Table of contents for 13-Dec-2018 in Pick Me Up!

I’d been with Steven, 27, for just under two years when we fell pregnant in March this year. Thrilled, we couldn’t wait to tell his mum, Stephanie, 57. A joker, she was always teasing us about wanting her the news I did the same to her... ‘I think there might be another mouth to feed this Christmas,’ I teased. I heard happy sobs from the other end of the phone. I had Maddie, 8, from a previous relationship, who Stephanie adored. But this would be her first grandchild by blood. Then at eight weeks we thought we’d lost our little one when I had a terrifying bleed. I was petrified, but Stephanie travelled all the way from London to Yorkshire to be with me and Steven. She reassured us and…

As I finished up my work for the day, I heard my boyfriend shout from the kitchen. ‘Put your feet up, love. I’ve put the kettle on!’ It was May 2016 and, while I ran my nail and beauty business all day, my partner Michael Nichols, 35, would clean the house, cook for us. ‘You spoil me,’ I smiled as he came into the living room with a fresh cuppa. We’d only met online two months earlier, but clicked right away. A mum of three grown kids, I’d been single for two years after a 15-year marriage. My confidence had been low but Michael was so sweet, showered me with compliments. By late April, he’d moved in - quick, but it felt right. Michael cared for me, and our sex…

NAKED ATTRACTION On Christmas Day four years ago, I woke up naked in bed and realised there was someone else next to me. I was shocked at first – especially as I’d been single for years. But, as I pulled the duvet up around my ears, I started to remember the night before. I’d invited my neighbour round for a few glasses of wine and one thing had led to another. ‘Merry Christmas,’ I said to him awkwardly, when he woke up and saw me. You can imagine how embarrassed we both were. He soon made his excuses and left, before I went off to spend the day with my mum and dad. The awkwardness didn’t last long though, because he’s now my fiance – and we’re getting married in…

1 Bunions are bony lumps that form on the joint at the base of the big toe. ■ True ■ False 2 Narrow shoes to keep toes straight can help symptoms. ■ True ■ False 3 Weight-loss can help improve bunions. ■ True ■ False 4 You should see your GP if the bunions haven’t improved in a few weeks and are stopping you going about your normal life. ■ True ■ False 1 TRUE The hard lump and swollen, red skin can also cause the big toe to point towards the other toes. 2 FALSE They aggravate the pain. Wear wide shoes with a low heel and soft sole to ease suffering. 3 TRUE Also try home remedies like ibuprofen, ice packs and bunion pads. 4 TRUE A doctor…

Lying in the hospital bed, I waited nervously. My husband Simon, then 50, sat beside me, equally anxious. It was last March and, for a year, I’d been suffering from chest pains, fatigue, nausea and had lost lots of weight. Wolves gave me a sense of peace, made me feel calm Now, I’d had some tests at Royal Berkshire Hospital and was awaiting the results. When they came... ‘You have adenocarcinoma,’ the doctor explained. ‘Which is pancreatic cancer.’ All so matter of fact. But at least I knew what was wrong. I had a tumour, more than 7cm in diameter. The only way I’d survive was surgery. The operation is called the Whipple procedure and was scheduled for two weeks’ time. I was discharged, allowed home to get my strength…

With their festive, red hats and beaming smiles, Christmas 2010 was clearly a happy one for the Ding family of Wootton, Northamptonshire. Heartbreakingly, that Christmas was to be their last. Not, of course, that they knew that. Fast forward to a sunny Friday afternoon in April 2011, and Royal Wedding fever was in the air. But, rather than watching Prince William and Kate Middleton’s nuptials, dad Jifeng ‘Jeff ’ Ding was pottering about in his kitchen when he spotted Anxiang Du walking up his garden path. Jeff, 46, probably wasn’t thrilled to see his former business partner. They had history. A senior lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University’s School of Chemical and Environmental Science, Jeff was well-respected and popular with his students. He was also devoted to his wife Ge ‘Helen’…

Forget turkey dinners and getting presents. When you break it down, for most of us, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas if it weren’t for our loved ones. So what happens to the people out there who don’t have friends and family to celebrate with? At any given time of the year, almost a fifth of our population say they always or often feel lonely. But, at Christmas, the figures rocket. And it’s not just the elderly who are suffering. An increasing amount of younger adults are, too. In 2016, one in 10 people aged between 25 and 34 who took part in a survey by mental health charity Mind said they had no-one to spend Christmas with, compared with one in 20 older people. This was backed up by recent research…

Over the next few hours, we tried to laugh and smile, even if it was just silly giggles over a cracker joke. We could see it had helped Max - and us - so much. The next few months were tough, but by May 2012, Max was in remission and finally well enough to come home. Joe and Mollie were so happy to be back together with their little brother. We chatted over the phone to Steve and the boys as much as we could. And before long, Christmas was approaching yet again. ‘I want us to help Steve and his boys on the ward,’ I told Trevor, remembering the joy he’d brought us all. But Max was still too weak, fighting off an infection. Next year... I vowed. And…

Bargain boxes HelloFresh is designed to make your life easier. Easy recipes and delicious ingredients are sent to your door weekly. Get 50% off your first and second HelloFresh box when you enter HELLOMAG50at checkout. Visit hellofresh.co.uk Classic white Jean-Marie Garnier Chardonnay is a creamy French wine with a slightly nutty flavour. This fresh and round-flavoured white pairs well with poultry and fish dishes. Down to £6 from £7 at Spar. Cut price The Hydro 5 Groomer Razor for men is currently half price (RRP £14.99) in Superdrug stores and online at superdrug.com. Until 2 January. Bamboo for you! The Humble Brush is the world’s most sold bamboo toothbrush. It has been developed by dentists in collaboration with The Humble Co, which makes products that are good for you…

Even in my daze, I just couldn’t take my eyes off of my baby. It was 17 December last year and Joshua was just 3 hours old. My partner Gary, 24, and my mum Anita, 46, were with us, and I was exhausted and drowsy from medication. I couldn’t wait for our first family festivities at home. I’d got Joshua an elf outfit and personalised baubles saying, Joshua’s First Christmas . In my weary state, I hadn’t noticed that Joshua was making grunting sounds. But Mum and Gary had. Gary rushed to get the nurse and Joshua was whisked to Intensive Care. ‘There’s a problem with his breathing,’ Gary told me. But he’d been fine earlier! When I saw him hours later, he was in an incubator - wires attached…

January 2016...and the Reece family was growing increasingly worried about Christopher West, 39. His sister and her husband hadn’t heard from him since December and they insisted that it wasn’t like Christopher to be out of touch with his family for so long - especially over the festive season. ‘He always made contact with us. Always,’ recalled his brother-in-law. But the couple’s texts and Facebook messages remained unanswered. Christmas came and went and Christopher’s family knew something was terribly wrong. On 27 January, they called the police to report their loved one missing, and officers in Kingsport, Tennessee, began their search. On 17 February, the police discovered burnt human remains in an embankment located in the remote Cherokee National Forest. Around two weeks later, an autopsy confirmed it was the…

Walkers Brussels Sprout Flavour Potato Crisps, £1.50 for six, Asda Brussels-sprout fans will be rushing to try these festively flavoured crisps. But for anyone who hates them, they’ve also made Pigs in Blankets and Turkey & stuffing flavours, as well! Verdict: BONKERS But deffo worth sprouting about! Camembert Chocolate Cheese, £14, choconchoc.co.uk It might look like cheese, but this is actually made from Belgian chocolate, with an oozing centre of white choc made to look like melting cheese! It even comes with chocolate bread for dipping. Verdict: BONKERS Makes an unusual gift, though. Üllo Wine Purifier, £69.99, uk.ullowine.com Designed to rid wine of its acidic taste – not only does this purifier make your vino taste like it’s come straight from the vineyard, customers have reported…

1 • Bratz dolls are among the most popular toys in the UK. • Band Aid 20 release Do They Know It’s Christmas and take the Christmas No1 slot. • News presenter Natasha Kaplinsky wins the first ever Strictly Come Dancing with Brendan Cole. 2 • Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire, where the cartoon family adopt abandoned greyhound Santa’s Little Helper airs. • Now That’s What I Call Music 16 tops the album charts, featuring Tears for Fears, Belinda Carlisle and Erasure. • Germany celebrates the first Christmas since the fall of the Berlin Wall. 3 • The aftermath of Sharon and Phil’s affair is revealed in EastEnderswith Sharon leaving the Square. • East 17 beat Mariah Carey to Christmas No1 with Stay Another Day. • The Queen reflects…

1 What’s your favourite chocolate in the Quality Street tin? a.The Purple One b.Toffee Penny c.One of each please d.The chocolate block 2 When do you start your shopping? a.Why wait? I’ve already started for 2019 b.What do you mean? Santa brings them all c.I make them myself. Jams, chutney, cupcakes... yum d.Christmas Eve, at the petrol station. It’s the thought that counts 3 What’s your favourite festive film? a. Elf b. The Santa Clause c. The Muppet Christmas Carol d. Die Hard 4 Which Christmas song do you always turn up the volume for when you hear it on the radio? a. I Wish it Could be Christmas Everyday by Wizzard b. Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Michael Bublé c. We Wish You a Merry Christmas –…

Pulling off his shoes after a shopping trip, my husband Marc, 30, grimaced. ‘I’ve got a nasty blister,’ he said. ‘Can’t feel a thing, though.’ Marc had diabetes and feeling numb to wounds was one of the common problems. But three months later, in November 2014, the blister on his left foot was infected. Badly. Surgeons removed three toes and the ball of his left foot in an emergency bid to save his leg. When the bandage was removed, his face fell. ‘It’s so ugly!’ he gasped. ‘Looks like a Monster Munch.’ He wasn’t wrong, but at least he still had a foot... ‘Let’s wait for it to heal,’ I soothed. I quit my job in retail management to look after him. Putting up the Christmas decorations that year, I…

As my partner Collette, 42, got off the sofa to get ready for bed, I glanced at my watch. It was 10pm and I fancied a game of bingo. So I played Sapphire Bingo, my favourite game. It was a Link game which offers the chance to win an even bigger Full House as all players from the connected rooms play together. We were dreaming of enjoying cocktails by the pool in the sunshine Tonight, the Full House was £1,500. I also liked the chat room very much. As I watched the game, I was four numbers away from a Full House, then one of mine came out and then another, until... ‘I’ve won!’ I cried out to Collette. I’d signed up to Pick Me Up! Bingo in August 2013,…

The washing machine was spinning, dirty plates were piled high in the sink and there were toys all over the floor. Business as usual, once the kids had gone to bed. I took a deep breath, prepared to tackle the chaos. Then some hands appeared on my shoulders, giving me a massage. ‘Go and put your feet up,’ my partner Tony, 23, said. ‘But look at the state of the place!’ I replied. ‘I know,’ he told me. ‘I’ll sort it.’ I collapsed in front of the telly, thinking how lucky I was. I’d loved being a single mum but it had taken it out of me. Then Tony came along and everything changed. We’d met at my local and instantly there was a spark. Tony had a gorgeous smile…

‘Christmas time can be bittersweet for lots of us, for different reasons. We all need to bear in mind that many people could  be fighting a battle that others know nothing about. ‘We should spread the good will. Sometimes, even something as small as a smile could make someone’s Christmas.’ Karen Rowe, Sunderland ‘We take the kids round to see our 96-year-old neighbour. For the last two years, we’ve popped by a lot over Christmas,  with chocolates or cake. ‘We also volunteer handing out hot drinks to the homeless. People are grateful for the food and drink, but mainly for the company.’ Beck Bradford, Coalville ‘There should be support no matter what time of year it is. I’ve had a few lonely Christmases. My nan died on Christmas  Day and,…

ARIES 21 March–20 April You think you’re in the dog house, but all a close one wants is to get back on track with you this Christmas. Talking about how you really felt during recent dramas will help you find common ground. Decisions regarding commitments will lead to a celebration! Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Many signs are finding it hard to speak the truth as Mercury tricks you into saying what you think others want to hear rather than what’s on your mind. Double-check figures as many of your sign could end up with cash to spare before the festive season is over… Call: 09058 170 711* GEMINI 22 May–21 June You miss those who are no longer a part of your life, especially at Christmas,…

Send us your stories and photos, including all names and ages, a daytime phone number and full address. E-mail pickmeup@ti-media.com CALL 020 3148 6460 WRITE TO Pick Me Up!, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP 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.…

Steve says, ‘When we were in hospital with Cory, a Santa came to visit us, and we couldn’t let that tradition disappear. I’m so proud of Cory and how far he’s come. It’s uplifting for all of us going into the hospital to visit the children and their families. There’s months of preparation involved, but one single smile from one single kid makes it all worth it, and you take that smile home with you.’ • To donate to Cory’s Christmas toy appeal, visit @NEUnited1 on Facebook or tweet Cory @1CoryDavison.…

No booze..? Q I’m breastfeeding but want to enjoy a festive drink. I’ll express some of my milk so I can still feed my baby, but how long should I wait after a night out? Rachel, Bedford A A baby’s development can be affected by even a little alcohol, so express before you drink and don’t breastfeed until the alcohol’s cleared. As a guide, leave at least two hours per unit from your last drink. Scared of my dad Q When I was young and living at home, Dad used to hit me. I’ve left now, so I’m safe, but I’m still anxious. Why can’t I settle down? Janet, Bristol A Living in constant stress as a child means that your body’s learnt to always expect danger and you’ve become…

The lights, the snow, the skyscrapers... New York truly is a magical place, especially at Christmas time. So in December last year, I was bursting with excitement to jet out there with my best friend Cheryl, 30, for a four-night girls’ holiday. On 14 December, my bags were packed and I was ready to leave for the airport. But while I couldn’t wait to get there, I knew that I’d miss my partner Rikki, 28, and our 1-year-old son Leo. Rikki and I had gone to school together, but met again in a nightclub a year after leaving school in 2006. We fell for each other, and were overjoyed to welcome little Leo into our family in July 2016. ‘We’ll be fine, go and enjoy yourself,’ smiled Rikki, as he…

Mostly As CHRISTMAS CRAZY. You buy your presents months in advance, your tree is up by October and you go to every Christmas event. You agree with Buddy the Elf that, ‘the best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.’ Mostly Bs BIG KID. It doesn’t matter how old you are, you will always believe in the magic of Christmas and make sure everyone knows Santa Claus is the real deal. You always leave a mince pie for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph on Christmas Eve. Mostly Cs FESTIVE FOODIE. For you, this is the season of indulgence. Whether you’re baking cookies or spending hours on Christmas dinner, you love buying and making food over the festive period. And you love eating it even…

Nadiya’s Asian Odyssey, BBC1 Former Bake Off champ Nadiya Hussain travels around Cambodia, Thailand and Nepal for her new two-part series, learning to make traditional dishes such as pad Thai, fish amok and buckwheat fritters. This week she cooks in a lakeside kitchen in one of Cambodia’s famous floating villages and struggles to swallow silkworms, crickets and ant larvae in one of Bangkok’s newest insect restaurants. Fortitude, Sky Atlantic The Arctic Circle inhabitants are piecing their lives back together after Governor Munk’s death and the disappearance of Dr Khatri as Fortitude’s final four-part series begins. Richard Dormer and Dennis Quaid return as Dan Anderssen and Michael Lennox, and two new police officers have arrived. Dynasties, BBC1 For years Tait, the matriarchal painted wolf, has led her…

This March held a big surprise for me - I won three whopping jackpots playing Pick Me Up! Bingo. That made it four, as this was after a big jackpot win only a year beforehand. It was Valentine’s Day last year, and I was playing bingo in Emerald, and had bought 18 tickets for 36p before I had to get ready for the day. Suddenly, my last number was called and I’d won the progressive jackpot of £1,454! ‘Yes!’ I cried. My partner Jason, now 45, had snored through it all... Ecstatic, I spent my win on treating my sons, aged 7 and 8, to bunk beds. I started decorating the living room, too. On 2 March, I had another big win. I’d logged on to Pick Me Up! Bingo…

Gammon with honey and pickle glaze Serves 10 Prep: 10 min Cook: 2 hr 30 min ◻ 2.25kg unsmoked boneless gammon joint ◻ 6 bay leaves ◻ 1½tbsp pink peppercorns, lightly crushed ◻ 4tbsp Branston Smooth Pickle ◻ 3tbsp runny honey 1 Place the gammon in a large pan. Add enough water to completely cover the meat, along with the bay leaves, and bring to the boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and cook at a gentle simmer for 2 hr. (If using a larger or smaller joint, allow 20 min per 450g, plus an extra 20 min). Drain and leave until cool enough to handle. 2 Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice away the skin (rind) from the meat, leaving a 5mm-1cm layer…

Seeing my boyfriend Gareth’s Santa jumper, I cracked up. ‘But It’s only 1 December!’ I teased. ‘I always wear Christmas jumpers throughout December,’ he said proudly. ‘I have eight in my collection.’ Eight?! This was 2014, and it would be our first Christmas together, after meeting that May. Gareth, 29, had another passion - marathons. He loved pulling on his trainers and running 26 miles. After a year together, he proposed to me. So exciting! Then, two months after our wedding in May 2016, we had the best news. ‘I’m pregnant!’ I squealed excitedly. At the 20-week scan, in September 2016, we discovered we were having a girl. ‘I can’t wait to be a dad, but I fancy a challenge before all the night feeds and nappy changes start,’ Gareth…

FOILED AGAIN! Christmas wrapping has never been my forte! So, in 1998, while I was working for the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes, when they introduced a gift-wrapping service for the customers, my mum – who was my boss – decided I needed to learn and gave me the first shift. But I was quickly taken off wrapping duty when a customer complained that I took 20 minutes to wrap a single gift! Not to be beaten, I decided to practise wrapping with tin foil  that night. It basically wraps itself and I thought a shiny present would look exciting. But my friends thought I was mad as I’d used sticky tape, too, making gifts harder to open! My family had a right laugh, but they appreciated my effort…

My four talented babies are my whole world. And, no, I’m not some pushy stage mum! Tootsie, 14, Doodles, 12, Mia, 10, and Benny, 5, are my four gorgeous rescue dogs. My actual baby Britany, 35, even gets a bit jealous, though she flew the nest long ago! And my hubby Flory, 66, knows there’s no competition. The three oldies enjoy short walks, chewy treats and a lot of sleep. But Benny is a bit different... Rescuing him from a shelter in 2013, days away from being put down, we saved his life. As he slobbered his tongue across my cheek that day, I knew he’d fit right in. Just a pup back then, he was mischievous and playful, jumping in the pool and obsessed with his toys. Chasing his…