Table of contents for 11-Aug-2016 in Pick Me Up!

What A Year! Both my mum and dad turn 60 this year. That’s the same age as Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher and Bryan Cranston. A good bunch! 30 ...that’s the average number of spiders in the average UK household. Horrible! Still, the good news is that some of the blighters are in the garden. What A Bad Romance! Check out our piece on famous co-stars who rumours say didn’t get on. Claire and Leo in Romeo + Juliet are on the list. Nooo! You'll find it on lifedeathprizes.com . What A Show! Is anyone else hooked on Orange is the New Black on  Netflix? I love it, but I don’t understand how they all have such perfect eyebrows behind bars?! What A Duster! Have…

‘When I tried to comfort him, he just screamed’ ‘We sat by his tiny hospital cot and watched helplessly’ Is tared down at my baby boy as he slept in my arms. He looked so beautiful, I couldn’t resist giving him a kiss. ‘I love you so much,’ I said. Gently, I put Ole-John, who was then 6 weeks old, in his Moses basket and headed off to bed. Next morning, I woke up with a familiar tingling feeling on my lip. ‘I think I’m getting a cold sore,’ I said to my partner Chris, 31. ‘Another one?’ he replied. I’d been getting cold sores about every eight weeks since I was a teenager, always in the same spot. For the next couple of days, I applied over-the-counter cream every…

‘I didn’t expect this!’ I cried to my husband Jonathan, 42. Pregnancy was rough. I’d pelvic pain, morning sickness and swelling - I was blowing up like a balloon. By 16 weeks, I couldn’t fit my wedding ring on my finger. By 19 weeks, my size-3 feet had gone up to a size-6. And, by 22 weeks, on 14 October 2014, my right leg had swollen to three times its normal size. I was referred to Watford General Hospital, where I was told I had deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and sent home with blood-thinning medication. The next month, I felt like I had flu, and the palms of my hands became very itchy. Back at the hospital, I wasn’t passing enough urine, was in terrible pain and my blood pressure was…

‘It was scary – sometimes she didn’t know who I was’ One day, it was a single spot. A tiny mark like an insect-bite on my daughter Lauren’s right leg. I didn’t think anything of it. But the next day, in June 2014, Lauren, then 7, woke up covered in them. A rash of red spots on her scalp and armpits. ‘It’s chickenpox,’ said the doctor. ‘Congratulations, you’ve got two weeks off school.’ Nine days later, Lauren seemed worse, suffering from headaches and tiredness. This was the first time I’d had to deal with chickenpox as a parent, so I was concerned. But the doctor told me it was normal, that children reacted to it in different ways. Soon, Lauren was spending most of her day asleep, her feet twitching…

1 Asda Battered Onion Rings, 750g Very crisp with a soft inside of minced onion pieces – this big pack is great value for money and makes a tasty side to any main meal. 2 Tesco Beer Battered Onion Rings, 500g These big puffs of £ batter with a little ring of chopped onion inside are extremely crunchy! A tasty addition to a steak-and-chips dinner! 3 Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Beer Battered Onion Rings, 290g Totally and utterly delicious. You could easily pass these whole onion rings off as homemade. Really well seasoned, they’re the business! Make it yourself... Serves: 4 Prep Time: 10 min Cook Time: 10 min 1 Heat oil in a deep, heavy-based pan (no more than1/ 3 full) or electric fat…

USA: BRUTAL BURIAL GROUND Shannan Gilbert, 23, was missing. An escort, she’d disappeared in May 2010, after visiting a client in Long Island, New York State. Police began a search. That December, they found remains of a woman wrapped in burlap, on a remote part of Gilgo beach. But it wasn’t Shannan. Later, officers identified the body as Melissa Barthelemy, 24. Nearby were the remains of three more women - Megan Waterman, 22, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, and Amber Lynn Costello, 27. Like Shannan, they were all escorts who listed on Craigslist. But it wasn’t just four bodies. By November 2011, police had found a total of 10 bodies in the area. Most were the bodies of women, but one was that of a man dressed in women’s clothes, and one…

‘If guys interacted with my profile, the cash would roll in’ At just 4ft 8in tall, I got the nickname Little Nat. Being short didn’t bother me - but being little in other areas did... I wore 32B bras, hated my tiny boobs. ‘Good things come in small packages,’ Mum reassured me. Easy for her to say! Her boobs were far bigger than mine, and so were my younger sister Charlotte’s. I was desperate for a boob job but it’d set me back £4,000. Where would I get the money? Over the years, I’d had various jobs in factories or call centres. After paying rent and bills, I saved what I could each month, but it was pennies. Green with envy Then, one night in 2013, I saw a documentary…

What We Love About Static Caravans • Snuggling up with a hot-water bottle. • You can switch off and do absolutely nothing. • You can pack up and be down at the van in no time! • If the weather’s great, just stay for another day or two. • No need to dress up – slob out! Little Reasons To Be Cheerful! Finding a forgotten fiver in your pocket Seeing a dog with its head out of a car window. A BOGOF offer on something you were actually going to buy anyway. Bumping into an ex when you know you’re looking hot. When you think you’ve finished a bag of sweets, then find one more. Our Fave Regional Slang • Antwacky – Scouse word meaning old-fashioned. • Gert lush –…

‘I had to lose weight – joined Slimming World’ Active as a teen, into ballet and tap, I was a size-12 when I first met my fiance, Jack Dunham, then 21. Formerly primary-school chums, we were reintroduced by a mutual pal in 2007 and fell in love. Soon pregnant, I had our first daughter Keira in August 2008. At 6 months old, Keira developed osteomyelitis, a dangerous, rare condition that inflames bone marrow. It’s usually found in children in underdeveloped countries, but somehow Keira had contracted it. My baby was battling for her life! I kept a bedside vigil at Southampton General Hospital for months. My waistline was the last thing on my mind as I lived on sugary energy drinks and vending machine snacks, curries or Chinese takeaways, to…

1 HOW TO JOIN Online bingo is very similar to traditional bingo, but played in the comfort of your own home. There are great prizes on offer and it’s simple to play. Head to pickmeupbingo. com  and sign up! When you join Pick Me Up! Bingo and make your first deposit, you’ll get a 250% welcome bonus. 2 HOW TO PLAY Check out the Games Lobby, which will list all the bingo rooms, the jackpots you can play for and the cost of the tickets. Select the room in which you’d like to play and, once you’ve bought your tickets, sit back, relax and let the game begin! Your numbers will be dabbed automatically by your computer. 3 HOW TO GET YOUR WINNINGS Any winnings are immediately credited to…

‘A parent never expects to outlive their own child’ My son Toby had always done well in school. But after Christmas in 2014, when he was just 9, something changed. His schoolwork began to suffer, and he found it hard to concentrate on anything for any stretch of time. He was also misbehaving a lot, which was unusual for him. ‘Maybe we should have him tested for ADHD?’ I suggested to my husband Graham, 50. Our GP referred Toby for a brain scan at Treliske hospital in February last year. Terrible diagnosis We got the results on Friday 13 March. Not a good omen. ‘I’m sorry, but Toby has adrenoleukodystrophy,’ said the doctor. Also known as ALD, it’s a rare genetic and degenerative brain disease. Though it’s incurable, ALD can…

1 Know what to buy  You can find out from the school supplier. 2 Grab a bargain  Aldi has trousers and skirts for £1.50 each; Sainsbury’s has three polo shirts at £3 and a dress at £4.50. Lidl does two polo shirts, a sweatshirt and a pair of trousers or a skirt for just £3.75! 3 Buy bigger sizes  Kids grow fast so allow for growth spurts. 4 Try second-hand sales and swaps You can’t have enough uniform so find out if your school holds these. 5 Label it all!  It’s a bore, but worth it – uniform is costly. 6 Get financial aid  If on a low income, your local education authority may be able to assist…

Bleeding on HRT Q I’m on an HRT that gives me monthly bleeding. Can I have one that stops it completely? Trude, Hull Unless you’re post- A menopausal (ie, no periods for more than 12 months) then cyclical HRT is recommended until 12 months on HRT/since your last period. But the cycle can be extended to three months, or you could ask your doctor about trying tibolone, which gives no periods. Painful soles I get really bad foot Q pain when I’m walking. I can’t walk more than a few hundred yards. The pain is in the arch and heel, and painkillers aren’t helpful. Angela, Southport A It sounds like you have flat feet. Your foot arch acts as a shock absorber, but when it’s flattened, it strains the arch…

‘ The innocent boys had had their throats slit ’ Hard as it was to say goodbye to his family, in July 2006, Leonid Milkin was deployed to Iraq with the National Guard. It was for a year and a half. Leonid and his wife Olga vowed to stay strong. For each other and their two young sons. They’d met at school, married soon after graduating and were a happy family. Olga’s younger sister Lyubov Botvina, 24, was staying at the family home in Kirkland, Seattle, too. The sisters had moved to the US with their parents, who sought the religious freedom denied to them in the USSR. Lyubov was a student at Seattle Pacific University, studying foreign languages, and Olga adored being a mum to Justin, 5, and 3-year-old…

S Club 7 Facts These will bring it all back! 1 Before joining the band, Bradley McIntosh worked at Pizza Hut. 2 The S Club Juniors included Rochelle Humes and Frankie Bridge, who are now in successful girl band The Saturdays. 3 Before joining S Club 7, Tina Barrett was a member of Mis-Teeq. 4 The band were put together by the former manager of the Spice Girls, Simon Fuller. 5 Rachel Stevens was the only S Clubber who didn’t audition. She’d sent off some demo CDs to win her spot in the band. Do You Love BEACHES? 1 Where do Hillary and C.C. meet? 2 What song is playing at the start of the film? 3 What does Hillary name her daughter? 4 What award did C.C. win in…

Revolution Hair Concepts Noir Caviar Anti-Age Restorative Moisturiser, £13.50, www.revolution  hairconcepts.com This ridiculously fancy treatment contains caviar as well as collagen, which help strengthen the hair follicle and bring damaged tresses back to life… Who knew?! Verdict: GENIUS! Strange but good. Animal Adventures Pet Photobooth, £7.95, www.prezzybox.com Give your pet the adventure of a lifetime as they stick their head through the holes and become transformed into different characters! This’ll provide hours of fun and plenty of amazing photo opportunities! Verdict: BONKERS! Great fun, though! Breezy Bed, £49.99, www.firebox.com Be ready to take a summer snooze almost anywhere with this super-light, portable bed! Just swoosh it around a few times to fill it with air (no pump needed!) and fold it away again when…

TRIED & TESTED This week: Foot files 1 PediSure portable micro pedicure, £15.99, Asda This spins over 30 times per second and left my dry feet smooth and soft in no time! It also has three spare rollers, making it brilliant value for money. 2 Scholl Velvet Smooth Diamond Express Pedi in Pink, £29.99, Asda Designed for fancy feet – this roller contains finely ground diamond crystals to make your tootsies super soft! 3 JML Ped Egg Power, £14.99, Boots The rough roller removed the bulk of my hard skin, and the smoothing one buffed. I also like that it stops if you press too hard, so you don’t hurt your feet. Want the perfect... PASTEL HAIR CHALK? Try one of these… Crayon: Bleach London Hair Crayon in Washed up…

Calming Snuggles All children have tantrums. But with my daughter Jessica, it was on a totally different scale. When she was 7, she’d been diagnosed with autism. One way she struggled was by having explosive meltdowns. Triggered by almost anything, Jessica would sink into a blind rage and attack anyone trying to help her, including me. They could happen up to three times a day. And, as time went on, they got harder to control. Me and my husband Peter, 35, were struggling to cope. And then we got Mr Miffy... I read online that cats can be a calming influence, especially with kids suffering with autism. ‘It’s worth a shot,’ I said to Peter when Jessica was 8 years old. We found a newspaper ad for a 6-year-old domestic…

‘A silver Rangers FC ring was dangling from the end!’ When a friend introduced me to his cousin Jordan Robb, then 19, we quickly became friends. But soon we hooked up for a date, becoming an item in October 2014. ‘I warn you, though, there’s something fishy about me!’ he teased. A member of Prinlaws Angling Club, he went fishing every weekend. Soon, he started angling for me to join him! I’d never fished before, but found it to be very therapeutic. When I discovered I was pregnant in May 2015, I needed plenty of R&R. So Jordan planned an evening trip to Lomond Hills Fishery on 14 July 2015. Just the two of us. Jordan dangled his rod into the water and, a few moments on, it started to…

‘My heart ached for the child that was taken from me’ Staring at the thick, blue line on the pregnancy test, I turned to my boyfriend John. ‘It’s positive,’ I told him. We were both just 15... As soon as I revealed I was pregnant, Social Services were on my back. I’d been in care for the past year. Social workers were worried that I was too young to have a child, and they told me I wasn’t allowed contact with John. So we broke up when I was four months pregnant. In November 1996, I gave birth to a beautiful son, Shane. Gazing at his face, I knew I would do everything in my power to protect him. But I couldn’t bear to keep Shane away from his dad.…

1 Little bottles  Hang onto those free hotel toiletries – saves space in your bag on your next trip! Kathryn Milner, Pudsey 2 Fix  it  Pack mending tape with your travel iron – it’s handy for minor clothes repairs. Tina Vowles, Stroud 3 Bargain hunt  When you get to your holiday destination , buy a paper – it may well have discount vouchers for some local attractions. Bea Wilkinson, Cullompton 4 Safe pic  Take a photo of your passport with your phone so you have the details to hand if it ever gets stolen. Michael Cannon, Glasgow…

‘My girls were the reason for fighting this cancer’ As the lights in the theatre dimmed, my little girl Skylar sashayed onto the stage, beaming. ‘She looks beautiful,’ I whispered to my partner Daniel, 30. Skylar, 8, loved taking part in beauty pageants. She adored dressing up and looking pretty - but she also loved helping others. At each pageant, she’d raise funds for a different charity. Daniel and I clapped and cheered, along with our younger daughter Tianna, 3. My mum Jean and my nan May, were watching, too. Sudden lump Skylar was proud as she placed first in the best smiler category. But as the show came to a close, I touched my neck and felt a swelling that hadn’t been there before. It’d literally sprung up out…

1 CHD is the leading cause of death in the UK. 2 Sufferers are born with this condition. 3 CHD can cause heart attacks. 4 This condition cannot be cured. 1 TRUE One in six men and one in 10 women die of coronary heart disease. It’s responsible for over 73,000 deaths in the UK every year. It’s also the leading cause of death worldwide. 2 FALSE CHD develops when the heart’s blood supply is blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substances in the coronary arteries. This can be a result of smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes. 3 TRUE Heart attacks occur when the arteries are blocked, and can cause permanent damage or death. CHD can also lead to angina and heart failure. 4 TRUE…

Pimm’s Cake Bites Serves: 24 Prep Time: 25 min Cook Time: 35 min To decorate: 1 Preheat oven to 190C/ Gas 5 and grease and line a 30 x 20cm cake tin. 2 Whisk 150g caster sugar with eggs and oil. Sift flour and baking powder on top and fold into mixture, then fold in grated cucumber. 3 Spoon mixture into tin, smooth top and bake for 30-35 min until risen, lightly golden and just firm to touch. Stand for 10 min. 4 Meanwhile, pour Pimm’s into a saucepan, add remaining 75g sugar and heat gently, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Then raise heat and boil for 4-5 min until syrupy. 5 Skewer top of partly cooled cake and…

‘ I love the games, winning was just an incredible treat! ’ You can’t beat a good game of bingo with friends. That’s what my mum used to say. She loved going to bingo halls with mates. But over the years, her friends had stopped going. ‘How about playing online bingo?’ I suggested. Like me, Mum wasn’t very good with computers. So I asked my daughter Nicole, 25, to show me how to set up an account. In August 2014, she signed me up to Pick Me Up! Bingo. The site was easy to use, so, the following day, I went to Mum’s with my laptop and helped her sign up. And on her first game, she won £18! Seeing Mum have fun, I had a few games myself. I’d…

Flattering Fashion Don’t let lack of the right gear hold you back!You’ll be able to run, jog, or simply walk in these great, colour-block leggings. At a good-sport price, too! Food Swaps Swap …CHOC CUSTARD FILLED… 360 cal For …GLAZED RING DOUGHNUT… 206 cal Save 154 cal Try these…. Betavivo, £14.99, boots.com , Holland & Barrett, Lloyds Pharmacy If you’re on the 5:2 diet, one of these sachets of crispy oat hearts has just 77 cal. Eaten for breakfast or lunch, they’ll help you feel full longer, while hardly denting your 500-cal daily allowance. M&M’s, Bounty and Galaxy Trail mixes, 69p, Co-op Your fave choccies along with berries and nuts. Each pack contains less than 100 calories. What a real treat! It’s a fact! Celery…

My partner Marie-Tress Smith, 28, was working in Tesco one afternoon last February. So I was home with our kids - Daisy, 2, and son Bruce, then 7 months. Quite a handful! Just as I fed Bruce his bottle, Daisy said she needed the toilet. ‘OK, go put the potty on and wait,’ I told her. We were toilet-training her and, of course, I meant for her to put her Frozen - themed training seat on top of the loo. Moments later, I put Bruce down for his nap and went into the bathroom. ‘Daddy, I’m potty!’ Daisy declared. She wasn’t wrong! The toilet training seat was around her neck... Stuck fast! Daisy giggled as I got some butter and smeared it around the rim in the hope it’d slide…

‘Nicholas lifted up the bed and threw me to the floor’ Having not long broken up with my ex Mark, 30, I wasn’t looking for a relationship. We had a daughter together - Phoebe, then 10 months - but had grown apart. ‘I’m off men,’ I told friends. That didn’t stop Nicholas Hughes, 28, from messaging me on Facebook. We had a few mutual friends and he lived in the same town. Fancy a drink? he asked. I wasn’t interested, but Nicholas was persistent. Weeks on, in March last year, I was so fed up with his badgering, I relented. A few nights later, Nicholas and I chatted over drinks. ‘You’re gorgeous,’ he winked. He was so charming, I found myself flirting back. I liked Nicholas, but still felt it…

LEO 24 July–23 Aug Saturn is bringing out your experimental side, which could see you doing things that this time last year would never have appealed to you. Make a mental note to know how far is too far to go. It’ll save embarrassment later. Call: 09058 170 714* VIRGO 24 Aug–23 Sept Relationships are highlighted and you find yourself having to ask yourself if the people around you are the kind of characters you’d want in your life 10 years from now. Geminis link to a career boost you’re seeking. Call: 09058 170 715* LIBRA 24 Sept–23 Oct Try to be nice to all you meet right now, as it’s the very faces you think hold no power over your future who can, in fact, make all the difference.…