Table of contents for 09-Dec-2021 in Pick Me Up!

Strapping on my skates, I was looking forward to a Friday night down at the local ice-rink. I was 16-years-old, and my friends and I loved spending time there. Plus, it didn’t hurt that the DJ was easy on the eye as well. I knew Ian, then 18, through friends, but we’d only spoken a handful of times. However, I couldn’t deny that it he was good looking. Plus, he played some great tunes as we twirled around on the ice. As the years passed, Ian just became known as the local DJ. In 2003, I moved away from my small village in North Lanarkshire, up to Inverness in the Highlands. There, I became an auxiliary nurse and met my now ex-husband, and welcomed my son Scott, 15, into the…

Serving up our dinner, my daughter limped to the table. ‘My leg aches, Mum,’ Holly, 15, said. She’d been complaining of leg pain for days and limping slightly, but she’d recently shot up in height. So, I just thought it had to be growing pains. But now days later, the pain seemed worse. Holly had suffered some bullying at school and girls had called her fat, despite her being a normal weight. She’d been eating less and had lost weight, too. I was worried about her. Maybe there was more going on than I initially thought. Then one day, I noticed when she ate, she gagged. ‘Is this about those bullies calling you fat?’ I asked gently. She shook her head. ‘No, I want to eat but I can’t,’ she…

Dressed in a white jacket and a cream shirt, Sydney Loofe took a selfie and shared the photo on Snapchat with the caption: Ready for my date. Sydney, 24, was smiling for the camera with her long blonde hair, and she looked excited. She’d even added a heart-eyed emoji. Sydney’s loved ones knew she had struggled with depression, but she was always trying to stay positive. A tattoo on her arm read: Everything will be wonderful someday. And her new romance made her hopeful. It was 15 November 2017, and Sydney lived in Lincoln, Nebraska with her cat Mimzy. Her parents, George and Susie, lived three hours away but they’d get together as often as they could, and they messaged constantly. Sydney had told her friends that she’d met a…

Q My boyfriend has depression I want to help him but he refuses to talk to me or see a professional. What should I do? Jessica, Bristol AThis is a hard one, no one can force another person to get help if they don’t want to. Keep encouraging him, and try to suggest things like going out for a walk or doing some exercise together. Also, try where possible to arrange to socialise with others together, to get out of the house regularly. If your boyfriend ever discusses suicidal thoughts or plans to harm himself – seek immediate help. There are lots of support groups, online and in-person, for loved ones of depression sufferers. These groups might be helpful for you to get the support you need, too. Look after…

FOR HER FOR KIDS FOR PETS FOR HIM TURN TO PAGE 38 FOR MORE GIFT IDEAS…

It’s really not Christmas without a Christmas jumper! Whether you’re a fan of a novelty print or an embellished design, find the perfect festive sweater for you. Yule feel fabulous and merry for sure! Top tip Pair a Christmas sweater with a shirt underneath for a preppy look! Top tip If reindeers aren’t your thing, go for a subtle fair isle print. Top tip Get matching festive jumpers for cute family pics at Christmas…

In Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, Kentucky, passengers couldn’t help but be impressed when a pilot in full uniform walked by. On May 10, 2019, Christian ‘Kit’ Martin turned heads as he proceeded to his departure gate ready to fly a plane to Charlotte, North Carolina. Dressed in his PSA Airlines uniform, which is a regional subsidiary of American Airlines, Christian commanded respect, and attention from all. He was also an Army major with a military career that spanned 30 years. But as he got to the security check point, ready to board the plane for the early morning flight, he was stopped by police. Suddenly, the passenger eyes were on Christian for all the wrong reasons as he was put in handcuffs. The pilot wasn’t flying anywhere. He was…

Turkey Shower Cap, £6.99, madbeauty.com Turkey roast, turkey sandwiches, turkey dreams and turkey shower caps. If you’re clucking mad for these feathery fowls then look no feather. Hold your head up high while singing in the shower and put on the best crown around. Verdict: BONKERS! What the peck?! Big Fat Burger Bauble, £10, redcandy.co.uk If all you want for Christmas is a big fat burger then this Christmas dec is the one for you. Flaunt that burger and put it right on the top of your tree. Your guests will be craving a meat feast with extra fries by the time they leave. Verdict: BONKERS! That’s so saucy! Face Wrap, £13.99, firebox.com It’s the gift that just keeps on giving. Wrapping paper with your face printed over and over…

Christmas is the most wonderful time of year. Presents, lights, decorations, spending time with loved ones and feasting on a huge spread of food – what more could you want? But, with the good, also come the bad. Buying the latest presents for your partner, mother-in-law, kids, aunties, uncles and the dog too, all come at a great expense. And that’s all before you’ve even thought about the Christmas dinner. With the average household spending 29% more than usual in just December alone, we are simply breaking the bank just to be able to put on a show for one day. According to the Bank of England, in 2019, we spent an average of £740 more in December than we did in any other month. And, with over a third…

Choosing a gift can be a minefield – you want to give something they’ll love, but you don’t want them to feel they have to go OTT to reciprocate. Kim Brookes, founder of natural scent jewellery brand Perfino, shares her top five tips on choosing the perfect gift this Christmas… Is it too much… or too little? The minibreak may be very well received, but think what the expectation will be when it’s your turn to get a gift. This escalation of gift giving can present a massive problem, particularly in big families where some sort of parity of giving is required, but when there will usually be someone who goes for broke. Is it generosity, or grandstanding? Either way, my advice is to agree a standard at the outset…

This year at the Lotherton Hall Christmas Experience, Mrs Claus is played by actress, singer and writer Rachael Pennell from York. Her fiancé, actor John Tearney, plays Santa – so it’s a family affair. John has played Santa for a decade, and Rachael has played Mrs Claus since 2017. They’ve played the Crimbo couple at other venues, and John has been Lotherton Hall’s Santa – but this is Mrs Claus’ first year there. Rachael says: ‘We both love Christmas and performing for children, so we really look forward to grotto season. ‘Christmas is so busy for actors, so it’s great to be in the same place entertaining – if we were in separate places, we probably wouldn’t see each other at all through the whole of December! ‘But it does…

1 GO LARGE! Make up for last year by going big on Christmas this year. Expect to see bigger trees, more decorations, more lights and sparkle, and extra dinner table décor. 2 MULTIPLE TREES 11% of people are planning on having more Christmas trees in their house than they did last year! Some contemporary options include an LED twig and cherry blossom trees. 3 LIGHTS, LIGHTS, LIGHTS! Outdoor illuminated figures are very popular for 2021, such as reindeer, snowmen, penguins and robins. They create a fun display that everyone will love. 4 CHRISTMAS WREATHS Expect to see wreaths on many front doors, plus people buying an extra wreath to use as a centrepiece on the dining table. 5 SUSTAINABILITY Eco-friendly and sustainable products are increasingly popular. Look out for reusable…

It was the worst call. Deep down, I knew I was going to lose him. Heading straight to the hospital, there was only one thing on my mind. I had to marry him. Christmas was now just days away. We were meant to be celebrating. Instead, I spent my days by his bedside. Ian was still in denial, but I knew I had to make plans. ‘If anything happens, I want to marry him here,’ I told the nurses. ‘We’ll do what we can for you both,’ they agreed. I knew I would lose him, and although he didn’t want to admit it, I had to. Scott decided not to visit the hospital. It was just too hard for him. Ian was growing weaker, and by Christmas Eve morning, the…

Wiping my brow, I turned back to the cow in front of me. The sun had been glaring in my eyes as I rounded them up for milking at the dairy farm where I worked, and my vision was blurry. As I was milking though, something strange happened. Suddenly my sight was like a lava lamp – it was like someone had dropped ink into a clear liquid. It was filling my eyes and distorting my vision. When the farmer’s wife came in and I couldn’t see her face, I knew something was terribly wrong. Terrified, I called my wife Amanda, 32, to pick me up and we went to hospital. ‘We warned you about this, Scott,’ the doctor said sternly. I’d been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I…

Make a note as Save the Children’s 10th annual Christmas Jumper Day is on Friday 10th December. Over the years Save the Children has managed to raise an incredible £27 million since its launch. But, for its tenth anniversary, Save the Children are encouraging the nation to dig out vintage jumpers, upcycle or shop second hand, to make this the most sustainable Christmas Jumper Day yet. This year, winter woolies with baubles, bells, tinsel and fairy lights are a must as the nation prepares for the annual fundraiser. Save the Children is asking people to get involved and help children get the food, healthcare and education they need to believe in a future where anything is possible. But most importantly allow them to see the true wonder and magic of…

Sitting on the sofa, I reached for my phone. It was a cold October evening in 2019. And the Tinder app glowed as I opened my lock screen. My marriage with my husband of 16 years had fizzled out, the last five years of it being strictly platonic. Even though we had a six year old son together, we thought it was best to split. I was quite excited to be back on the market again. Dating, romance and meeting new people was an exhilarating thought. So, I added a few photos of myself to my profile. What to write in the big white empty box? How could I best sell myself? High vibe…High octane and au naturel! I wrote Perfect. Moving onto the next step, I ticked a few…

1. Approach online dating with cautious optimism – while remaining positive, don’t believe everything your matches say. 2. Trust your gut instinct. If something doesn’t feel right about a match, it probably isn’t. 3. Don’t send photos of yourself, or sext, just to please him. 4. Find comfort knowing that you are by no means alone experiencing the rollercoaster that is online dating! 5. Never chase a match. If they are interested, they will get in touch. 6. Maintain self-confidence at all times. We can’t expect everyone to be attracted to us. That doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with us! Rejection is good, so we don’t waste any more time on them! 7. Most importantly, you should maintain a high level of self-respect at all times. Know your worth, be…

The team at TopCashback.co.uk have formulated their top tips on keeping costs down, especially at Christmas time… 1. THINK SAVVY! Retailers up the prices of seasonally popular goods around peak buying times – so it’s not a bad idea to buy Prosecco and other non-perishables in the upcoming months. Doing this not only saves on the overall cost of the festivities but avoids the hefty bill before the big day. 2. TECHNICAL SIDE When it comes to buying bigger gifts such as camera, laptops, phones and even clothing, try to grab most of them in the Black Friday sales. Lots of retailers go big in these sales. The bargains can be amazing and save you a fortune when you add it all together. 3. A POUND A DAY… Putting away a…

Show off your most joyful jumpers this December for Save the Children! Celebrities from TV, fashion, comedy and sport have joined forces to spread good cheer this Christmas. Now in its tenth year, Christmas Jumper Day has raised over £27 million for Save the Children since its launch in 2012. Donning their brightest and wackiest jumpers, this year a whole host of celebrities are encouraging you to get involved. With the likes of Holly Willoughby, Alex Brooker and Emma Bunton, these famous faces are asking you to dig deep and rock around that Christmas tree on 10 December! After another year spent mostly in loungewear, more is more this year. The bolder and brighter, the better. Children who don’t have the basics – like food, school and medicine – find…

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.…

Pasta experts Barilla share a clever way to use up your sprouts this Christmas! Barilla is available in major supermarkets. Find more inspiration at barilla.com ◻ 1 box Barilla® Fusilli◻ 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil◻ 1 garlic clove, minced◻ 250g Brussels sprouts, shaved◻ 120ml dry white wine◻ 1 tablespoon fresh basil, sliced thin◻ 60g Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated◻ Salt and black pepper to taste 1Bring a large pot of water to a boil, cook pasta according to package directions. 2Meanwhile, in a pan sauté garlic with olive oil and just before it turns golden add the Brussels sprouts and sauté over high heat for 2-3 minutes. 3Add the wine and reduce quickly, season with salt and pepper. 4Drain pasta, reserving around 120ml of pasta-cooking water. 5Add pasta-cooking water to Brussels…

School trouble Q My daughter always loved school, but recently she’s refusing to go and crying when we leave the house. What can I do? Laura, Manchester A This requires more analysis. Go gently, but ask probing questions about how she feels about school, students and teachers. I would also connect with her teachers and see what information you can get from them – how is she coping with the workload? What is her social circle like? Do they have any other concerns about her at all? School can be a difficult period, but don’t let this become a full ‘abstinence’. Long-term school absconders can experience difficulty socially, academically, and emotionally, too. In the first instance, get in touch with the school and see if they can shed any light,…

Avoid overindulging this Christmas and keep weight gain to a minimum by trying lead nutritionist Rob Hobson’s Happy Apple Plan! ‘Consuming an apple before a meal will help to increase the overall fibre content of that meal and help you feel full for longer,’ Rob says. ‘You will not only benefit from being less likely to overeat at dinner time but you’ll also gain the effects from the apple’s flavonoids and fibres that help to burn belly fat and promote satiety. ‘Apples contain 1.2g dietary fibre per 100g, and this also helps to regulate bacteria in the gut which in turn may help to suppress weight gain and fat accumulation in the body. ‘Although apples taste sweet, they release energy slower than refined sugary treats, helping to supply a more…

Raj oozed confidence, so relaxed and chatty. Which put me at ease straight away. Unlike him, I had not been on many dates recently. We walked for three hours on muddy paths, chatting non-stop. Midway, we sat down on a picnic blanket in the woods for my offering of tea and cake. I invited him round for a second date a couple of weeks later. I’d made him a veggie lasagne. Even buying some wine. And profiteroles for dessert. Then we had more dessert on the couch later! So, date one and two were both pretty damn good as things go. Until, I asked him if he was going to see other women. I had no reason to assume he was, I just blurted it out. ‘Yes’ he replied. ‘If…

Walking around Nottingham Christmas market, me and my daughter were hand in hand. Posey, six, was fascinated with all of the lights and festive decorations. The smell of roasted chestnuts and German Bratwurst filled the air. As a family, we have a tradition to go to the Christmas market every year – making magical memories together. Being a single mum, I especially want to spoil Posey at Xmas, as she is still at an age to be intrigued by all of the festivities. On Christmas Day, we usually go to my parent’s house, where my brother’s, Hadley, 36, Orry, 33 and River, 30, join us with their families to play games. My mum Deby, 52 and dad, Craig, 56, would always put on a large festive spread. Throughout the day…

Hosting Christmas can be stressful, especially if you’re in charge of making the festive feast – and the amount of food waste we produce can be eye-watering. Cornish chef and sustainability expert, James Strawbridge, has partnered with online farm shop 44 Foods this festive season, to share his top tips for a Christmas dinner that not only tastes amazing, but is better for the environment, too! 1 Tis the season Seasonal veg, like the kind sold by 44 Foods, tastes better, has less food miles and supports British farmers, too. Buy plenty of root vegetables, cabbage and kales, plus the obligatory sprouts, to add an authentic seasonal vibe to your meal. Avoid out-of-season strawberries and exotic veg. 2 Deck the halls! Try making an edible wreath with branches from a…

Watching out the kitchen window, my boy, Max, then three, sprinted around the garden. He spent every spare minute playing with his toys, giggling, or hanging out with his best mates Jamie, his older brother who’s 12, and Milo, our Cocker Spaniel. Max was born as a true performer and comedian. Nothing scared him. He was always confident chatting away to whoever he possibly could. All of that he got from his dad, my fiancé Mike, 37. We could never keep up with Max’s enormous amounts of energy. He was always leaping off the sofa into cushions on the floor. That’s why when he developed a limp in July 2018, Mike and I didn’t think much of it. ‘He’s got a temperature, too,’ I told Mike. ‘It must be another…

Standing dead still, scared to move a muscle, I hardly dared to breathe. ‘There he is,’ my stepdad Shawn, 53, whispered. ‘Do you see him?’ I nodded silently. But as we crept closer, the baby deer startled, and galloped away. Shawn and I made our way back home. ‘Please can I have a pet deer?’ I begged him. ‘Don’t you think we have just about enough animals?’ Shawn said, laughing. Shawn and my mum Suesynn, 53, were farmers. At home on our farm in Auckland, New Zealand, we had sheep, cattle and horses, as well as our two family dogs. Growing up, I’d always been animal-mad. I went out with Shawn a lot, and I became so interested in deer. Now, I wanted to add one to our brood. I…

1 First things first, what is your favourite thing about Xmas? a Oh absolutely everything! b Spending time with family and friends c Being the first to open the sweet tin! d Presents, presents, presents! 2 When you receive a present that you really dislike, how do you react? a You have a poker face, but plan on regifting it to someone else! b It’s fine, it really doesn’t matter at all! c You’re grateful for even getting a present d You smile, but laugh later on in the evening! 3 What’s your favourite Christmas film? a Miracle on 34th Street b The Muppet Christmas Carol c Love Actually d Home Alone 4 What do you wear on C a You like to stay in your PJs – comfort is…

www.clairepetulengro.tv Catch Claire live on Facebook ARIES 21 March–20 April What you thought would be a most painful event, turns out to be an enjoyable one. All you had to do was let yourself go, which is something you found impossible to do last week. The home is well starred, and plans you make as to who lives in it make for some colourful conversations. Taking chances with your heart will pay dividends on Sunday. Call: 09058 170 710* LEO 24 July–23 Aug You know that close ones have been acting out of character, but you also know that you need to do what is right for you, before you end up losing all you have built up in the last three weeks. Trips you plan on making are subject…