Table of contents for 3-Aug-2023 in Pick Me Up!

Settling my new foster cat into his pen, I suspected something was wrong. Max, a black and white kitty who was 18 years old, had been living on the streets for a while and we didn’t know much about his background. I dinged a bell I had lying around to test his hearing, but Max was oblivious. Could he be deaf? I thought. After a quick check-up at Cats Protection, his deafness was confirmed. But it never stopped Max chatting away! After losing my husband of 55 years, Carroll, in October 2017, aged 75, I wanted something else to concentrate on. Having had three cats of my own and fostering some in the past, my friend Lynn had a suggestion in March 2018. I’ve fostered over 40 Cats now! ‘Have…

Sitting on a picnic rug on a beautiful sunny beach, I laughed as my daughter tucked into a custard cream. ‘Are you going to eat the biscuit, or just the cream in the middle?’ I chuckled. ‘Cream!’ Louisiana smiled, licking her lips. Custard creams were her favourite snack, but she’d only ever eat the cream inside. I used to be able to easily find her at home – all you had to do was follow the trail of discarded biscuits and you’d find Louisiana, two, with a big, creamy grin on her face. But that was the thing – my girl never stopped smiling, her joy was so infectious. Raising my children, Lexus, now 13, Timothy, now 11, and James-Dean, now six, as well as Louisiana, as a single mum,…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great prize from Addis. This Seal Tight Cereal Container is easy to use and can store any cereal, keeping it fresh for longer. Suitable for the fridge, freezer, microwave and dishwasher, it’s versatile, too! For more ways to make your life easier, visit: addis.co.uk Feeling salty When you boil eggs, add salt to the water to stop the shells from cracking. Abbie Cairns, Colchester Bathing baby Most holiday accommodation only comes with a shower, not a bath. So I always think ahead and take a large washing up bowl with us to bathe the baby! Benita Graham, Tiverton Tip of the week Up your plant game Hanging baskets are a great way to give your garden that wow factor. Experts…

Choking is a terrifying experience for anyone. But that’s why it’s so important to know what to do in case you or a loved one chokes. St John Ambulance has shared their expert advice on what to do if someone is choking and needs your assistance. For information and other important first aid tips, please visit: sja.org.uk If an adult or child starts choking, here are some handy steps you should follow: 1. If you think someone is choking, ask them ‘are you choking?’ If they can breathe, speak or cough then they might be able to clear their own throat. If they cannot breathe, cough or make any noise, then they need your help straight away. 2. Encourage them to cough and remove any obvious obstruction from their mouth.…

Captured on a canvas, some of the world’s most famous paintings are on offer here in the UK – whether that’s visiting the very place that inspired artists or immersing yourself in colour, get stuck in… Flatford Mill, River Stour, Suffolk An idyllic scene of countryside bliss, famous artist John Constable painted The Hay Wain in 1821, capturing the likeness of this location forever – now a National Trust sight, you too can see his muse. With the River Stour flowing between Suffolk and Essex, Flatford is home to a number of unique buildings, each with their own individual histories. If that wasn’t enough, visit the Flatford Tea Room, Bridge Cottage and the little bookshop – picking up a novel to remind you of your trip. • To find out more…

What’s trending Did you miss your chance to get your hands on the limited-edition Costa Popcorn Frappé earlier this year? Fear not – because it’s back on the menu by popular demand! With tasty popcorn syrup, a light whip and a sweet popcorn crunch, it’s a truly indulgent way to satisfy your sweet tooth. It pairs perfectly with the Salted Caramel Popcorn Brownie – treat yourself this summer! • Please visit: costa.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 facebook.com/pickmeupmag SEE OUR WEBSITE lifedeathprizes.com Future Publishing Limited reserves the right to reuse any submission…

Every fibre of my being wanted to stay and keep looking for her but deep down I knew she was gone, and I needed to get out to be with my other children. Staggering backwards towards the window, I threw myself out of it, collapsing on the floor outside. I felt completely numb. Stood like a tree planted into the ground, I watched as the fire burned the chalet with my daughter inside. I knew straight away – Louisiana didn’t make it. By the time we’d realised there was a fire, half the caravan had been in flames. Standing watching it burn, I knew there was no hope. By this point a group of concerned neighbours had arrived to try and help – but there was nothing we could do.…

Philip Almond, executive director of marketing, fundraising and engagement at Cancer Research UK, said: ‘We’re delighted to have Mr Motivator, Anthea Turner, Leslie Ash and Terry Coldwell on board to celebrate 30 years of Race for Life. 10 million people have raced with us over the last 30 years, and we can’t wait to welcome back seasoned racers and newcomers. ‘Race for Life is important as it allows us to continue our research into all 200 types of cancer. ‘In the last 50 years, we’ve helped double cancer survival in the UK, but we want to accelerate progress and see three in four patients surviving the disease by 2034. ‘This can only happen with the continued support of fundraisers up and down the country. ‘And if 10 million more of…

INSTANT appointment With Claire Nevinson, Superintendent Pharmacist at Boots (boots.com) Hot and bothered Q I keep waking up in unexplained hot flushes during the night and it’s starting to disrupt my sleep. How can I prevent this and control my body temperature? Angela, Chester A We all wake naturally through the night, but if you experience hot flushes, you may be more likely to fully wake up and then struggle to get back to sleep. There are a few simple measures that may sometimes help to control your body temperature during sleep. Aim to keep your bedroom cool at night, ideally between 16 to 18°C. Keep your window and bedroom door open to let the air flow more easily, or you can also try using a fan. Wearing loose, cotton…

Keep accessories to a minimum when wearing leaf prints – let your outfit do the talking instead! Maxi dresses are a perfect holiday or even wedding guest option for summer! THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT! Did you know that 81% of women in the UK are actually wearing the wrong bra size according to leading lingerie retailer Boux Avenue? It’s one of those common dilemmas, where we simply choose a size and stick to it – but that isn’t the way forward. Boux Avenue have revealed five faithful features to look out for when picking your bra – here’s what to look out for… • To see more please visit: bouxavenue.com 1. The underband Does the underband feel snug and is it in line with the front of the bust? If…

Laying a range of skimpy outfits on the bed, I had to make sure that there was a great selection. ‘You can pick an outfit and then we will film a video,’ I said to my grandma Mariah, then 85, as I got my camera ready. And coming out of the bedroom, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. ‘You look amazing!’ I gasped, watching as Grandma strutted her stuff in a bright orange bodycon number with the words ‘no f**k boys’ written on the front. And I knew that I wasn’t going to be the only one who thought so… Your grandma is our grandma now, the comments on our TikTok video read, as we posted yet another dance from our Pennsylvania home – showing off our matching outfits…

Folding Chair with Cooler Bag, £15, Flying Tiger Perfect for outdoor events, picnics, concerts and everything in between, this is a summer essential. With an 8l cooler bag ready to keep your snacks and pasta salad cool in the sunshine, you can fold this out to make a chair, too. And complete with carry straps, you don’t need to worry about dragging it around – it can fold neatly on your back. Buy a couple for the entire family – great for road trips and days out …  Verdict: GENIUS! Adventure awaits World’s largest Scotch egg Everyone loves a savoury egg in their picnic – dipping a Scotch egg into some brown sauce or eating alongside a ploughman’s – it’s a British staple. But have you ever seen one this big…

GET SPAMMY! Do you love SPAM®? Try this delicious take on a steak sub, perfect for a quick and tasty lunch! SPAM® STEAK SANDWICH YOU’LL NEED… ☐ 200g can or tub of SPAM® Chopped Pork and Ham, cut into medium slices☐ 1 French baguette☐ Mustard or garlic mayonnaise☐ 1 large onion, sliced into rings☐ 1 garlic clove, peeled☐ Vegetable oil for frying METHOD: 1) Cut the baguette in half long-ways, rub each side with a little garlic and toast under a grill or on a BBQ. 2) Onion rings can either be fried, or put into a tin foil parcel with a little oil and cooked on a BBQ. If using a frying pan, add a little oil into the pan and sauté the onion rings slowly, until golden. 3)…

Buttering a slice of toast and warming up some beans in the microwave, I knew I had to plate up a second portion. Cutting the bread into tiny cubes and adding one baked bean on top of each slice, I placed the dinner on a side plate next to my adult portion. ‘Here you go Mr Jingles,’ I said, before my mouse bestie tiptoed onto the plate. And sitting at the dinner table, the pair of us sat eating our food together. To some it may sound crazy, but it’s been part of my nightly routine ever since 2018. ‘I’m going to the pet shop to get something, do you fancy a trip with me?’ my friend asked back in September 2018. With no intention of ever owning a pet,…

Heading outside in the sunshine, I knew it wasn’t long before we’d hear about fairies, mermaids and unicorns. ‘Look at me!’ my daughter Apple, then three, shouted, riding her bike, taking in the beauty of the great outdoors. Something me and my husband Uriah, now 45, and youngest Tallulah, now three, really appreciated, too. Loving the fresh air and all things girly, Apple was a very happy toddler, outgoing and confident in fact – which in turn, made her extremely popular at nursery. Only, after a fun-filled summer in 2021, I’d noticed some small changes at home regarding Apple’s health. ‘My tummy,’ she'd groan. Withdrawn and going off her food, I knew that there was something wrong. And it wasn’t just at home… ‘She was a little emotional today and…

Walking along, the grassy course formed into a hill. I was doing the Race for Life last year and my friend Sarah had told me the route was flat. ‘Sarah, you lied, this is not flat!’ I called. But it was still a lot of fun and for a cause very close to my heart. In 2005, I was diagnosed with a very rare type of cancer. I had adrenal cortical cancer, also known as ACC. I had high blood pressure and a bloated tummy, which led me to go to the doctors. The GP was great and sent me for lots of tests including blood tests and an ultrasound. And it was revealed I had a 25-30cm tumour in my right adrenal gland – the size of a rugby…

Sinking into my bed, I stretched out and closed my eyes. It was 6am, and after a long night shift at the bar where I worked as a manager, I felt knackered. Thankfully, my little boy Archie, then three, was with his dad Tristan, 30, for the day, back in February this year. We weren’t together, but we got on well and had a great co-parenting relationship, and Archie loved spending time with his dad – although I always missed him when he was gone. Tristan often took him to help out in the lorry yard where he worked, and Archie was in his element. At around 3pm, I was still half asleep when my phone rang. It was a FaceTime call from Tristan. Archie must want to say hello,…

Hobble on down… Hobbledown Heath, a theme park in Hounslow, is home to some of the most mind-blowing birds of prey. And with a range of experiences inviting you into their winged world, you can get up close and personal with the fascinating and surprisingly intelligent creatures. • To book, visit: hobbledown.com Meet Loki the raven, £54 Loki, a beautiful jet-black raven, has a mind sharper than most humans. Able to perform tricks and solve puzzles, this incredible bird will interact with you for a full 30-minute experience. He’ll even hop onto your shoulder for a bite of his favourite food! Plus, you’ll even be meeting a celebrity, as Loki has amassed over 182k Instagram followers! • Follow @lokitheraven on Instagram Owl encounter, £78 For two magical hours at Hobbledown, you…

Waking up on my 30th birthday this year, was different for me than others my age. While most of my age group may have been dreading entering a new decade and others may be taking the 13 Going on 30 approach, it was different for me. You see, I never expected to live this long. Opening presents surrounded by my mum Bridget, 65, dad Leo, 67, and brother Niall, 23, felt surreal. And the big birthday bash later, surrounded by my friends and family, was even stranger for me. Living with cystic fibrosis, or CF, meant my life expectancy was shorter than average. I remember Mum and Dad sitting me down in my preteens and explaining what cystic fibrosis was. ‘It might be you don’t live to 30,’ they had…

HOLIDAY MUST-HAVES Get summer ready with these holiday must-haves from Solait. Available from Superdrug. 1. SUN CREAM, £5.99 Looking after your skin is a must this season and this budget friendly sun cream will help protect against UVA and UVB. Available in SPF 15, 30 and 50, you can choose the protection that is right for you. So go and enjoy the sunshine, stress-free! 2. SELF TAN LOTION, £4.99 Hydrate your skin this summer while developing a natural, sun-kissed glow with this affordable tanning lotion. Available in medium and dark, you can apply this to your face and body for an effortless golden tan. So look no further for your gorgeous dewy glow this summer! 3. MOISTURISING AFTER SUN LOTION, £3.99 Prolong your natural tan with this moisturising after sun…

Cassidy Rainwater never really had solid foundations of her own. She was searching for her roots, somewhere to settle down and call home. You see, her own mum, Tracy, had gone missing when she was 18 and perhaps it had left Cassidy feeling a little lost. At 33, a mother herself to six children, maybe Cassidy wanted to find somewhere permanent – somewhere she wouldn’t feel lost anymore. But in summer of 2021, Cassidy found herself sofa surfing around the Ozarks. And it was here she found herself in the vicinity of Moon Valley Road. But Cassidy knew the area well – her grandparents had once owned property nearby. In 2012 Cassidy was sofa surfing And it was here Cassidy met James Phelps. James was an ex-pastor and a trucker,…

www.clairepetulengro.tv ARIES 21 March–20 April Recent events have made you more appreciative of all you have. You felt threatened and unsure of what the future held, but now the stars shine bright to show you the way. Be firm with an ex and move forward, not back. They may know your weaknesses, but I know you know your strengths. You’re about to make the rest of your life, the best of your life. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May You can afford to trust your instincts, for I see they will lead you well. Don’t let the need to earn funds blur your need to stay away from controlling and vindictive characters. If you find a job with people you like, then you’ll never work a day in…