Table of contents for 18-May-2023 in Pick Me Up!

Making a beeline for the local park straight after school, a huge group of us sat and chatted on the grass. Whether it was going to town together, mucking around on the climbing frames or organising a cinema trip at the weekend, at just 14, I had a great group of friends. And it seemed out of everyone, I had a secret admirer, too. ‘I’ve heard that Josh has a crush on you,’ my friends whispered, all nodding in agreement as we looked over at the boys. Despite hanging around in the same group and being in the same school year together, I wasn’t really looking for a relationship – there was something about Josh, then 14, that I wasn’t really sure about. I couldn’t put my finger on what…

We’re loving When the sun is shining, it means one thing – time to hang your washing outside! There’s no better feeling than the smell of freshly air-dried clothes, sheets and towels – and the fact we can switch off the tumble dryer and save money on electricity bills makes it a win win, too. We love Vileda’s range of outdoor airers, perfect for drying your laundry outside with designs to suit any space. • From £14.99, available from Vileda online, Wilko and Amazon • Visit: vileda.co.uk GET IN TOUCH Send us your stories and photos, including all names and ages, a daytime phone number and full address. E-mail hello@pickmeupmag.co.uk WRITE TO Pick Me Up! Media Centre, Emma-Chris Way, Abbey Wood Park, Filton, Bristol, BS34 7JU PHONE 0117 440 0607 FACEBOOK…

Stirring from my slumber, I felt my long hair tickling my chest. It was 3am, and still half-asleep, I went to push it away with the palm of my hand. But then I felt something strange. What’s that? I thought, suddenly awake. It felt like a lump on my left breast. Grabbing it with my fingers, I realised it was the size of a Kinder Egg. Jumping out of bed, I ran to the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. As I stared at my reflection, everything around me went blurry. What the hell is that? I panicked. But then my fight or flight kicked in. There’s nothing I can do now, I told myself, getting into bed. I’ll phone the doctor first thing. Somehow, I managed to…

INSTANT appointment With Dr Jayne Forrester-Paton, menopause specialist, GP and sexual health doctor (yourmenopausedoctor.co.uk) Persistent cystitis Q I get frequent cystitis and have tried drinking cranberry juice but it doesn’t seem to help. I’m fed up of taking antibiotics, is there anything I can do? Janet, Ross-on-Wye A If you struggle with cystitis frequently, make sure you get checked out by a doctor. Bladder or kidney problems, sex, some contraception and hormones can increase your chances of getting cystitis. Keep a symptom diary to identify any patterns. Stay well hydrated and don’t hold on if you need to go, always wiping from front to back. Try to avoid feminine hygiene products, which can irritate and increase the likelihood of infections. If cystitis occurs after sex, pass urine as soon as possible…

BARKIN’ BOPS New research from Škoda has revealed that six in 10 dogs are anxious in the car – so they’ve teamed up with dog behaviourist Anna Webb to curate a Spotify playlist! Happy Hounds is compiled of music tracks scientifically proven to soothe dogs’ travel anxiety. ‘We based the playlist on a deep understanding of the relationship between beats per minute and high and low frequencies,’ explains Anna. ‘Emulating the heartbeat is thought by science to offer a calming effect.’ So strap in and turn up the volume for those paw-sitive vibes. 1. No Woman No Cry – Bob Marley and the Wailers Reggae goes down superbly with anxious dogs as they find it calming because of its unique 4x4 signature rhythm. 2. Oh my God – Adele Rumour…

EXPERT EYES We all want long, full and healthy brows and lashes. So, lash and brow guru Claire Blackwood, owner of Park Lane Beauty, is here to answer some common dilemmas! Follow Claire on Instagram: @claireparklanebeauty 1. What is the best way to care for your natural lashes and brows at home? • Never go to bed with mascara on. Mascara can make your lashes stiff and if left on too long can make them brittle. • Avoid lash curlers – I’ve seen so many broken lashes from too much pressure used. • Moisturise your whole face, including your brows. Make sure you take your cleansers and moisturisers right into your brows so the skin stays healthy underneath. 2. What’s the best way to regrow over-plucked brows? Take care of…

Fresh, exciting and current – Lisa Angel is a small business in Norwich that offers stunning jewellery and accessories that can make the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one! Please visit: lisaangel.co.uk Lovely gifts!…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis. Organise your wardrobe with this 50-pack of non-slip, easy-to-use hangers, which will keep your clothes in order and easy to find. Hang scarves, belts and ties, as well as jumpers without stretching, for an easy-to-access wardrobe in no time at all! For more ways to make your life easier, visit: addis.co.uk Be a winner! Get green I use a lolly stick to dig over the compost in my house plants. It does the job well and you’re recycling a used product at the same time – win win! Gloria Wilding, Prescot Plant power! Lease of life I used recycled Mother’s Day wrapping paper to create a table top area in the living room! It came out…

Choking – the facts This year, St John Ambulance have released some shocking statistics surrounding choking. In 2021, 12 NHS Ambulance trusts attended 26,594 call outs due to choking – though these are the ones serious enough to be recorded, the figure is suspected to be much higher. However, St John Ambulance’s new survey data found only 17% of adults felt ‘very confident’ to help someone choking. And just over a third of adults felt they didn’t have the first aid skills or confidence needed to help save someone’s life. If reading George’s story has inspired you to brush up on your first aid skills, then read on to find out some handy tips to follow in the event of someone choking. First aid is a key life skill to…

Amanda Wheal, wedding celebrant • To see more follow @amandasceremonies on Instagram and TikTok or please visit Amanda’s website: amandasceremonies.com 1. How did you decide that you wanted to be a celebrant? I’d been teaching for over 30 years in a management role which I enjoyed. Unexpectedly, my eldest brother died and it was decided we should have a celebrant take the funeral. Jim Hoggart did such an incredible ceremony I thought it would be nice to able to provide that sort of comfort to others. I then trained in all aspects of civil ceremonies including funerals and weddings. I specialise in weddings but also do baby namings, vow renewals and so on. 2. What has been your favourite day to date and why? I don’t really have favourite ceremonies,…

Sat down on a bench at the park, I pulled my coat over my hands. It was freezing but my boy was full of beans and needed to release some energy. But at least my son Toby, now eight, was nice and warm. Racing round, he zipped from the swings to the slide. A boisterous little boy, he was always so full of life. ‘Look Mummy,’ he called, climbing to the top of the slide. Determined to show off to me, I knew he could be sassy. ‘Go careful,’ I called back. Toby could be a handful – but I wouldn’t change him for the world. His main focus was kicking a football around with his friends. In fact, Toby loved everything about football. And I knew that when we…

Citronella candles will keep the bugs away when you’re dining al fresco…

The humble pea – a household staple. But it doesn’t just have to be a side dish. Why not make your peas the star of the show? Celebrity chef Miguel Barclay has teamed up with Birds Eye to show you how to get creative on a budget. Pea Houmous on Cucumber YOU WILL NEED: ◻ 30g Birds Eye Petits Pois for the houmous◻ 200g chickpeas, drained (drained weight 120g)◻ 20g tahini◻ 1 clove garlic, peeled◻ 40g Birds Eye Petits Pois◻ 1 tsp cumin◻ 20g water◻ 40g olive oil◻ A pinch of salt & pepper◻ 1 washed cucumber, sliced 1 Cook 70g of Birds Eye Petits Pois as per the back of pack instructions and then immediately cool them in iced water. 2 Once cooled, remove 30g of the peas from…

When heading out on a day trip, the temptation can be to go big – but have you ever thought about going small? Try these fab attractions, all famous for being diddy. Size never mattered less! Rhyl Miniature Railway, North Wales Come ride the UK’s smallest railway around Marine Lake – the only saltwater lake in North Wales. And not only is it the smallest, but it’s also the oldest, too. Opened in May 1911, many of the carriages were crafted in the 1920s, so you’ll get a truly authentic experience. Returning to Central Station from your ride, check out the museum to learn about the history of Marine Lake and the railway. There are interactive exhibits for little ones, too. Still want more? Well, there is also a play…

£89 each – use the code LENGRO25 for 25% off Please visit: tofflondon.com ARIES 21 March–20 April The new moon shines magic on problems you were about to give up on or cave in to others over. Beware of going too far with untruths you tell to cover other people. Ask yourself if they would do the same for you or how much damage this will do to your own relationships. You have standards and this week’s line up can help you keep them, Aries – stay true to yourself. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Believe you can and you’re already half-way there. This is the perfect week to make life changes which you had planned but had not been able to initiate due to family troubles…

Pulling my last pint of lager, I smiled to the customer across the bar from me. ‘Thanks love,’ he said, strolling back to his table. ‘Phew,’ I turned to my colleague. ‘We’ve been busy!’ I started working in Wetherspoons along with my sister Leanne, 32, after moving to Burnley together. We had always been close and now, as well as living together, even shared the same job. We loved sharing stories from our regulars and going out for work drinks. One day, I went to George, 29, a kitchen porter, to ask a favour. ‘Would you be able to cover one of my shifts?’ I asked him. ‘I’ve got something on the weekend and no one else can do it.’ ‘Of course,’ he replied. ‘But you owe me a big…