Table of contents for 09-Feb-2017 in Pick Me Up!

What A Match! If only..! Sadly, Channel 4’s First Dates maitre d’ Fred Sirieix is spoken for. But, as you can see from my insanely wide grin, I couldn’t have been happier to meet the reality-show heartthrob. 8.5 …that’s how many decades the longest-recorded marriage spanned! Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher, from North Carolina, USA, wed on 13 May 1924. Sadly, they’ve since passed away – both aged 105! What A Practice! From literally wearing a heart on your sleeve with your beloved’s name on it, to declaring your intentions with a spoon, read more weird and wacky Valentine’s Day traditions at www. lifedeath prizes. com What A Show! After the gap left by Channel 4’s Catastrophe…

‘In August 2013, we celebrated my last bout of chemo’ ‘I started feeling bloated, had gone off my coffee...’ Grabbing hold of the wall, I powered my way to the top. Looking down, my climbing partner beamed at me. ‘Nice work!’ Chris shouted. I gave him a thumbs-up before jumping back down. Bouldering - a type of rock climbing - was my new hobby. Something to take my mind off my divorce... And my cancer. Six months earlier, in November 2012, I’d found a lump in my right breast. I’d just returned from a make-or-break holiday in Spain with my now ex-husband. Shelving our marital problems, I made an appointment at the Bristol Breast Clinic. A biopsy came back as abnormal but inconclusive. Finally, in January 2013, I was given…

There’s nothing like having your first baby - all the excitement! But for me and my husband Ashley, 22, the excitement turned to fear. ‘I can only see one side of his heart beating,’ the sonographer told us at our 16-week scan. The next day, we were referred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital. ‘What’s happening?’ I cried to Ashley. ‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘I’m sure it’ll be nothing.’ He was wrong. The consultant at Birmingham had grave news. ‘Your baby has hypoplastic right heart syndrome,’ he said, explaining the right half of the heart was almost non-existent. We could either terminate the pregnancy, or the baby would need three major operations after his birth to re-train the heart to work with just one side. But it wasn’t even certain our…

Medical records Q I have many health problems, and see loads of different specialists, but no-one seems to know what the others are saying. Is there anything I can do? Eliza, Hull A Your GP surgery is obliged to give you online access to your detailed GP records including letters from consultants. This can be very helpful for people with complex medical problems. Allergy advice Q I get bad allergies and need to take anti-histamines daily. They used to control things pretty well, but not anymore. What can I take? Shirley, Epping A The body can develop tolerance, so change to a different anti-histamine. If it’s not enough, speak to your doctor about the maximum dose because it may be higher than the over-the-counter dose. Fresh dimple Q My baby…

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ARE YOU SOME KINDA WISEGUY? Complete the gangster-film quotes 1 ‘You can get further with a kind word and a … than you can with just a kind word.’ Al Capone, The Untouchables 2 ‘As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a ...’ Henry Hill, Goodfellas 3 ‘I’m gonna make him … … he can’t refuse.’ Don Vito Corleone, The Godfather 4 ‘You wanna play rough? OK. Say hello to my little …’ Tony Montana, Scarface 5 ‘You shoot me in a dream, you better wake up and …’ Mr White, Reservoir Dogs Ornithophobia… …is an irrational fear of birds. When it comes to pigeons, though, we say it’s fair enough! Here's why: • The sound of their wings beating leaves us in a flap.…

‘The three of us took our seats, ready for our magical holiday’ How many sleeps now?’ asked my daughter Amelie, 4. It’d been the same question every night since I’d told her we were going on holiday to Disneyland Paris. I’d planned a four-day trip, staying in a hotel not far from the park, and a special breakfast with all the princesses in their castle. We were going with my sister Sarah, 31 - a huge Disney fan. She’d even got married in the Florida park a few years before. But no-one was more excited than little Amelie. ‘Who do you want to meet most?’ I asked her. ‘Ariel!’ she grinned. The Little Mermaid was her favourite, and she couldn’t wait to get a photo with her. The big day…

TRIED & TESTED This week: Red Lipstick 1 Max Factor Velvet Matte Lipstick in Desire, £7.99, Boots Max Factor has worked hard on its new lipstick range to ensure the matte formula doesn’t dry out your pout. The hard work’s paid off – this stayed put for hours, and didn’t have me reaching for the lip balm. 2 Essence Longlasting Lipstick in All You Need is Red, £2.30, Wilko I’m a huge fan of Essence lipsticks, as the bargain price makes them easily affordable when you want to try out a new colour. I loved the bright, punchy shade against my pale, winter skin, and it faded evenly throughout the day. Perfect! 3 Barry M Matte Lip Paint in Bombshell, £4.99, Superdrug I was so impressed with just how creamy…

‘With my confidence at zero, I always forgave his outbursts’ Valentine's should be the most romantic night of the year but controlling Kristopher Mayo, 31, used it to brutally rape his girlfriend. Though left bruised and broken, Anna soon found the courage to seek justice... Back in August 2008, when Kristopher Mayo first stole a kiss, my heart fluttered. ‘I’ve always fancied you,’ he confessed. It was funny as we’d been pals for years. At 21, we’d hung out together at the hotel where I was waitressing. After shifts, a group of us played pool, had a few laughs. Kris worked as a welder and fabricator, and was just a mate. But he was there for me when, in 2006, my fella and I split. Kris had a partner then…

I was dreading Valentine’s Day 2016. The first since splitting from my husband, and dad to our son Max, then 4. In the supermarket that February, Max saw a huge display of Valentine’s gifts. ‘Will your boyfriend take you out?’ he asked. ‘I haven’t got one,’ I replied. My kind-hearted boy suddenly had a plan. ‘Don’t look!’ Max yelled, putting items into our trolley. Grinning at my thoughtful gent, I bought them. On the day, I figured it’d be fun to spend Valentine’s with Max. ‘Shall we have a meal out together?’ I asked. Max raced to his piggy bank. ‘I’ll pay!’ he said. Heading to Pizza Express, Max brought along my card, which he’d written himself. As we ate, I realised I needn’t have fretted about feeling lonely -…

 Waking up at 2am, I groaned and made my way into my baby’s room. 'I went over to April’s cot to pick her up. She was floppy..., Pixie proved her maternal instinct is second to none As I was breastfeeding, I was the only one who could do the night feeds with little April. But, even so, I was never alone. As soon as our tabby Pixie heard April cry, she shot up and followed me, then sat by my side until April went back to sleep. Fruit monster When I first fell pregnant, in December 2014, me and my partner Mike, 25, worried Pixie and our other cat Simba might get jealous. We’d had the cats for three years, and they’d always ruled the roost. But when April was…

1 Consider A DIY Divorce If your finances are straightforward and things are OK with your ex, you could save £1,000s on solicitor costs. But if you’ve been together more than five years, have dependent children or if one of you doesn’t agree to divorce, get help from a mediator or solicitor. 2 Protect Your Home The family home might be in your ex’s name, but you can register your interest in it to ensure you have a place to live. Check www.moneyadvice service.org.uk/en . If you’re on the mortgage, call your lender to discuss future repayments. 3 Protect Your Children Both parents are expected to pay towards the cost of bringing up kids until…

‘I was diagnosed with a deadly form of cancer’ That’s weird, I thought. At the top of my left arm, there was a mole just below my shoulder. I’d seen it before, but I was sure it’d been smaller... For a split second, I thought it looked a bit like chocolate. But nothing happened when I tried to wipe it away. Not only was it bigger than usual, it looked darker. Just to be safe, I made an appointment with my GP in April 2010. She didn’t think it was anything to worry about. So I forgot about it. Little did I know... In the November, I got a chest infection, so I booked myself another appointment at the same surgery. This time, I saw a different doctor, who noticed…

‘As his victims lay dying, Roof stood there insulting them’ It was Wednesday evening, 17 June 2015, and a bible-study group was gathering at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. The church’s congregation was known to be predominantly black, but tonight they were joined by a young, white man. Just minutes after members of the congregation welcomed each other on the steps of the church with kisses and hugs, the man was filmed on CCTV walking calmly inside. He was given a warm welcome, and invited to sit with everyone and take part in the prayers. The man’s name was Dylann Roof. But he wasn’t there to get closer to God. He was there to unleash hell... After sitting with the group for nearly an hour…

Sweetheart Biscuits Serves: 30 Prep Time: 30 min Cook Time: 18 min 1 Position oven shelves towards top of oven, preheat to 200C/Gas 6 and lightly grease two baking trays. 2 Beat egg, vanilla extract and sugar together. 3 In another bowl, beat the Trex with 150g flour and salt until smooth and creamy. Gradually beat in the egg and sugar mixture, then add the remaining flour, salt and the polenta, and mix together to a smooth dough. 4 Turn out onto a lightly floured worktop and roll out until 5mm thick. Use different-sized heart-shaped cutters to stamp into biscuits, and then transfer to prepared baking trays and bake for 16-18 min until light, golden-brown. Cool for a few min…

‘Scrolling through profiles felt a bit like online dating’ I was tired of hearing the same question... ‘When are you going to settle down and have kids?’ friends would ask. I’d always wanted a family of my own. But in my late twenties, I believed I still had plenty of time for marriage and kids. I’d split from my boyfriend of four years when I was 27. I enjoyed being single. Besides, I had a back-up plan. Me and my good friend John had made a pact years ago. If we were both still single at 35, we’d have a baby together through artificial insemination. We often spoke about it. Though we never discussed the details or made proper plans. ‘We’ll cross that bridge if we come to it,’ I’d…

‘Since the shoot, Robyn’s confidence has exploded’ The moment I cradled my girl Robyn in October 2001, I knew. Her long, slender fingers and high, arched palate were telltale signs. I’d passed on Marfan syndrome - a hereditary condition affecting the body’s connective tissue, which provides the strength, support and elasticity to tendons, cartilage, heart valves and blood vessels. Her big brother Jason, then 9, had it, too. Poor littl’un Most people with Marfan syndrome tend to grow very tall. Jason, now 24, is 6ft 5in, while I’m 6ft. So to prevent Robyn growing over 6ft, doctors would prescribe oestrogen tablets from age 8. The syndrome affects sufferers in different ways. I have lens dislocation, leaving me partially sighted in one eye, blind in the other. Jason has survived several…

‘I tortured myself for not staying in touch with him’ Growing up, I often wondered about him... ‘Who’s my dad?’ I’d ask my mum Mandy, now 49. My parents had split when I was 3, and I couldn’t really remember Dad. In my teens, I wanted to know more. So Mum showed me some newspaper cuttings. They were reports about my dad, Jeffrey Shepherd. He’d had a few run-ins with police for petty crimes when I was a baby. Nothing serious, but I understood why Mum had ended things. I was still curious, though. ‘I want to find him,’ I told Mum. She agreed to support me. So I called family members, but nobody knew where Dad was. With such little information, I struggled to make headway. Years passed, then…

1 No Greasy Hands  Wrap some folded kitchen roll around a bottle of cooking oil and secur e with an elastic band. This’ll stop the greasy oil drips from sticking to your hands. Valerie Garner, Frome 2 Soften Sugar  To soften rock-hard brown sugar, put a moist paper towel over it and pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Jo McCarrick, Bradford 3 Hold On To Your Herbs Keep your herbs wrapped in a wet piece of kitchen roll and they’ll last well past the expiration date. Gill Carey, Hartlepool 4 Dry Veg  Instead of buying a pricey salad spinner, just line a bowl or colander with paper towels and your greens will dry much f aster. Lisa Bowen, Knebworth…

‘My head was swollen, it was so tight and hot’ Sitting in the salon chair, I smiled at my reflection. ‘It looks amazing,’ I gushed to my hairdresser. ‘I love being a brunette!’ It was January 2015 and my hair had just been dyed. A few months earlier, I’d discovered I was pregnant with my first child - a baby boy. And I’d decided to swap my blonde highlights for a more natural colour. I couldn’t have been happier with my new, glossy brown locks. Once the appointment was over, I rushed to my car. There, I took a selfie of my new ‘do’ and sent it to my husband Stuart, 32. You look stunning, it suits you! he texted back. Later that evening, I was watching Saturday night TV…

1 This condition is genetic. 2 Increased growth is a symptom. 3 It is untreatable. 4 It can be life-threatening. 1 TRUE Noonan syndrome is caused by a faulty gene that’s usually inherited from one of the child’s parents. 2 FALSE Common features include restricted growth, broad foreheads, drooping eyelids, a wide distance between the eyes and congenital heart defects. 3 FALSE While there’s no single treatment available for Noonan syndrome, the different aspects can be managed. Heart defects can be repaired with surgery and hormone medication can help with growth. 4 TRUE Almost all children will reach adulthood and lead independent lives, but problems like heart defects can be severe. Most patients will need heart monitoring for life. Next Week GIANT CELL ARTERITIS…

‘I’d won £1,000 and I couldn’t stop smiling!’ It was a Sunday last October. After running the vac over the carpet, I got my duster out. After a busy week at work in a school kitchen, it was when I caught up on chores. ‘Put your feet up, Mum,’ my grown-up kids said - but a mum’s work is never done! Later that evening when I’d finished, I finally took their advice, settling on the sofa with a brew and my laptop. ‘I’ll have a few games of bingo,’ I told my hubby Richard, 46. I’d joined Pick Me Up! Bingo five years ago in 2012. I used to love going out to the bingo halls when I was younger. But, after having the kids, I just couldn’t find the…

1 Co-Op Irresistible Prawn Cocktail, 170g The addition of brandy gives this a very grown-up flavour. Just divide between two dishes of shredded lettuce, then add a wedge of lemon for a posh, retro-style treat. 2 Asda Fishmonger’s Selection Prawn Cocktail, 140g The sauce may be rather thin and there aren’t that many prawns, either, but they’re big and the sauce has a strong, fishy flavour. 3 Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Prawn Cocktail, 200g Our favourite for two reasons: it was stuffed with prawns – plenty for two to share as a starter, or to fill a couple of sandwiches – and the sauce was rich, creamy and full of flavour. Not cheap, but worth it for a Valentine’s treat! Make it yourself... Serves: 4 Prep Time: 15 min…

FOOTLOOSE This refers to the bottom edge (foot) of a mainsail on a boat that has no boom to attach it to. THE BITTER END The end of an anchor rope was once known as the 'bitt end’ or 'bitter end’, as it was attached to a 'bitt’ post on the deck. The end of the rope was usually marked with coloured rags, indicating the water was too deep to drop anchor. SQUARE MEAL The Navy would serve the sailors their food on square, wooden platters, sawn from planks. TOUCH AND GO In shallow water, a ship’s keel may touch the bottom but not get stuck, and sail on. NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO SWING A CAT As punishment, sailors were flogged by the bosun’s mate, using his cat-o’-nine tails –…

Was encouraging the kids to do more chores one of your New Year’s resolutions? Sharing the housework is a great way to pull together as a family. Not only does it lighten your load, it also teaches children to take responsibility and learn practical skills. Use a star chart if it motivates your kids, don’t expect perfection and always give lots of praise. Chores can be thirsty work, though, so keep a bottle of Nestlé Pure Life in the fridge and the kids can enjoy a refreshing drink of chilled water when they’re done. Here are some tips to get started... Top 10 Practical Chores 1 SORTING THE WASHING  Ask younger kids to separate colours from whites, or to pair clean socks. Show older children how to read wash labels,…

Inflatable Perfect Man, £4.95, www.prezzybox.com If you’ve not got a date this Valentine’s, or you’ve had enough of the man you’ve already got, then this is the chap for you! He’s tidy, comes bearing gifts and is never going to argue back. What more could you want? Verdict: BONKERS! Pretty sure the relationship might be a little one-sided! Whisky Blocks, £14.99, www.firebox.com Keep your tipple nice and cold without watering it down by popping a few odd-but-brilliant freezable granite blocks into your glass. Keep them in the freezer for a couple of hours beforehand and you’re good to go! Verdict: GENIUS! They look fancy, too. PetWeighter Non Spill Dog Bowl, £24.99, www.amazon.co.uk Stop your pooch from moving their bowl and spilling food and water…

Tastes Of Yesteryear These throwback foods (and drinks!) are still going strong Test Your 80s Kids’ TV Knowledge 1 What was the name of the horse in Rainbow Brite? 2 Fraggle Rock (right) debuted in 1983. Who were the 4-inch-tall green characters, always wearing helmets and tool belts? 3 Which fictional valley was the original 1981 series of Postman Pat set in? 4 Which Care Bear had a rainbow on her chest? 5 Who was the smallest green engine in Thomas’ fleet in Thomas the Tank Engine (left)? Yeah, Yeah, Heard It All Before… Reality TV cliches we’re tired of hearing! 'I’m scared of absolutely everything – rats, spiders, snakes, cockroaches. I don’t know why I’m doing this!’ ‘I can’t believe these acts are in the bottom two.’ 'I don’t…

My auntie’s Staffordshire bull terriers Kylo, 9, and Kyra, 7, are quite the power couple. I was smitten with both rescue dogs, adopted in 2008. Then 10, and animal-mad, I’d pop in a lot to help care for them. ‘I reckon they’re in love,’ my auntie smiled. I had to agree. They barely left each other’s sides, so Auntie decided to breed the affectionate pair. In 2013, Kylo and Kyra had a litter of six pups, who were soon re-homed. Not planning to breed again, Auntie kept the amorous pooches apart when Kyra was in season. But, one day in November 2015, we’d nipped out to the local shop, leaving the dogs in separate rooms. Five minutes later, we found them together... er, romancing! Sure enough, Kyra fell pregnant with…

‘I visited him in hospital every day for a month’ Icouldn’t help but notice the handsome hunk’s muscles as we chatted in a Leeds nightclub. ‘I’m a personal trainer,’ said Tonie Browne, 27, as we exchanged numbers in September 2013. I’d enjoyed hitting the gym but, soon an item, Tonie encouraged me to join his. Sweating it out together was fun and, as he’s at the gym almost 24/7, it meant I got to see him! Tonie was training for the North West UK Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation (UKBFF) championship in May 2014. Only, that April, he had a flare up of Crohn’s disease, a painful condition that inflames the digestive system. He ended up in St James’s Hospital and, worried sick, I visited every day for a month. Once…

ARIES 21 March–20 April Laughter’s the best medicine, Aries, and this week offers you the chance to let off some much-needed steam. The stars suggest you may have misinterpreted what someone said. Take a look at the big picture before Monday. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May You’re in danger of sharing secrets, which aren’t yours to give away, so be careful. A new face in your career holds the key to a better working week. Don’t rule out working as a team, even if it does mean moving on from old contacts. Call: 09058 170 711* GEMINI 22 May–21 June Try not to let jealousy lead the way this week, as you and I both know you’re better than that. The glass is half-full for some, half-empty…

Relationships are always a focus of concern in our lives. Are you seeking a romantic partner? Are you experiencing difficulties in your current relationship? Are you both compatible? Our team of specially selected love psychics can help you find the answers you’re looking for on all matters of the heart. Using the ancient art of the tarot, your psychic reader will provide revealing answers. LIVE PSYCHICS & MEDIUMS! Call our live Psychics and Mediums now! Pay by your phone bill… Love Psychics 0906 174 1693 (£1.50/min)** Live Mediums 0906 174 1777 (£1.50/min)** Call Freephone 0800 063 0687 Book your reading with our friendly advisors Enjoy your consultation Or simply text LOVET (Space) plus your question to 82229 (Texts £1.50 per msg x 2)***…