Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2019 i Pick Me Up! Special

Being a parent can be one of the hardest jobs in the world, but it can also be the most rewarding. In this issue, we’ve been inspired by parents who’ve gone out of their way to provide for and protect their little ones. All Katy-Anne (pg6) wanted was to have a baby, but after a health complication, her dreams were dashed. She then met someone very special and very selfless, who was prepared to put her own life on hold to provide the greatest gift. Mum Sophie (pg22) was so proud of her little boy as he took on the role of ring bearer at her wedding. But just 24 hours later, everything came crashing down and a mother’s love wasn’t enough to save her family. There’s no limit as…

Walking through the park with my black Labrador Bowza, I let him off his lead. He ran straight for the hooded trees, before too long, he was completely out of sight. ‘Bowza, come back!’ I shouted, but I knew he wouldn’t come back to me easily. ‘Be careful,’ a fellow dog walker warned. ‘My dog’s just killed a badger he found in those trees.’ Bugger. I quickened my pace and chased after my four-year-old mutt, but at 68, I wasn’t as quick as I used to be. When I caught up to him, I noticed something was in his mouth – it was the baby badger. My blood ran cold as I prepared myself for a grisly sight. But just like the loving dog he was, he waddled over to…

Should I listen to my friends? I’d love to give up drinking alcohol as it makes me anxious and I hate the lack of control. But when I told my friends, they all said that it would ruin our nights out. Are they right to be worried about our friendship group? Hollie-Mae, Exeter YES Pick Me Up! reader Susan from Dorset says: If you’ve always been a drinker and enjoy going out, then they’re probably worried you’ll stop seeing them. Whilst you should put your health first, you should try and see where your friends are coming from. Drinking clearly plays a large role in your social life, and it’s difficult to go from that to tee-total. Reassure them that you’ll still go out, but you just won’t be drinking.…

Watching as my precious boy played around with his toys, I couldn’t help but smile widely at him. Ever since he was little, Francis, seven, has always loved toy cars. In fact, he was obsessed with all of them. Police cars, fire engines, aeroplanes, helicopters and steam trains – he can’t get enough. ‘I want to be a lorry driver when I’m older… and a firefighter!’ Francis smiled, as he steered his cars across the living room. ‘Anything else?’ I giggled. Francis had big dreams, and me and my partner, Darren, 52, would support whatever he chose to do. That was December last year, and Francis was just like any other little boy. Full of energy and rarely sat still. But then, just a month later in the new year,…

Eyes flying open in a panic, I knew what was happening, but I was completely powerless to stop it. The warm wet patch grew rapidly underneath me. I’d wet myself, again. But the sad thing was, this happened every day. If I’d been a toddler, it would have been par for the course. But how do you explain that at the age of 15, you still wet the bed? Turning down invites to sleepovers and days out, I refused to go anywhere, all because of my urgency to wee. I wanted desperately to be a normal girl. But reality wasn’t just complicated, it was mortifying. If I said yes to an invite, I’d have to tell them there was a chance I might wet the bed. It was easier to…

1. Spot the signs An important part of growing up is learning how to look out for ourselves. The odd light-hearted teasing here and there can actually be a positive thing in that it teaches us to create boundaries, stick up for  ourselves and build emotional resilience. However, when this forms part of a pattern, it can easily become dangerous. If you suspect your child is being bullied, it’s important to act fast. The main warning signs to be looking out for are: • Suddenly refusing to go to school (or making excuses e.g. feigning being ill) • Low moods • A dip in self-esteem i.e. talking negatively about themselves • Not finding the same enjoyment in activities they used to • Spending less time with friends 2. Talk it…

Dearest Olivia, When I first noticed the way your shoulder blades didn’t sit symmetrically, my heart sank into my stomach. It was summer 2015, and you were only four. ‘Lean forward so I can look at your back Poppet,’ I said as you played happily in the bath. You didn’t ask why. But my heart pounded as soon as I saw it. An S-shaped curve forming in your spine. Just like mine. I’d been 13 when I was sadly diagnosed with scoliosis – a curvature of the spine. Its cause is unknown. But doctors made me wear an ugly back brace for 16 hours a day. When I was 20, I met a consultant, desperate for help. But I was distraught when he told me that he couldn’t operate. Not…

Sarah says: 'When I gave birth, I obviously cared about Grayson, but there was no maternal instinct, as he was never going to be mine. 'He was always for Katy-Anne and John. 'I never wanted a caesarean and I was mortified I was having to be cut open. 'But Katy-Anne and John were always there. 'The following night, Katy-Anne was really quiet, so I asked her if she was all right. 'She looked up and said 'yes' and smiled. 'I don't think it had quite sunk in yet. It was the most important moment of her life and she was over the moon. 'We still talk at least once a week. That was the whole point of Surrogacy UK – they wanted you to have a friendship.' John says; 'Everything…

Standing at the living room door, I watched as my five-year-old son Joey enjoyed the wrestling match with his dad Martin, 37. ‘He's got him!' Joey shouted as one of the wrestlers got the other in a headlock. ‘He's out for the count,' Martin laughed over. Although wrestling may not have been my choice of program, I loved seeing little Joey enjoying himself with his dad, four brothers and sister. It meant that just for a little while, Joey could forget about the big operation he was about to have in May this year. He'd been born with a rare heart defect, and now a major vessel was narrowing so quickly that the doctor booked him in for an operation as soon as possible. When the big day arrived, I…

Asian-style loaded mushroom baguette Makes 2 portions 1 tbsp Lee Kum Kee Pure Sesame Oil 250g mixed exotic mushrooms 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 small knob of ginger, finely chopped 1 1/2 tbsp Lee Kum Kee Premium Oyster Sauce 1 tbsp Lee Kum Kee Char Siu Sauce 2 small baguettes (around 75g each) or 1 baguette, halved 2 tbsp Lee Kum Kee Sriracha Mayo (optional) 1 medium carrot, grated or julienned 1 spring onion, finely sliced 1 small bunch of coriander METHOD: 1. Heat the sesame oil in a large frying pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, garlic and ginger and cook for around 10 minutes, until softened and golden, stirring regularly. 2. Add the oyster sauce and cook for a further 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. 3.…

Stroking my blossoming bump, I thought about the life growing inside me. I wondered if he’d be a doctor or maybe a teacher. Would he travel the world, have kids of his own? I imagined him playing sport, reading books. The world will be his oyster, I thought excitedly. I couldn’t wait to meet him. It was August last year and I was sitting in the doctor’s waiting room, my partner Rondell’s fingers wrapped around mine. ‘I’m so excited to see him,’ Rondell, 30, grinned. I was five months pregnant and this was our first scan. Until then, I’d been looked after by a family doctor, who monitored the baby’s heartbeat, and had reassured us that everything was going smoothly. But now we’d finally see our boy – and I…

Staycation The concept of a ‘staycation’ is proof that you don’t have to venture abroad. In fact, according to AirDNA, around 3,500 Brits search for ‘staycation’ every month. Unsurprisingly, the beach is the most popular destination. This inspired housing agents Sell House Fast (www.sellhousefast.uk) to investigate which of the UK’s coastal districts have the most holiday rentals. It comes as no surprise that Cornwall has the most holiday homes listed on AirBnB. Child friendly break If you’re in need of a ‘staycation’ city break, then clothing retailer Monsoon has put together some of the best British cities to visit with the kids. Scored on things to do, places to eat and accessibility, they can reveal the top three cities to visit with the little ones. According to their findings, Edinburgh,…

Jenni says; 'We all love the idea of change for a better future, whether that is getting healthier, getting successful, getting rich, getting our marriage back on track, getting organised, or 101 other things. 'One of the most common mistakes people make when trying to get motivated is setting the wrong goals. 'But setting goals in the right way keeps you on track. 'Getting what you want most is easier than you think! 'By following these 3 simple steps, not only will you learn the best way to get motivated, but you'll stand a much greater chance of achieving your goals with less stress and more fun!' STEP 1 VISION If you spend all your time 'working' but never any time focusing on what to work on, you're in…

According to Cancer Research UK, the number of cigarettes smoked each year in England has fallen by more than a billion. Not only are fewer people smoking, but those who continue to smoke are smoking less. The latest data shows that only 16% of adults in England now smoke, suggesting that smoking trends are heading in the right direction. The charity says the average monthly cigarette consumption fell by a quarter in the last seven years – that's 118 million fewer cigarettes smoked per month!…

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH FIREWORKS Whilst fireworks look magical and beautiful to the eye, they are much harder to capture on camera. Here's our top tips to photograph fireworks that will impress all of your friends and family. Turn off the flash setting on your phone. Flash can underexpose shots of fireworks and make them appear less bright. Turn off your phone's HDR or high dynamic range. HDR tells your camera to take multiple shots, and whilst it's great for non-moving shots, it can result in blurry images of fireworks. Take your photo on landscape to get a wide image of the fireworks. Shoot most of your shots at the start of the show to avoid the smoke that appears a bit later. Don't forget that you can edit photographs later…

Scrabbling to the sound of beeping, I plunged my hands into the dirt. ‘Bottle cap!' I laughed, pulling it from the mud. With my boyfriend Chris' metal detecting passion and my job managing a house clearance firm, we were the king and queen of treasure hunting! Our home in Michigan, USA, was full of old coins, jewellery and once-forgotten antiques. Of course, we found just as much tat as treasure, but it was all good fun. I'd struck my biggest jackpot when I'd moved in next door to retired Navy Seal Chris in March 2013. In January 2018, when we'd been together for nearly five years, I was hanging out with some friends when Chris sent me a text. Did you hear that? he wrote. We aren’t together, honey, I…

Wandering around the club, I was frantically looking for my friend. ‘There you are!’ I shouted as I grabbed Beth’s* hand. ‘Are you OK?’ We were out in Doncaster in June 2004 and she’d got stupidly drunk and lost me. ‘Do you know her?’ the man propping her up asked. ‘Yes we’re out together,’ I laughed. ‘But someone had a little too much to drink!’ He helped get her to a taxi, and the two of us got in to take her home. He introduced himself as Scott Keegan, then 20, and we started chatting away. Dropping Beth at hers, the two of us continued onto my flat, and before I knew it we were outside. ‘Thanks for your help tonight,’ I smiled. ‘I’d love to see you again,’ he…

Walking up the aisle in a beautiful ivory dress, it was by far, the happiest day of my entire life. I first met Gordon 60, online and we soon hit it off. ‘I'd love to come and see you,' he said after a few days of chatting. ‘I'd love that,' I told him. I knew when we first started talking that I had to give it all or nothing. So, when he asked me just a few days later where I thought the relationship was going, I knew marriage was the only answer. But I had to make a promise to myself. I begged for help with my last breath Whatever happens, I’m going  to walk up that aisle. Afterall, at that moment, I was using a stick to stand…

HYGGE UP YOUR HOME Battling its way across the North Sea and landing stylishly in the United Kingdom comes the Danish trend du jour, hygge. At the heart of hygge is cosiness, which has seen many homes adopt the Scandinavian design scheme over the winter months. However, come rain or shine, the home is a space to be kept cosy so consider adopting this Danish delight. To help you hygge up your home, flooring company Moduleo (www. moduleo.co.uk) is here with their top tips to achieve the comfiest atmosphere. All things neutral A neutral colour palette is an instant signifier of a hyggeinspired room. While a complete repaint isn’t always the most practical option, there are many ways of freshening up a space without breaking the bank. Soft white sheets…

SUPERFAST SUPERMARKET SHOPS Shopping experts from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have put together their tips to help Brits enjoy a more efficient supermarket shop… 1 Eat before you go Before you go food shopping, eat a hearty meal. This way you won’t be shopping on a hungry stomach and choose healthier choices. 2 Make a list Plan your meals for the week ahead and check all cupboards for ingredients. Order the foods in the order of the supermarket, e.g. fruit and veg first. 3 Take your bags Keep large bags in your boot and carry smaller reusable bags in your handbag. Carry a pound coin keyring, too! 4 Pick your shopping time If you want a speedy shop, pick the time you head to the store. Lunchtimes are always…

JEDI TRAINING BRIGHTON Fancy trying out a new physical activity, but hate the gym? Why not unleash your inner force and train to become a Jedi Knight? With a professional trainer, you will learn how to hold, strike and defend with a lightsaber in your hand. After you’ve learnt the basic techniques, you’ll graduate to a battlesaber where you’ll learn a choreographed routine for the battling duel! In this two-hour session, you will fight your opponent to the end, until one of you is crowned the ultimate Jedi Master. In the heart of Brighten, you can go with friends or go it alone. No matter what, you’re sure to learn some self-defending moves! Why not get the kids involved, too? Find out if they lean on the dark side! • Price:…

Walking out of the GP’s surgery, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. I’d just been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome after suffering with constipation and bleeding every time I went to the toilet for the last few months. I’d been worried it might be something more serious, but I’d been assured that by making some changes to my diet, I’d be able to control it better. But over the next few months, while my symptoms weren’t worsening, they weren’t improving much either. I was 35 and often tired, too, but as a wife to Richard, 43, and mum to Joseph, six, and Abigail, four, I put it down to having a busy family life. Then in April 2016, I went to the toilet in the most unbearable pain ever.…

Dressed in a black leather bodysuit with fishnet stockings, I felt a familiar tingling in my nose. I gave the camera a sultry look. ‘Here comes another one…’ I purred in the recorder. Sneezing loudly, I felt droplets of snot land on me. ‘Woah, that was a big one,’ I winked. It was February 2019, and I was making a home video. A snot-fetish film, to be precise! Wet snot sprayed on the paper Sneezing for men on camera hadn’t been in my plan when I’d left my home in South Wales to begin a Foundation course at Leeds Art University six months earlier. It had all started in November 2018, when my tutors had asked me to film myself creating an unusual piece of art.‘If you use glitter, be…

With the HPV vaccine now being offered to boys aged between 11 and 13, The Teenage Cancer Trust has called for the jab to be extended to older boys. The charity argues that men and boys should be given access to the vaccine up to the age of 25 – the same as women. Since 2008, teenage girls have been given the vaccine for HPV, which is linked to the majority of cervical cancer cases as well as oral, throat and anal cancers. The World Health Organisation estimates the HPV virus causes about five per cent of all cancers.…

Blackberry and rose Knickerbocker Glory Makes 4 600g Driscoll's Victoria Sweet Blackberries, some halved (leave a few whole for topping) 3 tsp caster sugar 2 tsp rose water (use more or less depending on taste) 4 scoops good quality vanilla ice cream 200ml double cream, lightly whipped 100g pecan nuts METHOD: 1. Add a handful of blackberries to a pan, along with half the sugar and the rose water. Simmer gently until the blackberries break down and the juice thickens slightly. Remove from the heat, crush with the back of a fork and leave to cool completely. 2. Toss the pecan nuts with the remaining sugar and add to a frying pan. Cook until the nuts begin to coat with toffee. Remove and leave to cool. Chop some of the…

The classic scarf and coat combo can feel like your wardrobe is becoming repetitive. To rock the same staple coat in different styles, mix up your accessories! UK premium womenswear wholesaler BGirl Fashion, talks about some of the ways you can warm up your wardrobe this autumn/winter. A classic and elegant accessory that's perfect to be paired with any workwear, daytime or evening outfit. A frame bag is particularly popular with the royals, which makes it good enough for us. This statement bag is bringing back the powerful woman vibe to the forefront of fashion. A pair of statement winter boots is essential to see you through all weathers, whilst being the stand-out piece of your outfit. From snakeskin heeled boots to patent red leather and classic cowboy, bright and…

Grabbing the remote, The Clangers flicked over to the news. ‘Dad!’ I groaned. My old man, Leonard, lifted his arms in mock dismay. ‘Don’t blame me, it’s this new pacemaker,’ he laughed. Since having it fitted for congenital heart failure months earlier, Dad had been joking that it could change the channel. I was just a kid and it was the start of a lifetime of jokes. My dad was the world’s biggest prankster. His driving license listed his occupation as ‘doctor’ when he was a coalman! When he was stuck in traffic, he’d plonk a hooky doctor’s green light on top of the car to part the masses! And that was just the start. When the council planted fresh flowers on the roundabouts, Dad dug them up for the…

‘What a great week!’ my husband Kevin, 27, sighed. Our kids, aged 3 and 2, were asleep in the back of the car as we pulled up at home. We’d spent five great days in Skegness, having an incredible time - all thanks to my latest big bingo win... Winner! – at first I didn’t believe it! It was a February evening this year. I’d tucked the kids into bed and Kevin and I were looking forward to some downtime. For Kevin, it was the football highlights on TV, for me a game of online bingo. I’d always loved bingo, but recently I’d not been able to go to the hall with my friends as much. That’s where Pick Me Up! Bingo came in. It was as much fun and…