strolling through the centre of Burnley, when we spotted the folk from the Pendleside Hospice selling sweets. She wanted to know what they were raising money for. ‘It’s for poorly people who can’t come home,’ I explained gently. Daisy stood for…

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Bright idea Get your winter whites ready with Glowhite fabric whitener, which restores and retains the whiteness of your fabrics from the first wash. Usually £1 for three sachets, it’s 80p in Asda stores nationwide until 14 November. Spice it up The Spice Tailor Fast Pastes are £1.75 (usually £2.49) at Sainbury’s until 30 October. They’re a great way to make a quick curry at home. This offer is nuts! Pip & Nut Smooth Peanut Butter is a silky spread with a natural sweetness that contains no added sugars, palm oil or nasty additives – just peanuts and a sprinkling of sea salt. Perfect spread on toast or drizzled over porridge. It’s only £1.75 at Tesco (usually £2.25) until 7 November. Bun and games Burger King is giving away a…

Spiders never looked so cute! No-one’s scared of my incy wincy spider Lottie, 3. Nicola Pike, Exeter Noah was just 3 months old for his first Halloween – he was so tiny he couldn’t fit into his outfit! Tracy Nicholson, Grimsby Doesn’t it look like she’s seen a ghost?! My 2-month-old Emilia didn’t seem impressed with her very-first Halloween costume. Abigail Wathen, Gloucestershire Miaow! There’s nothing unlucky about my sweet black moggy Tallulah, 11. Helen Wright, Eastbourne I’m going batty for my puss Mao this Halloween! I think he loves his new wings, don’t you? Chiara Bullen, Glasgow My cackling witches Imogen-Leigh, 9, and Esme, 6, had a splashingly spooky bath time. This is our ‘bats’ blood bath’ where the girls mixed potions and chanted spells! Laura Fear, Somerset Emilia…

As my partner Collette, 42, got off the sofa, I glanced at my watch. It was 10pm, and earlier I’d fancied playing a spot of bingo before bed. It was one of the things I loved doing in my spare time. I always had so much fun! That evening, I’d opted for Sapphire Bingo. It was a Link game with other bingo rooms. A special-event bingo game that offers the chance to win an even bigger Full House as all players from the connected rooms are playing together. I decided to buy 24 tickets. Sapphire was my favourite game. It was the most like conventional 90-ball bingo. I enjoyed the entertaining chatroom, and there were always smashing cash prizes to be won. Tonight, it was a £1,500 Full House. ‘I’ll…

‘I think it’s great that people no longer feel the need to be in a committed relationship and married with 2.4 children. I’d like to think that, in this day and age, as long as there’s love and happiness and nobody’s being hurt, people should be more accepting.’ Gemma Carrick, Sunderland ‘I couldn’t share my husband with anyone else – the jealousy would drive me insane, and I know he feels the same. But if others want an open relationship and everyone knows where they stand, then I don’t see a problem with it – although I’d worry if children were involved.’ Emily Smith, Mansfield ‘If you want an open relationship then you really haven’t met the right person. It’s just a more honest way of cheating. For my partner…