Innehållsförteckning för 15-Dec-2016 från Pick Me Up!

What An Achievement! This will be mine and my boyfriend Darren’s first Christmas in our new house. Since we bought it in the summer, it’s been all hands on deck doing it up. I think we deserve a tipple or two this December to celebrate! 22 That’s how many years ago Mariah Carey released All I Want For Christmas Is You . It’s my favourite Christmas track of all time. To test your knowledge of festive tunes, go to www. lifedeath   prizes.com/ www.lifedeathprizes.com/next-line-christmas-quiz www.lifedeathprizes.com/next-line-christmas-quiz next-linechristmasquiz. What A Tradition! My family loves dressing up at Christmas. Two years ago, we had a ‘tackiest Christmas jumper’ contest. And, last year, it was ‘most festive hat’. My nan Jean (at the back with the light-up Christmas-tree…

‘He’d use emotional blackmail so I’d feel like the baddie’ ‘Suddenly, his eyes were burning with pure hatred’ I’d never had a boyfriend before I started seeing Cain Donald. At just 14, we’d hang out at the park or at the cinema with friends. Cain was cute, funny and popular. ‘Your accent’s great,’ he told me. At 8, I’d moved from the USA to Oxford. My mum Julie, 61, is American, but had married my stepdad Colin, 66, after meeting him online, and I’ve always called him Dad. Cain and I were young, and never discussed the future seriously. But, three years on, Cain fell in with a bad crowd. Possessive and jealous, he’d regularly grab my phone to read my texts. If I protested, he’d say I must have…

‘Police noticed Michele and Joseph were acting strangely’ It was 4pm on Christmas Eve 2007, and, in the rural town of Carnation, Seattle, Wayne and Judy Anderson were getting the house ready for a festive get-together with friends. They were expecting their guests to knock on the door, but instead their daughter Michele Anderson, 37, and her boyfriend Joseph McEnroe, 36, barged in. And they hadn’t come to join in with the holiday cheer. They’d come to kill. While Joseph distracted Judy, 61, who was in a back room wrapping Christmas presents, Michele gunned down her father in the living room. Moments later, Judy was also shot dead in the kitchen of the family home. Cold blood The killers dragged the lifeless bodies to a shed at the back of…

1 Botulism is caused by a virus. 2 It can cause paralysis. 3 It’s untreatable. 4 It can be fatal. 1 FALSE This rare condition is caused when powerful toxins produced by bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum begin to attack the nervous system. 2 TRUE If left untreated, paralysis can spread from head to legs. Other symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, blurred vision, facial-muscle weakness, slurred speech, and breathing difficulties. 3 FALSE Treatment usually depends on the type of botulism. It often involves neutralising the toxins with antitoxin or antibody injections, as well as supporting bodily functions like breathing until recovery. 4 TRUE Most people fully recover if treated, but if paralysis spreads to muscles that control breathing, it can be fatal. If paralysis has set in, treatment can’t reverse it,…

1 Warm welcome  If you’re having lots of people over and have room to warm the plates, load them int o the dishwasher, start it off and time it so it finishes when you’re ready to serve! Joan Reilly, Huddersfield 2 Share the load  When hosting lots of relatives, each person should provide some thing, be it the turkey, pudding or booze. It’s much cheaper! Amber Jac obs, Helsby 3 Cracking idea  Save the novelty gifts from Chris tmas crackers and use them as spare counters for your after-dinner board games. Melanie L odge, Mirfield 4 Extra meals Don’t get rid of your leftovers – turkey is great for curry, soup or sarnies and you could make a bubble and squeak with the veg! Annette Olsen, Saddleworth…

Only Kids Allowed Christmas is all about the kids, so why not suggest your wider family only buy presents for the children? You could organise a Secret Santa for the grown-ups. Regift There’s a DVD on your shelf, still in the cellophane, that you were given for your birthday but you’re never going to watch... Your pal, however, would love it... There’s nothing wrong with regifting if it’s done thoughtfully. One man’s trash… Haggle! It doesn’t feel very British, but haggling does work! It’s worth asking sales assistants for a discount on items such as electronics – the worst they can say is no. And if you’re shopping online, look for the Live Chat option and do the same. Personal Touch It might sound stingy, but people really do love…

1 Lidl Favorina 12 Mince Pies Deep, very sweet pies, and you get a dozen in the box. Despite not being packed with filling, they still taste rather good. Great value! 2 Sainsbury’s 6 Deep Filled Mince Pies These pies are stuffed with fruit! Quite spicy, too, and delicious straight from the pack, although even better served warm with a dollop of clotted cream. 3 Iceland 6 Luxury Mince Pies With a nice, thick dusting of icing sugar, these pies look pretty spectacular. And, thanks to plenty of juicy filling, melt-in-the-mouth pastry, and the addition of a good slug of wine and brandy in the mix, they taste it, too! These topped the bill in the Pick Me Up! office. Make it yourself... Serves: 24 Prep Time: 20 min Cook…

Wish List… Get your kids to write to Father Christmas, via Royal Mail, using the address: Santa, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ. Santa will reply to all letters posted by 9 December. It’s A (North Pole) Wrap Father Christmas’ presents are all wrapped by his elves in the North Pole, so it’d be a bit of a coincidence if Mum and Dad picked the same stuff, wouldn’t it? The pressies in Santa’s sack should always have different paper. Mini Sceptics… When your kids start asking questions like, ‘How does Santa visit the whole world in one night?’, don’t forget to tell them about his warp-speed sleigh, the wormholes, hi-tech robots and genius elves. Read The Truth About Santa by Gregory Mone if you don’t believe us……

‘I took a photo of the screen so I could show friends’ My friends loved going to the bingo hall together. ‘It’s a laugh - you should come,’ a mate said to me one evening. I wasn’t much of a bingo player, but I gave it a go. And they were right, it was fun! But, being a single mum to three kids, I rarely found the time to go. Then one of my mates suggested online bingo. ‘You can play at home whenever you like,’ she said. After scouring a few sites online, I soon came across Pick Me Up! Bingo. There were so many games to choose from. I tried a few out, to see what I liked. Sapphire, a 90-ball bingo game, soon became my favourite. I…

Nailmatic Kids Nail Varnish, £6.95, www. cuckoo  land.com Kids like to play with make-up, but not all mums let them use nail polish. This one is toxin-free and can be easily removed with warm, soapy water. Verdict: GENIUS! Kids’ll be made up! Chef’n Twist ‘n Sprout, £7.99, Lakeland We can’t promise it’ll make you want to eat them, but this gadget saves time. Simply twist Brussels sprouts in it to take out the core. Verdict: GENIUS! A Christmas miracle… Snow Magic Instant Snow Powder, £3.95, www.prezzybox.com Get ready to make your dreams of a white Christmas come true! Just add water and the powder transforms into snow 100 times its original volume. It dries out so you can use it again! Verdict: GENIUS! This…

Christmas Booth iOS  urn everyone (even the T dog) into Rudolph! This app gives your pics a festive feel with seasonal stickers. Android users, check out Christmas Photo Montage. A Call From Santa! iOS and Android This one lets your phone get a call from the man in red, with a personalised message for your littl’uns. Christmas RADIO iOS and Android  ives you G access to the best festive tunes from over 50 Christmas radio stations worldwide. NORAD Tracks Santa iOS and Android  ntertain the E kids with this app, which tracks Santa and his reindeer as they deliver pressies all over the world. Elf Yourself iOS and Android Upload a snap of yourself and your family and watch as you all turn into dancing elves in a personalised video.…

“Rob could have been killed because he knew too much’’ AUSTRALIA: BRUTAL DOUBLE KILLING They could be described as an odd couple. Mum-of-two Stacey McMaugh, 41, was a tireless community worker. Her partner Rob Pashkuss, 51, earned a far less wholesome living as a low-level cannabis dealer. Yet Rob was equally well-liked in their community. ‘Rob was the best bloke, he’d do anything for you,’ a neighbour said. Yet in early January 2008, soon after the couple from Caves Beach, New South Wales, celebrated Christmas, Stacey and Rob were found bludgeoned to death in their home. The terrible discovery was made by Stacey's teenage son. Rob was beaten so viciously that he could only be identified by his fingerprints. The same weapon – believed to be a metal bar –…

On New Year’s Day last year, my hubby Simon, 35, got up early to pack away the Christmas decorations. Then he set out for the gym. ‘Making up for the mince pies!’ he chuckled, patting his belly. He’d recently lost 4st, and I was so proud of him. After, Simon did the food shop while I stayed home with our kids Celyn, 9, and Osian, 6. But then, back home later… ‘Where’s your wedding ring?’ I asked, seeing his bare finger. ‘Must’ve dropped it in the car,’ he said, frowning. But, after searching every nook and cranny, there was no sign of it. A forgetful soul, Simon often misplacedthings.But his wedding ring was special, and I was upset. We’d married in July 2005, exchanging gold rings. But, since losing weight,…

Relationships are always a focus of concern in our lives. Are you seeking a romantic partner? Are you experiencing difficulties in your current relationship? Are you both compatible? Our team of specially selected love psychics can help you find the answers you’re looking for on all matters of the heart. Using the ancient art of the tarot, your psychic reader will provide revealing answers. LIVEPSYCHICS & MEDIUMS! Call our live Psychics and Mediums now! Pay by your phone bill… Love Psychics 0906 174 1693 (£1.50/min)** Live Mediums 0906 174 1777 (£1.50/min)** Call Freephone 0800 063 0687 Book your reading with our friendly advisors Enjoy your consultation Or simply text LOVET (Space) plus your question to 82229 (Texts £1.50 per msg x 2)***…

‘I did a test, was stunned when the line turned blue’ ‘The clock struck midnight – it was Christmas Eve!’ I couldn’t help but smile as a face from the past headed towards me - Jordan Jasper. We’d met, aged 17, at Broomfield College in Derby, but lost touch after graduating. Now, at a friend’s party in January 2013, it was brilliant to see him. ‘How have you been?’ Jordan asked me. ‘I’m good,’ I smiled. We ended up spending the rest of the evening chatting away, and I realised how much I’d always liked Jordan. Kind, funny, handsome - a real catch. So, when he asked if I fancied meeting up again, I was delighted. Chemo After that, we were inseparable. We’d go to the cinema, listen to music,…

Waking up at midnight while pregnant with my son Jake, I felt a pain in my tummy. I knew it was a contraction. But how? I thought. I was only 23 weeks pregnant. My partner David, 32, rushed me to William Harvey Hospital. There, a doctor said I was in labour, and a scan showed I was 4cm dilated - so it was all systems go! Doctors explained poor Jake had just a 15 per cent chance of survival. ‘If he isn’t breathing, we can resuscitate him,’ the doctor said. ‘But there’s a risk of brain damage.’ ‘Jake deserves a chance,’ we told the doctor. Unbelievably, our little lad was born breathing. Being so premature, Jake weighed a tiny 1lb 6oz. His lungs and blood vessels weren’t properly developed yet,…

“I have to be careful, as the fits can strike at any time” Walking across the Darwen moors in January 2006, I suddenly felt dizzy. ‘I don’t feel right...’ I said to my dad John, 53. I was only 10, but then I dropped to the ground, and woke up in hospital with no memory of what happened. ‘You collapsed in the field,’ Dad explained, worried. Doctors ran MRIs and ECG scans. ‘You have epilepsy,’ the doctor revealed. ‘And you just had a tonic-clonic seizure.’ The stiffening of muscles and collapsing is the tonic part of the seizure, while the clonic part causes the limbs to jerk. It also explained why I’d been having so-called absences four months earlier, where I’d zone out into daydreams. I was prescribed epilepsy medication,…

Snowman Cupcakes Serves: 10 Prep Time: 20 min Cook Time: 20 min 49p per serving 1 Preheat oven to 180C/Gas 4 and line a muffin tin with eight paper cases. 2 Beat butter, sugar, lemon zest and eggs together. Add flour and baking powder, and beat until smooth. Divide mix between paper cases and bake for about 20 min or until golden and springy to touch. 3 Remove from oven and cool in tin for a few min, then transfer cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely. 4 Meanwhile, make arms: cut off short lengths from Matchmakers and attach to longer pieces with a little melted chocolate, as shown. Leave to harden. 5 Take small amounts of…

Mini-Hot Dog Christmas Wreath Serves: 15 Prep Time: 20 min Cook Time: 20 min 23p per serving 1 Preheat oven to 200C/ Gas 6, then line a baking tray with baking paper and set aside. 2 Roll out pastry so it’s a little thinner than it comes, then cut out 7 x 7cm squares (you should get 15). 3 Spread a little mustard over each square, then wrap pastry around each hot dog, sealing the edges with water. 4 Space apart on a baking tray. Then mix egg and milk together and brush over each pastry roll. Bake 15-20 min until pastry is golden. 5 Once cooked, arrange hot-dog wraps on a plate into a wreath shape. Serve hot or cold, decorated with…

Ronnie Corbett 4 December 1930 – 31 March 2016 The country was devastated to hear that the comedian and entertainer had died at the age of 85. He’ll be remembered for his work with Ronnie Barker in The Two Ronnies. Fans posted picture of forks and candles on social media in tribute to their famous Fork Handles/ Four Candles sketch. Denise Robertson 9 June 1932 – 31 March 2016 This Morning’s beloved agony aunt Denise sadly lost her short battle with cancer, aged 83. She worked on the show since it was launched in 1988, and dealt with an estimated 200,000 letters from viewers seeking advice. Caroline Aherne 24 December 1963 – 2 July 2016 Caroline Aherne died after suffering from cancer. She was just 52. Fans loved the writer…

‘The cancer had spread into her bone marrow’ ‘I thought that my heart was going to break in two…’ Reading a bedtime story to my daughter Issabelle, 4, she snuggled up to her favourite teddy bear, called Bearemy. And as her eyes started to close and she buried her head into his fur, I tucked them in. Issabelle had got Bearemy when she was a day old. He came everywhere - on holiday, shopping... She loved him, especially recently. Issabelle had been under the weather. The GP put it down to a virus, but weeks passed and there was no improvement. She didn’t want to play with her brother Benjamin, then 7. ‘My tummy hurts, Mummy,’ she said. One night, she was in so much pain, me and my…

An Eggnog Too Far One Father Christmas had already had one too many sherries when he went to a farmer’s market in Ustrzyki Dolne, Poland. The boozy Santa, 51, and a female elf, 31, arrived on his sleigh, pulled by two horses. After spluttering through a few incoherent carols, they trotted off down the high street. Only, Santa was driving so erratically, car horns spooked the horses… The sleigh smashed into a wall, catapulting Santa out, and sending his pie-eyed elf sprawling into the street in front of horrified adults and children. Both Santa and his little friend were rushed to hospital with concussion. St Nick’s Cheeky Chopper Stunt… Last November, Brazilian police launched a Santa hunt after a helicopter was hijacked and the pilot taken hostage. The chopper was…

‘If they don’t want to wear an outfit, they make it clear!’ ‘You can’t put a price on how cute they look all kitted out’ With Christmas songs on full blast, I sang along in the kitchen. It was only the start of December but I was busy cooking up a festive feast for my seven Maltese pups. ‘Organic turkey with veggies and gravy, doesn’t that sound delicious?’ I asked, as they sat watching me with hungry eyes. I want the best for my babies, so I only ever feed them homemade grub but, as it was Christmas, I wanted them to have something extra special. Once it was all cooked and divided up, I packed the portions into the freezer so they’d last the month. Adorable clothes Then I…

QUALITY STREET You know it’s Christmas when the tin of Quality Street finally gets opened. But did you know..? Quality Street was created by the Mackintosh family. In 1936, Harold Mackintosh’s assortment was aimed at working-class families. The original branding featured old-fashioned characters known as Miss Sweetly and Major Quality. 6,000 Quality Street are produced each minute. During WWII, the production was reduced and the packaging cut to just two shades as paint was rationed. 136,701 miles of foil are used per year to wrap the sweets – the equivalent distance of five times around the equator. In 2010, 15 million tins of Quality Street were sold. That means the sweets would actually be enough to stretch to the moon and back when placed end to end. MINCE PIES Who…

Diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2014, I’d a lumpectomy on my right breast, followed by chemotherapy that October. A single mum to my daughter Charlotte, 9, I focused on recovery. My sense of humour kept us going, and, when all my hair fell out, Charlotte helped me draw on silly eyebrow shapes. ‘Chemo-brows!’ I giggled. Given steroids to combat appetite loss, I felt constantly hungry but, because of the chemo, the only foods I could taste were spicy curries or pizzas. Permanently exhausted, I snacked on chocolate to boost my energy. But, in two months, I’d piled on 3st and was up from a size-14 to a size-22. But I tried to ignore it, kept smiling. Before Christmas, Charlotte and I dressed my bald head in daft decorations. Then,…

Festive fur balls  ven pets can’t escape. E Look how much Rex loves his elf outfit! Christmas wrapping Wrapping presents involves a festive film, mulled wine, shiny paper and miles of ribbons. Oh, and you wrap the lot, even a Terry’s Chocolate Orange, which fools nobody! Oh, yes it is! Nothing screams Christmas like a panto! You keep checking when tickets are on sale, so you get front-row seats. He’s behind you! Mistletoe and wine… It all smells so lovely! Cinnamon, chestnuts roasting on an open fire and mulled wine, which makes a bad day a lot better. Magical memories Even as an adult, you still get really excited about childhood traditions. A carrot for Rudolph, mince pie and a whisky for Santa, all of which you have to consume.…

‘I made a wish she’d be strong enough to come home soon’ As me and my boyfriend Chris, 30, got comfy on the sofa, I pulled out a bag of penny sweets - as exciting as Saturday nights got! Weeks before, in July 2015, we’d got engaged. We were saving every penny for our big day. I was two months pregnant with our first baby, too. We hoped to tie the knot before the baby arrived in February. It meant cutting back on nights out, saving for our wedding. By November, we had £2,500 but tightened our belts even more. Then, one night, I woke with excruciating back pain. We went straight to Poole Hospital, where doctors checked me over, and said I was fine - but then I started…

While some police forces see a spike in domestic-violence reports at Christmas due to high-profile awareness campaigns, charity Refuge sees fewer women seeking help over the festive period. Don’t suffer in silence. You’re not alone. Help is out there, every day of the year. Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of Refuge, says, ‘Christmas is meant to be a time of joy, a time of generosity, a time of caring. But, for too many women and children, 25 December will be yet another day of living with fear, intimidation and violence. ‘At Refuge, we actually receive fewer visits to our website and fewer calls to the National Domestic Violence Helpline around Christmas than we do at other times of the year. There is no excuse She explains, ‘It can be hard…

Contraceptive concerns Q Since I started using a contraceptive injection, intercourse is painful. My GP says it’s unrelated, but I’m not convinced. Olivia, Bristol A Although rare, some women noticed a link between a progesterone injection and painful sex. Stopping it (using alternative contraception) may help. Heartburn treatment Q I get heartburn, which I’ve heard might be a risk for oesophageal cancer, but my GP says that I shouldn’t be on long-term treatment for reflux. Should I be worried? Jean, Rainham A Medical suppression of reflux can increase the risk of developing cancer, so symptomatic treatment isn’t recommended. Diet, weight loss, stopping smoking and surveillance are far more effective. Lactose intolerance Q My baby has lactose intolerance, and when he was being bottle-fed he had to have lactose-free milk. He’s…

1 Buy The Right Size  Sounds obvious but your feet won’t get any smaller and you won’t get into a too-tight dress. Walk away! 2 What Can You Wear It With? Always picture the item working with other things you already own. If it’s going to be lonesome in your wardrobe, leave it. 3 Remember To Dress For It Wear slip-on shoes and clothes that you can whip off easily in the changing room. A cross-body bag will leave your hands free for rummaging. 4 Still Can’t Decide? Always remember the three Cs – cloth, cut and colour. Is the fabric nice, how does it fit, does the colour suit you? Never buy an item unless it ticks at least two. All three? Buy it, wear it, love it!…

Jacobs Festive SnackBites, Pigs in Blankets, 190g Perfect to offer with drinks, this tub of smoky bacon nibbles is just made for sharing! McVities Digestives 6 Coconut Teacakes Biscuit and marshmallow, covered in chocolate and sprinkled with coconut frosting to look like snow. Yummy! Asado Club Malbec, 4 x 25cl bottles, Morrisons Wine in beer bottles? Yes! So now you can pour two small glasses (or one large one!) without being tempted to polish off a whole bottle! Ella’s Kitchen Jingle Belly Christmas Dinner, Asda, Boots, Tesco Buy your baby Christmas dinner, and 30p from every sale will go to Save the Children’s Families and Schools Together fund. Tyrrells Three Bird Roast Hand-Cooked Crisps, Waitrose Just for the festive season, these are flavoured with the Christmas trio of roast chicken,…

‘I saw Seth on the ground, blood on his head’ ‘We held a party to celebrate his short, wonderful life...’ Seth was the youngest of my three boys, and such a happy little chap. He’d try anything once and had very varied taste in music. Reggae, Folk...we’d often do daft dancing round the kitchen! Seth, 7, was the kind of kid everyone got on with. He loved playing bows and arrows, building dens with his brothers Oliver, then 14, and Jake, 10. And he loved Christmas. Spider-Man Excited as ever, early in December 2014, Seth read me his Christmas list. He still believed in the magic of it. ‘I want a Spider-Man bag and some computer games,’ he said. ‘You’ll have to write to Father Christmas, then,’ I suggested. On…

‘I knew I was big, but I hadn’t realised how big’ Pulling my red, mistletoe-motif T-shirt out of the wardrobe, I slipped it on. It was my favourite festive top. A size-22, it was a bit tighter than I remembered, but I still felt gorgeous. It was Christmas Day last year, and me and my kids Yasmin, 7, and Damilola, 5, were off to my mum’s for lunch. ‘You look nice, love,’ my mum Tracey, 50, smiled. Loading my plate with food, I didn’t hold back. Pigs in blankets, Yorkshire puds, roast potatoes... ‘Yum!’ I said, taking seconds. After, I plonked myself on the sofa and gobbled 25 chocolates. I deserve a treat at Christmas , I told myself. But, looking through Mum’s snaps later, I froze. ‘That can’t be…

‘Christmas has lost that feeling of family. Now it’s all about expensive presents. We’ll spend around £100 on my daughter, 1, and £150 on my stepson, 8, and there’s nothing better than homemade gifts.’ Kaleigh Lloyd, Edgeley ‘Spend £800 on Christmas? Are you kidding?! The way people spoil their kids is daft. I see photos of kids’ ‘stockings’ – they’re more like potato sacks! ’ Sophia Payne, Church Crookham I save up £300, but don’t usually spend it all. Now, many parents upload photos of piles of presents on social media. I worry my daughter will feel she hasn’t been as good when other kids get so much more.’ Charlotte Parry, Broadway ‘I try to stick to £100 for my two but, as a single parent, it’s still more than…

‘Now I’m so well – even started back at work...’ I felt absolutely fine - so what the doctor said was a shock. ‘Your kidneys are failing,’ he explained. ‘We’re putting you on dialysis immediately.’ It was March 2015. I was 23, and I’d been having yearly checkups on my kidneys for the last decade. Ever since my transplant. The first any of us knew I had a problem was when I was 13. Back then, I’d been really into dance. I’d just done an exam in the samba when I collapsed. I was raced to hospital. Following tests, doctors worked out what was wrong. ‘Neither of your kidneys have grown since you were born,’ they revealed. ‘They’re too small to function properly now.’ Anonymous donor Up until then, my…

How well do you know festive flick Elf? 1. What year was Elf released? 2. What is Number One in the Code of Elves? 3. There are only three jobs available to an elf: baking cookies, building toys and…what? 4. What did Buddy travel through to reach his dad in New York? 5. What are the four main food groups for elves? BAH, HUMBUG! Despite the mistletoe and baubles, this time of year can really grate. Here’s what we hate about Chrimbo… • People who insist on telling you how many weeks there are to go...when it’s only June. • Seeing Christmas cards in the shops in September. • The non-stop festive tunes played everywhere on repeat. • The massive crowds and the endless queues for the tills. As for…

“I got home to find the door had been kicked in!’’ “I tried to act as if it was OK, so the kids wouldn’t worry’’ Though I met my man Mark Booth online, what I liked most about him was how old-fashioned he was. He’d open doors, give you his seat on the bus. On our first date, he brought me flowers. We’d got chatting on Facebook messenger in September 2015, started dating straightaway. He was great with my girls Gracie-May, 6, and Evie-Lilly, 3. It can be hard sometimes, being on your own. Luckily, my parents live 15 minutes away and help out when they can. But, within weeks of meeting, Mark spent more and more time at mine. A second pair of hands made all the difference.…

One look at those puppy dog eyes, and I was smitten. Browsing Facebook, in August last year, I’d seen an appeal by The Mayhew Animal Home. Totally deaf Staffie Gordon, then 9 months, had been rescued in November 2014, but still hadn’t been adopted. Moved, I showed my fella Richard Neenan, 32. ‘He’s even learned sign language!’ I said, impressed. My own Staffie Buzz had passed away, age 16, that July, and I pined for a new best friend. So I contacted Mayhew, who arranged a visit. As Gordon doesn’t respond to noises, you have to stroke him gently to wake him. Laying eyes on me, he bounded over and nuzzled my arm affectionately. Richard was in love, too. ‘He’s ours already!’ I gushed. So, that September, we adopted him.…

ARIES 21 March–20 April Your work situation is highlighted and, if you were thinking of going into something new, this would be the perfect time to dip your toes in. A family announcement answers much about certain people’s odd behaviour. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Answers you seek are better left to time to solve. You’ve been racing through life, and haven’t had time to catch your breath. Events midweek promise to stir your heart and imagination, and could change what you desire out of life. Call: 09058 170 711* GEMINI 22 May–21 June You’re entering a very sociable phase, and will stop placing unfair pressures on yourself at last. Now you can let your hair down and enjoy life. A family event is cancelled, but the…