Table of contents for 20-Sep-2018 in Pick Me Up!

Growing up, Mum had always been outnumbered. There was my older sister Katy, now 32, me, and my baby bro Joe, 23. We were a ragtag trio. Always up to mischief and driving Mum nuts. Katy was always the protective older sis. And Joe and I were best of mates, even if we were always arguing. And no matter what, we always had each other’s backs. Especially when, at the start of this year, my brother was diagnosed with a brain tumour causing cancer to spread throughout his body. It broke my heart to know that we might lose him. And Mum was devastated. Joe was her little prince. So when Joe finally passed away in April 2018, aged just 23, we were all bereft. But amid her grief, Mum’s…

My heart banged as I raced into the stockroom. How was it possible to be so busy yet so bored? I was 16 and a Saturday girl for a homeware store. Instead of being out with friends, I was running round after customers, dealing with complaints. All for minimum wage. Even after work, I couldn’t relax as I had studying to do. ‘You need to pass your exams,’ my parents said. I was at college, hoping to go to university. That was until I met Becky in 2003 through friends. Becky was 25, gorgeous and confident. She had her own car and house, and always wore the sexiest outfits. Becky told me she was a stripper. ‘I party all the time,’ she said. ‘Everything in my world is free.’ She…

I’m not exaggerating when I say our cocker spaniel Jack, 4, can sniff out a doggie biscuit at 50 paces. And it’s no wonder. Because, instead of being born with one nose, our gorgeous pooch has two! I’ll never forget the first time my husband Colin, 56, and I set eyes on him. It was back in August 2014, and Colin and I had been mulling over getting a dog for a while. So when my brother Matt’s own cocker spaniel Dave had produced a litter of puppies with a female, he’d invited us over to take a look. ‘You’ve got to see this one little fella,’ Matt, 40, had said. ‘He’s the last of the litter - just a look and I guarantee you’ll take him!’ We were intrigued.…

Baby worries Q I’m pregnant for the first time and have really bad morning sickness. I know it’s common but I can’t help worrying that something is wrong with the baby... Ali, Dundee A Actually, morning sickness is associated with healthier pregnancies and a lower risk of problems and miscarriage. But if it’s severe, it can indicate a multiple pregnancy, so ensure you get your scan to find out whether you’re having twins! Help with teething Q My daughter is teething and it seems very painful, but I don’t want to give her medicine. Are there any homeopathic treatments that are effective? Suzanne, Cheltenham A There’s some concern that there might be an association between homeopathic teething treatments and seizures in children, so definitely don’t use these. Iced gel rings…

Trudging round the supermarket, the cheeky face peering up at me from the trolley made it less of a chore. ‘You happy in there, munchkin?’ I asked my 13-month-old son Louie, as he gave his chubby legs a kick. Then I saw it. That twinkle his hazel eyes take on when he’s about to do something naughty. If he kicked his legs hard enough, he could send them flying! Sure enough, seconds later, Louie had kicked his left leg so hard, that it went flying through the air. Shoppers gasped, as it landed with a thud by the baked beans. But Louie, his 5-year-old sister Francessca and I doubled up with laughter. ‘Louie, you terror!’ I chuckled. It wasn’t the first time he’d purposefully kicked off one of his legs…

When I asked my bearded dragon Sandie to smile for the camera, she did her best to look casual, but here she is doing her strongest pose. Louise Johnson, Eyres Monsell Our family got a new tiny addition this week, our little ferret Snowy. He really is the fairest of them all. Sophia Grundy, Wigan Here’s my beautiful labradoodle Woody, with the one thing he adores more in the world than me. His blue ball! Sally Sando, Hoddesdon When I told my cat Blaze that he couldn’t jet off with us on holiday, he was more than a little bit shocked. He was so looking forward to his vaCATion. David Jackson, Todmorden Sonny says,'Sun’s out, guinea pigs also out!’ Isn’t he just the coolest dude at the pool this year?…

Burt’s Bees Glossy Lipstick in Pink Pool, £9.99, Holland & Barrett If you love Burt’s Bees cult lip balms, then you’ll love this! Made from 100% natural ingredients, it works hard to nourish lips for long-lasting hydration while delivering a subtle wash of colour. GOSH Velvet Touch Lipstick in Shocking Coral, £7.99, Superdrug One of the creamiest mattes we’ve ever tried, this leaves lips pillowy soft. For a super-smooth finish, use a lip scrub (sugar works well) to buff away dead skin cells before applying your lipstick. MUA Super Stylo Satin Finish Lipstick in Superior, £3, Superdrug The angled tip makes this pinky-purple lipstick so easy to apply. Even better, it’s completely cruelty free so you can look great and feel good at the same time – win-win! Maybelline Color…

Pulling my knee-high socks over my calves, my right one clung tight to my leg. It was 1970 and I was 6. Recently, I’d been stung by a bee on my right calf and it’d started to swell. ‘Look,’ I’d said to my mum Jeanette that day. When I pulled down my sock and showed her my swollen, red calf, she passed out! ‘We need to get you some help,’ she said when she came round. At the doctor’s, I was diagnosed with lymphoedema. It meant that the lymph vessels in my leg were blocked or unable to carry lymph fluid away from the tissue. Apparently, I’d been born with it, the bee sting had just made it worse. ‘What can we do about it?’ Mum asked. ‘There’s no cure,’…

Measles 1 Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that is most common in young children. ■ True ■ False 2 Symptoms include sore, red eyes, a fever and smallgreyish-white spots on inside of cheeks. ■ True ■ False 3 It is not necessary to visit your GPif you or your child has measles. ■ True ■ False 4 If you get measles once, you are more prone to it in later life. ■ True ■ False 1 TRUE Luckily it is now uncommon in the UK, due to the effectiveness of vaccination. 2 TRUE Symptoms can often be confused with a bad cold, and usually develop around 10 days after you’re infected. 3 FALSE You should contact your GP as soon as possible. You may also need to make…

Sandy Gilbert, 55, Isle of Wight You might remember seeing me on these pages before. I won £1,000 back in November 2016 playing bingo in Playoff Palace. This is my second time in Pick Me Up! celebrating a win. I’ve been a member of the site since January 2016, and won small amounts here and there. The £1,000 win was brilliant! I’d seen the Full House - we all usually have a peek before playing, but I just didn’t realise I’d be the big winner that game. It felt incredible. Who’d know that in October 2017, a year on, I’d be enjoying yet another big moment? I’d just managed to sit down after dropping off my daughter Emma at work. She had a job in a restaurant, and wouldn’t need…

Sleeping Beauty The newest addition to the family is our little princess Lottie, just 2 weeks – getting some rest after keeping Mummy up all night long… Andrea Davis, Alfington Eye of the tiger Josh, 6 months, loves his animal-themed walker. And don’t you think those mesmerising eyes would be the envy of any tiger?! Sue Angus, Wolverhampton Friends forever Meet my daughter Aubree, 3 months. She adores her beloved Peter Rabbit, they are the best of buds. Dannii Harden, Llanfwrog…

The walls needed a lick of paint and the garden hadn’t seen a lawn mower in Lord knows how long. But, stepping through the door of our new home in March 2011, I thought, We’ll be happy here. A single mum to two sons, I believed this was the fresh start we needed. It was close to the salon where I worked as a hairdresser, too. ‘I love it here,’ both the kids said to me, beaming. Settling in over the next few weeks, there was a friendly feel to the road, with everyone waving hello. But it wasn’t the same with our next-door neighbours. Gary Hoyles, 43, and his daughter Kimberley Hoyles, 12, lived next to us with their bull mastiff Alfie. Grunting as he walked past me in…

ARIES 21 March–20 April Laughter is an instant holiday and, I see from your chart, there’s been a more serious tone to your life of late. The stars are behind you now to add some fun and excitement. Don’t be afraid to travel to meet new faces. It could lead you to your destiny… Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May You’ve grown up a lot this year and it wasn’t easy! What I see now, which you can’t, is that others want to assist, but you won’t allow them. Just let them help! Socially, past and present join forces and what you thought was a complicated situation is actually easy. Call: 09058 170 711* GEMINI 22 May–21 June You and a certain person have been at loggerheads and…

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USA – MOCKING PAIN On 14 December 2012, news of the mass killing at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, was met with disbelief. They had to deal with accusations that their children weren’t dead Twenty first-graders and six members of staff were shot dead by Adam Lanza, 20, who had also shot and killed his mother. He then turned the gun on himself. Among the dead was 6-year-old Noah Pozner. For his parents, the grief was unbearable. But for them and the other families of the victims, it was only made worse when they had to deal with accusations that their children weren’t dead and that the tragedy was just a fraud designed to undermine Americans’ gun rights. Lucy Richards, 57, was part of an online community who…

Elaine scooped £1,110 Elaine Allen, 64, Loughborough Over a cuppa, my grandson, 21, told me he’d passed his uni exams with flying colours. ‘You get your brains from me,’ I teased. After he left, I opened my computer. Time for a few games on Pick Me Up! Bingo. I’d been a member of Pick Me Up! Bingo for 10 years. My favourites were the slot games. Diamond Bonanza, Tiki Island, Winstones... Plus, I liked nattering in the chatrooms. I’d had a few small wins over the years, but in 2013, I’d scooped £1,000! Tonight, I had a go on Diamond Bonanza. I clicked Spin and watched as the reels spun. Before I knew it, I was looking at five diamonds. I’d just won £1,110! With my winnings, I bought a…

I think the costs are ridiculous. Not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to afford school trips, and it singles out children who can’t go. These events should be planned so that everyone can enjoy them, instead of handing bullies more ammunition. I remember how I was bullied at school for not fitting in or being able to afford the latest trends. Nicola Carnall, Ilkeston Even with both parents working, who can realistically afford this kind of expense? Most families have more than one child, and you can’t treat one differently to the others. It’s time schools went back to a day out or camping trip to some local beauty spot – the beach, a farm, something simple – that most parents could hopefully afford. Take the emphasis away…

Deo deal The new limited-edition London Fashion Week Nivea Black & White Invisible Deodorant is two for just £2 until 25 September in Boots stores nationwide and online at boots.com. Dead Sea skincare is dead good! If you’re looking for paraben-free skincare, which contains no chemicals, just natural minerals, try out Malki Dead Sea Products. Also suitable for vegans and vegetarians. The range is currently 3 for the price of 2 in Boots stores nationwide and online at boots.com  until 25 September. Clean up… Deep clean your carpets and upholstery and remove spots and stains for less with the Bissell StainPro6 Carpet Cleaner, which is reduced from £249.99 to £199.99 from 19 September until 3 October, at Bissell Direct – see bissell direct.co.uk. Cool charcoal Get Procoal’s bundle…