Innholdsfortegnelse for Festive Special 2015 i Pick Me Up! Special

It looks like Mollie here is ready for the big freeze with her splendid snowman! And so are we, with plenty of chilling crime stories. Like the Jekyll and Hyde boyfriend who shot poor Brandi, before torching the house and killing himself (p6). Or the terrifying tale of Shane Padgett, who gouged out his victim's eye as part of a brutal sex attack and murder (p34). But you'll get a warmer feeling by reading about Tanya's funny fella, Ian, who's dressed up as everyone from Superman to Wonder Woman, all to raise money for charity (p54). There's also Derby the miniature donkey (p8), who's a regular in the local pub, and Hitch the guinea pig, whose game of hide and seek took him on an adventure 100 miles from home…

Pulling on a body warmer, I stepped inside the freezing, snow-filled enclosure. A squawking flock of 300 hungry penguins greeted me. Based in SeaWorld in Florida, USA, outside their home it was scorching hot. But inside, the temperatures plummeted. It was just right for my birds - including my favourite, Fisher, who I’d raised as a chick. ‘Morning boy!’ I grinned. Now, every day he greeted me with a nudge of his beak. ‘Look what I’ve got!’ I added, showing him my bucket of fish. I felt so lucky, spending my day with these stunning animals. I even took my work home, to show my wife, Laura, 38, when I was rearing the chicks. She didn’t mind, though. Working at the park as well, she’d brought home flamingo chicks in…

Hearing the chanting, I raced into the living room. ‘It’s on!’ I squealed. As I watched the familiar truck drive down the misty roads, my boyfriend, Andy Walker, then 34, laughed. He should’ve been used to my antics by then. Well, we’d been together for two-and-a-half years. And, my reaction to the Coca-Cola Christmas advert hadn’t changed! Might sound daft, but to me, when that ad came on it really did mean that the holidays were just around the corner. I think it’s because I’d been seeing it on telly since childhood. Still, even I couldn’t muster enthusiasm at Andy’s suggestion a few weeks later... ‘Let’s do some Christmas shopping in London at the start of December,’ he said. With crazy crowds, I couldn’t think of anything worse. ‘I’d rather…

1 www.santagames.net The wonderful world of Santa Claus Ð a countdown to Christmas day with online games, fun activities for kids and Christmas surprises! 2 www.adventmyfriend.com Make your own online calendar for a friend! It’s free and easy to use. Fill the calendar with videos, images and little surprises your friends will love! 3 www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk Back due to popular demand, this year discover new surprises from the museum’s collection and learn some great historical facts for each day leading up to Christmas! 4 www.boowakwala.com Click on an exciting surprise each day! A great site with fun, educational games for babies and young kids. 5 www.projectbritain.com Test your knowledge on how Christmas is celebrated internationally with this advent calendar, with facts and photos sent from schools around the world.…

Everything we did was in perfect harmony. My hubby Dean and I both worked long shifts in a hospital A&E department - me as a nurse and Dean as a paramedic. During the day, we’d keep ourselves ticking over on a diet of convenient, but calorific, breakfast baps and sarnies - also indulging on cakes our colleagues brought in. Then, we’d spend most evenings slumped in front of the TV, with a greasy curry. At home, too tired to cook from scratch, Dean, 34 then, would hand me the takeaway menu. ‘What do you fancy?’ he’d ask. A chicken korma and a naan,’ I’d say, as he dialled the restaurant. Then, a year after we got together, Dean proposed. But after months of scoffing curries and chocolates, we’d both piled…

Fancy being off colour, today of all days... Poor Ffion had been looking forward to her 12th birthday for weeks. Twelve of her friends had been invited and they were going on a speed boat ride around Cardiff Bay, followed by food at Nando’s. But she’d woken up on 10 March, 2012, feeling feverish. ‘I’m groggy. Why me? Why do I feel so rubbish?’ Ffion asked. ‘I’m sure it’s nothing. You’ll be fine. Come on, enjoy the day,’ I said. My brave girl pushed on with her party, despite feeling rotten. Ffion had been ill for a few weeks before her birthday. We’d noticed a lump on her neck in the first week of March and taken her to the GP. The doctor said it could be glandular fever, but…

Whoever made this is definitely King (or Queen) of the castle! You can't drive your car in these conditions, but a tank? Well, that'll get through it! When the weather's miserable, it can feel like the weight of the world's on your shoulders! It's so f-f-f-f-reezing even the penguins have arrived. When it's cold and wet outside, keeping warm is one of the bear necessities! Well, well, well... What do we have here then?! This creation really does have model looks.…

3 of the Best We test 3 products so you don't have to. This issue CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP 1 Newgate Cream of Chicken Soup, Lidl With a good amount of chicken, this delicious soup makes for a lovely treat when you want something really warm and comforting. 2 Cream of Chicken Soup, Sainsbury's This one has just the right amount of creaminess – not so thick that it's gloopy, but not so thin it's watery either. We love it! 3 Cream of Chicken Soup, Morrisons This creamy soup has a great consistency and really good-sized chunks of chicken. It's tasty too! Chocolate Pudding Puddles Serves 4–6 Prep Time 15 mins Cook time 15 mins • 75g unsalted butter, at room temperature • 3 eggs • 5 tbsp cocoa powder…

Is it a lion? A tiger? A bear? Nope – it's a dog! What do you mean tartan's so last season?! Here's what I think of that. Nope, it's not a wig, not a mop, not a rug. Any more guesses? Whoever said caterpillar you're right! Yup, it's a caterpillar! Want to meet the Dumbledore of the guinea pig world? OK, so you might be warmer than us but don't rabbit on about it! So what if you're cold? You should have dressed up like this fella! Now just alpaca it in! This baby's got some way to go before it reaches its mum in the hairy stakes...…

Feeling low Q My husband suffered nerve damage last year and has been off work ever since, but it’s his mood that I’m worried about – he seems so depressed. Annabel, Durham A Depression can be very debilitating. Go see your GP - if your hubby is depressed, there are many treatment options, including cognitive behavioural therapy. Research shows that 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every day can be very effective, so offering to go walking with him may help. A healthy diet’s also vital and lots of people say getting involved in helping others - perhaps as a volunteer - can really help too. Beat the bulge Q My rheumatoid arthritis has got worse over the past year and I’ve found it harder to get out and about. As…

Amanda Ursell, a qualified nutritionist www.amandaursell.com , says: 'It's worth contacting the organisation, MEND. This stands for Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do it! They run courses for young people of different ages groups, as well as adults, with the hope of empowering people to become fitter, healthier and happier. Given your daughter has asthma, this could perhaps be the way you approach the idea of finding out more about MEND together. The programmes and services they run are designed to help people reach and maintain their goal weight, but within the context of health and general fitness. In addition, I also recommend taking a look at the information available through the Change4Life programme. It has loads of healthy eating tips. Search Change4Life online and you will be surprised…

We're off to… Northumberland Ever since I watched that BBC TV show with Joanna Lumley, I’ve always wanted to see the Northern Lights. To be honest though, I never thought I’d be able to afford it. I’ve heard horror stories about basic items costing a fortune in Norway - and with no guarantee the aurora will show up, there’s a chance you could spend big money on airfares for nothing. But last year I saw pictures in the paper of dancing green lights, brighter than many I’d seen before. And guess where they were taken? Good old Blighty! Of course, there’s no chance of seeing the lights down south (the aurora belt sits around the top end of the earth), so I packed my bags and took a train north.…

Looking out of the window, I watched as my neighbour, James Tarrant, 36, took his little girl, Lily, 4, across the road to the snow-covered green. They loved to go out to play in the snow together. After a little while, they’d built a life-sized snowman. Lily looked delighted. With good reason, it was a real beauty - tall and impressive! But an hour later, after they’d gone out in the car... ‘What are those lads doing?’ I mumbled to myself, spotting a group of teenagers. I realised they were kicking around the remains of Lily’s snowman. I couldn’t bear for her to come home and see it as mush. So, I wrapped up warm and ventured out to build something else for Lily instead. I wasn’t short on ideas…

VIRGO 24 Aug-23 Sept Get ready to embrace the hectic pace of this month and enjoy every moment this December. However, to make the most of it, be on your guard around finances and try to avoid impulsive gift buying. If an urgent problem comes to your attention early on, tackle it resolutely rather than feeling dispirited later on. Meanwhile, the progressive New Moon might encourage a change in your festive plans to involve more of your friends and extended family. With Mercury and the Sun in your leisure sector, it seems you'll relish organising celebrations. Even so, the impact of a partner or significant other could prove draining if they do not chime with your overall needs. Despite this the pleasure factor increases as the month gathers pace, with…

MULE MENU Mare-garitaMoscow muleBlue nag-oonBloody hairyHei-neigh-ken Strolling into the busy pub, Becky always turns heads. Not surprising, as she’s so gorgeous and friendly. A real stunning lady - just not a human one. She’s actually a 36-year-old, 3ft-tall, miniature donkey! It seems like an odd story, but my pet is one of my pub regulars. I got Becky seven years ago. I’d already had a miniature donkey named Derby, but he seemed lonely living in the field behind my old pub, the Horse and Groom in Rushlake Green. I was in touch with Lady Rosamund Fisher, who owned a miniature-donkey breeders, Marklye Miniature Donkeys. She’d given me Derby a few years back. ‘My donkey Becky can’t have any more foals,’ she told me. ‘So she’s being retired. Maybe she could…

Stooping down in front of my guinea pig's hutch, I narrowed my eyes. 'Where's that little scamp got to now?' I asked my hubby, Chris, 48. Just then, I heard a rustle. In amongst the hay I'd piled up to keep her warm, I could make out Hitch's unmistakable black and white coat. 'There she is,' Chris laughed. Smaller than an orange, the tiny tinker was a master at playing hide and seek. In fact, it was thanks to her stealthy skills that I'd come to adopt her in the first place. Nobody knows exactly where she was born, just that she started life in Kent. Over 100 miles away! At just 3 weeks old, she set out on an intrepid adventure, hopping her way over to a nearby farm.…

Place tealights in ramekins and surround them with coffee beans to give off a lovely, warming smell. Chris Reid, Hemel Hempstead To help kids tell their left foot from their right, use an indelible marker pen to draw half a smiley face on each welly boot! Margo Barnes, Accrington If your faux fur looks a bit flat after washing, a quick blast with a hairdryer will fluff it up! Debbie Clarke, Heanor, Derbyshire Place newspapers over your car windows at night and they’ll be frost-free in the morning. Gareth Welsby, Swansea Curry too hot? Slice in a banana to cool it down and add a creamy flavour! Alexandra Bennett, Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf If you’re not using your bike over winter, store it upside down to prevent the tyres splitting.…

This month… How to save water! 1 Wait don't waste Put a bucket in your shower while waiting for it to warm up, then use it for your plants, washing your car or mopping the floor. 2 Feeling flush Don't waste water by flushing random objects down the loo that could have just been put in the bin. 3 Brush and save Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth and save up to six litres of water every minute! 4 Drip, drip Be sure to fix that leaky tap! A dripping tap can waste 15 litres of water a day, that's 5,475 litres a year! 5 Be cool Keep a jug of tap water in the fridge instead of leaving the cold tap running for a glass of…

Some precious moments made being a mum worth every second. Like now, cuddling up on the sofa with my two kids. But hang on, who was that? Stephen Marwood had just walked past the living room window. ‘Hello stranger,’ I smiled, letting him in, while Jess, 9, and John, 7, stayed watching the telly. We’d been mates growing up, but it had to be 10 years since I’d last seen Steve. ‘I thought I’d pop round and say hi,’ he smiled, telling me how he was living nearby with his parents. Over a cuppa, I told him how my relationship with my kids’ dad had ended. Now a single mum, I was always rushed off my feet. ‘If there’s anything I can do to help, just shout,’ he smiled, as…

BLINDING TIME You might need your sunnies at Longleat Safari Park’s Festival of Light in Warminster. Running from 13 November until 3 January, keep a look out for the illuminated dragon boat and giant flowers – and there’ll be ice skating, too! • Adults £28.95; children £21.95; under-3s free. Visit www.longleat.co.uk BRIGHT SPOT The city of Durham is already rather grand, so imagine it splashed with arty illuminations. That’s exactly what’s happening at the LUMIERE festival, from 12-15 November. In the past there was a trumpeting elephant projected on Elvet Bridge, but this year you can see a whale breaching over the River Wear and the cathedral will be all lit up. • Free. Visit www.lumiere-festival.com SEA THE LIGHTS There’s no beating a trip to the seaside for fish and…

Some people would have been horrified. But, as my daughter slipped into the world, I was ecstatic. A congenital deformation meant her left arm stopped above the elbow. My scans had shown nothing. But she was beautiful. A little girl, after our two boys, Cory and Cody. ‘You’re extra special,’ I told her. Even as a toddler, she wouldn’t wear the prosthetic arm her dad Mike and I’d had specially made. Instead, she learnt to live with her disability. She could soon tie her own shoes and put on jewellery. Ignorant people still gave her pitying stares, though. So, she’d draw faces on her stump and wave it around. ‘What’s wrong with showing Stumpy off?’ she’d giggle. And nothing changed as she got older. Cara laughed after I suggested an…

Peach Melba Pie Serves 6 Prep Time 40 mins Cook time 30-35 mins • 470g ready-made or home-made all-butter sweet shortcrust pastry • 750g peaches, halved, stoned, sliced • 150g raspberries • Milk, to glaze • 75g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling • 1 tsp cornflour • Zest of 1 lemon 1 Reserve one-third of the pastry for the lattice. Roll out the remainder on a lightly floured surface until large enough to line the base and sides of a buttered metal pie dish, 20cm by 5cm. Lift the pastry over a rolling pin, drape into the dish, then press into the base and sides. 2 Mix the sugar, cornflour and lemon zest together, then add the fruit and toss together gently. Pile into the pie dish. Trim off…

Cosying up in the warm, I looked out at the freezing winter weather and stroked my giant bump. Any day now, my daughter would be born. Warm thoughts to keep out the chill, as the snow fell all around us. Racing around after my son, Logan, now 4, was good for working up a sweat, on a cold day, too! Organised and calm, my hubby, Fabian, 39, and I were all prepared for our new addition. An overnight bag was packed and waiting by the door. My in-laws were minutes away and would take care of Logan. All so reassuring... But my due date - 19 January 2014 - came and went. Frustrated, I switched on the TV and caught the end of the weather report. ‘Six to 12 inches…

With teenage girls, it was normally weight gain that made them feel self conscious. Not me, though... When I turned 14, my weight plummeted. ‘Those jeans are hanging off you!’ my mum, Deborah, 53, would joke. It wasn’t through slimming though, instead something far more embarrassing. Everything I ate went straight through me. I was running to the loo up to 15 times a day! Once, in a German lesson, the teacher let me nip to the loo, only for me to be dying to go again just 10 minutes later. ‘You’ve just been!’ she said. I sat there, tears welling. Seeing my despair, thankfully, she let me go. Then, as all my mates started their periods, I realised I was being left behind. Eventually, just before I turned 16,…

THEY SAY ‘These eye drops have been especially designed to help keep eyes hydrated throughout the day.’ YOU SAY ‘My eyes get so strained and irritated after a day in front of the computer at work. This really soothed and refreshed them.’ Francesca, Surrey WE SAY A higher concentration of hyaluronic acid (which traps water, aiding lubrication) than many other rewetting drops, means this formula stays on the surface of the eye for longer. Perfect!…

Walk this way A daily stroll doesn’t just keep your body fit, it can help your mind stay sharp too. Experts believe taking frequent and moderate exercise can potentially increase the size of your hippocampus, the brain’s memory hub. We’ll strut around to that! Veg out Fill your trolley with whole grains (like granary bread, brown pasta and brown rice), tomatoes, broccoli, blackcurrants, blueberries, nuts and eggs. They’re all said to contain vital nutrients that help to keep your memory function ticking over. Sounds fishy If you can’t stomach taking a daily fish oil, you can reap the memory-boosting benefits of Omega-3 the traditional way by chowing down on oily fish like salmon, sardines and mackerel. For non-fish fans, pumpkin seeds, walnut oil and soya beans are also great alternatives.…

Life Planetarium at The Life Science Centre, Newcastle From stars and planets to galaxies far, far away, relax on comfy, reclining seats and explore the wonders of our universe with an absorbing journey through the solar system at Life’s Planetarium. From 24 October, 2015, until 2 February, 2016, you can discover how the Hubble Space Telescope has changed the way we see our universe. Suitable for children 7 and over. • Opening times vary. Visit www.life.org.uk for more info Peter Harrison Planetarium at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, London It’s sci-fi season at London’s only planetarium and with this month’s screening of the 1973film, Soylent Green (suitable for children 11+), the whole family can enjoy a journey through space. Or you may prefer an evening of stargazing through the equatorial telescope! •…

Nothing beats a pampering day. Especially when you are 14 weeks pregnant. So, with my husband, Chris, 35, heading off to visit his dad in Nottingham after work, I decided to have some me time. I treated myself to a facial, painted my nails, then settled down to watch TV. But as I swivelled my feet onto the sofa, I had an idea... I've got a foot spa in the shed! It was an old Secret Santa gift. So, wrapping my dressing gown over my flannel pyjamas, I trudged out to the shed. It was only 6.30pm, but it was December, so I took a torch. 'Ugh,' I sighed, as I unlocked the shed door and took a peek. There was stuff everywhere. 'Ah-ha!' I said, spying the spa. But…

Mary Poppins is a classic at this time of year. Well, I had a different take on the famous nanny. One certainly not suitable for kids! A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, the speakers blared out. The crowd whooped as I strutted my stuff in a dress made out of sweet wrappers. And the finale... I stripped down to my frilly knickers, holding two giant lollipops in front of my boobs! It was 2008, and my career as a burlesque dancer had taken off. I loved jiggling and stripping at club nights and swanky dos. Off stage, I was settled with my fella, Wayne, 35. My raunchy routines didn’t bother him - in fact, he was my biggest fan! Life was pretty good. Well, apart from one…

My dog, Lucy, raced around the Christmas tree in her jumper. Tail wagging, she sniffed her sack of pressies and began tearing into them. What a difference nine months makes... Back in early March 2013, I was looking at a dog rescue centre online. I run a dog boutique, and often get involved with fundraising. Scrolling down, I saw Lucy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, rescued from a puppy farm. She was in an awful state. I already had three dogs and wasn’t really looking for another... But I had to help somehow, so I sent jumpers and coats from my shop to Lucy’s foster carer. She wrote back, sending pics of Lucy in the outfits. Aww! Before I knew it, I was in Bristol visiting Lucy. A few weeks…

BAKE HAPPY Fill your home with the sweet aroma of this freshly baked Molten Chocolate Mallow Mug Cake. (Serves 1) • 40g soft unsalted butter • 2 tsp light brown sugar • 1 egg • 1 tbsp self-raising flour • 1 tbsp cocoa powder • 5 marshmallows • 25g milk chocolate, chopped 1 Put the butter, sugar, egg, flour, and cocoa powder in a 350ml microwave-safe mug and beat together until smooth. 2 Microwave on full power for 45 seconds. Cut four of the marshmallows into quarters. Add the quartered marshmallows and chocolate to the mug and stir gently to mix. 3 Position the remaining marshmallow on top of the mixture and microwave on full power for one minute or until the marshmallow on top has partially melted. • Mug…

Jess, 13, says: 'Mum blamed herself for not realising sooner, but it's not her fault. I thought that no-one would believe me, that's why I kept quiet for so long. He told me he'd hurt Mum. 'When we went to buy my trainer bra, he'd pick up ones and tell me how sexy I'd look in them. It was horrible. It got too much and I told my best friend and he told me to tell my mum. 'I was petrified everyone would think I was lying, that's why I recorded it on my phone. 'I'm just so pleased he is out of my life.'…

A weekend in London was just what the doctor ordered. Having recently split up with my boyfriend of 11 months, I’d been down in the dumps and my friend Craig always cheered me up. I’d miss my little girl Grace, then 6. She was staying with my mum, Angie, and dad, Steve, both then 55. But it was November 2013, so it would mean I could buy her some great Christmas pressies in The Smoke. I planned to get her some Sylvanian Families, which she loved. We were having a big family Christmas do at my parents’ place, near Pontefract in West Yorkshire. Grace, who still believed in Santa, couldn’t wait. Nearly there! I texted Craig. If only I didn’t feel so rough... For a week, I’d had terrible headaches…

Admiring my handiwork, I couldn’t believe the last Christmas decoration was finally up. ‘Looks brilliant,’ my hubby, Stephen, said, hugging me. Suddenly feeling a twinge in my stomach, I rubbed my bump. ‘Ouch,’ I whimpered. It was 22 December, 2011 and, already a mum to Jay, 14, and Ella-Shay, 9, I was nine months pregnant with my third child. Expecting a boy on Christmas Day, we were calling him Oakley. ‘The best gift,’ I said to Stephen, who was on leave from the army. ‘I can’t wait to meet our Christmas pudding,’ he joked. ‘Nor can I,’ I said. ‘But it’ll be an extra mouth to feed!’ ‘And more selection boxes to buy,’ joked Stephen, 34. The next day, 23 December, I woke with serious stomach pains. Probably nothing, I…

My 15-year-old daughter has always carried a bit of extra weight, but over the last few years she’s gone from around a size 12 to a size 18. We give her healthy home-cooked food, but I can’t stop her eating junk food when she’s out. I make her a packed lunch for school, but I know she also gets unhealthy snacks at school and on the way home. I know that the older she gets and the more weight she puts on, the harder it will be to lose it. She’s recently been diagnosed with asthma and when she went to the doctors, they told her weight could be contributing to it. When I talk to her about it she says she’s happy the way she is. So far I’ve…

Most of us have a goto outfit that makes us feel comfy. For my husband, Ian, 46, it’s shorts and a T-shirt. He lives in them. But, most of the time he has a good excuse. After all, it’s practical gear for a window cleaner. Needless to say, you’d never find him in a suit. Even at our wedding, he had his legs out! In November 2013, that prompted an idea. It was Movember - when men grow a moustache in November to raise money for charity. ‘I should do Suitember! Wear suits every day for a month to raise money,’ Ian laughed. I imagined him clambering around on his ladder in a smart two-piece and tie... Hilarious! So this summer, Ian decided to put his plan into action. He…

Christmas was certainly not going to be a turkey. Instead of the normal frozen festive landscape at my parents’ home in Scotland, on 25 December 2014, I’d landed in paradise. After six months of travelling alone, I’d hooked up with my boyfriend of five years, Nick Carnell, 32, on Little Corn Island - just off the coast of Nicaragua. There wasn’t a dodgy reindeer jumper in sight! The usual out-of-tune carols had been replaced by the sound of the sea lapping against the shore. Soaking up the sunshine, it couldn’t have been more different to my standard Christmas Day! We started the festivities with a champagne breakfast on the balcony of our room at the Yemaya Resort and Spa. It was so romantic. And we swapped presents in our swimming…