Table of contents for 23-May-2024 in Pick Me Up!

Walking through the fields with my husband Alan and our dog Susie, we’d been spending time this way for 40 years. Marrying in 1983, we’d enjoyed a happy life together – and in early 2020, we were enjoying what we’d hoped would be a long retirement. On holiday in the Cotswolds, we noticed some swelling on Alan’s legs. He looked very swollen from his knees to his ankles, although hadn’t complained of pain. ‘I don’t want to cause a fuss,’ he said, when I urged him to go to the doctors. But I could tell this wasn’t normal, pushing Alan, 81, until he agreed to go. The doctor prescribed him water tablets to help reduce his fluid retention. This worked to start with. But quickly the swelling came back, and…

PINK PARADISE Pink makeup hues don't seem to be going anywhere and we're all for it. Fresh and sophisticated, light pink tones are perfect for the season. 1. Soap & Glory Lid Stuff Dual-Ended Eyeshadow Stick in Matte Rose & Rose Glitter, £7.99, Boots Pink eyeshadow is probably something you played with in your youth, but it’s not just for kids. This dual-ended stick helps you create a smooth, sophisticated look that packs a punch. Easy-to-blend, you can create a matte or shimmery eye depending on your mood, too. 2. Collection POWer Play Liquid Blush, £4.99, Superdrug Add a flush of bold, pink colour to your cheeks. Wear under your makeup base for a natural tint or on top for that full glam look. Plus, it’s lightweight – perfect for…

Devoting her life to her studies, Jennifer Pan was known for being a highly successful, straight-A student. Her father, Huei Hann Pan, and mother, Bich Ha Pan, had insisted that would be the case. Arriving in Toronto as refugees from Vietnam, Huei had given up everything to move to Canada, so that his children could have a better way of life. However, by making this sacrifice, it meant that he expected Jennifer to always be at the top of her class. It was a strict upbringing, but Huei only wanted the best for his beloved children. And Jennifer was the golden child. Excelling from a young age, Jennifer’s future seemed bright, too. Accepted into Ryerson University, she spent two years there studying science. She’d even managed to get an impressive…

Putting a foot onto the ladder rung, I was following my students onto the plane. Only as I climbed up the ladder, I felt my legs go to jelly. Oh, I don’t like this, I thought. But I had to put on a brave face for my students. I’ve never been a massive fan of heights – I don’t like them at all. As a skydiving coach, I could appreciate how strange this sounded. Throwing myself out of planes was my job after all! But it was a fear that I’d had from childhood. As a kid I’d watch as my mates climbed up trees, dangling from the branches, knowing full well I was too scared to do the same. I put on a brave face for my students And…

Verdict: GENIUS! Feed the birds Window Bird Feeder, £15, available from Menkind Calling all twitchers and nature lovers! Feeding the birds is something that all of us like to do in summer. However, it’s annoying when you fill the feeder and can’t even spot the friendly birds before it needs topping up again. That’s where the Window Bird Feeder comes in. Simply suck the device onto your window – and wait. You’ll have the best view in the house. It also means that those pesky squirrels are less likely to steal the feed. Verdict: BONKERS! Hide and seek Have you seen the Himalayan quail? There are a range of different bird species all over the world, some that haven’t been discovered. But did you know that there are also ‘lost birds’? These…

Walking into the house, I instantly fell in love with it. With a brick fireplace and a back garden, I’d found my dream home. ‘It’s beautiful,’ I breathed to my cousin Lara, 24. After recently going through a break–up, and Lara graduating from university, we both needed a fresh start – and a new home to start our next chapter sounded perfect. ‘I think this is the one,’ Lara confirmed, smiling. The house ticked all the boxes – located in Cheshire, just 10 minutes away from the village we grew up in, it meant that we could visit our family whenever we wanted. Plus, it was just a short commute from our jobs, too – I worked as a property manager in town, while Lara was an emergency worker. While…

If someone asked you explain what a mortgage is, could you do it? Could you explain the different types, interest rates or conditions? 64% of people in the UK have taken out a mortgage or personal loan without understanding how it works, according to a report by money.co.uk last year. A further survey by Confused.com highlighted how 62.6% of those with a mortgage couldn’t answer questions about them. Mortgages are complicated. Whether you already have one or are in the process of saving for a home, then it is worth understanding them. ‘A mortgage is essentially a means to obtain finance to buy a property. You will not own the property outright until the mortgage is cleared, although your name will be on the deeds of the property as the…

Strolling along the woodland path, I took a deep breath. Whenever I went hiking in the mountains by my home in Asheville, North Carolina, I felt like a weight had been lifted. The sounds of chirping birdsong relaxed me. This is my happy place, I thought. And it had been for years – moving to Asheville in July 2019 with my husband Jack and our children *Alex, 11, and *Emily, seven, I fell in love with nature. When Jack fell ill with cancer, it became my refuge. Even if my life was crumbling down, the mountainside gave me an escape. I knew what to do if I faced wild animals And it became a lifeline for me when Jack passed away, aged 50, in March 2020. Two years later, I…

YOU’VE GOTTA LOVE Finding my favourite spot in the crowd, I was shoulder to shoulder in a hoard of mouse ears. ‘We’ve got to get the best spot,’ I said to the group. Something my dad, Craig, would tell me and my brother Craig, 35, when we were kids. And the sweet spot was right between Cinderella Castle and Mainstreet – it gave you the best view of the cast and floats. Watching Mickey and the gang parade through Magic Kingdom had captivated me since childhood. I was blown away by the craftsmanship that went into building the floats – it looked more magic than mechanical. And throughout my childhood, I was lucky enough to visit the Disney parks a few times with my family. And while I loved the…

Reason to smile Have you ever lost touch with an old pal and wished there was a way of rekindling the friendship again? Anna Jeffrey and Mary Braddock became friends after meeting at a ladies’ club 30 years ago and grew close after spending time fundraising together – but they drifted apart. But when Anna, 92, moved into Porthaven Care Homes’ Prestbury House in November 2023, she was stunned to see her old chum Mary, 95. The sweet reunion has given the ladies a new love for life as they’ve spent time together catching up and reconnecting – they now spend their days enjoying flower arranging, afternoon tea and dinners together. It just goes to show – true friendship stands the test of time. Visit: porthaven.co.uk Fun days out Get…

Bring all the summer vibes home with this chocolate covered strawberry shot by Tequila Rose. Whether you’re looking for something to wow your guests at any bank holiday barbeques, or looking for the perfect pre-drink with the girls – don’t worry, we have you covered. As this indulgent shot will transport you straight into summer, with a chocolate strawberry in hand. ☐ 30ml Tequila Rose☐ 15ml Chocolate flavoured vodka 1. Add Tequila Rose, chocolate flavoured vodka, and plenty of ice to a shaker 2. Shake for 20-30 seconds 3. Strain into a shot glass 4. Bottoms up! Please visit: tequilarose.com…

What is palliative care? If you have a terminal illness, you will usually have palliative care – this is a holistic type of care which focuses on: Managing any symptoms Offering emotional, spiritual and psychological support to patients and their family Offering practical support, including planning for the future or getting equipment Giving you a good quality of life It is not the same as end-of-life care, as palliative care can last for much longer. Having palliative care doesn’t mean you are going to die soon – some people have palliative care for years. What’s more, friends, family and carers can access emotional and practical palliative care for themselves. Palliative care can be received in your home, a hospital, care home or a hospice and doesn’t mean you will stop…

Engrossed in the TV, I couldn’t believe what I was watching. Lifting weights, the strongmen on the screen were incredible. Watching the World’s Strongest Man with my dad John, now 69, since I was around five, it was somewhat of a guilty pleasure. Yet, fitness, endurance and strength were something that I knew would become my life. A keen swimmer and runner, I’d take part in crosscountry before moving on to marathon distances as I entered adulthood. Joining the Royal Navy, I ran for England competitively and coached children in contact sports over the years. Something that my kids Callum, 21, Lena, 19, Darcey, 16, and Neal, 13, all loved to get involved with. In late 2017, even though I hadn’t played before, I tried out rugby, too. Joining Hull…

DON’T MISS The Big Steam Adventure, Channel 5 In the last episode of the series, journalist John Sergeant, actor Peter Davison and Paul ‘Piglet’ Middleton from North Yorkshire Moors Railway explore the Scottish Highlands. Starting their journey on a ‘White’ steam car, they journey across the Cairngorms Mountain range as they battle the typical Scottish weather. The next day starts with a steamboat trip down Loch Ness that doesn’t quite go to plan, and finally they climb aboard steam truck Heilan Laddy, before enjoying haggis, neeps and tatties cooked on the truck’s embers. A League of Their Own: Mexican Road Trip, Sky With regulars Jamie Redknapp, Jill Scott, Micah Richards and Mo Gilligan, head to Mexico with the gang for their next epic adventure. It’s Red vs Blue and the…

Do you charge a fee? It’s worth understanding if and how much you may be charged for the services of a mortgage advisor. If you will be charged, then ask what additional benefits this brings – for example does a fee mean you get extra support or dedicated contacts? It’s a good idea to ask about other costs associated when arranging a mortgage, such as valuation fees, stamp duty, solicitor costs and lender’s arrangement fees. This will allow you to budget and calculate what you will have left to put down as a deposit. Are you a whole of market broker? If you are looking for the most competitive deal, a whole of market mortgage advisor is not restricted by a small panel and therefore is more likely to find…