Table of contents for 01-Mar-2018 in Pick Me Up!

My mother is an inspiration. She looks after my dad every day, and though they live in assisted housing, she chooses to do most things herself, even though there are people to do it for them! She has a big heart and also helps a friend with washing, shopping and any odd jobs! Mum is good to me, too. When I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, I was already off sick from a knee op that had gone wrong. Without fail, Mum got a taxi to help me with all I needed. Besides that, she was also constantly calling me to check that I was all right and to lift my spirits whenever I was feeling low. My mum just thrives on helping other people, and I hope that she…

Her teacher made sure she sat at the front Dinner done, washing-up sorted, kids in bed... At last I was free to flop on the sofa, exhausted, to watch telly. My husband Stuart glanced over, looking concerned. ‘You’re covering up your eye again, love,’ he said. ‘You’ve been doing it a lot recently.’ I realised he was right. For months now, whenever I was tired, I automatically put a hand over my left eye. I found it helped me to relax - but maybe it was a sign that something wasn’t quite right. I booked an eye test at the optician, where I discovered that while my right eye had perfect vision, my left was significantly weaker. I needed glasses to help correct my vision. That got me wondering about…

Dairy good This easy-to-digest cows’ milk from a2 is gentle on the stomach and tastes exactly the same as normal cows’ milk, At just £1 (usually £1.35), it’s worth giving it a go if you find regular milk too much on your tummy. It’s available in Asda until 20 March. Getting lippy… The Lypsyl Mirror Compact is better than half price (£2.45) at Superdrug. Each compact has a mini mirror and 9g of SPF15 lip balm, made with moisturising shea butter, vitamin E, cocoa butter and aloe vera to help repair and heal damaged lips. Offer valid until 27 February. Splendid spread Made using only the finest Seville oranges, Duerr’s marmalade will brighten any breakfast no matter how gloomy it is outside. Choose from half sugar, fine cut and thick…

Painful since baby Q Since the birth of my last child, which was quite traumatic, I can barely insert a tampon it’s so painful – let alone have sex. It’s ruining my relationship, and painkillers don’t help. Laurie, Sandwich A You may benefit from medication to calm nerve activity, rather than traditional painkillers, and these are available on prescription. Ask your GP about options suitable for you. Wee worries Q I get swollen ankles at night but, by the morning, they’re back to normal. I’d like to try water tablets – but I worry they’ll make me wee even more than I do, especially at night. Beryl, Newton Abbot A When you lie down in bed, the fluid that’s built up is reabsorbed, then passed in the night. Taking water…

SOMERSET Ben Williams, 20, Downend Hiding in a loft, this drug dealer was nabbed in May 2017 after an anonymous tip-off to the police. When officers arrived at the property, Williams was arrested and drugs and cash were found. He was charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs to the value of £30,000. He pleaded guilty at Bristol Crown Court before he was sentenced to two years, five months. NOTTINGHAMSHIRE John Harvey, 54, Bilsthorpe A woman suffered stab wounds to her head and two punctured lungs after being brutally attacked by Harvey. He was arrested at the scene of the crime after the police were alerted at around 9.15pm on 9 October 2017. At Nottingham Crown Court, Harvey pleaded guilty to attempted murder and got 10 years…

Chasing after my son Alex as he sprinted towards the playground, I had to stop to catch my breath. ‘Hang on!’ I panted. Alex, then 2, was already climbing the slide by the time I caught up with him. Panting, I watched as he whooshed down. Alex had so much energy, I just couldn’t keep up. Truth is, there was more to it than that - a fat load more! See, a size-26, I was the biggest I’d ever been. Over the years, I’d been in denial about my size. When I’d met my fiance Francis in 2003, I’d been a slim size-12. But you know how it is with relationships - cosy nights in with takeaways and wine. Francis could eat what he liked without gaining weight. Yet I…

As my game finished, a message flashed up. I’d won £2,721! I won a cool £1,000! Katherine Masson, 49, Inverness I’ve always loved a bit of bingo and I used to go to the bingo halls with friends. But life got busy and we just didn’t have the time to go any more. That’s when I joined Pick Me Up! Bingo in 2013. I’d seen a story in the magazine about someone who’d hit the jackpot. ‘If I can win, you can too,’ she’d said. And she had a point. ‘I’ll give it a go,’ I decided, signing up. My husband, Raymond, 66, enjoyed bingo, too, so he signed up as well. We had so much fun, often playing side by side. I even made a few friends in the…

Share information about your journey with someone you trust. Ask the driver to show their badge before you start your journey. Find out which licensed taxis and private-hire vehicles operate in your area. Examine the vehicle before you get in to see the licence is displayed and it looks roadworthy. Trust your instincts. If you feel worried, ask the driver to stop in a busy area and get out. You can report concerns to the police or local authority.…

Models Own Pro-Foundation Stick, £9.99, modelsownit.com We’re all for a product that saves us time, and that’s exactly what this 2-in-1 primer and foundation does. It gives high-pigment coverage that stays put all day. Cocunat Deodorant, £14, cocunat.co.uk It’s not an antiperspirant, so it won’t stop you sweating, but the citrus scent will keep you fresh. And it’s 100% toxic-free! Kind Natured Relaxing Ylang Ylang & LavenderBody Wash, £4.99, Boots Struggling to sleep? Harness the power of relaxing lavender by showering with this soothing body wash before bedtime. GOSH Mix & Fix Colour Drops, £9.99, Superdrug Got a foundation that’s too dark? Mix it with a few drops of this until it matches your skin tone. It will neutralise yellow tones and dull any redness,…

Kicking the door down, I found Jennifer having a seizure A scene I’d never forget - my girlfriend Jennifer, her face shining with pride and joy as she cradled our newborn daughter Katie. It was September 2014, and Katie had arrived weighing 5lb 1oz, after a 10-hour labour. ‘She’s the image of you,’ I told Jennifer, my heart bursting with happiness. A true beauty, like her mum. I just knew she’d grow up to be like her. Jennifer was one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I’d ever met. She was forever buying gifts for her friends and family, thinking of ways she could make them smile. I knew she was the one for me so, when she fell pregnant in January 2014, I was thrilled. And now here we…

ARIES 21 March–20 April You know that the only way out of a problem is through it. It’s time to stop trying to find shortcuts and to just do what needs to be done. A new friendship makes your life a better place to be, and this week you find out if it has the potential to be more. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May You are looking at the past from a strange angle and this is all to do with Mars and Uranus pushing you to only remember the problems – not the good times – a certain chapter offered you. But never ever regret something that once made you smile. Call: 09058 170 711* GEMINI 22 May–21 June Emotions get the better of you, especially…

Don’t delay taking your child to Specsavers for an eye test. It’s FREE for under 16s to have an NHS test every two years. The test will pick up any problems with vision, and the optician will also evaluate the muscles and structure of the eyes to ensure they’re healthy. Children’s glasses are designed specifically for a child’s head, and are stylish enough to rock in the playground. They’re also available in loads of cool styles. Specsavers has also teamed up with Thomson Screening to deliver free vision-check software to schools. The test only takes three minutes, and can be operated by teachers, teaching assistants or volunteers. This will establish whether a child would benefit from a full eye test. If your child’s school hasn’t signed up yet, you can…

1 PoTScauses an increased heart rate. 2 It’s more common in men. 3 It’s caused by a virus. 4 It can be treated with some medications. 1 TRUE After sitting up or standing, the blood vessels quickly narrow and the heart rate increases abnormally to maintain bloodflow to the heart and brain. 2 FALSE PoTSismore common in females aged between 15and 50. 3 FALSE It’s caused byan unknown problem with the autonomic nervous system, but can also be caused by conditions such as diabetes or joint hypermobility syndrome. 4 TRUE There’s no official medication, but GPsmay recommend ‘off-label’ meds like betablockers.…

You think you’re nurturing your unborn child, not poisoning it As a mum of three, I knew those back pains anywhere. ‘It feels like I’m in labour,’ I said to my twin sister Jemma. But I was only 14 weeks pregnant. I tried not to worry. But when I noticed bleeding, I feared the worst. ‘I must be having a miscarriage,’ I panicked. I’d had a bit of bleeding at about six weeks, but early scans had showed the baby was fine. But now, Jemma took me to the hospital, while my other children, Ella-Louise, then 7, Oliver, 6, and Harry, 3, were being looked after by their nan. Because I was under 16 weeks pregnant, doctors on the Maternity Ward sent me to A&E instead. ‘We think you may…

‘I’d only use a licensed taxi rank if I was out. That way, I can see their licence plate on the back and if the car looks well-kept.' Christine Underwood, Woking, Surrey ‘All taxis should be licensed and thoroughly checked. I’m the first to admit, though, that after a night out drinking I jump into a cab without checking or booking.’ Heidi Blake, Settrington, North Yorkshire ‘I’ve been very stupid through my own independence... Now I’m older and wiser, I’d hate for my daughter to travel alone like I’ve done.' Michelle McGrath, Grantham, Lincolnshire ‘I don’t get in a taxi by myself unless it’s an emergency. Why would I want to be locked in a car with someone I don’t know?’ Kelly Imrie, Hurlford, Ayrshire…

Benidorm, ITV Wedding bells ring out in Benidorm in the new series. Joyce is marrying Monty, and with Mateo as best man (above) and Les/Lesley as bridesmaid, what could go wrong!? ‘Mateo scrubs up well as best man!’ laughs Jake Canuso, who plays him. ‘He’s found a speech on the internet so he can respect British traditions. But viewers will find out if it all goes to plan…’ Look out for regulars Kenneth and Jacqueline, plus Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley, who guest stars in this eventful first episode. Casualty, BBC1 Robyn finally gets the proposal of marriage that she’s been longing for… But, sadly, it’s not in the way that she’d always dreamt of, as Glen ends up popping the question to her in the least romantic way possible! The…

He made me tie an iPod Touch to my bed frame with FaceTime on Listening to my mates chatting about boys, I felt awkward. At the age of 13, my classmates were getting boyfriends, giggling over first kisses and dates. I want that, too, I thought. But I was so shy I could never see it happening to me. So, back home, I downloaded a dating app on my phone, lied about my age to sign up. And I didn’t tell Mum. Well, I didn’t think anything would come of it. I just saw it as a bit of a laugh. So I was surprised when I got a message from a lad called Darius Agar. You look really pretty. Flattered, I replied. Darius told me he was 16 and…

It was tough, but we pulled together as a family It began with a routine eye test in April 2016, when my boys Niall and Ciaron, were then 10 and 8. I assumed it’d be straightforward, but the optician looked serious. ‘There’s some scarring at the back of Niall’s right eye,’ he said. I was worried. What did that mean? Niall seemed so healthy - played footy with his little brother, loved karate. We had tests at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and, last year, were referred to St Paul’s Eye Hospital, where Niall’s consultant ordered an ultrasound and biopsy. But in August, we had horrific news... ‘We’ve found a tumour on Niall’s eye,’ the consultant said. He had choroidal melanoma. Me and my husband Tim, 44, were shattered - we’d…

Dog Socks, £4.95, dotcomgiftshop.com If you want to keep your pooch warm and cosy, these socks come in a range of sizes to fit most breeds. They even have non-slip grips on the bottom to stop your dog from sliding on wooden flooring. Verdict: BONKERS! But could be useful for elderly pooches. Nordic Grip Non-Slip Boots, £44.95, cuckooland.com Outdoorsy type? Then you need these boots! With patented IceLock technology, they’ll stop you slipping on icy surfaces without using spikes. They’re fleece-lined for extra comfort, too. Verdict: GENIUS! A must-have for icy days. Tefal Toast N’ Egg, £39.96, direct.asda.com This nifty toaster lets you cook all of your breakfast in one place, with space to poach or boil eggs, and even heat precooked meats. Perfect…

Black-cab driver John Worboys, 60, is thought to be one of the UK's most prolific rapists. It’s believed he carried out more than 100 rapes and sexual assaults in the back of his cab on women in London. In 2009, he was convicted of 19 offences and ordered to serve at least eight years in prison. This January, the decision to release him on licence caused outrage among his victims and in Parliament. Elaine Pickford says, 'It confirms that taxi drivers and private-hire vehicles are in an incredible position of trust and it's being abused. Sadly, a bit like with Sian, Worboys would target women leaving places late at night knowing that they were already vulnerable.' She adds, 'It emphasises that more needs to be done around personal safety in…

Watching as my 5-year-old twirled around in a blue, sparkly dress, I had to smile. ‘You look really beautiful, Sweetie,’ I beamed. Pulling out a pair of glitter pumps, my littl’un couldn’t wait to put those on, too. ‘I look like a princess, Mummy!’ he grinned. That’s right. He. Cian, my son, loves wearing princess dresses every day. And me and my husband Brian, 33, are happy to let him. Our only child, we’ve never wanted to limit our boy. When he was born in February 2012, I dressed him in both blue and pink onesies. ‘Who said pink is just for girls?’ I asked friends. I hated that society dictated what colours little boys and girls should wear. As well as clothes, I didn’t want to limit Cian to…

Gala apple and Parma ham toasts Serves: 4 Prep: 10 mins Cook: 5 mins 1 Toss the apple slices in a little olive oil and honey until well coated. 2 Heat a griddle pan until smoking hot, and griddle the apples on both sides until they have strong lines. 3 Lightly toast the rye bread, and top each piece with slices of griddled apple, Parma ham and sprigs of watercress. 4 Drizzle with a little olive oil to serve. Tip: Spread a little American mustard or Dijon on the toast before topping. Recipes from Great British Apples. For more, visit greatbritishapples.co.uk Ham-and-cheese baked Bramleys Serves: 4 Prep: 10 mins Cook: 30 mins 1 Preheat oven to 180C/Gas 4.…

I hatched Howard the duck and his sister Jemima myself! Now, Howard loves swimming in his pond and digging through the mud for creepy-crawlies! Amanda Newsome, Alvaston My little cutie Angus loves chilling out in his cardboard castle! Alexandra Button, Sidcup My bunny Bella looks even more gorgeous when she’s asleep! She also really suits her name, as it means 'beautiful’ in Italian! Gillian Jackson Todmorden How pretty are my pet turtles, Ben and Jerry? Such wonderful little chaps! C Redford, Birchington Here’s my little fluff ball Dusty after being pampered at the salon! She is such a princess! Tina Williams, Ebbw Vale Charlie’s either getting cosy or playing peekaboo! Either way, he’s adorable! A Hicks, Bexleyheath…