Table of contents for 12-Sep-2024 in Pick Me Up!

Plonking iPads and chocolate into my daughters’ laps, I needed bribery. Because my girls would need to sit still for the next four hours. In October 2022, my daughters Ella, now 10, and Aisling, now eight, were getting ready for Halloween. With Aisling wanting to be a witch and Ella begging for red hair, I’d had a brainwave – I was going to braid red synthetic locks into their hair. I spent hours weaving in red, yellow and purple strands – that I’d picked up on eBay. And the result was beautiful. I called them mermaid braids. And dropping the girls into school the next morning, they waltzed up to their friends proud as punch. The girls were proud as punch ‘Do you like my hair?’ they asked with a…

Myeloma currently affects more than 24,000 people in the UK. Despite it being an incurable blood cancer that occurs in the bone marrow, myeloma can be treated. However, Myeloma UK’s goal is to find a cure and make history. That’s where you can get involved. By fundraising, you can help to fund vital research and trials into saving lives. Whether that’s through a sporting event, spreading awareness on social media or hosting your own dinner party – you can get inventive with how you do it. To organise your event, contact Myeloma UK via 0131 230 0429. You’ll receive a fun fundraising pack with top tips to get you started. Get everyone together and make a real change… To see more and get involved, please visit: myeloma.org.uk…

The average Brit buys around 13 new items of clothing a month – but did you know around 30% of the garments in our overflowing wardrobes haven’t been worn for at least a year, according to Zero Waste Leeds? As we head into autumn, it’s time to give those wardrobes a much-needed revamp and make the most of what we’ve got in there – but do you know where to start? WASH WITH CARE It might only be September, but party season will be here before we know it – and here’s how to keep those fancy garms in tip-top shape, with tips from appliance manufacturers Hisense. Visit: hisense.co.uk Sequins and feathers If they’re machine washable, try popping inside a laundry bag or pillowcase for an extra layer of protection.…

Getting up out of bed, I travelled to Deming, where Mum was held. I had to see her. Is this something she can get off from? I thought. Mum didn’t have any visitation rights, but I was able to pass on a note. Hey Mum. I read what happened. Here is my phone number as I’m sure you don’t have it. I love you, I wrote. And to my surprise, she called me the next day. ‘It was an accident,’ Mum blurted. ‘We were playing around with the gun, and when I went to put it back, it flipped over.’ ‘The gun fell and my finger ended up on the trigger. The bullet hit him,’ she continued. To be honest, I didn’t know what to believe. I called Daisy to…

INSTANT appointment With Dr Babak Ashrafi GP at Superdrug Online Doctor, superdrug.com Tired and sore Q My husband has been complaining of his ankles and legs feeling really swollen. He also seems fatigued and not himself – what can I do to help him? Sammie, Rotherham A Swollen legs or ankles is often caused by a build-up fluid in these areas, referred to as oedema. It can be relatively common and not usually a cause for concern if you have been standing up for a long time or walking long distances. Hot weather can also cause ankles and legs to swell. Gentle exercise can help relieve swollen ankles and legs. As can raising your legs above your heart, whilst lying down. A low salt diet can also help reduce fluid…

Flicking through the family album, we all smiled at what we saw. With my sister Tara, 35, beside me, my mum Julie, 62, and my dad Pete, 66, were showing us the snaps taken on their wedding day. ‘Look at the state of my dress,’ Mum laughed. ‘No!’ I cried. ‘You look lush.’ In every photo, Mum and Dad were beaming with joy. Growing up, Tara and I loved flicking through their wedding photos and hearing about their love story. They’d met when they were teens on New Year’s Eve, down the local pub that my grandad used to own. It was love at first sight – they tied the knot in their twenties. And ever since, they had been inseparable. Tara and I felt so lucky that we grew…

Jenny Warwick is a BACP counsellor specialising in helping parents and carers manage the distinct challenges of their child’s tween and teenage years. Jenny provides support to help people balance their work, home and family responsibilities, promote emotional health and develop connections with their children. To find out more, please visit: talktojenny.co.uk and bacp.co.uk I can’t let her down now… Q My 12-year-old daughter is having regular therapy and she loves it. It's helped with her anxiety and depression. However, as a single parent, I'm really struggling to find the money for every session. Is there anything I can do? Katie, Lancashire A It’s important to recognise the support you’re giving your daughter. Parenting is hard when they hit this age, and sole parenting adds an extra dimension. It’s great…

Is there anything better than a warming bowl of homemade soup? Hot or cold, chunky or smooth, there’s a soup for everyone – find your fave in this new book and take your soup game to the next level. There’s a Soup For That by Theresa Von Wangenheim, £14.99, available from Waterstones Ginger, Coconut and Squash Soup Serves: 4 YOU WILL NEED: □ 1 x 1.5kg butternut squash, halved lengthways and deseeded□ 3 shallots, peeled□ 1 garlic bulb, halved lengthways□ 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil□ 2 tablespoons minced fresh root ginger□ 1 x 400ml tin coconut milk□ 500ml hot vegetable stock, or as needed□ Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste TOP IT OFF: □ Fresh lime juice□ Fresh coriander leaves□ Seeds, to sprinkle 1 Preheat the oven to…

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.…

Post positivity to your friends and family with Letterbox Love. The hubby and wife ran business offers jewellery with a sweet sentiment, for any occasion. They’re budget-friendly, too. Plus, if you’re rubbish with words, they’ve done the hard bit for you. The recipient will love them! To shop, please visit: letterbox-love.co.uk…

Rifling through the cupboards, I grabbed a packet of crisps and a handful of biccies. Just to tide me over, I told myself as I munched away. ‘Shall we get a Chinese for dinner?’ I said to my hubby Adam, 29, joining him on the sofa with my snacks. ‘I’ll get the menu,’ he smiled. Ordering rice, crispy beef and chicken balls, my mouth watered as I waited for our feast to arrive. It was a bit of a habit for us – we had takeaways a few times a week. If it wasn’t Chinese, it was pizza or McDonald’s. And even if we cooked at home, for us, cooking meant throwing chicken nuggets and chips in the oven. Although I never really ate breakfast, there were always plenty of…

Getting home from my nine to five job on a Friday night, I felt glum. Slumping on the sofa with my boyfriend Wes, 31, it felt like Groundhog Day. ‘What shall we have for dinner?’ he asked. ‘Takeaway?’ I said. Finding our favourite on Deliveroo, it was a bit of a routine for us – with most of our money going on rent and bills, it was the one treat we allowed ourselves each week. To be honest, we were in a bit of a rut. Saving up for a deposit to buy our own house, we were looking at local places around Sheffield – but neither of us were particularly inspired. We didn’t have any oomph. ‘There must be more to life than this,’ I complained to Wes. We…

Sporty chic is trending. Whether you’re hitting the gym or just running errands, look stylish and comfortable at the same time with our top athleisure picks……

Top tanning tips Is your self-tan going a little patchy and you don't know how to remove it? Instead of vigorously scrubbing, make sure to care for your skin to remove it gradually and evenly. 1. Exfoliate Instead of only exfoliating when your tan has gone patchy, use a body brush or gentle exfoliant every other day to remove dead skin and dry patches regularly and evenly. 2. Use oil A body oil or baby oil is a great way to lift self-tan. If you have a bath, pour a generous helping into the tub and let it do the work for you. The oil breaks down the tan for easy removal. 3. Moisturise The key to a good tan is hydration. Moisturise daily to ensure your skin remains as soft and well…

Ashley Boone Bush was simply born to be a mum. Kind and gentle, she’d grown up bossing her big sister around, but ultimately she was a caring person who loved to help others. By the age of 33, she was a mum of three and pregnant with her fourth child – and her beloved children were her whole world. Living in Arkansas with her fiancé Josh Willis, despite being 31 weeks pregnant and suffering with gestational high blood pressure, Ashley was still looking for work – Josh couldn’t work due to health issues, so she was the family breadwinner. But not wanting to overdo it during pregnancy, and with another little one to care for before long, Ashley was looking for a job where she could work from home. Looking…

Catch Claire live on Facebook ARIES 21 March–20 April Mercury in Virgo square to Jupiter in Gemini sees you putting attention to detail with the inner workings of your life. You don’t just want to hear what others can offer you, you want it made official. Don’t be afraid of holding out for what you’re worth. You wouldn’t go for it – with this weeks’ line up – if you didn’t know you could succeed. Compromise is no longer an option! Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May It’s Libra season for your sign and it brings the need to feel at peace with where you are in life. If this means cutting ties with who you’ve so far played nice towards, then so be it. Don’t be afraid…

Grabbing a big bowl of popcorn and settling down under a blanket, I was ready for a cosy film night. As the classic Disney theme music started up, I snuggled into the sofa and got comfy. ‘Popcorn?’ I asked my movie buddy, offering the bowl. Throwing a piece in the air, he caught it in his mouth. But it wasn’t my hubby Greg, 31 – it was my six-year-old Beagle Bulldog cross, Winston! Winston loved watching films with me, and Disney ones were his favourite. Often Greg would join us, too – although I think Winston got annoyed he took up more space on the sofa! Our other pooches Stella, an eight-year-old Terrier mix, and Marshall, a seven-year-old Beagle Basset Hound cross, weren’t bothered about telly – but Winston was…