Table of contents for 04-Jul-2019 in Pick Me Up!

Party time! Maddox just turned half a year old. Tyler Boyce, Bristol My son Matthew, 9, won a football tournament on Sunday. Christina Kendall, Hertford My husband Paul and I got dressed up for an Elvis-themed party. It was a great night! Christine Moxham, Bristol Me and my husband John competing in the Marathon des Sables . It was just a tad hot! Sarah Williams, Yeovil My friend Olive trying some fancy foods. We definitely consumed more wine than food! Hattie Bishop, Bristol 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…

Short of breath Q My son seems to be short of breath and quite wheezy lately. Shall I get him checked for asthma? Emma, Brighton. A There could be many reasons why your child is short of breath, and asthma could very well be the cause. In what situations does your child become short of breath? Is this when your child exercises, when exposed to the cold, or is it related to his allergies? Is there a family history of asthma? If yes to any of these factors, then an asthma diagnosis is likely. Speak to your GP, as they will be able to test your child for asthma as well as exclude other causes for his symptoms. Call 999 if your child suddenly struggles to breathe, or if you…

What’s normal, what’s not? Struggling to sleep… It’s normal to find it difficult to sleep every now and then, but if you’re regularly struggling to get some rest, then you could be suffering from insomnia. The average adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep a night, and getting any less can leave you feeling tired and irritable. There are lots of ways to help get a better night’s sleep, and experts suggest only going to bed when you feel tired, relaxing for at least an hour before sleep, and ensuring your bedroom is dark and quiet. If these adjustments haven’t worked and you’ve been struggling to sleep for months, then contact your GP. 32,000… That’s the number of extra calories Brits are consuming each year! Weight loss experts at…

Taking a seat next to my husband Paul, 63, on the sofa, I made him turn off the TV. ‘We need to talk,’ I told him, tearfully. ‘I don’t want our marriage to end.’ ‘Neither do I, but you’re never here,’ he answered. ‘I didn’t retire to spend my days watching television,’ I snapped at him, starting to cry. Me and Paul had moved from London to the beautiful village of Rustington in 2015 after he retired from tube driving. With a sandy beach just a stroll away from our front door, it was the idyllic retirement - but at 26st, Paul was miserable. When I first met Paul 46-years-ago at a mutual friend’s birthday, he was the life and soul of the party. I was instantly drawn to his…

Veganimals One in three pet owners want their pets to go vegan. A survey of 3,670 pet owners worldwide found that a third are interested in putting their pets on a vegan diet. Interestingly, only 6% of the respondents were vegans themselves. It looks like vegan pet diets are going to become popular in coming years! Do you think becoming a vegan is a big missed-steak? If you’re considering swapping your pet to a vegan diet, start by introducing vegan snacks. These Pooch & Mutt Peanut Butter Tube Treats combine oats, rice and peanut butter for a delicious, healthy treat. Ethical and natural, the mini bones are a great source of protein and B vitamins… and dogs love them! @teddytheshetland 125k Followers, followed by@louise.thompson and @binkyfelstead Teddy is the cutest…

Stretching, I glanced up at the clock. It had just gone 9.30pm. ‘I think I‘ll play a round of bingo,’ I grinned at my husband Jason, 45. Logging in on my phone, I spent £2 and bought tickets for a Bingo Lounge game. It was one of my favourite bingo games on Pick Me Up! Bingo. I could see the game had a £100 Full House and was about to start, but it gave me time for a quick gossip in the chatrooms. Chatting to the bingo girls was one of the highlights of the game for me. I’d first signed up to Pick Me Up! Bingo in March 2014 and my first big win was a £1,454 progressive jackpot in Emerald. My fifth win had my family jumping for…

Glamflaps, £15.99, glamflaps. com Struggling to find the perfect gift for a cat lover? Glamflaps are deluxe surrounds that decorate and totally glamourise cat flaps. They’re designed to fit the UK’s most popular cat flaps and there’s currently five designs to choose from. Verdict: GENIUS! Catisfaction guaranteed! Pop Fix drinks holder, £20, npwgifts.com Now you don’t need to get out of the pool to get a drink. This inflatable swim up bar keeps the drinks with you! Even better, the bottles also stay cold when they’re floating in the water. Verdict: GENIUS! Anyone for a bev? Foldable sunnies, £54.98, feelgoodcontacts.com The days of snapping your sunglasses frames are gone. These sunglasses combine functionality and style as they fold away into a box.…

Raspberry almond Bakewells Serves: 24 • 80g butter, at room temperature • 80g caster sugar • 2 large eggs, beaten • ½ tsp almond or vanilla extract • 80g self-raising flour • 80g ground almonds • 80g raspberries, halved To decorate: • 80g icing sugar • 2 tbsp lemon juice or water • Flaked almonds • 12 raspberries, halved 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas 4. Beat together the butter and caster sugar until light and creamy, then gradually add the eggs, beating well between each addition. 2 Stir in the almond or vanilla extract. Fold in the flour and ground almonds, then gently stir in the raspberries. 3 Spoon the mixture into the moulds, levelling the tops. Bake for 22-25 minutes, until risen and pale golden brown. Cool in…

Experts Erica Wolfe-Murray, and Kate Pattinson, from Ashleigh Money Saver (ashleighmoneysaver.co.uk) show you how to save and make money 1 Find your inner Yoda! Everyone has different skills that we take for granted. You might be able to knit or cook, be a whizz in the garden or a natural at speaking another language. Have you thought about teaching your talent to others and charging to share your wisdom? It’s a great way to make some cash and help others learn something new, plus you could meet a whole new circle of friends. Advertise locally on Facebook or in a shop window and hold a weekly class. 2 Shop your stash Rather than buying new clothes, shop your stash! Many of us just rotate the same outfits and forget about…

When Natalia burst into my bedroom that morning, I was shocked. She sat on the bed and told me what happened between sobs. My first thought was, what if she’d gone over the railings, too? We talked for a few hours, and the police called to thank her. Natalia did what she did without thinking of her own safety. But that’s what she’s always been like, so strong and so selfless. It made me think of Robert, and what he’d been going through. None of us could save him, but I know he would have been proud of Natalia for saving this woman’s life. She’s my beautiful swan – graceful and calm above the water, but always working so hard behind the scenes.…

CAERFAI BAY CARAVAN AND TENT PARK St Davids, Pembrokeshire This family-run site welcomes visitors to enjoy the stunning St Davids peninsula. Less than a mile from the city of St Davids, and just 300 yards from Caerfai beach, it’s the perfect spot for families, walkers, rock climbers, water sport enthusiasts, star gazers and wildlife lovers. The site’s caravan field comes with electric hook up points and sea views, as well as hedging to the rear and side for increased privacy. From £14 per night Visit www. coolcamping.com. WESTLANDS COUNTRY PARK Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland Over 100 acres of grounds in the Dumfries and Galloway countryside, this country park combines outdoor activities with fine natural surrounds. There are three fishing ponds for starters, with some whoppers weighing in at 12lb! You…

Brush up on your dental health. Dentist and founder of The Breath Company, Dr Harold Katz, shares his top tips on daily dental care. 1 Do it for two minutes. Too many people rush brushing their teeth, but in doing so, end up missing the backs of their teeth. Brush twice a day for at least two minutes. 2 Invest in a good brush. Ensure you use a decent toothbrush and consider buying an electric toothbrush. They help to reduce the build up of plaque better than a manual brush. 3 Hold it the right way. Hold your toothbrush at an angle and gently brush with short back-and-forth motions. Remember to brush the outside, inside, and chewing surfaces of your teeth, as well as your tongue, as this can help…

Award-winning life coach Chloë Leibowitz believes that life is about seeking progress, not perfection.(chloeleibowitz.com) Upsetting confession I’m ashamed to admit it, but I prefer one of my children over the other. I love them both, but I just can’t connect with my 12-year-old son like I can with my daughter, five. I’m worried he’s starting to notice. I must be the worst mum ever. Keely, Birmingham You are definitely not a bad mum! It is perfectly normal to feel closer to one child. Sometimes personalities just make it easier to be in one of your children’s company. It doesn’t mean you prefer that child, it just means it’s easier to be around them. I’m sure your son knows you love him and isn’t drawing comparisons with his sister. I suggest…

Flicking through a brochure about Majorca, I gazed at an image of a sun-drenched beach longingly. ‘That’s where I want to be right now,’ I told my daughter Abigail, 25. ‘You will be soon,’ she replied. It was last September and I was about to set off for a week’s holiday to the Spanish island. I intended to spend my time chilling by the beach or pool, or if I felt more adventurous, I might rent a jet ski for the day. Still, with a day before I jetted off, I couldn’t spend all my time daydreaming. So I logged into Pick Me Up! Bingo. I’d discovered online bingo back in 2014. I loved how you could play from the comfort of your own home. Perfect! Entering the Sapphire bingo…

Loneliness strikes when we least expect. Yvonne Boyle, 52, from Cheshire, tragically lost her son Adam in 2012. He was 19 when he was knocked off his motorbike and passed away. It triggered a bout of loneliness that was truly devastating on top of her grief. ‘Adam was an amateur bike racer,’ Yvonne explains. ‘The racing taught him respect and commitment. He was such a kind boy. Call me naïve, but I used to worry sick when Adam would compete in races, but I didn’t think twice when he was on the road. I just always figured if he could survive motorbike racing, then he would be fine on the road. ‘I’ll never forget the day that I got a knock at the door to say he’d passed away. I…

Make it stick Glowy and dewy skin is incredibly on trend this summer, so celebrity makeup artist Karin Darnell is here to help you achieve long-lasting, radiant makeup. Light and breezy It’s time to set your full coverage foundation to one side and embrace your natural skin with a tinted moisturiser or BB cream. They are less harsh and will allow your skin to breathe. When choosing your base, make sure to find a product with added SPF. Oriflame A-Z BB cream SPF 30, £12, Oriflame Prime perfect To ensure your makeup stays in place all day, it’s important to apply primer prior to using foundation. Primer will prep the skin and create a flawless base for your foundation. There are plenty of primers on the market that will help…

Camel Creek Adventure Park, Cornwall This family fun park is now open for the season with brand new rides and attractions. Let the little ones take a plunge on Creeky’s Water Rush log flume or visit Swampy’s chocolate factory for some mouth-watering treats. There’s something for everyone at the park including the new electrifying Airbender rollercoaster. Prices from £14.95 camelcreek.co.uk Legoland Windsor resort Spook the kids this summer at Legoland’s new Haunted House Monster Party. In this fang-tastic ride, the frightfully friendly Lord Vampyre will reveal his magical party trick – turning the house upside down! There’s lots of exciting things to do this summer at Legoland. Just don’t forget to stop off at The Lego Movie set on your way out! Prices start from £29. legoland.co.uk Thorpe Park, Surrey…

ARIES 21 March–20 April I know it feels as if you are dealing with more than you can cope with at the moment. What you’re about to discover is just how many close ones are willing and able to support you. Use Saturday to claim back the time with close ones you’re craving. They may have taken recent anxiety as a sign you wanted space. Best day for financial good news: Thursday Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May A more independent and solo mood you have exhibited to close ones of late has pushed them away. Use communicative aspects the stars are offering and tell them what has really been making you so self-sufficient. Huge milestones can be reached if you do. Monday brings financial opportunities. Take full…

Send us your stories and photos, including all namesand ages, a daytime phone number and full address.E-mailhello @pickmeupmag.co.uk WRITE TO Pick Me Up! Media Centre, Emma-Chris Way, Abbey Wood Park, Filton, Bristol, BS34 7JU PHONE 01174400607 FACEBOOK facebook.com/pickmeupmag SEE OUR WEBSITE lifedeathprizes.com TI Media Limited reserves the right to reuse any submission sent to Pick Me Up! magazine, in any format or medium. Unfortunately, we can’t return photos without a stamped sae. Letters/photos must not be sent to any other publication.…

Over the years, I tried to forget about the past, but it was always in the back of my mind. As a teenager, I would have nightmares every night. I would see myself sitting on Jason’s sofa, watching him unzip his trousers, and I’d wake up screaming. I was flooded with horrific memories of singing to Jason, and I fell into a depression. And, in a strange way, it was the Spice Girls that got me through those years. It was their girl power that gave me the strength to move on with my life. Then in 2004, when I was 18, I met my boyfriend, David. He seemed different to other men, showering me with love and only ever wanting to take care of me. But even then, I…

This issue, our tip of the week entry has won two great products from Addis! This versatile kitchen caddy is perfect for food waste or for storage (£7.99) plus their new slim rattan effect linen hamper, with carry handles, holds a large 40L capacity of washing and is ideal for fitting in tighter spaces (£17.99). For more ways to make your life easier, visit www.addis.co.uk Dirty keys A quick and easy way to get the dust out of your keyboard keys is to use the sticky side of a Post-It note. It gets into the tiny spaces! Georgina Fraser, Essex Pick of the bunch When your bananas go too brown to eat, chop them up and freeze them for smoothies or whip up a banana bread or pancakes. The riper…

Sunburn 1 You only need to wear sunscreen in the summer. 2 Higher SPFmeans you don’t need to apply sunscreen as often. 3 A tan will protectyou from burning. 4 You can tan wearing SPF. 5 Tanning is never safe. 1 FALSE UV rays are always present and not just around in summer. You should wear SPF all year to ensure your skin is protected from the sun. 2 TRUE The number on the SPF tells you how long it would take to burn your skin against the amount of time it would take without any sunscreen. For example, if you’re wearing SPF 30, it will take you 30 times longer to burn than without any sunscreen. 3 FALSE There is little evidence to suggest a base tan will stop…

If you often think about making positive changes in your life, but find you tend to give up, here’s a thought. We usually try to change everything at once, but find it’s not sustainable. Aim for progress, not perfection. Pick one thing, such as regular walking, or drinking enough water each day. Do it for a month and keep a daily habit tracker. After a month that new habit will be concreted, then you can move on to the next one. Imagine how much change you can make in a year!…

Tossing and turning through the night, I struggled to sleep. ‘Night Mum,’ I said, laid in my bed next to her. Even after moving my bed into Mum’s room, I still couldn’t get a full night’s sleep. Aged seven, my parents were getting a divorce. My mum Karen, 53, raised me single handedly and worked hard. I dreaded school. I was diagnosed with dyslexia and I couldn’t keep up with the other kids in my class. Lunch times were terrible, no-one was very nice to me in the playground. Everything started to get worse as I hit my teens. Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I hated myself. ‘Why can’t I look like the girls in the magazines?’ I thought. I started to eat less and less, swapping my…

Two months before I was heading to Turkey with my my partner Julian, 46, my daughter Amanda, 36, and her boyfriend for a holiday, I decided to check out the Super Links game in the Sapphire room on Pick Me Up! Bingo. I had a few big wins in the past, winning £1,000 playing in Sapphire, then another £2,721 in Bingo Lounge. I watched wide-eyed as all my numbers, one by one, appeared marked off my bingo card on my laptop screen. I’d won the £1,500 Full House! With my Bingo win now in my bank account I knew it would make our holiday even more special. I spent some of my win on a magical boat trip for all four of us. I bought some souvenirs, and spent the…

Join a befriending service: If you’re feeling lonely, but don’t have the confidence to leave the house, you can sign up to a befriending service. You can organise a phone call with a volunteer who will chat with you for up to 30 minutes. You’ll be partnered with someone with similar interests, so there will be plenty to talk about! Over time, you can move on to face-to-face befriending, where you meet up with your buddy. AgeUK (ageuk.org.uk) is one of these services where there’s always someone to chat to. Find a bereavement group: Dealing with grief is hard, especially when we have no one to talk to about it who understands. Joining a bereavement group can help you handle your grief, in a fun and safe environment. Most groups…

• For extra strong coverage, place your eyeshadow primer directly onto a stubborn spot before applying concealer. • Add a pop of pink to your cheeks by blending in some of your favourite lipstick. • Use your favourite mascara to create a killer eyeliner wing. Simply brush the product onto an angled brush and apply. • Made a mistake? Spritz on some setting spray and dab the error away with your sponge or small brush. Get more out of your beauty products this summer by breaking the rules and mixing things up! • Gently dust your shimmery eyeshadows on the high points of your cheekbones, your teardrops, your cupid’s bow and your brow arches for a popping highlight. • Stop your concealer from creasing by applying eyeshadow primer on the…

I woke up to the sound of crashing downstairs. I ran to the kitchen and gasped. ‘What on earth has happened here?’ I cried My kitchen was a total state. The fridge and freezer drawers were hanging open, the bin was scattered everywhere, and half-eaten crumpets were in a trail to the front door. Someone must have broken in and had a midnight feast. What an animal. Who was raiding through my drawers at night? But as I stared at the chicken nuggets, I was sure it was a fox. He’d paws-itively munched his way through my entire freezer. I took my son, Riley, 6, to school and carried on with my day, and restocked my freezer The following two nights were exactly the same. On Thursday evening, I came…