Table of contents for 06-Apr-2017 in Pick Me Up!

What A Result! I’m very excited that producers are making a sequel to The Craft ! Check out our top films from the era by going to www. lifedeathprizes.com/90s-films 30 Can you believe that’s how old my fave film Dirty Dancing turned this year?! To mark the occasion, I went to watch it again on the big screen. What A Villain! My hubby and I went to a fancy dress 30th birthday party as Maleficent and Deadpool . I reckon I looked pretty evil, don’t you..? What A Plonker! I met these lookalike actors at a brilliant, interactive ‘Only Fools and 3 Courses’ dinner, courtesy of Comedy Dining. ‘This time next year,…

‘He might never walk or talk, faced a lifetime of ops’ ‘The wire frame looked like a torture device’ Doctors clustered round my newborn baby. I was still on the operating table where I’d just had an emergency Caesarean. I looked at my husband Barry, 42, and he seemed as anxious as I felt. But what worried me most was the silence. ‘Why isn’t he crying?’ I cried. I’d just had a little boy but he hadn’t made a sound... It was hard not to fear the worst. Barry and I had tried so hard for this baby. When I was 30, I was told that I wasn’t ovulating properly and began medication to help. Awful silence It took seven cycles until we saw that positive pregnancy test. Even then…

Snap Me Up! We’ve done the research – you save the dosh! Looking For Love? If you’re over 47 and want to get back into the dating game, we’ve got just the thing! Dating website SeniorSinglesNear.me is offering PMU readers 40% off a six-month membership, making it £72 instead of £120. Simply use the code PICKMEUP40 before 6 April to take advantage of the deal. Wardrobe Revamp Treat yourself to a new outfit for less by using the code pickmeup20 to save 20% at dressedinlucy.com until 6 April. We’ve got our eye on this cute but casual camouflage jacket. Skip The Washing Get a hand with your washing with the on-demand app Laundrapp. Simply book a slot online, they’ll collect your washing, clean it and deliver it back to your…

As the telltale itchy, red spots appeared, I knew immediately... Our youngest son Louie, 2, had chickenpox. Luckily, within a week, he was better. But two weeks on, last July, our eldest boy Henry, 5, broke out all over. Even inside his mouth. ‘It’s worse than Louie’s,’ I told my mum Susan, 63, who was staying to help while my hubby Darren, 45, was away working as a joiner. Soon, Henry’s eyelids were swollen. He was in agony. ‘Don’t give him ibuprofen, as it can cause adverse skin reactions,’ the GP advised. Poor Henry could barely eat, and I had to feed him water on a teaspoon, as the spots in his mouth were so painful. As Henry has Down’s syndrome, his immune system hasn’t developed properly, so his body…

Watching telly with my kids Aaron, then 5, and Grace, 3, suddenly, I couldn’t feel my left leg. I was losing sensation in my entire left side. At hospital, a CT scan revealed I’d had a stroke. ‘But I’m only 25, fit and healthy,’ I cried to my husband Stephen, 34, shocked. The consultant booked me in for thrombolysis treatment, for drugs to dissolve dangerous clots and improve the blood supply to my brain. But through my scans, doctors also discovered I’d likely had a minor stroke years earlier without even realising. ‘I remember losing my sight momentarily while I was pregnant with Grace,’ I said. Back home, I regained feeling in my left side. Given blood-thinning medication, I made a 97 per cent recovery. But a week on, I…

‘Guests didn’t know whether to cheer or cry’ Scanning the room at a rowdy house party, my eyes settled on a dark-haired guy. He was well-dressed with a great beard, so I took a deep breath and introduced myself. We got on well, but parted without exchanging numbers. Thankfully, fate intervened... A few weeks later, in 2010, we bumped into each other at a festival. ‘Hello again,’ Emmott, now 30, said, smiling. This time we traded numbers, and started dating. Kind and caring, Emmott was my rock when my mum Lindsay, 36, passed away that year. And, after three years together, the day before my 21st birthday in 2014, he popped the question at the home we shared. Of course, I said yes. ‘I don’t have a scrap of makeup…

 Beverley Clark, 42, Nottingham ‘My husband Paul thought I was joking at first’ I was new to bingo and playing bingo online. But in April 2012, a friend said Pick Me Up! Bingo was fun. Days later, I saw the mag was offering a £30 Welcome Bonus for a £10 deposit. ‘Why not?’ I said to my husband Paul, 47. So I signed up. I soon found my favourite, Sapphire, a 90-ball bingo game, where your numbers are automatically dabbed off. I had a few small wins, but really I just played for fun. Then, in October 2015, I bought tickets in Sapphire and let the games play. But minutes later, when I looked back, all my numbers had been checked off! I’d won £1,000! Paul and I decided we’d…

‘Kids can learn about different languages, foods and customs on holiday. A child is still being educated. I’m pleased the rules are being relaxed. It should never have gone so far.’ Gemma Carrick, Sunderland ‘I think fines are a good idea. In this country, we take free education for granted. We should appreciate every moment our children get at school. Their needs must come first.’ Jackie Wilson, Basingstoke ‘Trips in the school holidays are so much more expensive. My dad took me and my sister out of primary school for two weeks every year and our education never suffered.’ Stephanie Ng, Musselburgh ‘What about the pupils who will have their teacher backtracking when the absent child returns? Parents are just showing their kids that breaking rules is acceptable.’ Gemma Davies,…

Try this…. Soreen Lunchbox Loaves, pack of five, £1.35 Made for snacking, these low-fat, individually wrapped malt loaves not only taste great, they only contain 95 calories each. Choose from Original and Banana. Weight Watchers Mature Reduced Fat Cheese, £2.20, Asda, Morrisons This cheese makes a good alternative to full-fat versions. It’s just as tasty when sliced in your sarnies, grated into a sauce or over beans and a jacket potato. Flattering Fashion Not only is camouflage a hot fashion trend this year, so is embroidery – and they’ve been paired perfectly in this stunning jacket. At £35 from Peacocks, no wonder we love it! Get Moving! Boxing clever With no bags, no pads and no ring needed, the BoxxMethod pairs high-intensity training with shadow boxing. In a series of…

‘When we were playing, he looked as if he was fuming!’ At 17, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Desperate to be a normal teen, it was tough. I struggled to cope, dropped out of school, lost contact with my mates. Though medication helped, there were times when I wanted to end it all. Then, one day in 2013, at the hospital for treatment, I got chatting to another patient who’d got a dog, and their life had been transformed. ‘They’re great company,’ a nurse said when I mentioned it. ‘You’ll feel so loved.’ So I decided to get a Siberian husky. And, the minute I laid eyes on 8-week-old Anuko, it was love at first bark! Loving, playful and in need of regular walks, he got me out of…

‘Aimee now beats those bullies with attitude’ When my baby Aimee arrived in the world in November 2005, I knew two things. First, that she was tiny. Born prematurely at 28 weeks, she weighed just 1lb 4oz. I could see her organs through her skin and she suffered bleeds on the brain. Doctors warned me to prepare for the worst. But the second thing I soon learnt about Aimee was that she was a lot tougher than she looked. For the first three months of her life, every day was a fight. Wired up to machines, she had good days and bad. I left my job at the hospital so I didn’t have to leave her side. And by some miracle, Aimee pulled through. She was the smallest baby that…

‘I couldn't have been more carefree – was happy, healthy’ When I was 4, my grandma Diane was diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2010, doctors discovered, through blood tests, that she had the BRCA gene. Grandma was strong and mouthy for someone so petite - she was my role model. ‘Will she pull through?’ I asked my mum, Julie, 59. But Mum was looking worried. ‘Your grandma only has four siblings left...’ she said. ‘Her other six died from cancer.’ I hadn’t realised so many in my family had died of the disease. Was I cursed, too? As Grandma had treatment that year, my auntie was also diagnosed with breast cancer. Because of the link, doctors asked Mum to get tested, to see if she carried the BRCA gene. She…

1 Fix A Leaky Tap  Taps often drip if a rubber washer needs replacing. A new washer is about 20p and quite easy to fit. A screwdriver and adjustable spanner should do it – but turn off your water supply at the stopcock first! Potential saving by doing it yourself: £40. 2 Paint A Room  A lick of paint gives a room a new lease of life. Enough paint to cover an average-sized living room, including ceiling, shouldn’t be more than £40. Plus a good set of paintbrushes is £10-15. Potential saving: £250. 3 Reseal A Bath  Bath seals can mould and leak. Replacing it isn’t expensive. Sealant is usually less than £10. Add a £4 cartridge gun, a £2 utility knife, and you’re…

New pain Q I’ve had fibromyalgia pains for ages, but recently I’ve also had breastbone pain. It’s painful when I move or cough, and is different to the usual fibro pains. Charlene, Maidstone A Fibromyalgia is linked to inflammation of fibrous joints around the breastbone, which causes symptoms like the one you describe. Anti-inflammatories are very helpful. Costly vaccines Q I’m travelling to India and am concerned about travel vaccines, especially the one for Japanese encephalitis. The infection sounds worrying, but the vaccine is so expensive. Am I foolish not to buy it? Katie, Croydon A Risk of transmission varies according to season and area, so check with a travel clinic to see if, when and where you’re travelling means you need the vaccine. Poo problem Q My son only…

‘Behind the mansion doors, his life was crumbling’ When the police went into the mansion on 7 December 1971, organ music was playing on the intercom system. It was like something from an old, scary movie. Only what they found was terrifyingly real. The dead bodies of the List family were lined up on the floor of the ballroom. Helen List, 46, her children Patricia, 16, John, 15, Frederick, 13, and mother-in-law Alma, 85, had all been shot dead. Evil in the world When they searched the house, the police found a note from Helen’s husband John List to his church pastor. In over five pages, he wrote of how he saw evil in the world, and that he’d ended the lives of his family to save their souls. His…

Strawberry Cream Victoria Sponge Serves: 8 Prep Time: 20 min Cook Time: 20 min • 175g butter, soft • 175g caster sugar • 3 fresh eggs • 175g self-raising flour • 400g strawberries • 250ml double cream • 1 tbsp icing sugar and extra for sifting • 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 Preheat oven to 180C/ Gas 4, and butter and line two 18cm sandwich tins with baking parchment. 2 Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well. Fold in flour, one spoon at a time. 3 Divide mixture evenly between tins, level with a knife, and then bake for 20 min until cakes are well-risen, golden and firm to touch. 4 Remove cakes from tins and leave to cool completely on a wire…

‘I was at high risk of having a fatal heart attack’ My friend Andrea put her hand on my stomach and smiled. ‘Can you feel him kicking?’ I asked her excitedly. It was November 2007, and I was seven months pregnant with a baby boy - my third child. Having experienced six heartbreaking miscarriages, I was elated to see my bump grow. ‘I can’t wait to meet him!’ Andrea said. But then she became very serious. ‘I wanted to talk to you,’ she said gently. ‘It’s about your weight.’ I took a deep breath. ‘I’m worried that if you don’t do something, it’s going to kill you,’ she continued. My face flushed. Furious, I grabbed my bag, rushed out of her house. But I was panting by the time I…

6 Reasons To Sign Up Today! 1 You’ll get a welcome bonus (see right) when you make your first deposit. 2 You can play for cash prizes in the comfort of your own home or out and about on your smartphone. 3 You can play many games from just 1p and still win great cash prizes. 4 We’ve got a demo mode so you can try mos games for free before you spend any money. 5 You can buy your tickets in advance to play while you’re out and about. 6 We’ve got fun chatrooms to make friends in, or you can simply read along.…

Verdict: BONKERS! But sure to be pop-ular! BubbleLick Edible Bubbles, £11.99, www.thefowndry.com Make your next party extra special by creating edible bubbles for guests to lick out of the air! Mix with your favourite tipple or juice to turn them into a fun, tasty treat. Verdict: GENIUS! This is a real mutts-have! Microfibre Doggy Bag, from £49, www.cuckooland.com No matter how much you love them, pooches can get wet, dirty and smelly after walkies! Keep the car clean before you get chance to bath them by zipping them in this water (and slobber) absorbent bag for the ride home. Verdict: GENIUS! Just remove the mitt and pop it in the wash after use! Black + Decker SteaMitt FSH10SM, £79.99, www.amazon.co.uk Did you know that…

Just hearing the tub fill always relaxes me. A busy mum, my bubble-bath soaks with scented candles are the only alone time I get. So, in 2015, when I was pregnant with my third baby, I decided on a water birth. But, last March, in my ninth month, I was watching the telly when I felt an all-too-familiar twinge. Then... ‘The baby’s coming!’ I shouted to my hubby David, 29. We rushed to Royal Hampshire County Hospital, where a midwife checked me. ‘You’re not dilated yet,’ she said, sending me home. Next morning, feeling fit to burst, I called my mum Anne, 59, to help take Nathan, 11, and Joby, 6, to school. Finally ready, I knew what I needed - a bath! But, as soon as I got in,…

ARIES 21 March–20 April Let your mirror reflect your inner beauty. It’s what you actually feel that counts, not how you look to others. Some really positive transits will help make it possible for you to get life back into your control again. Try to face everything you’ve been avoiding this week, please. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May A difficult, tense atmosphere, recently evident at home, has now been replaced by one of compromise and understanding. This is all thanks to Mercury and his ability to talk us round in even the most sensitive of issues. You need to thank your lucky stars for that! Call: 09058 170 711* GEMINI 22 May–21 June The more you can get back up again from any setbacks and disappointments, the…

‘He stabbed me with such force he snapped the blade off’ ‘He’d written a list of people he wanted to kill’ I placed two mugs of coffee on the table and plonked myself on the sofa. ‘Cheers, kid,’ Andrew Seal, 49, said. Andrew was a mate of my dad’s. They went to the gym together and I’d known him since I was 3. He was a good bloke. Two years earlier, I’d moved into the same apartment block as Andrew. At the time, I felt safe knowing he was close by, especially as I lived alone and was pregnant. Now, Andrew still often popped round for a chat at the flat I shared with my boy, then 2, and our Staffie Shandy. Then, in December 2015, Andrew began acting strangely.…

‘Reaching between my legs, I felt the baby’s head!’ Lounging on a sunbed with a blossoming bump, I soaked up some rays. ‘The baby enjoys the sunshine,’ I smiled at my boyfriend, Luke, 20. It was last September, and I was 27 weeks pregnant with my first baby - a boy. Luke and I had joined my family for a holiday in Majorca. ‘It’ll be our babymoon,’ I’d joked. Our last chance to relax before we were sleep-deprived and knee-deep in nappies! I’d suffered with hyperemesis gravidarum for the first six months - severe morning sickness. Thankfully, I’d just started feeling better when we jetted off for our two-week hol. But the day before we were due to leave, I got backache. ‘I think the baby’s moved,’ I moaned to…

1 This condition affects the eyes. 2 The precise cause is unknown. 3 Diarrhoea is a main symptom. 4 There is no cure. 1 FALSE Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition where the rectum and colon become inflamed, with small ulcers developing on the lining of the colon. 2 TRUE While it’s believed to be triggered by the immune system mistakenly attacking harmless bacteria in the colon, the exact reason the immune system behaves this way is unknown. 3 TRUE Main symptoms include recurring diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Sufferers go through flare-up periods as well as milder ones, known as remission. 4 TRUE Ulcerative colitis is incurable, but treatments such as immunosuppressants aim to relieve symptoms and maintain remission periods. Next Week LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE…

1 Morrisons The Best Cauliflower Cheese With Davidstow Cheddar, 400g While this isn’t very strongly cheese-flavoured, the rich sauce elevates a simple veg into something very special. Scatter with toasted breadcrumbs and crispy bacon. 2 Asda Extra Special Creamy Cauliflower Cheese, 400g Lots of really well-flavoured sauce over nice, big pieces of cauli. If you’ve got the time, flash it under the grill for a toasted-cheese finish. 3 Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Rich & Creamy Cauliflower Cheese, 400g Our favourite thanks to a really rich, creamy sauce with a powerful cheese and onion flavour. A tasty way to get non veg-lovers to eat at least one of their five-a-day! Make it yourself... Serves: 4 Prep Time: 10 min Cook Time: 35 min • 1 large cauliflower, trimmed and cut into…

Looking back on your own childhood, isn’t it always the summers that stand out? Memories of building sandcastles, eating ice creams, precious family time where no-one has to worry about work or school... you can’t put a price on it. Except, of course, you can. An annual holiday is one of the biggest expenses for average families in the UK, especially as they’re restricted to travelling outside term time, when the cost of holidays spikes. Risking a fine Since 2013, the Department for Education (DfE) has prohibited parents from taking their children out of school unless there are ‘exceptional circumstances’. And family holidays don’t count. Parents who do take their kids out of school could be liable for a £60 fine, which rises to £120 if not paid within three…

TRIED & TESTED This week: Heat-protect sprays 1 Lee Stafford Heat Protection Shine Mist, £6.49, Boots I’m a self-confessed straightener addict, so I’m always on the hunt for anything that will protect my tresses and stop them feeling like straw. This works miracles and smells incredible. 2 Charles Worthington Everyday Gentle Protective Detangling Mist, £5.99, Boots If protecting your hair against up to 230 degrees of heat wasn’t quite enough, this detangles locks to further reduce breakage. My coarse hair has never been so easy to brush! 3 John Frieda Frizz Ease Heat Defeat Protecting Spray, £5.99, Superdrug If you’ve got naturally frizzy hair like mine, then you’ll know damp, drizzly weather is the enemy. This blocks humidity as well as protecting hair from heat, leaving me with healthier-looking hair.…

‘Lashing out, he threw my phone out of the window’ Looking up from my drink, a cute lad caught my eye and wandered over. ‘Hi, I’m Michael,’ he smiled. We chatted all night at my mate’s house party, forgetting anyone else was there. Michael Kenyon, then 18, had been visiting his son, and proudly showed me a photo on his phone. It was February 2016, and I wasn’t looking for love, but no-one had ever made me feel so special. Only one problem - he was from Newport, Wales, hours from me. After, we chatted on Facebook, and I couldn’t get Michael out of my head. ‘Why don’t you come and visit?’ he asked. I didn’t know him that well yet, but I knew his sister, who lived near me,…

Having three boys was a handful. I couldn’t turn my back for a second. Every night, they ran riot, and the house looked like a bombsite. Even when my two older boys Bailey, 13, and Mason, 9, were at school, I didn’t have five minutes to myself. With 3-year-old Oakley joined at the hip, he followed me everywhere – to the kitchen, my bedroom, even the bathroom. Bright and inquisitive, Oakley was into everything. ‘What’s this, Mummy?’ he’d ask, with whatever it was already in his hands…or his mouth. I was careful, though, made sure nothing dangerous was within his reach. Then, one morning in February, I was getting ready as usual, when, leaving Oakley in the bathroom for a minute, I dashed downstairs for a towel. Then, suddenly……