Innehållsförteckning för February 2023 från Pick Me Up! Special

Cone head My puppy Dave recently took a trip to the vets for a minor op – but now he has to wear this cone of shame on his head. He doesn’t look very impressed! Christie, Surrey Seeing double Here is my lovely cat, Freddie. Despite being a little cross-eyed, I think he is very handsome. However, I also think he knows he’s great. Julie, Cumbria No pictures! Here is a selfie my daughter tried to take with our pup, Peach. She normally loves attention, but it’s safe to say she can also be quite camera-shy. Melissa, Birmingham Sleepyheads My two pooches are super-sleepy after a long winter walk in the woods. They’ve been snoring for hours! Can’t wait for the next walk. Mike, Torquay…

Rushing home from work, I was desperate to see my little sister, Beth, 24. ‘I’ve got you one,’ she said, handing me a pregnancy test as I headed straight for the bathroom. Earlier that day, I called her from work after realising my period was a few days late. I’d also had a weird metal taste in my mouth which my mum, Debbie, 46, said was a sign of pregnancy. ‘I had it when I was pregnant with you,’ she explained. And after waiting for what felt like a lifetime, the test was finally ready to tell me my result. Positive… ‘Oh my God,’ Beth squealed, full of excitement for me. ‘I better ring Jordan,’ I said, completely shocked. My boyfriend, Jordan, 27, and I had been together for just…

With two inches of freshly-fallen snow lining the streets of the Monroe County community, the town situated in Pennsylvania was getting ready for the festivities in December 2017. With the Walmart car park packed with eager shoppers, Richard ‘Rick’ LaBar, 58, packed fresh Domino’s pizza boxes into his car from a store across the road, before delivering food to the locals. Something that was the norm for him during the holiday season – he’d joined the company as a delivery driver for a little extra cash over Christmas. Described by his wife Roxann as ‘just an ordinary man trying to make an honest living’. And it seemed Rick had made an impression on his colleagues, too, with them referring to as an all-round ‘great guy’. So, when he received a…

Laying back in the hospital bed, I couldn’t wait to meet my boy. And 14 hours later, after one final push, we welcomed Henry into the world, weighing 8lb 3oz. ‘He’s perfect,’ my husband, Ben, 38, beamed. But it hadn’t been easy for us getting there. When I first found out I was pregnant in February 2017, we were over the moon. Only, at our first scan, we received some bad news. ‘Your baby’s bladder is full,’ the doctor explained. ‘Is that bad?’ Ben asked. ‘Bladder Outlet Obstruction is very serious,’ he warned. ‘It occurs when the urethra is too narrow or blocked. Your baby is at risk of having quite serious kidney and lung issues.’ Then, things got much worse. ‘If you carry on your pregnancy you risk having…

Putting on a Julia Johnson album, I settled my one-year-old girl into her cot. ‘There, is that better?’ I asked Betsy, singing the lyrics softly. Music soothed her crying every time – it was like a miracle. So, it was no wonder Betsy could sing before she could talk! She was a bubbly, confident little girl, always entertaining the whole family and the other kids at her toddler group. Certainly not one to sit by our side, she was always happy to go out into the world. Even when she was poorly, she was never one to let on, not straying far from her usual self. Only, as Betsy approached her second birthday, I noticed something happening. Reading her and her sister Ava, then seven months, a bedtime story, I…

+ INSTANT APPOINTMENT With Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy (doctorfox.co.uk) Vegan diet Q I did Veganuary this year and I’d like to carry it on, but I’m worried about missing key nutrients and proteins if I become vegan long-term. Are there any supplements I can take to help? Emma, Bedford A Vegans are recommended the following supplements in order to get sufficient nutrients: Vitamin B12 – this essential vitamin is more or less absent from the vegan diet. Having adequate B12 is vital, especially during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Vegan foods rich in B12 include fortified cereals, soy milk, and meat alternatives. 1.5 mcg a day is recommended. You should also take vitamin D. Levels of vitamin D are lower in the winter as the days are short and dark.…

LUXE FOR LESS Add a touch of luxury to your shower routine with Sassy Shop’s 3-in-1 Body Wash in Champagne Toast. Sounds divine, right? With a cheers worthy lather, this can be used as a body wash, hand wash or bubble bath. Bright, bubbly and bordering on celestial, this scent oozes luxe. Why not partner this scent with one of Sassy Shop’s Wax Melts? Long lasting, and with a range of scents to choose from, you’re sure to find one for you. • Available at Sassy Shop Wax Why not hunt down their vending machine in Bristol? MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN Feeling a little sore after working out? Lush’s new magnesium massage bars and Epsom salts may be just the ticket. Helping to aid recovery, the massage bar melts into…

J’adore, Je t’aime – nothing says I love you better than a warm, affectionate wardrobe – it’s true that red and pink are the perfect way to do so. Whatever your style, dress with a little passion in mind… love it Besotted with you… Treat yourself or hint towards a new addition to your jewellery collection – here are a few that we are loving… From Lily Charmed – visit: Lilycharmed.com From Scream Pretty – visit: screampretty.com…

Whether you opt for classic lemon and sugar or go savoury with cheese and ham, why not treat yourself this Pancake Day?…

February special It’s February – the official season of love! If roses, candlelit dinners and romantic proclamations aren’t your thing though, fear not – this month, we’re celebrating all kinds of love. After all, there’s nothing quite like the love between mothers and their children – but when Aimee’s little boy, George, was diagnosed with global developmental delay, she realised she may never hear him say ‘I love you’ (pg16). But it doesn’t matter to Aimee – George shows her he loves her every day with his beautiful smile. The more we love someone, the harder it is to say goodbye – but when Chelsea’s mum Joanne was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, it was a reality she had to face up to (pg40). Despite the heartbreaking prognosis, Joanne lives on…

Looking over at my girlfriend Catherine having the time of her life, I grinned like a lovesick teen. We hadn’t been dating for long, but I was smitten. ‘Come on,’ she grinned. ‘Dance with me!’ ‘I don’t dance,’ I laughed. But when Cat flashed her bright blue eyes at me, I was mesmerised. She could always get away with anything, and I’d do anything she wanted me to. The sun was shining at T in the Park, and we boogied the night away together. It wasn’t long before we moved in together – I already had an older daughter, Shannon, and Cat had two children from a previous relationship, too – and we all moved into a big five-bedroom house. When Cat fell pregnant in March 2015, it was a…

Picking the well-used Chinese takeaway leaflet out of the drawer, I scoured the menu for that evening’s meal. Sweet and sour chicken, noodles, rice, chips, and a bag of prawn crackers on the side, too. ‘I’ve chosen my stuff, do you want to pick yours?’ I asked my hubby, Greg*, while circling the last of my sides. Even though my food could serve four, and cost over £20 alone, I had a huge appetite. Especially coming home from a late shift working at ASDA. Opening a family-size bag of Doritos, I dived straight in, licking the cheesy dust off of my fingers. Finishing the entire pack in a matter of minutes, the doorbell rang. Chinese! I thought, shuffling to collect the food. Piling the rice high on my plate, I…

On whom does popstar and arch ‘twerker’ Miley Cyrus say she tries out and practices her songs and piano playing? To find out, solve the puzzle by filling in the grid. Each letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number from 1 to 26. When you’ve completed the grid, the shaded squares will spell out the answer. We’ve given you five letters to start you off… Your answer____________________________________ Answers on page 61 Crack it page 24 Answer: HER PET DOGS…

Transport yourself across the world with Habitat’s new Global Artisan range LOVE IS IN THE AIR Add a touch of romance to your home with these adorable and easy-to-make heart-shaped dishes – perfect for holding trinkets, or tealights to set the Valentine’s mood! Please visit: hobbycraft.co.uk You will need: • Gold Taklon Brush Set 10-pack, £5 • DAS Hardwood Clay Modelling Tools 7-pack, £6.50 • White Air-Drying Clay 1kg, £1.90 • Pebeo Coral Pink Gloss Acrylic Paint 59ml, £2.50 (or colours of your choice) • Mod Podge Gloss 59ml, £3 • Bold Alphabet Wooden Stamps 30 pack, £7 • Wilton Heart Shaped Cookie Butter Set 6 pieces, £3.80 • Non-Stick Clay Rolling Pin 22.6cm, £6.50 How to make: 1. Start by rolling out the air-dry clay, until it’s the thickness…

Snuggle under the sheets looking and feeling your best this month. You don’t need to dress to impress anyone in particular – feel sexy, sensuous, and confident all for yourself… Five questions with… Beth Kates, bra fitting expert and founder of Liberty & Love (libertyandlove.uk) 1. Tell us a more about your brand Liberty & Love… During the first lockdown I found myself shopping online for new sleepwear and lingerie. I was so disappointed by the marketing of women’s underwear. It seemed to be aimed at men, and the idea that you can only wear lingerie for the bedroom. I saw lots of adverts and felt forgotten about, too. I am 51 and still want to look the best I can – especially on the school run. I certainly do not…

Watching my mum Joanne drawing lovely pictures with my six-year-old daughter Esmae, I smiled. ‘Look, Mummy!’ Esmae said, proudly showing off her latest masterpiece with an excited flourish. ‘That’s lovely,’ I said. ‘Did Nanny help you with it?’ She nodded, beaming happily. Mum and I had always been very close, and being an only child, we had a special bond. Now she was such a hands-on grandmother, too. When I’d fallen pregnant with my eldest, Oliver, now 10, I was just 17. I was so young, but Mum was supportive. ‘You can do this,’ she said, when I was scared about the future. ‘You’ll be a great mum.’ Esmae came along three years later, and with Mum and my stepdad Steve, now 59, just around the corner, they were an…

Don’t forget it’s Pancake Day on 21 February! A BRICK BY BRICK ADVENTURE If you’re stuck on what to plan for a fun, action-packed half-term, then LEGOLAND Windsor Resort has got you covered. Celebrate their ‘Brick Week’ throughout February with a range of fabulous building activities, a variety of jaw-dropping rides, meet and greet experiences, and plenty more options to suit the entire family. If you want to extend your stay, why not have a fully themed overnight trip to remember by staying at the enchanting LEGOLAND Castle Hotel? The adventure has only just begun… • LEGOLAND Brick Week starts on 11 February until 4 March. Tickets start at £34, visit: legoland.co.uk THE CHASE IS ON… Did you love the hit BBC series Killing Eve? Well, you’re going to want…

Does something tickle your fancy?…

Dear me, Think back 12 years… You couldn’t go anywhere without your friends or family asking about your love life. ‘How are you, Karen?’ they’d ask. ‘Are you seeing anyone?’ ‘Nope, still single,’ you’d scoff with a hint of sarcasm. With your 40th birthday less than a year away, you were already treated like a spinster. Don’t get me wrong, deep down, you always thought that you would get married. Growing up, you dreamed of that big white wedding and Dad walking you down the aisle. It’s every girl’s dream, right? Only, it simply hadn’t happened for you. A single mum to two children – Niall, now 29, and Evee-Oni, now 22 – you just hadn’t met ‘Mr Right’. You raised the kids alone and only had a few serious…

Can February March? … No, but April May! Will you be my Valentine? Down with the kids Here is my husband, trying out a new look in our local vintage shop. I think he thinks he’s ‘trendy’. I’m not sure our teenage daughters will agree… Wendy, Newport Pancake perfection Here are some pancakes I made last year. They went down a treat. Strawberries and Nutella are winners in my house. Lauren, Stoke-on-Trent Best friends My granddaughter came to visit me, but all her attention was on my cat, Puddles. I can’t say I blame her – Puddles is my best friend, too! Graham, Southampton It’s Pisces season! Did you hear about the angry pancake? He just flipped Love is in the air Here is a snap of my partner and me…

American TV superstar Oprah Winfrey says that at school she had daydreams about how she could become who? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the four-word answer. ACROSS 11 Brolly (8) 12 Pack animal prevalent in the 65 Across (5) 13 Dried grape (6) 14 Slab of grass (4) 15 Form of energy (7) 16 UK address part to aid mail sorting (8) 17 Infectious childhood illness (7) 18 Kind of lottery with prizes (7) 19 Front of the lower leg (4) 21 Madrid’s country (5) 23 High singing voice (7) 24 Affluent, very rich (7) 28 Sign of future events (4) 29 Tree that seeds with acorns (3) 30 Capital of Portugal (6) 33 Tomato sauce (7) 35…

Foul feet My kids shoes can get quite stinky – they're always tearing about playing sports! To keep their trainers fresh, I add a sprinkle of bicarbonate soda to deodorise any smell. It works a treat and saves my nose. Millie, Cambridge Fuzz free I hate buying new clothes – especially as everything is so expensive now! To freshen up old jumpers, I gently run an old sponge over the fabric to banish any fuzz. Hope, Brighton Messy lunch My office keyboard is prone to catching a few crumbs when I eat my lunch. Because of this, I regularly disinfect it by scrubbing the keyboard with a toothbrush soaked in vinegar. I can eat lunch guilt-free now. Gavin, Cardiff Vodka revolution My shower is very prone to mildew, as I…

This month… BEDROOM ESSENTIALS Interior design experts at Unbeatable Blinds share their bedroom must-haves for children. Please visit: unbeatableblinds.co.uk 1 Coloured walls Being a child is all about having fun, learning new things and overall, just being carefree. White walls are often too boring and plain. While not all kids might like bright colours, it’s easy to say they might prefer a different option to a neutral tone. Have them choose their wall’s colour and maybe even include them in the process of painting them! 2 A bed they can grow into Changing the bed each time your child becomes too big for it isn’t ideal as will probably cost you a lot of money. Instead, get a bigger bed they can grow into. Look at your kids reclaim their…

We all know the saying an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but you don’t have to eat it as it is. With a bit of creativity, you can make a delicious meal, incorporating your favourite fruit! With the help of Jazz Apples, here are some tasty recipes that you may never have even thought of… Apple, Kale & Sausage Pasta Serves 3 INGREDIENTS: ◻ 1 white onion – finely chopped◻ 1 JAZZ™ Apple – cut into really small and thin pieces◻ 3 garlic cloves – crushed◻ 4 sausages (vegan or regular)◻ 100g cavolo nero or curly kale – finely chopped◻ 2 tsp chili flakes◻ A few sprigs of thyme◻ 2-3 tbsps olive oil for frying◻ Salt & pepper to taste◻ 3 portions of pasta (about 400g) – we…

International Executive Coach of the Year and confidence & human behaviour expert, Jo Emerson, answers your questions. Jo’s new email course can help you build confidence – visit jo-emerson.com. Grab her book, Flying for Beginners, on Amazon. Find Jo on Instagram: @jo_emerson_ Scared to be lonely I’m unhappy with my husband, but I’m also equally scared of being alone. Is it fair to stay with him for the sake of it? Or should I face my gut instinct head on? Natalie, Leeds YES Pick Me Up! reader Jessie from Dundee says: I can see that you have given two questions here, and I’m only going to say yes to the latter. You should face your gut instinct, and by doing so, I think you already know your decision. It’s not…

An online celebrity-lookalike site has found 60% of men admit that their partner is more what than they are? To find out, solve the following puzzle. Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, LEG PART = HIGH + T = THIGH. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the two word answer. MAJESTIC DIRECTORS DANCE SPAN STOUT MOVIE AWARD BEND DOWN PONDER CRANE SOLE ATHENIAN Your answer____________________________________ Answers on page 61 Slim one page 30 Answer: GOOD LOOKING…

Plan a movie dining experience for everyone! If you could eat any meal from a movie, what would it be? Lady and The Tramp’s famous spaghetti dish? The rich, chocolate cake devoured by Bruce Bogtrotter? Whatever your tastebuds fancy, visit some of these foodie hotspots over the UK – it will be like you’ve stepped into your favourite film… A WORLD OF IMAGINATION – TASTE FILM, LONDON Sitting down to watch a film, has your mouth ever watered at the food the characters are devouring? If only you could try the ‘hot, unsanitary chocolate’ at the Bridesmaid’s wedding at the same time as the film… That’s the service that Taste Film offers across various London locations – an immersive five course dining experience where you can watch a cult-classic whilst…

Solve the puzzle to find a word. Fit the words back in the grid and the letters in the highlighted squares spell out the answer. We’ve put in one word to help. Your answer: ______________________ 3 LETTERS BOA EBB RIP USE 4 LETTERS BEEF DUAL LAKE ROPY WASP 5 LETTERS AWARE EQUAL EYRIE FREAK KNAVE 6 LETTERS BELLOW GROTTO JUNIOR POETIC REVEAL 7 LETTERS ABOLISH MEDICAL NODULAR OUTBACK PRIMARY UNDYING 8 LETTERS AMARETTO BEFUDDLE BIRDCAGE BLOCKADE PASTRAMI RELIGION WORKSHOP Answer on page 61 Cross it page 51 Answer: TALLIED…

Aries March 21st - April 20th Although you begin this month with some trepidation about what’s ahead, the full moon in Leo on the 5th gives you the courage to stand up to those who have intimidated you. You’re not afraid to take chances, power through this month with clearer vision. Don’t be afraid to lay your heart on the line from the 18th, when Venus backs you asking for what and who you really want. Knowing what you truly want professionally helps you make an important crossover from the 23rd. Ring now to turn your dreams into a reality. Taurus April 21st - May 21st What you want out of love is changing. You’re not worried any longer about what other people think, but you’re ready to live life…