Innholdsfortegnelse for Winter Special 2017 i Pick Me Up! Special

Life can be all about the right timing and that couldn’t ring more true for Rachelle (pg36) . Just hours after learning crucial life-saving moves, she had a stranger’s whole future in her hands. Some things can’t be rushed and Emma (pg34) refused to marry the love of her life until she was happy to have all eyes on her. Sianne (pg8) believed that too much time had passed to get justice for the abuse she suffered as a child but she’s urging victims to speak up. For Stephanie, (pg26) waiting for her dreams to be answered was a long and heartbreaking journey, but then gorgeous baby Ophelia came along to heal the pain. We’re in awe of super mum Annie (pg38) who had two sets of twins by the…

‘Flesh fell from my face’ Mum-to-be savaged by devil dog Face fell off in chunks after attack Now she's moving on with her baby My friend Gemma’s mum took one look at my swollen belly. ‘Stay for dinner,’ she insisted. ‘Make sure baby’s fed!’ I was 29 weeks gone with my first, and had popped to see Gemma and her mum, Tracie Taylor, 49. After we’d enjoyed Tracie’s sausage and mash, she let in their dog, Koda, an Akita. I had two staffies, and I had always adored dogs. So I wasn’t worried when Koda followed us upstairs. We’d not been up there long when I got a text. As I was texting a reply, Koda turned to me, teeth bared. Before I could move, Koda’s jaws clamped onto my…

‘Out of this world’ When you own a pub, you soon get to know the regulars. And it’s true when they say it takes all sorts. As well as the builders and local business owners that popped into mine and my hubby Pete’s bar, The White Swan, we also had Chris – he was a real-life rocket scientist! Me and Pete, 45, had only owned the pub for a few months, and wanted to do something to put it on the map. Chatting to Chris one day, I had a wacky idea. ‘Can we send a pint of London Pride up to space?’ I asked. Amazingly, he said yes! I left him to the details, while Pete and I planned the launch. We offered local kids the chance to send…

‘Blood ran down my face’ As a lorry reversed in front of me, I hung back. Well, I knew that honking my horn and pushing to get in front wasn’t going to get me anywhere fast. It was rush hour, and I was stuck in traffic like any other day. As usual, after my partner Darren, 32, left for work as a delivery driver, I’d dropped my kids Zac, 13, and Ellie, 11, at school, on my way to my garage forecourt assistant job. Now, as I sat there waiting for the lorry to park, an oncoming car caught my attention. Before I knew it… CRASH! The car smashed headfirst into mine. My body jerked forwards, forcing my airbags to inflate. Shocked, I just sat there in silence, with blood…

‘It seemed so terribly unfair’ My five-year-old daughter, Abigail, was doing gymnastic tumbles in the garden, while her big brother, Oscar, seven, practised his football skills. I smiled as I watched them through the kitchen window. Their dad, my husband Paul, was rewarding them both with cheers. ‘Fantastic,’ he grinned, as Oscar swiped the ball, and he clapped proudly as Abigail cartwheeled across the grass. ‘I’ll do it again, Daddy,’ she shouted excitedly. It was a lovely scene, but it was extra special for me. Our family had just been through months of worry as Paul had battled cancer. At first we thought he’d just got an infection after he’d bitten his tongue eating a sandwich. But when it didn’t get better, a biopsy revealed the sore was cancer. ‘How…

‘How had she travelled 200 miles?’ In May 2005, my boyfriend Sean Purdy, 46, found a cute stray near his office in east London. Meeting him after work one day, she trotted up to say ‘meow’! ‘Let’s keep her!’ I said. Sean knew that I had always been a sucker for felines, and we’d already got two rescue cats at home – named Fearsum Bearcat and Robot Tabbyface. Sean named her Moon Unit, after Frank Zappa’s eldest daughter. Estimating she was five months old, we took her to the vet to get checked over. Turns out Moon Unit was pregnant! We kept one kitten, naming her Roswell, and rehomed the others. Two years on, we hosted a New Year’s Eve party at our house to see in 2008. The drinks…

‘It was my wake up call’ I already knew what my partner David, 31, was going to ask me when he brought me a cup of tea in bed one morning. ‘Please can we get married?’ he begged me. ‘Not this year,’ I said, sadly. We’d been engaged for two years, but still, I couldn’t bring myself to actually tie the knot. At 5ft 9in and weighing in at 24st, it meant I would have to wear a size 24 dress and walk down the aisle with all eyes fixed on me. I’d have to buy my dress from a specialist shop… how embarrassing! I began to pile on the pounds soon after I had my first child, Lewis, now 18, with my ex-partner. I would constantly gorge on takeaways,…

‘I was shedding sheets of skin’ As a teenager, my skin was constantly itchy and red. It began as a painful, red rash on my tummy. But only two years later, the sore, itchy patches had spread all over, covering parts of my arms, legs and even my face. Sometimes I even had to put socks on my hands to stop myself from scratching. My GP initially told me that I was allergic to washing powder and told me to use a different brand. But when the sore red patches failed to heal, I began looking online for what else it could be. I read up about psoriasis, a condition where the immune system attacks healthy skin cells by mistake. All my symptoms seemed to match. I didn’t want to…

Dating Discomfort Since I started having sex with my new boyfriend, I've had itching down below, but I'm embarrassed to see my GP. Lauren, Manchester Vaginal itching is uncomfortable, but it is not something to be embarrassed about, as it’s common. Factors that contribute to vaginal irritation are vaginal infections, such as thrush or bacterial vaginosis. Other causes could be an allergy to latex or a lack of lubrication during intercourse. Try latex-free condoms or a lubricant. If you are sexually active, it is important to have regular sexual health checks. You can have a check at a confidential service such as LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor Sexual Health or at your local GUM clinic. If you receive the ‘all-clear’, speak to your pharmacist about your symptoms, as they may be able…

Whether you're glued to your phone or addicted to your tablet, there's no denying we're a nation obsessed with technology. But just how addicted to tech are we? Research by bed specialists Time4Sleep has revealed that 66% of Brits sleep next to their phone, while 34% said they couldn't even go to the bathroom without their mobile in hand. Facebook came up as the top social app that kept us awake at night. ‘If your quality of sleep is being affected by your technology habits, it may be time to start making some changes,' says Time4Sleep director Jonathan Warren. Try switching off your phone an hour before bed, and pass the time by reading a book or talking to your partner instead.…

‘Was he trying to end things?‚ Like many men, my fella Paul Bakewell, 36, didn’t strike me as an overly romantic type. Sure, he’d treat me to nice meals, buy me flowers... But grand, romantic gestures? It wasn’t really his style. Not that I cared. I loved him to bits regardless. Then, last April, I noticed Paul was acting shifty. He seemed quiet and stressed. Paul and I had met through friends and had known each other for years. We’d only been a couple for about a year, but we’d recently moved in together. Now I was worried Paul was having second thoughts. Concerned, I spoke to my boss Jade about it at the hair salon where I work as a stylist. ‘I think he’s going to break up with…

‘I knew exactly what was coming next’ ‘Nightmares woke me up sweating and screaming’ Pulling my favourite board game out of the cupboard, I couldn’t wait to play. ‘Time for Mouse Trap,’ I beamed excitedly. I was seven and my mum was out. She’d hired a babysitter to watch me. She was a friend of Mum’s – a girl in her late teens – and I loved hanging out with her. She watched Disney films with me and played games. Then, one evening when she babysat, she had a man with her. ‘This is my boyfriend, Nick,’ she explained to me. Nicholas Tilley, then 19, was tall and spotty. ‘Alright, kid,’ he said, ruffling my blonde hair. He seemed nice enough. And Mum didn’t mind him being there with…

 Sian Green, 40, Highleadon, Gloucestershire ‘She worked so hard’ My daughter, Elizabeth, loves a challenge. Aged seven, she joined the 1st Tibberton and Taynton Brownies unit, and of course they earn badges for activities designed to teach traditional and modern skills. Three months, on, she earned the Science Investigator badge, conducting several experiments and reporting on them. Examining her badge book, she counted how many she would need to accomplish every badge – 57 in total! ‘I’ll do them all!’ she declared. ‘It’s a huge commitment,’ I said. I’d been a Brownie, too, and had only managed four. But Elizabeth was determined and, sure enough, just four months on, she’d earned four more badges – Craft, Book Lover, Communicator and Artist. ‘I’ve more than you, Mummy!’ she exclaimed, delighted. Getting…

This month... KEEPING YOUR HOME WARM THIS WINTER 1 Foil fix Put foil on the wall behind radiators that are under windows. It will help heat bounce back into the room instead of escaping out the window. 2 Through the keyhole Cover the key hole to your front door with cotton wool. You'll keep the house so much warmer by stopping the heat escaping through. 3 Bubbling over If you have a window without double glazing, place a piece of bubble wrap over it and seal it with tape. 4 Cover up Rugs don't just add a splash of colour to a room, they also help keep them warm. So if you have bare floors, cover them up for the winter. 5 Double draping Add another layer to your curtains…

Kindness starts with one World Kindness Day started in 1997, when humanitarian groups came together to make a ‘Declaration of Kindness'. On this day, everyone is encouraged to make a similar declaration, whether it's donating books, food or clothes, holding the door open for a stranger, or letting your partner have control of the TV remote. However you decide to celebrate, remember that the best thing about being kind is that it's free! Expert advice Leading UK Confidence Coach and Human Behaviour Expert Jo Emerson ( www. joemerson.com ) gives her take on being kind. The happiest people I know are those who make kindness their primary focus. Why? Because being kind to others is good for you! Being kind releases happy hormones in our own…

‘'We have to stop' I sobbed’ The news was a shock. ‘I’m pregnant,’ I told my boyfriend, Adam Merritt. We’d met through our insurance jobs a year earlier. Adam, then 22, had just moved in. Our romance was still new – we’d not discussed having kids. I already had a son, Josh, then 10, with my ex-husband. Before we got divorced eight years earlier in 2000, I had suffered a miscarriage. Doctors had diagnosed me with polycystic ovary syndrome, and warned that I’d struggle to conceive naturally. ‘It’s a bit soon,’ gulped Adam. ‘But maybe it’s meant to be.’ The day before our first scan, the news still hadn’t sunk in. Only, that night, I started bleeding. I was terrified. And the scan confirmed my fears. I’d suffered another miscarriage.…

‘We'd have to be extra careful’ When I found out that I was expecting my second child in July 2011, I couldn’t have been more excited. ‘That’s brilliant news!’ my husband, Matt, 37, said. We already had Joshua, four, and we’d been trying for a while. After my 12-week scan, we’d shown the picture to Joshua. ‘There’s a baby in Mummy’s tummy,’ we explained. Joshua talked to the baby through my bellybutton. And, thankfully, my pregnancy had been plain-sailing. We discovered we were having another little boy. In April 2012, my waters broke, but there was no sign of our baby… I was induced, and two days later, with Matt by my side, Oliver was born at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, weighing 9lb 11oz. He was placed on my chest for my…

‘I leapt into action with CPR’ I was sitting at my job as a service-support assistant at Bristol College, when my boss emailed. We need a new first aider. Is anyone interested in doing the course? he wrote. I hadn’t done first aid since I was at school, but I’d always meant to brush up on my skills. I’ll do it! I typed back. A few weeks on, I was in a hall with colleagues learning about everything from treating concussion to CPR. It’s hard not to feel silly when you’ve got your lips around the mouth of a plastic dummy! But I knew it was essential. The course was so intense that when it finished later that Friday afternoon, I was frazzled. On my way home, I got a…

It's sometimes hard to know if your child is being bullied, as many children don't like to talk to their parents about it. Look for tell-tale signs such as being withdrawn, feeling irritable, having trouble with school work, or coming home with damaged clothes or bruises. However, if your child does confide in you, there are many things you can do to help. BE ON THEIR SIDE The most important thing you can do is to reassure your child that it's not their fault. Remind them that being bullied doesn't make them weak, and encourage them to appear confident. Perhaps you could look up examples of celebrities who were bullied as children. This will prove to your child that even people they look up to have been in similar situations,…

‘The disgusting yellow pus oozed out’ Gazing at my sleeping teenage son, worry surged through me. ‘You’re going to be alright,’ I said. Days earlier, he’d been rushed to hospital with chest pains, and I was worried sick. The outer lining of his heart was inflamed and he needed medication. That night, in August last year, I’d opened the window to let air into the stuffy hospital room, when I spotted a spider on the window across the room. It had distinctive markings on it. Dismissing it, I tried to get some sleep. But in the middle of the night, I suddenly awoke with a start. The spider was on my bare right foot. I reached down and brushed it off with my hand. The next morning, I awoke to…

Regime change While you may have found a moisturiser that works great in spring and summer, your skin care regime needs to change with the season. For winter months, find a face cream that's oil based, rather than water-based - the oil creates a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture than cream or lotion. Creams with avocado oil work wonders on the skin. Skip a wash Washing your hair too much can strip it of healthy oils and leave it drier than before, meaning more breakage and more harmful exposure to heat styling. By washing your hair less often in winter - aim for three to four times a week at most - you are giving your hair a well-deserved break. Protect those smackers Cold weather wreaks…

Aries 21 Mar - 20 April December promotes a desire for unification. Doubts are dealt with appropriately leading to the removal of restrictions, especially within domestic parameters. Love matters are addressed with renewed fervour, initiating comprehensive interaction as well as establishing emotional viability. Potentially significant dates: 8th, 12th, 14th. Taurus 21 April - 21 May An integrated approach could prove beneficial with regards to tackling emotional situations. Plans involving travel may need to be reviewed, taking into account specific needs. A diverse month with respect to conceptual plans, as well as a sense of creative input. Potentially significant dates: 2nd, 20th, 28th. Gemini 22 May - 21 June Assertive contemplation may play a significant role in attaining change. An inquisitive method of research towards career-related opportunities could lead to improved…

It's time for a catnap This is my 15-year-old cat, Alex. He loves nothing better than to stretch out in the garden for a well-deserved snooze. Lydia, Preston The perfect model This is my greyhound, Serge. He’s a bit camera-shy, but he’s very loving and well-behaved. I adore him! Alex, Newport They call it puggy love This is Bruno and Pixie the pug – their faces may not show it, but they really do love each other! Leah, Southampton…

‘He was gone for 11 months’ Slow, sleepy, and 108 years old, I’d never have guessed that my tortoise Toby was destined for adventure. But one day, I left the garden gate open… and by the time I got back out there, there was no sign of him. My four grandkids were round at the time. We searched the grass verges and field. But there was nothing. A week passed and there’d been no sightings of Toby. We’d painted our surname on his shell. But it had faded over the years. ‘We’ll never see him again,’ I realised, sadly. Then, one day, 11 months later, I got a call. ‘Hello. Have you lost anything?’ a man asked. ‘I lost my tortoise last year,’ I replied. ‘We’ve got him!’ he said.…

‘At first things were perfect’ Sweaty, muscles tingling, I glanced around the gym as I got my breath back. ‘What are you doing next?’ a voice asked out of nowhere. I turned to see Daryl Wilkins, 25. It was April last year, and I knew Daryl vaguely from nights out. About 5ft 9in, he had tattoos on his muscly arms. ‘I’ll probably do some mat work next,’ I replied. ‘Mind if I join you?’ he asked. Well-spoken and friendly, Daryl explained that he used to be a soldier, but now worked as an engineer. He had just come out of a relationship and moved back to the area. A few days later, he messaged me on Facebook asking if I wanted to go on a fitness workshop with him. It…

‘The events unsettled me’ ‘It wasn't normal’ After enjoying a relaxing pregnancy massage, I tucked into a delicious three-course dinner at a luxury hotel in the countryside. It was all to celebrate my first year of being married to Adam, 31. ‘It’s been a perfect day,’ I smiled at him. ‘Well, we need a chance to relax before this baby arrives,’ he replied. It was just eleven days before my due date. With full bellies, we headed back to our room to cuddle up in bed and watch some TV. I soon fell asleep. But a few hours later, I suddenly woke up in pain. ‘Babe, I think I’m in labour,’ I cried out, shaking Adam awake. ‘Oh, my God!’ he cried. ‘Don’t panic. Just pack up all our…

POTTERING AROUND If you're a Potter fan, then the Harry Potter Walking Tour of London is the ultimate day out for you. From the Palace Theatre, you will journey on a two-hour guided walk through the city, visiting famous landmarks from J.K. Rowling's masterpiece, such as the entrance to Diagon alley, the Leaky Cauldron and even Platform 9 ¾. Tickets: £60 for a group of four people www.findmeagift.co.uk HIGH TIME FOR HIGH TEA The Jane Austen Centre in Bath tells the story of the writer's time in the historic city. Meet the costumed character guides, and enjoy being shown Bath's fascinating history and its unique connection to Jane and her novels. Tickets from £3.75 www.janeausten. co.uk THE MAGIC OF ROALD DAHL Why not take…

Grilled Trout Fillet with Toasted Almond Butter 1. Pre-heat the grill. Place the trout fillets onto a baking tray, skin side down, and drizzle with the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 2. Place the tray under the grill and allow to cook for 4-5 mins. 3. Remove tray from under the grill, turn the fillets over and gently peel the skin back to remove. 4. Add the chopped almonds and butter to a non-stick pan over a moderate heat until the butter foams and the almonds brown. Finish with the lemon juice. 5. To serve, place the trout fillets onto the crushed new potatoes and spoon over the almond butter. Baked Cod En Papillote…

‘Surely it wouldn't happen again?’ ‘We had four kids under four‘ It was love at first sight when I first met Rich Porter. Then 21, he had come round to help my mum, Sam, 49, cut down a tree in her garden. I was 17, and we were soon head over heels in love. We both still lived with our families, so when I found out I was pregnant, the news came as a shock. ‘Our own little family,’ grinned Rich. Our excitement grew and, at our 12-week scan, Rich was holding my hand. My heart fluttered when the image popped up on the screen. ‘Look, there’s your baby,’ the sonographer said, pointing to the screen. Then… ‘Oh. There’s another!’ he said. ‘Twins?’ I gasped. ‘Two babies,’ swallowed Rich. We…

THANKS JACK! We all love a good deal, especially when it comes to holidays. Jack's Flight Club, an email subscription newsletter, notifies you of cheap flights, plus tips on how to book them. The club is free to join and already boasts 200 000 subscribers, saving an average of £400 per ticket. It's is ideal for travellers who are hungry to see the world, but also enjoy a bargain. www.jacksflightclub.co.uk. A GOOD GUIDE Brits abroad are most bothered by hotels who serve breakfast too late and put too many cushions on the bed. In The Good Hotel Guide 2018: Great Britain and Ireland, it is revealed that poorly trained hotel staff do not go down well with guests, while privacy is also a main concern. Grab a copy for £20…

• THEY SAY: This convenient, drug-free, fast-acting gel gives topical pain relief, tackling sharp, shooting muscular pain using scientifically-proven cold therapy to help numb pain fast. It's a great addition to any woman's handbag. • YOU SAY: 'Because it's drug-free, this gel can be used with oral painkillers, so it's great for pregnant women to use to treat back pain.' Janice, Leeds • WE SAY: This versatile pain relief gel is a perfect, fast-acting way to treat sprains, strains, joint and muscle pain, and even eases pain associated with arthritis.…

‘Yeardley had a bright future‚ With her big blue eyes and wide smile, people were instantly captivated by 22-year-old Yeardley Love. The student from Baltimore, Maryland, was popular, gifted and very kind. Her brutal murder came as a huge shock. No one could imagine why anyone would want to end the life of a beautiful young girl with such a bright future. When the killer was revealed, the crime seemed even more senseless. Yeardley Love was born in 1987 to parents John and Sharon. When her dad sadly died in 2003 after a battle with cancer, her family, including older sister Lexie, grew even closer in their grief. Yeardley took up playing Lacrosse and even ended up playing for her county. Sadly, her choice of sport would play a part…

‘I gave all my clothes away’ Don’t you just hate it when you have nothing to wear? I had a novel solution to this problem… chuck out my entire wardrobe! So I donated every stitch I owned to Rowcroft Hospice, Devon. See, earlier that month, me and my hubby Dave, 29, had filmed an event for breast cancer charity CoppaFeel!. They work tirelessly to remind young women to check their breasts regularly. So inspired, I was determined to raise cash and promote the cause. I wanted to do something fun and unusual. At first, though I’m scared of heights, I considered a parachute jump. ‘But it’s not a very original idea,’ I sighed. ‘Do it in fancy dress?’ Dave suggested. As a kid, I’d loved any excuse to dress up,…

‘I was chatting to a few friends in the chatroom’ Mhusband Barry, 64, was watching TV,so I started playing around on my laptop. Soon I got chatting to my bingo pals in the chatroom of Pick Me Up! Bingo. I’d been a member for over 10 years. While I was on the site, I thought I might as well buy a few tickets for a game. Bingo Lounge was one of my favourites. I decided to have a few games. Numbers are automatically marked off. So I didn’t need to worry if I got distracted. A few minutes later, I checked my numbers. I was stunned to see my account balance had increased by £1,363. I’d won the jackpot! Barry’s jaw dropped when I showed him. Because, you see, this…