Table of contents for 15-Nov-2018 in Pick Me Up!

Growing up, whenever I visited my big sister Kym, we’d fight like cat and dog. ‘Stop nicking my make-up!’ she’d screech when her fave lippy was missing. ‘And what have you done with my jeans?’ Me, pinching my sister’s stuff? Guilty as charged! But it’s only because I thought she was so cool. When we weren’t arguing, Kym was the best sister ever. She made me laugh like mad, and when the going was rough, she was always there to support me. And as a teen, I’d really needed that. Let’s just say I had a tough time. I ended up homeless at 16. After that, I bounced between foster homes for a while. Kym and I stayed in touch and she helped me apply for my own home at…

Pushing the cold cup of coffee across the table, I glanced impatiently around the cafe. He’s got caught up, I thought to myself, looking at my watch. It was a Saturday in March 2004 and I’d arranged to meet my dad John, 34. He’d split up from my mum Nicki, 37, when I was little. But he’d always been there for me - taught me to read, even let me practice driving his car in fields when I turned 15. ‘Don’t tell Mum,’ he’d wink. Now, we’d meet twice a week, for lunch or shopping. I was a real Daddy’s girl, idolised him. He was often late, muttering excuses, flashing a cheeky grin. But he’d always turn up eventually. Until this time... I checked my watch again, felt a flash…

Cyst worries Q While I was having my smear test recently, the nurse said I had cysts on my cervix, but seemed unconcerned about them. Now I’m really worried, but I’m too scared to have another examination. Jane, Bristol A Nabothian cysts are harmless, mucus-filled cysts on the cervix. As they don’t cause discomfort or other symptoms, they’re most often first found during pelvic examinations. They don’t usually need treatment. Awful acne! Q I have lots of spots but, instead of them being large and red, I have loads of little bumps, some black and some white. What can I use to stop them? Felicity, Moorgate A This is known as comedonal acne. Use oil-free cosmetics and wash your face with mild soap and water twice daily, if possible. Try…

Rolling over in bed, I stretched my arms above my head as the warm Portuguese sun beat down through the window. But when I tried to open my eyes, my right eye remained shut. As soon as I touched it, a familiar throbbing pain and itch began. Grabbing my phone and flipping the camera onto selfie mode, I looked at my eye. It had swollen to the size of a golf ball in seconds. I knew straight away it was a mosquito bite. I’d moved from Aberdeen to Castelo Branco, Portugal, this June, after travelling all over Europe and Asia. But, one thing plagued me wherever I went...mossies! Every time, I left the UK, I was a magnet for the pesky little blighters. My skin swelled for 10 days and…

Face Halo Make-Up Remover Pad, £7, Boots An eco-friendly alternative to wipes. This pad removes make-up with no need to rub – just add water! It’s double-sided and reusable, making it a real bargain. Verdict: GENIUS! The next big beauty thing. Lick-a-Bubble Edible Bubbles, £12.99 for four, firebox.com Each bottle contains 30ml of a non-toxic bubble solution, with space to add the drink you fancy. Screw the lid back on, give it a shake and enjoy your favourite tipple in bubble form. Verdict: GENIUS! We’re forever drinking bubbles! Styletto Hearing Aid, from £3,000, signia-pro.com In three colours – this hearing aid is designed with a focus on fashion as well as comfort. It charges like a smartphone to allow four days nonstop use and can be…

The most magical time of the year begins soon and we’ll make it extra special this year with a chance to win one of 25 Christmas Hampers bursting with delightful treats such as crisps, biscuits and truffles. Great for sharing with your loved ones for a fabulous Christmas fest! Simply opt in and play £10 on any game between now and 14 November to enter the prize draw. Go to the Promotions page at Pick Me Up! Bingo for details. Opt in required. Wagering requirements apply. Date restrictions apply. See full T&Cs for details.…

ARIES 21 March–20 April There’s no such thing as a small act of kindness this week, Aries. Even the tiniest of gestures can and will have a ripple effect. You know who needs more of your time in the days ahead and by showing them that they’re a priority to you miracles can and will occur. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May You’re finding it hard to know what others expect of you. You want to do the right thing but your stars suggest you’re falling back into bad habits and a lack of self-esteem could see you aiming too low. Geminis will make your social life a much more fun place to be! Call: 09058 170 711* GEMINI 22 May–21 June Don’t be surprised if you encounter…

My friend Rosemary and I both fancied ourselves as astronauts after an out-of-this-world experience at the Planetarium. Maureen Farren, Derry Whizzing through the tunnels underneath New York City was far more exciting than riding the London Underground. It was a lot less busy, too. Genna Cooper, Cheshunt When we visited Eyam in Derbyshire, my six-year-old daughter Alexis wasn’t keen on putting her hands and feet in the village stocks for a photo. So she decided to volunteer her toy cat’s head for the job instead. Pat Lowther, Durham Flying high above the trees on a recent holiday in Bali was simply beautiful. I wish I could have stayed forever! Amie Yetton, Burwell As a special treat, we got William, 18 months, his own little armchair. Now he looks just like…

Is it wine o’clock yet? Koha Gisborne Chardonnay is a smooth white wine with fruity and floral flavours. It goes well with a chicken curry, so you could have a glass with a Mumbai Street Co meal (see right)! It’s only £6 at M&S (usually £8) until 3 December. Clean the machine… Dr. Beckmann Service-it Deep Clean leaves your washing machine smelling fresh and hygienically clean, tackling the dirt that you can’t see. Until 27 November get it for £2 (RRP £3.30) at Tesco. Bread winner! Naan bread is the perfect accompaniment to a curry – ideal for mopping up all that tasty sauce! Get a free pack of Patak’s Mini Naans (usually £1.25) when you buy four of Iceland’s delicious Mumbai Street Co meals. The offer is running until…

Looking at the ultrasound screen, my heart thumped. A lump rose in my throat, my eyes brimmed with tears. I’d remember this moment forever. But this was not a memory that I’d treasure. It was May 2013, I was 27 weeks pregnant. But I’d just lost my baby girl. My body shook as I sobbed, and my partner Alex, 26, gripped my hand silently. He didn’t speak. What could he say? We couldn’t talk of the baby outfits we’d bought that wouldn’t be worn. I’d had a miscarriage, but still had a funeral for our baby Scarlett on 30 May 2013. Whenever I felt depressed or emotional, I stuffed my face The pain was so intense, it took my breath away. But before I’d even had a chance to grieve,…

Sitting on the sofa, I glanced at the clock. Almost 10pm. Too early for me to go bed. But my partner Dean, 27, was about to nod off. I had some rare time to relax, so I got out my laptop. I’d joined Pick Me Up! Bingo that day after hearing about all the fun games and people’s wins. There were games with 75 and 90-ball rooms and ticket prices from 1p. Sapphire Bingo caught my eye, as it was like being at a bingo hall from my sofa! I spent £6 on 60 tickets for a Link Game with a Full House of £1,000. One by one, my numbers rolled in and before I knew it... I’ve just one number left to win, I giggled to myself. I never…

As I snuggled down under my duvet and relived the day’s horrible events, I began to play with my hair. At 9, I’d suffered a day of torment at the hands of bullies at school. Not unusual for me... Since moving schools, I’d struggled to fit in, was teased for having a different accent. That day, a girl had dragged me to the ground, brutally ripping out a chunk of my light-brown hair. I hadn’t dared tell a soul. Now, thumbing my sore, bald patch and a few remaining wisps of hair, I couldn’t stop fiddling, until a searing pain shot through my scalp. I hated lying to Mum, but couldn’t admit I was responsible Looking at the strands I’d pulled out, an odd sense of calm swept over me.…

‘Prison has become luxury for inmates, it’s absolutely ridiculous. People are no longer deterred from committing crime as prison sounds like a lovely holiday, provides people with three hot meals a day, games consoles, free education, and now possibly social media, too! The justice system is a joke.’ Levi Hetherington-Scott, Newport ‘Inside a prison, all types of social media and e-mail should be blocked off the Internet system like they do in some high schools. It’s not right that they could still be causing a victim distress. Jail is punishment, not a home.’ Courtney Cecere, Carluke ‘Should prisoners be allowed social media? No! Prison is supposed too be a punishment. Not anything more. No wonder people re-offend when they are given such a free ride.’ Natalie Thomas, Middlesbrough…

1 Vertigo is the feeling that everything around you is spinning. ■ True ■ False 2 Lying down in a quiet, dark room can help ease symptoms. ■ True ■ False 3 Neck stretching can also ease symptoms. ■ True ■ False 4 You should see a GP if your vertigo is continuous and won’t goaway. ■ True ■ False 1 TRUE It’s more than just dizziness – it affects your balance and can last anywhere from seconds to months at a time. 2 TRUE Being more careful with head movements, sitting down as soon as the dizziness hits and relaxing can all help. 3 FALSE Actions such as stretching your neck or bending down to pick something up can make symptoms worse. 4 TRUE You should see your GP…

Rubbing the last bit of fake tan onto my legs, I waited impatiently for the cream to dry. It was a warm night this August - and at 11pm, I finally crept into bed next to my fiance Stephen, 29 who was already fast asleep. Together since 2015, he was a great stepdad to my children, Leoni , 14, and Harry, 5, who were already asleep in their rooms. I was looking forward to catching 40 winks myself, but just as I’d settled down, our burglar alarm went off. ‘What?’ I spluttered, leaping up. Looking out the window, I realised it wasn’t our burglar alarm going off after all. The noise was coming from Stephen’s beloved silver Range Rover on the street outside our house. He’d bought it two years…

It was a lovely warm evening this July. After a busy day, I was looking forward to unwinding on the sofa. And one thing I do enjoy on an evening like this is a spot of Pick Me Up! Bingo. I’d been a member since November 2014 and loved the site - the games are so colourful and easy to play. It was a perfect way to relax and have a bit of me time at the end of a busy day. Now I was settled, lounging in my PJs. I bought 12 tickets for 10p for a Bingo Lounge game. They were on offer - buy two and get one free. Result! I’d be playing with 18 tickets. I enjoyed the Bingo Lounge room, it’s 75-ball bingo where all…

Glow Evening Pamper Set, £6, Wilko Everything you need for a night of ‘me’ time, all for just £6! Unwind with a Prosecco and a rose-scented bubble bath – or a glitter bath bomb – and finish by slathering on the gorgeous body oil. Oh K! Glowing Skin Gold Foil sheet mask, £10, asos.com A face mask is a pamper-night must-have, and this one contains real gold extracts to brighten the complexion, plus apple and chamomile to calm and condition. Each fibre sheet delivers a super-charged dose of skin hydration. Ragdale Hall Spa Time to... Pamper Bath Essence, £7.50, M&S A bubble bath is a luxury we can all look forward to. Make it even more special with this little treat, infused with orange and grapefruit. Westlab Epsom…

All mums know the price of having kids is having to watch princess films, over and over again. I must’ve seen Disney’s Frozena million times. Only, in my house, it’s not the kids begging for it again, it’s me! For, as well as being a single mum to Laila, 11, Emily and Sophia, 7, and Jack, 5... I’m a real-life princess! I got my first taste of being Disney Royalty three years ago. A friend was short-staffed at a kids’ birthday party. She wanted me to dress up as Elsa from Frozen. ‘You’re kidding!’ I said, gobsmacked. I loved being a princess so much, I became one full-time! I was no actor, just a mum from Geordieland! But, after much pleading, I gave in. As soon as I slipped into…