Table of contents for 14-Apr-2022 in Pick Me Up!

Opening the bundle of newspaper, the smell of vinegar lingered in the air. Eating a portion of salty chips from the local chippy, I demolished the whole thing, smacking my lips. This was a daily occurrence. Growing up, I had a slim figure compared to my friends. The running joke was that I had to jog around in the shower to get wet. Only, after suffering such a devastating loss, I turned to food and alcohol to fill the void. My dad Mervyn, 38, had been murdered by the IRA in our own home. The troubles in Northern Ireland had been going on for 30 years in our hometown, but I never expected my soldier dad to be taken in this way. Aged19, my whole life changed. Facing a battle…

Vagina monologues We all know how important it is to keep healthy – we eat our fruit and veg, drink plenty of water and exercise. But do you think about your vaginal health? It’s all too easy to overlook, or maybe you’re embarrassed to talk about it. But it’s important to know, protect and be aware of tell-tale signs that could lead to health complications. Dr Shahzadi Harper, women’s health expert from leading live bacteria range Bio-Kult, reveals what your vagina could be trying to tell you – and what to do about it… Changing discharge Vaginal discharge varies throughout your menstrual cycle due to changes in hormonal levels. In the first half of your cycle, it can be thin, sticky and elastic and become thicker later in your cycle.…

Loving parents, Bart and Krista Halderson, were very proud of their son and his successful career. Chandler, 23, had told them all about his studies at a technical college, and his work with the local police on their scuba diving team – and now he’d secured a job with SpaceX, Elon Musk’s space exploration tech company. It would mean that Chandler would move out of the home he’d shared with his parents, in Windsor, Wisconsin, and move to Florida. But the whole family were excited about the fantastic opportunity. There was lots of talk in the Halderson household about Chandler’s bright future. Dad Bart, 50, was an accountant and had always supported his son. Chandler had been a Scout and Bart got involved by becoming a Scout den leader. Chandler…

GOOD DEED OF THE WEEK After two years in and out of lockdown, it’s safe to say, this summer is going to be big! However, with that, comes risks. This year, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), are expecting calls to soar as more people dip their toes in the water. That’s why, they’ve put out a Mayday call of their own. They’re asking supporters to kick off their summer and be a lifesaver by signing up to the Mayday Mile. Whether you choose to swim it, run it, cycle it, dance or simply walk it, The Mayday Mile challenges you to cover one mile in any way you like between Sunday 1 May and Tuesday 31. Sign up now and raise vital funds to ensure RNLI Lifesavers can continue…

Heading out of the hospital, I was on cloud nine as I pulled my phone out of my pocket. ‘You’re not on top of a roof, are you?’ I said, when my partner Stephen, 50, who was at work as a roofer, picked up. ‘You’ll want to be sitting down.’ ‘What is it?’ he said. ‘We’re having twins,’ I said. ‘You’re joking,’ he laughed. ‘I swear, it’s true,’ I said. We’d only had a positive pregnancy test a couple of weeks before. I wonder if it’ll be twins, I thought to myself. It wouldn’t normally be the first thought when finding out you’re pregnant. But I had an identical twin sister, Elizabeth, and Stephen had a non-identical twin brother, Phil. Elizabeth and I were so close and had an amazing…

Sitting in my GP’s office, I felt nervous as I waited for him to tell me what was wrong with me. ‘This is normal,’ he said. ‘All periods are like this.’ So, I’m going to be in this much pain for the rest of my life? I thought, confused. My period didn’t feel normal, it was excruciating and every month when it came I felt like throwing up. I was 16 years old and back in the early noughties, I didn’t really talk about periods with family or friends – it was way too embarrassing! But I knew the other girls at school didn’t feel like this when they got their periods. Sometimes I had to stay home and miss lessons because I was in so much pain. ‘If you’re…

Hauling a shovel out of storage, I got straight to work. Holding my nose, I scooped animal mess into the bucket and swept the floor clean. Job done, I thought, rubbing my hands together. It was 2018, and I had joined a volunteering programme at Woodstock Farm Sanctuary in High Falls, New York. A rescue centre to provide farmed animals with a safe place to live. Pigs, cows, chickens, goats, ducks, and any animals in the food system had been given a second lease of life. Living in New York City, the hustle and bustle certainly kept me on my toes. But being a vegan for over 14 years, I wanted to find a community of like-minded people, that truly believed in the welfare of animals. Woodstock Sanctuary did exactly…

Snoozing on the sofa, I felt a hard nudge in my ribcage as I stifled a snore and came to. Waking from the shock, I noticed my girlfriend Faye giving me a hard stare. Only, as Johnny took Baby out of the corner, Faye’s attention was soon elsewhere. ‘I’ve had the time of my life,’ she hummed. With a smile on her face, she soon turned to me. ‘You missed the end, again!’ she joked. ‘Well, we have seen it about one million times,’ I laughed at her. It was true – Dirty Dancing was Faye’s favourite film of all time. We watched it every few days. It might not have been my favourite, but I knew every word Patrick Swayze said and every dance move. The truth was, though,…

It’s hard to avoid chocolate at Easter time – but even when the eggs have been polished off, it can be hard to convince your kids to eat their five a day. Children’s nutritionist Sarah Almond Bushell has partnered with Love My Salad, to share top tips on getting your little ones to love their fruit and veg. 1 Make sure their food looks visually pleasing Children are ‘magical thinkers’. How food looks is important to them when they are making a decision about whether to eat it or not. Bite size portions and mini versions of big foods can be a great way to do this. Your child may be familiar with cherry tomatoes, so try another small fruit such as a mini cucumber. BOX FRESH! 2 The quality come…

These are my rabbits Tilly and Teddy. They are enjoying their salads – give me more! Ella Jade Coupe, Sutton-in-Ashfield I came across this pub with a letter missing from its name. I hope it is the letter ‘P’, although my hubby had me in stitches with alternative letters. Fiona Deans, North Ayrshire My husband Brian loves to feed the swans on the River Wye. I think he is brave to do it! Rose Janes, Monmouth After a long hot day in Turkey, even our towels needed a Pick Me Up! Paige Hawkins, Essex STAR LETTER I love this pic of my husband Richard, 39, and daughter Mia, seven. We were at the theatre for Cinderella. We all had a lovely family day! Lisa Adams, West Midlands If your letter…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a amazing product from Addis! Create order and maximise your storage space with two under the bed shoe organisers! With viewing windows to easily identify shoes and a built-in pull out handle for ease of access, the show bag holds up to nine pairs of shoes or heels. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Be a winner! ADDIS Since 1780 Perfect fit Plastic lids from gravy granules fit the top of pet food cans saving you from a smelly kitchen! Erica Dowey Tip of the week Happy Easter! I planted a tree branch in a vase and decorated it with chocolate Easter eggs and bunnies. I filled the top of the vase with small chocolate Easter eggs and…

Sue Tappenden is a coach and people expert who helps her clients improve their relationship with themselves and others. (www.headspacefor change.com) Awkward stammer Q When I’m nervous, I have a stammer. I don’t know how to control it and it’s only getting worse. What can I do to calm myself down? Beth, London A The most important thing is that you find the right kind of support to help you manage your stammer. As a first step, I would contact STAMMA (The British Stammering Association) who have lots of information, resources and help available, including tips and techniques to help you when you want and need to speak and find it difficult. They have a helpline to chat with someone directly. Many people with a stammer can experience a lack of understanding…

Starting young Q My teen daughter is always keen to try a sip of alcohol when we’re having a glass of wine at mealtimes. My husband thinks it’s OK, but I’m worried it would be the start of a slippery slope. Who’s right? Joanna, Windsor A With teenage children, ideally, we want them to understand what alcohol really is without either glamourising it by making it seem grown-up and fun, or being heavy handed in banning it and thus making it seem more attractive to them. Before allowing your daughter to try any alcohol at all, I advise having an honest conversation with her about the dangers of alcohol. Be honest with her about your own experiences with alcohol, too, including hangovers – make sure she’s aware of all the…

Hit the supermarket shelves for these fabulous spring essentials from TU at Sainsbury’s. Starting at just £5, you’ll be a golden goddess this season… Top tip Co-ords are worth the investment. You can mix and match all season Top tip Two tone denim is a great way to jazz up an outfit! We love this!…

Climbing has helped Vinnie Campbell, 43, from Walsall, Birmingham, to bond with his sisters. Looking up at the 12-metre wall in front of me, I watched as my 46-year-old sister Charlotte, climbed up it. ‘Go on Sis!’ I shouted. Charlotte had been struggling with the heights for a while. At first, she couldn’t get past the door. Only, on this day, her anxiety faded and she was fearless, reaching higher than ever before. It was back in February that we’d started coming to our local climbing wall. With work and family life keeping us busy, I felt like I barely got to see my sisters Charlotte and Eula, 41. I was determined to find something that could bring us together. In the past, I’d been into cycling, swimming and walking,…

Catch Claire live on Facebook www.clairepetulengro.tv ARIES 21 March–20 April If you don’t like how things are, then rewrite the script. You are the star of your life story. You have been allowing far too many people to tell you what to do with your life. It would be to your advantage to stop saying yes and to start dictating what you want to happen next. You’re in control. Conversations with Taureans offer you a much needed strength. Call: 09058 170 710* LEO 24 July–23 Aug You were taking things at a really good pace. However the full moon urges you to tie up things sooner than others would like. A time to keep manners to the fore and not to turn down professional help, or words of wisdom, from…