Table of contents for 11-Oct-2018 in Pick Me Up!

Cleaning out the animal kennels, I felt someone splash me with water. ‘Oi, watch it!’ I said, flicking water back. Soon me and my colleague Kathryn were doubled up with laughter. A standard day for us! We’d met aged 18, while studying animal care at Bold Heath Kennels and Cattery. We became instant friends, and she made the long hours fly by. I was so thankful to have her by my side in 1994, when abnormal cells were found in my cervix. I needed laser surgery to ensure that they didn’t become cancerous. Terrifying. Especially as I was only 19. ‘You’ll be fine,’ she promised whenever I was scared. Thankfully she was right. My smears have come back clear ever since. But I still get panicky when I need a…

Tucking my flowery top into my jeans I checked my reflection in the mirror. ‘That’ll do,’ I smiled. My housemate Lisa was going out for the evening with her family and had invited me to come along. It was October last year and I’d been working hard - juggling my job as a support worker with my degree in Psychology and Criminology at the University of Brighton. A night out was exactly what I needed! I called my boyfriend Michael, 25, back in Belfast, to let him know about my plans. ‘I’ll text you later,’ I said. Lisa and I had a lovely evening with her aunt and uncle, dinner first in a posh restaurant, then a couple of drinks back at their hotel. ‘This has been one of the…

Bags of fun I always keep a bag for life in the boot of my car full of bits and pieces ready for a long journey. Throw in books for reading or colouring, CDs, travel games, etc. It’ll mean you never get bored when you’re on the road. Louise Phillips, Pentre Bra-vo! Keep your bras stored nicely, and with no squashed cups, by hanging them on an accessory hanger. Sharon Carey, Runcorn Pot of pasta Keep your spaghetti in an empty crisp tube. Its airtight lid and shape means it’s perfect for keeping pasta stored safely and neatly. Jane Whitaker, Birchington Pool the plug Now summer’s over, it’s time to drain the paddling pool. Insert a piece of hosepipe to the drainage hole so it won’t flood your garden. Hayley…

Rosacea 1 Rosacea is a longterm skin condition common on the face. ■ True ■ False 2 Once you’ve had one episode,it is unlikely to return. ■ True ■ False 3 The exact cause of rosacea is unknown. ■ True ■ False 4 There’s no treatment for rosacea. ■ True ■ False 1 TRUE Episodes often begin with flushing and can develop into burning, stinging, redness and spots. 2 FALSE It is a relapsing condition in which some periods are a lot more severe than others. 3 TRUE However, causes can include sunlight, stress exercise, hot drinks, hot or cold weather, alcohol, caffeine and particular foods. 4 TRUE Symptoms can be controlled, though. There are gels, creams and oral medication that can help the condition. However, managing triggers is equally…

Fire HD 10 Kids Edition Tablet, £199.99, amazon.co.uk Easy-to-use parental controls let you add screen time limits, bedtime notifications and set educational goals. Perfect for tots, it comes with a year of Amazon Fire for Kids Unlimited, with over 5,000 fun, age-appropriate books, videos, apps and games. Verdict: GENIUS! Keeps littl’uns entertained! Seniturn, £29.99, firebox.com Designed for safer road cycling, this gadget automatically flashes if you raise your arm – just like having a car indicator! With one button, switch between indicator, hazard lights and SOS warning light. Verdict: GENIUS! So clever, so safe! Personalised socks, £19.99, prezzybox.com We’ve heard of wearing your heart on your sleeve, but how about your face on your feet? Upload a photo of you, a mate or even…

My husband Matthew, 43, had a terrible choice in films. ‘Do we have to watch this?’ I groaned. ‘I’ll play Pick Me Up! Bingo instead,’ I said one night in March. My favourite game was the Wonderland slot game. Af ter a few spins of the W onderland reels, I was surprised to see three doors pop up. This was a bonus round. After playing for a while, suddenly, something flashed. I’d won the progressive jackpot of £25,508! To celebrate, I ordered kebabs. But I got three by mistake as I was so flustered! It was incredible to win so big on Pick Me Up! Bingo.…

I couldn’t find Mr Toad anywhere – and then I discovered him hiding in the shade. Judging by his smile, he was happy I’d found him. Charlotte Primrose, Lawford When going to read my latest issue of Pick Me Up! I couldn’t work out where it had gone. I think Kitty wanted to be the first to get her paws on it. Caragh Davis, Southampton Fudge the bunny is notorious for curling up on the rug like this – I think he thinks he is part cat. Ruth Bateman, Pendeford Daisy always brings me little treats when we’re out and about for our walks. Instead of a stick this time, she picked me a pretty purple flower – how cute! Gillian Jackson, Todmorden My son’s guinea pig looks like the…

She’d been found on the streets with hundreds of ticks Despite her health troubles, she’s so bouncy and loving When I first saw a photo of Princess Fiona, it was love at first sight. No, I’m not talking about the green Shrek character... I mean my beloved rescue dog. Back in November 2013, after working as a dog groomer for a couple of years, I decided to get a pooch of my own. But visiting my local rescue centre with my daughter Alex, 13, none of the dogs were a good fit. ‘There are charities in Europe who rehome strays,’ a friend told me. ‘They even help bring them to the UK.’ ‘It’s worth a shot,’ I said. So they put me in touch with Madalina Spataru, who rescued unwanted…

Aiden used the finger-prick device to test Grandad’s blood sugar As I pulled into the driveway, my 6-year-old son Aiden was excited. ‘I can’t wait to see Grandad!’ he beamed, blue eyes sparkling. Every weekend, Aiden would go to stay with his great-grandparents Brian, 72, and Sandra, 70. He called Brian ‘Grandad’. They adored spending time with him, and it gave me and my partner Wayne, 34, a bit of alone-time. As Grandad opened the door that Friday evening, this July, Aiden rushed into his arms. After a chat, I headed off. ‘Don’t be too much trouble!’ I told Aiden. ‘He never is,’ Grandad laughed. Every weekend, he and Grandma would spoil Aiden rotten. They had a special bond. Back home, I caught up with all my chores before relaxing…

ARIES 21 March–20 April I know you think you have a close one’s best interests at heart, but aspects suggest that by taking such life-changing actions, you could well force them out of your life. Talks you have on Wednesday and Friday can see you working as a team. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May You’re bored by your routine, but that doesn’t mean you have to take such drastic actions to prove this fact to close ones. Showing a more mature form of communication can get you the support you were lacking. Call for more details. Call: 09058 170 711* GEMINI 22 May–21 June Any extra efforts and hard work you put into things this week is sure to pay dividends. Don’t tell tales on friends. You…

My daughters Jasmine and Paris loved flying high on a recent trip to Butlins. Just look at those happy faces… Stacey Hill, Torquay The happiest day of my life so far, marrying the man of my dreams Johnny. Now you can call me Mrs Morrison! Sarah Morrison, Bracknell On a recent hen night, we tried our hand at making cocktails. I don’t think it’s the job for me, but I’ll happily be chief taster. Manisha Kuinkel, Harrow We visited an animal sanctuary in Thailand and got to walk among these gorgeous and gentle elephants. Abigail Bryan, Huyton Here’s my wife Cam and son Ethan, looking pretty pleased having just finished their 5k colour run for St Ann’s Hospice. Daniel Hulse, Marple Bridge I often give blood and, this time around,…

Perched in her high chair, my 10-month-old Hannah suddenly came out with it. ‘Mama,’ she babbled. Her first word! ‘Clever girl,’ I gushed, giving her a kiss. Then I pecked her twin Lexie on the top of the head. ‘I wonder if she’ll have the same first word?’ I said to my hubby Richard, 28. But as the words left my mouth, I felt a stab of doubt. See, the girls weren’t identical, but they looked so alike that sometimes I did a double take. Same tufty blonde hair, same blue eyes. I couldn’t resist dressing them in the same pink outfits, right down to their frilly little socks. But looks were where the similarity ended. While Hannah was babbling away, finding her first words, Lexie hardly made a peep.…

Will diabetes go? Q I’m pregnant and have been diagnosed with diabetes. They say it’ll get better after pregnancy. But what if I get pregnant again? Ruth, Runcorn A There’s an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes in further pregnancies or developing diabetes in later life. A good diet reduces this risk. Monitoring can help control diabetes if you get it. Lumps on tum Q I have tiny red lumps on my tummy. Should I get them removed? Becky, Enfield A These are called cherry angiomas and are common skin growths that can develop on most parts of the body. They’re entirely benign and usually range in size from a pinpoint to about ¼in diameter. Removal causes scarring and, as the lesions don’t tend to grow, treatment isn’t recommended or…

Maybelline Baby Lips Balm & Blush, £4.99 Glow on the go with our favourite multitasking make-up. A speedy swipe across your lips and cheeks delivers a fresh and pretty look in seconds. The colour is quite sheer so it’s hard to make a mistake when you’re on the go. Toni & Guy Wave Memorising Balm, £8.25 Waves and kinks need extra moisture to fight frizz. That’s how this intensive balm is able to define and smooth less manageable waves. Work a pea-sized amount through hair before styling. Feather & Down Sweet Dreams Sleep Balm, £7 Massage into pulse points on the wrists, temples and neck before bed and let the calming lavender and camomile aroma help you drift off to sleep. The balm also contains vitamin E to help nourish…

Chicken and mushroom risotto Serves 4 Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min ◻ 12g dried porcini mushrooms ◻ 2 chicken stock cubes ◻ 1tbsp coconut oil ◻ 1 large leek, finely chopped ◻ 5 sprigs thyme ◻ 400g skinless and boneless chicken thighs, cut into 2cm pieces ◻ 300g mushrooms, brushed clean and roughly chopped into 2cm chunks ◻ 225g risotto rice ◻ Small bunch parsley, finely chopped ◻ Small bunch chives, finely chopped ◻ Juice of 1 lemon ◻ Salt and black pepper 1 Cover dried mushrooms with boiling water, then leave to soak. Make up 750ml of stock with the cubes using boiling water. 2 Melt half the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat, then add the leek and thyme. Cook for 2 min, then…

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Bean around the world Heinz Creationz are microwaveable pouches that transform the humble baked bean into a brand-new world of fabulous flavours. They’re only £1 at Asda (usually £1.75) until 4 November. Great pains! Pain au lait is a sweet and buttery bread that the French love to eat for breakfast. Enjoy it warm with some jam or Nutella for a truly French feel – or you could mix things up and serve them as a gourmet hot-dog bun! The Brioche Pasquier Pain au Lait are only £1 at Co-op (usually £1.50) until 17 October. Winter wonder-Legoland Festive fun is back at Legoland. Families can meet Father Christmas and discover over 30 rides, attractions and Lego Christmas activities. And if you book your tickets before 15 October you’ll get tickets…

Clutching my stomach, I cried out in pain as I walked out of the school gates early again. It was last March, and being sent home from my primary-school teaching job had become a regular event. My problems had started over a year earlier, with constipation and diarrhoea. I’d also been suffering from searing stomach pains and frequent vomiting. Me and my husband Sam, 28, had decided we wanted to start a family. Then I fell ill. Desperate to be a mum, I wanted to recover quickly... but doctors couldn’t pinpoint the problem. Everything from IBS to food intolerance and period pain had been suggested. But by March last year, my symptoms had worsened, I’d got intense stomach cramps and could barely walk. After finding blood in my stools, I…

I’ve been homeless, had no money, and I felt so ashamed using toilet roll, rags, socks, etc. I’m so glad my daughter will never feel humiliation like I did. No-one should feel ashamed for not being able to afford the products they need. Lisa Cross, Nottingham You can get free condoms – and having sex is a choice! – but you don’t choose to have periods. Why should you have to find money for sanitary products when a lot of people struggle to just buy food? Andrea Jones-Savin, Pembrokeshire When I had my son, even though I worked, I had nothing left once I paid my bills. It only ever happened once, but I had to buy baby milk and I ran out of sanitary towels. I had to use…

How long does it take to fall in love? Days, weeks, longer than that? Or can it happen in just a moment? If you’d asked me that a few years ago, I’d probably have said it took months to really fall for someone. But that was before I’d met Chris Carberry. It was July 2017 when we were introduced by friends. I recognised him from my friend’s Facebook feed. Chris, 21, had often talked openly about having a prosthetic left leg. I didn’t know the back story, but it didn’t bother me that he only had one leg. With his blond hair and blue eyes, he was gorgeous. And when we finally got chatting, I realised he was dead funny, too. So when he asked me out, of course I…