Innehållsförteckning för 11-Feb-2016 från Pick Me Up!

What A Funny Valentine! If you’re not looking forward to Valentine’s Day this year, check out our feature on p32… It’s about when romance goes really, really wrong! What A Laugh! These animal-mask coasters gave us a family giggle. So which is more me? The chimp or the pooch..? What A Moggy! My parents’ huge cat, Ossie, acts the big man out patrolling, but he's a softie, really. Here he is – not roaring, but yawning! 6 …that’s how many crazy Disney plot theories we’ve unearthed for a story on our website. You can check out the intriguing links when you visit  www.lifedeathprizes.com and search ‘theories’. What A Hoot! On my hols in the Czech Republic recently, we found a bar where your drinks get delivered on a…

10 AGONISING OPS TO REMOVE THE BURNT SKIN ‘There was the sickening smell of burnt flesh’ ‘This Valentine’s Day, we’ll let someone else cook’ It was the first Valentine’s Day I’d be spending with my new boyfriend, Simon Perl, and I wanted it to be special. ‘Let’s go for a picnic,’ Simon, now 22, suggested. Excited, I decided to make my signature dish - pork-and-cabbage spring rolls. ‘You can be the judge of how good they are,’ I grinned. It was February 2013, and we’d been together for five months, after meeting at university. Simon was fun, outgoing, and attractive. I couldn’t wait to share our special day. While Simon was at his job as a chef, I got down to cooking. As I heated some oil in a pan,…

1 Yummy filling  Mix whipped cream with chocolate spread to make a tasty cake filling. Alma Shell, Aln wick 2 Fun dessert Slice  the top off some mini-meringues, add a dollop of melted chocolate and top with a strawberry. Jodie Giblin, Penarth 3 Mull it over  Steep dried fruit with a mulled wine bag for a warm winter pudding. Jac Wilkins, Frome 4 Bubble up  When m aking party jelly for adults – replace the half-pint of cold water with some sparkling wine. Jessica Graham, Hexham…

Weak bladder Q My bladder’s so weak. I pee all the time, yet I barely pass anything. I also leak if I laugh or sneeze. What’ll help? Elizabeth, Cardiff A This sounds like mixed stress and urge incontinence. Retrain your bladder with regular pelvic floor exercises to keep the wee in, while increasing the time between wees - aim for three hours. Your GP can also help. Fungal patch Q I have a fungal patch of red skin on my shin that’s around 2cm long. It’s not budging no matter what I put on it. It’s not painful or itchy, but it’s unsightly. Is there something else I should try? Pat, East Kilbride A This might be Bowen’s disease, which is in fact a precancerous skin condition. It’s easy to…

He was a familiar face at the local council meetings. And, in March 2002, Richard Durn was amongst the other regulars who’d gathered at the Town Hall in the Paris suburb of Nanterre for the regular meeting. Just as the lengthy debate was wrapping up, at around 1am, the 33-year-old calmly rose from his seat in the audience, where he’d been sitting for the last six hours. He had a gun in each hand and strode around the chamber - some said methodically - shooting as he went. Some witnesses said he targeted specific councillors, while others believed he fired at random. Terrified onlookers dived under tables and chairs for cover. But Durn didn’t falter, slaughtering eight councillors - Louiza Benakli, 40, Christian Bouthier, 46, Jacotte Duplenne, 48, Monique Leroy-Sauter,…

1 Homepride Chicken & Mushroom Oven Bake, 500g, £1.50 Thick and super-creamy, this oven-bake sauce is really easy to use – and a simple way to turn plain chicken into something rather special! 2 Chicken Tonight Creamy Mushroom One Pan Sauce, 500g, £1.70 Fry your chicken, add the sauce, cover and simmer, or oven bake – this slightly sweet but creamy sauce has a good mushroom flavour and contains plenty of sliced mushrooms. 3 Sainsbury’s Creamy Mushroom Cooking Sauce, 460g, 85p The cheapest of the three – and the tastiest! It’s rich and creamy with a great mushroom flavour. Just heat and pour over cooked chicken… Easy and delicious! Make it yourself... Serves: 4 Prep Time: 5 min Cook Time: 10 min…

Flowers, chocolates and romantic, candlelit dinners. That’s what Valentine’s Day means for most. Yet the day itself was actually inspired by violence. According to legend, Valentine, a priest in Rome, performed marriages in secret after they were banned by cruel Roman Emperor Claudius II. He was eventually discovered, tortured and, on 14 February around 278 AD, beheaded. His last words were written in a note to his beloved. From your Valentine. He became known as the Patron Saint of Love, the day he died dedicated to romance. Yet St Valentine isn’t the only one to suffer a violent end on that date. In 1929, mob boss Al Capone orchestrated Chicago’s St Valentine’s Day massacre, killing seven men from a rival gang. And in 2013, Paralympian Oscar Pistorius shot his girlfriend,…

I Scooped £13,480! It all started on an ordinary Friday night at home… Kayleigh Bennett, 29, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham You know how it is when you’ve got kids. The most exciting thing that could happen to you of an evening is a bag of crisps in front of Coronation Street. Not that I minded. I liked it like that. Me, the kids and my husband, Richard, 34... All of us together under one roof. Safe and sound. It hadn’t always been that way, because Richard had been a soldier. Over the years, he’d been to places like Afghanistan. Then, at the end of last year, he’d left the Army. Which meant that he was back at home with me and our two kids, Bailey, 7, and Ellie, 4. Game…

TRIED & TESTED This week: Pale-pink lipstick 1 Barry M Lip Paint in Marshmallow, £4.49, Superdrug You just can’t go wrong with a Barry M lippy! This pale-pink shade is really pretty and didn’t dry out my lips. 2 Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick in Simply Nude, £7.99, Boots I was very pleasantly surprised at just how nourishing this felt on my lips. It lasted well, too, with a smooth finish. 3 George at Asda Matte Lipstick in Luscious, £4, Asda I loved the velvety, matte finish of this – and the packaging makes it look a lot more expensive than it is! Jess’ Beauty Hero Sanctuary Spa Cleanse Moisture Burst Facial Wash, £8, Boots, removes make-up and dirt to leave skin fresh and glowing! Pick Me Up! FOR LESS…

‘Closest friends and family were hiding in the crowd’ I‘ ve got a surprise for you,’ my fella, Ryan Swain, 25, said, on Valentine’s Day last year He’d got tickets to the opening night of Fifty Shades Of Grey at the nearby Palace Cinema. I hadn’t read the books, but a trip to the movies would be a treat. ‘Are you sure I can take it?’ I joked. I was six months pregnant with twins! It was nice to look forward to an evening, just the two of us. That night, we settled into our seats and I was looking forward to seeing the lovely Mr Grey on screen. But, instead, up popped Ryan’s face! Speechless, I watched as, on the big screen, Ryan read a poem, confessing his love…

‘Now I’m raising money for treatment in the US’ Jemima Puddle-Duck? Or Jemima Potts, the little girl in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang? Sadly not. Cranio-Gemima. That’s what I call it, except I spell it with a G as so is part of the name of my condition. The tumour inside my head. sounds like a tongue-twister: craniopharynigioma. In 2009, when I was 11, I’d get headaches almost constantly. Doctors could find nothing. Some days, the pain was so bad, I wasn’t even able to get out of bed to go to school. And the thirst! I couldn’t stop drinking. After a couple of years, my vision would get blurry occasionally. It went on and on. Mum, Katrina, 36, and dad, Christopher, 43, got frustrated. As did I. Within a couple…

‘Every other day, I went for a run, slowly building it up’ Boarding the plane to Cape Verde, I couldn’t wait to be on my hols. Sun, sea and sand...bliss! But as I tried to fasten my seatbelt, I realised it wouldn’t go over my tummy. ‘I think I need an extender,’ I told one of the cabin crew, my face flushing red. The shame… I’d struggled with my weight since I was a teenager. At 16, I went down to a size-12 by mainly eating crispbreads, but it wasn’t sustainable. I put all the weight back on again - and then some! Size 22 Working in a desk-bound job, I’d snack all day on biscuits and crisps, with no exercise. Back home, I’d eat slices of bread covered with…

AQUARIUS 21 Jan–19 Feb Pushy close ones are making it hard for you to know where you stand and seem to be commenting on matters which don’t concern them. Stand your ground. Talking, not shouting, can ensure you don’t lose respect from others. Call: 09058 170 720* PISCES 20 Feb–20 March Your need to express how you feel could see you saying things at the wrong moments. Careful, Pisces – if you involve third parties, then you’re going to have to expect to have their opinions served on you as well as those involved. Call: 09058 170 721* ARIES 21 March–20 April I know you feel the need to rush things, but I also know that by forcing things too quickly, you’ll make those around you nervous. The written word…

Sandy ceremony Since we missed our university graduations, my Uncle Mike and I held our own, on a family holiday to Barcelona. Check out our beachwear! Stevie Robertson, Hastings Putting on the glitz Loving my Valentine’s Day earrings made of sparkly scourers… Of course, I’ll be handing them over to my hubby when he does the washing-up! Sue Angus, Wolverhampton Dog nap What devotion – Mira turns herself into a comfy bed for Twinkle to sit on. Jan Savage, Ipswich Marriage guidance A perfect sign for all those Valentines! Tracey Griffin, Bristol Mice mates Minnie Mouse has a new Valentine. I’ve dumped Micky for Danger – aka my hubby, Robert! Louise Furtado, Tadworth Happy couple My husband, Aaron, proposed to me at a waterfall in Iceland – so we got…

BYE BYE DDCUPS, HELLO CHICKEN FILLETS! ‘I hated the idea of waking up with a flat chest’ ‘I’m in remission, but I’ll be on medication for five years’ Dressing up for a rare night out, I picked a pair of jeans and a low-cut top to accentuate my curves. I’d been blessed with a size-8 figure and DD-cup boobs. I liked to show off my best bits! Besides, my boobs were special to me... I’d breastfed my three kids, Aaliyah, then 8, Kian, 5, and Renee, 3. My bust might be less full than it used to be, but it made me feel womanly. A few months later, I split with my long-term partner and moved five miles away from Stapenhill to Branston. ‘I want a fresh start,’ I said…

Asthma 1 Asthma is a rare condition. 2 Wheezing is a common symptom. 3 There are no complications. 4 There are treatments for the condition. 1 FALSE Asthma is a common condition. In the UK, around 5.4 million people are receiving treatment for it – one in every 12 adults and one in every 11 children. 2 TRUE The condition is caused by inflammation of the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs – the bronchi. Wheezing, coughing and chest tightness are common symptoms. 3 FALSE Some people with the condition will have an exacerbation of symptoms, called an asthma attack. This can be fatal, so call 999 if you or someone you know is experiencing this. 4 TRUE Most people with asthma will be able…

The worst thing about winter has to be coughs and colds. And in November last year, I was really suffering. ‘I feel awful,’ I moaned to my hubby, Jason, 38. One night, I was coughing and spluttering so hard, I was left with horrible rib pain. And not only that, I suddenly felt really wet ‘down there’... Worried, I ran to the bathroom. Looking down, I noticed there was blood in my knickers and a couple of clots. I’d not had my period since September, and they were often irregular, so I wasn’t concerned. But they were nothing like this. I was terrified the violent coughing had caused me to rupture something in my insides! Miscarriage? The next morning, I went to see my doctor for an emergency appointment. After…

Long-distance love has its downsides, but there are positives, too. Like every time I book train tickets to visit my bloke, Adam, in Manchester, I’m quids in! All down to Quidco. And the money I bank helps pay for our date nights - perfect! Since signing up in 2007, I’ve earned over £1,200 in cashback - which works out at about £175 a year, just for a couple of extra clicks every time I shop online. No wonder I’ve been banging on about it to mates for years. They describe it as money for nothing, but as an accountant, to me it’s money for everything! Quidco works with over 4,300 retailers, so no matter what you’re buying, there’ll always be a deal with your name on it. I use Quidco…

Our whippets - Basil, Seb, Luna and Flippit - are definitely family. I love the breed, have kept them for over 20 years. But it’s often difficult to get away, as whippets are sensitive pooches. They suffer separation anxiety, don’t do well in kennels. ‘Other whippet owners must have the same problem,’ I said to my partner, Ben Arter, 45. I’d run a dog home-grooming business for three months, and I had an idea. We have access to 300-acres of land, and have lots of extra room in our bedroom where our four critters sleep... So, in January 2013, I offered whippet home boarding. It was so popular, by March I quit grooming to dedicate my time to boarders. And the Whippet Hotel officially launched in September 2013. We offer…

I NEED TO MOVE ON AND LOOK TO THE FUTURE... ‘He gave me a proper kiss, right on the lips’ ‘I ran away and ended up living in a hostel, pregnant’ In a way, it was the perfect storm. Mum and Dad had just split up, I’d moved with Mum to a new area. Just 11, I was rebellious and angry about everything that’d happened. And desperate to make friends. That’s when I met Alan Wills. A married dad-of-three in his 40s, he welcomed local kids to his house while his wife worked. ‘Think of me as a friend,’ he’d say. ‘You can trust me.’ Soon, he was offering me cigarettes. I liked that he didn’t treat me like a kid. A bunch of us started hanging out at Alan’s.…

I started having problems when I was just 14. My balance went. So I’d wobble all over the place. And I struggled to do things like write. My GP sent me for tests, including MRIs, lumbar punctures and blood tests, but nothing showed up. They were testing me for things like MS and Parkinson’s, which was terrifying. And I was still a teen. What’ll happen to me? I thought to myself, frightened for my future. When I was 16, a scan showed that my cerebellum - the area within the brain that controls balance and co-ordination - had shrunk very slightly. My consultant couldn’t say why, it was just put down to hormonal changes. Though I tried to have a normal life, I struggled with my unknown disability. Often stumbling,…

Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP). I couldn’t get my head around saying it. Let alone accepting I had it. It’s a rare condition that inflames the blood vessels, caused by a malfunctioning immune system. It causes a pinprick red rash and stomach troubles. Though it’s nasty, in most people, the condition isn’t serious and usually goes by itself within a few weeks. I got it when I was 10. But I didn’t get over it. One major complication of the disease is kidney trouble. I had blood and protein in my urine and high blood pressure, which led to renal failure. I was in and out of hospital throughout my childhood with chronic kidney disease. Shortly after my 21st birthday, I started dialysis at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. But, despite the treatment,…

Victoria Sponge Cupcakes Serves: 12 Prep Time: 30 min Cook Time: 20 min To decorate: 1 Preheat oven to 180C/ Gas 4 and put 12 paper muffin cases into a tin. 2 Whisk margarine and caster sugar until light in texture and colour. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract. Sift flour and baking powder on top of mixture and fold in. 3 Divide mixture between paper cases, level tops, and bake for 20 min until risen and just firm. Cool completely on a wire rack. 4 To make buttercream, beat butter, icing sugar and vanilla extract together until thick. 5 Cut a circle out of top of each cake, 1cm away from edge, scooping out a pocket of sponge. Use…

If you’re thinking about treating a loved one – then don’t forget to earn Quidco cashback! From cards and flowers to jewellery and days out, Quidco can help you save on the most romantic day of the year and beyond… Got a gift in mind, maybe chocolates? Simply visit Quidco.com/pickmeup  and search by category or retailer. Thorntons, Hotel Chocolat, Cadbury’s, M&S... Quidco works with them all! When you’ve found a deal, visit the retailer via Quidco’s link and make your purchase as normal. Quidco does the rest. First your order is tracked and when it’s confirmed, your cashback will be paid into your account. So simple! With over 4,300 retailers, you’re sure to find a deal for you. Plus you can earn on top of sale discounts. Visit…

‘Eight years ago, Google saved my life. After searching my symptoms online, I went to A&E and was rushed straight to Intensive Care, as my heart was failing due to a condition called peripartum cardiomyopathy. I would’ve died within days without treatment.’ Jodi Day, Hartlepool ‘I think some people who self-diagnose then treat it with medication purchased online could cause further health complications. A good, old-fashioned appointment in person is the best option.’ Gemma Davies, Gloucester ‘I use Google occasionally for health questions, but I’m very careful about which sites I use, mainly NHS, other medical institutions or health charities. After my other half developed cancer, I purposely stayed away from Googling as I wanted the information to come from the health professionals.’ Tracy Enright, Rochester ‘If your symptoms seem…

‘One 5ft 10in guy had to crane his neck to look at me’ I don’t exactly blend in with the crowd. With my 51in pins, I tower above it! At 6ft 5in, I’m taller than most men my age, too. I come from a family of long-legged people. My dad, Matthew, 57, is a staggering 6ft 7in, and my mum, Chris, 54, is a tall 5ft 11in. So it came as no surprise to them when me and older brothers, Shane, 25, and Devin, 24, all exceeded 6ft. While I felt normal at home, school was another matter. Aged 8, I was already taller than a female teacher. ‘Giraffe!’ kids in my class mocked cruelly. Soon, I became insecure about my height, and was shy and reserved. But there was…

‘Paul and Maria came to cheer me on in Poland’ Wielding my sword, I brought it down with a skull-shaking crash on my opponent’s helmet. My unusual hobby started at 14, after I watched a medieval tournament in my home town, Hartlepool. I joined the Sword and Shield Society and began training and performing reenactments. When I met my fella, Paul, 48, in April 2008 at the Whitby Goth Festival, he was impressed I had my own gear – and began training, too. He even bought armour! After having our daughter, Maria, in April 2014, I couldn’t wait to get back onto the field of battle. Women’s tournaments were only launched in 2013, so I’d not competed before. Then, last May, Griff Gigler, Head of the Welsh team at Battle…

With Love Just in time for Valentine’s Day these gorgeous Helga 9ct Gold Earrings Made with Swarovski Crystals are now just £11 (normally £25) at Warren James. You might want to leave this page open where your partner will see it… Tooth Fairy Parents of teething tots will be pleased to know that Nelsons Teetha Teething Granules are now just £4 (normally £4.64) at Morrisons until 14 February. Looking For Love? Save 40 per cent on a six-month membership at SeniorSinglesNear. Me, with the code PICKMEUP40 until 11 February. You have to be over 47 to join, and this offer makes it just £72 instead of £120. Switch And Save Compare energy tariffs and get a quick quote at www.first-utility.com/energy/compare-tariffs before 9 February to get a free Cosy smart thermostat…

Crobar with Cacao & Cricket Flour, £27 for box of 12, gathrfoods.com These may be free from dairy and gluten, but there’s an unexpected ingredient lurking inside! Our Jess wasn’t convinced about eating cricket flour at first Ð but reckoned the bar tasted nice and chocolatey, with no hint of creepy-crawly! Mighty Purse Cross Body Bag in Red, £59.99, www.cuckooland.com Charge your phone on the go, thanks to the built-in, rechargeable battery incorporated in this stylish bag. And there’s still enough space for your money, keys and lippy, as well! Cuddledry Apron, £29.99, Boots Trying to lift your baby from the bath into a towel can be quite a tricky manoeuvre. So luckily, this clever invention’s here to help. The super-soft apron leaves both your hands…