Innehållsförteckning för 16-Mar-2017 från Pick Me Up!

What A Film! I just watched Arrival and was blown away! It’s out on DVD from 20 March. You won’t be disappointed… 1,000 …that’s the age people may eventually live to – and the first person may have already been born. Imagine the wrinkles! What An Evolution! Here’s me at the Natural History Museum as a little girl, and again more recently with hubby… What A Furry Tail Ending! After being found with a broken spine, Charles the bunny was fitted with a set of wheels, so she (yes, she!) could hop back to health. Check out the video – it’s wheely cute! Go to www.lifedeathprizes .com/  rabbit-with-wheelchair What A Tour! On a girly day out in London, friends and I climbed aboard the ‘B…

‘I saw her reach up and pull at the cup handle…’ My daughter Libbie toddled around the living room, carrying her favourite dolly and chattering away. ‘Go sleep, dolly,’ she said sternly. ‘Go sleep now.’ I had to giggle. Libbie, 16 months, was always on the move, busy with her toys. Her two older brothers Connor, 8, and Rhys, 2, were lazing on the couch, watching TV. Libbie was definitely the boss of our family - including me and her dad Brandan, 31! A real bright spark, she was headstrong, but well-behaved. Then, one afternoon in January this year, Connor was just home from school, and he, Rhys and Libbie were playing happily in the living room. So I invited my friend Gemma round to keep me company. ‘I’ll just…

Snap Me Up! We’ve done the research – you save the dosh! Phone Home Three has double data for the same price on a selection of 12-month SIM, 24-month smartphone and mobile broadband tariffs. This Samsung S7 can now be bought with 4GB data and unlimited minutes on a 24-month contract for £29 upfront and £33 per month until 23 March. Beauty Essential Lighten dark hairs without the pain and hassle of hair removal with Jolen Creme Bleach. Pick up a pot before 14 March at Boots to save 25%. Spring Clean You can save 15% on cleaning caddies and Wham Shine cleaning brushes and cloths at www.plasticboxshop.co.uk until 31 March. Hangover Free! Craving a tipple but trying to cut down on the booze? Then a cold glass of Eisberg…

‘I couldn’t leave my bed and lost a stone in a month’ Looking at my photos in the magazine, I felt so proud. Modelling was my passion. I got such a buzz out of seeing my snaps in print. ‘You look amazing,’ my mum Alison said. But, in summer 2013, I started to feel overwhelmingly tired. I suffered from terrible stomach cramps, and constantly needed the toilet. ‘Everything just goes right through me,’ I explained to my GP. But with no obvious cause, he was baffled. He thought it could be a mix of IBS and anxiety. I was sent away with medication, but it didn’t work. Soon, it was affecting my job and social life, as I just couldn’t leave my bed. My weight plummeted - I lost a…

1 Schistosomiasis is a genetic disorder. 2 Symptoms may not show for years. 3 It can cause permanent organ damage. 4 The infection can’t be treated. 1 FALSE The condition is caused by parasitic worms that burrow into the skin, and lay eggs inside the body. They live in freshwater ponds, lakes and rivers, most commonly found in Africa. 2 TRUE Some sufferers may not develop symptoms for months or even years. When they do arise, they often include fever, a rash, diarrhoea and pain in the muscles, joints and abdomen 3 TRUE Without treatment, organs affected by the worm eggs can be permanently damaged. Other serious complications include anaemia, cystitis, urinary problems, shortness of breath and seizures. 4 TRUE Treatment is usually with praziquantel, a medication that kills the…

The California Earthquake of 18 April 1906 was one of the biggest. It struck shortly after 5am, and it’s been estimated at 8.3 on the Richter scale. It lasted close to a minute, during which time a rupture 296 miles long tore through northern California – and, in some areas, the ground moved up to 20ft. Three thousand people died, and 28,000 buildings were destroyed. Last year, a series of tremors in the region suggested another earthquake may hit California – and when it does, it could measure 9.3 on the Richter scale.…

Strawberry And Lemon Cupcakes Serves: 24 Prep Time: 40 min Cook Time: 20 min Frosting: 1 Preheat oven to 160C/ Gas 4 and line two 12-hole muffin tins with paper cases. 2 Cream together sugar, butter and lemon zest until pale and fluffy. Slowly add eggs, then flour, and whisk for a further few min until combined. 3 Using an ice-cream scoop, divide cake mixture between cases, put a strawberry upright in centre of mixture, and bake for 20 min. Leave to cool completely. 4 For frosting, cream together butter, cream cheese and zest of another lemon. Add icing sugar and whisk until creamy. 5 Cut the 12 reserved strawberries in half, pipe icing onto cakes and decorate with half…

TRIED & TESTED This week: Liquid lipsticks GOSH Liquid Matte Lips in Nougat Crisp Although this does dull to matte during the day, it has a gorgeous, creamy texture that leaves lips feeling super-smooth and looking pillowy soft. Lottie London Slay All Day Longwear Matte Lipstick in Fleek I used this with a lip liner for precise application and it didn’t smudge at all during the day. It’s always good to check matte lipsticks before you buy, as they tend to dry darker than they look! Barry M Matte Me Up Liquid Lipstick in Minimalist This lippy is the most matte of the bunch and is really pigmented for a standout pout. I did find it a little drying after a few hours, so be sure to keep a lip…

‘Doss smiled broadly on being sentenced to life’ USA: THE GIGGLING GRANNY When her fifth husband, Sam, died in 1954, many must have pitied Nannie Doss, 48, from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her first husband was the only one still living. Their marriage had fallen apart after the deaths of their two middle daughters. She’d met two of her husbands, including Sam, through lonely hearts columns. They’d not been married long when Sam grew sick and was hospitalised. He recovered, but fell seriously ill again after returning home and drinking coffee made by Nannie. The doctor was suspicious. An autopsy revealed Sam had ‘enough arsenic in him to kill a horse’. Joking On questioning, Nannie shocked everyone by admitting she’d poisoned Sam’s prunes and coffee because ‘he got on my nerves’. And…

Put some flour in a baking tray, and your littl'uns can use it as fake snow for their toys. Natalie Pettit, Cowplain Fed up with paying for bags? Tie some up with elastic bands and keep them in your handbag, or store them neatly in the cupboard. Denise Turner-Marsh, Castleford Add washing-up liquid to your usual floor cleaner to leave a fresh, lovely smell in the room. Hayley Tomkins, Swansea The lids from deodorant cans make great egg cups. You won’t even need to worry about chipping them while washing up! Gillian Jackson, Todmorden For a yummy treat, slice the top off some mini meringues, put a dollop of melted chocolate on, then add a strawberry. They look and taste great! Jodie Giblin, Penarth Fasten a metal curtain clip to…

1 Sell Privately  You’ll get more cash, and it’s great for older cars. List your car on the RAC site for free, or advertise on Auto Trader. 2 Sell To A Dealer  Good for newer cars, as you’ll likely get the best price from dealers who specialise in your make. Shop around, or get offers through a platform like www.tootle.co.uk. 3 Know Its Value  Get a free online valuation from www.parkers.co.uk/cars/ prices or www.cap.co.uk/ car-valuation. They’re not always perfect…but a good starting point. 4 Service History  A car with a full service history is worth up to 20% more. Have proof of services to hand and use in negotiating. 5 Keep It Clean  Sounds obvious, but a clean car (inside and out) is…

Flatulence ‘Passing wind’ or ‘farting’ is a normal biological process. Everybody does it! It occurs when you swallow small amounts of air while eating, or when gas builds up while you digest food. If you’re frequently passing smelly gas or experiencing additional symptoms like tummy pain, bloating, unexplained weight loss, bowel incontinence, recurring diarrhoea or constipation, see your GP. Give Yourself A Lift Drinking cherry concentrate diluted with water is said to help lower blood pressure because it is rich in phenolic acids, a type of naturally occurring antioxidant. Eating cherries will also help.…

It was happening again - a strange tingling down my back that felt like little electric shocks. Then, I lost control of my body and collapsed onto the hard bathroom floor. It’d started after I’d had my son Michael in February 2013. As well as the weird sensation in my back, my hands and feet would go numb, and I felt constantly low. Diagnosed with postnatal depression, I wasn’t convinced. My symptoms just worsened. ‘What’s wrong with me?’ I fretted to my husband Mick, 37. Still, I struggled on. Then, when Michael was 6 months old, I suddenly lost the sight in my left eye. I raced to hospital, but the doctor couldn’t find anything wrong. But when I mentioned the sensations in my back, I was told, ‘We’ll send…

‘Two hours passed, I went home to make him a cup of tea…’ Walking my fiance Ed’s family dogs Rowan and Barley along the beach, I glanced down at my left hand. On my ring finger gleamed a stunning, sparkling gem. It was last October, and Ed, 31, had popped the question the day before on the same beach. We’d met three years ago and he’d truly outdone himself with my sparkler. It was bespoke - he’d designed it himself with the help of my best friend Lauren, 27, and it must’ve cost him a fortune. A lot of thought and effort had gone into that ring. ‘I’m never taking this off,’ I’d told Ed, absolutely thrilled. Now, as I walked along the water’s edge, I couldn’t stop admiring it.…

1 Co-Op Nacho Meal Kit, £2 It’s the tortillas in this kit that are the star of the show – really tasty and crispy, even with the hot sauce piled on top. Just add cheese, sour cream and guacamole... 2 Sainsbury’s Nacho Kit, £1.97 The salsa has very little heat so, if you want more, top with sliced, raw chillies or sprinkle with a pinch or two of dried chilli flakes. 3 Tesco Nachos Meal Kit, £1.85 Even though the pack says this is mild, the sauce is actually quite hot. It’s easy to heat through in the microwave, but be prepared to wipe it down afterwards, as the sauce does spit! Make it yourself... Serves: 6 Prep Time: 10 min Cook Time: 25 min Refried beans:…

‘Every girl deserves to wear beautiful shoes…’ Out shopping with my mum Sarah, I screwed up my nose as she pulled a tracksuit off the rails. At 12, I was getting into fashion and wanted to wear trendy outfits, but nothing in the teen department fitted me. I had Marfan syndrome, which caused my growth to accelerate. I towered over my classmates at 5ft 11in and spent most of my teenage years in adult leggings and tracksuits. Shoes in particular were a problem. A size-8, I had to wear boring footwear, while my mates had sparkly shoes and sandals. Soon I was size-11, wearing men’s trainers. My height had made me a target for bullies. ‘Watch out, the giant’s coming!’ kids would taunt me. After two years, the mocking got…

‘Unless there’s a medical reason, then I believe heavier people should have to pay excess baggage allowance. If they’re heavy, they should exercise and eat less. Simple!’ Louise Davies, Gloucester ‘What a way to shame people who are probably already concerned about their weight. What about pregnant women? This is insensitive and pointless!’ Suzanne Simpson, Edinburgh ‘I don’t agree with this, but I do feel they should be charged more for their seat. I find it deeply unfair we all pay the same, but some of us have to perch on half a seat.’ Debbie Hadden, Stourbridge ‘This would be a despicable way for airlines to treat their customers. Where do we draw the line? I wouldn’t fly on an airline that did this, and I’m not overweight!’ Jackie Wilson,…

100-Calorie Gallery Flattering Fashion This cool top ticks every fashion box this spring – blue-and-white striped, has some pretty embroidery plus fluted sleeves – it’s got the lot! It’s available in sizes 12-32. Get Moving! Work out like a dog! Pet charity Blue Cross has launched the world’s first exercise class where humans exercise like dogs. Including ball fetch, tug-of-war, digging and even doggy stretches. Barking mad, but fun! Check it out at www.bluecross.org.uk/workout Food Swaps The Secret Of My Success NAME: Sarah Nairn, 33, from Wickford. VITAL STATISTICS: I used to drink cola and eight cups of tea with sugar every day, and I’d skip breakfast and pick at chocolate until lunch. I’d had pregnancy diabetes in 2010, put on 4st having my daughter and…

‘They’d named him Moj and fed him. He greeted guests’ Rattling the bowls on the tiles, I smiled when I saw my cats prowl through the flap. ‘One, two, three,’ I counted. But one was missing. Typical, black and white Bertie was always late. ‘There’s yesterday’s cat!’ my hubby Malcolm, 74, would laugh when he finally strolled in. As the day went on, his food was untouched. I always let him out at night, but he’d return in the morning mewing for food. This time, it felt different. I remembered when he went missing last time. He came home smelling of perfume! ‘He’s probably getting fed by someone else,’ Malcolm said. The next morning, he hadn’t returned. I was frantic. There were wild cats in our area, and I was…

Some say your school years are the best of your life. For me, they were hell. When I was 14, girls in my class hated me. They called me vile, even wished me dead, saying they hoped I drowned in swim class. On my walk to school, I’d have panic attacks. And every night I cried, as I wasn’t even safe at home. They’d fire off nasty messages on social media. I had no idea why they’d decided to pick on me. ‘They’re just jealous of your looks,’ my mum Lisa, 49, said. Whatever it was, the bullies taunted me so much I didn’t want to get up in the morning. Mum went to my school, but nothing changed. I locked myself away from the world. There was just one…

‘He still lived in the area – I’d bump into him at the shop’ The first time it happened, my friend Sarah and I were playing with dolls in her bedroom. Her stepdad Graham Carson popped his head round the door. ‘Why don’t you go and give your baby a bath?’ he said to Sarah. She went off to the bathroom, leaving me and Graham alone. I was 8, and often popped next door to play with Sarah. Graham was Sarah’s mum’s new partner. To me, he was just another grown-up. But then... ‘I’m going to make you feel better,’ he said, once Sarah was out of earshot. He pulled me on top of him while he was lying on the bed, and started moving me up and down. Then…

1 Odour Killer Use toothpaste to remove the smell of garlic, onions and fish smells fr om your hands and fingers after preparing food. Pat Gorman, Bristol 2 Shoes As Good As New Toothpas te is great for removing scuffs from leather shoes. Just dab a little bit on and wash it off with a soft cloth. Sharon Henderson, Linc oln 3 Iron Shine Scrub the gunk off the bottom plate of your iron with toothpaste and a rag, then simply rins e it clean. Penny Cowle, Perth 4 Clean Chrome Smear toothpaste on your dirty bathroom or kitchen chrome and polish it with a sof t, dry cloth for a shiny finish. Frances Dole, Manchest er…

‘The prospect of two babies was a dream come true’ Sitting in the hospital waiting room, I felt sick with worry. At just five weeks pregnant, I’d started bleeding. Please hang in there, little one, I silently begged. It was September 2015, and I held my breath, waiting for bad news as the sonographer scanned my tummy. Then... ‘I can see two amniotic sacs,’ she said. ‘As it’s so early, they’re empty, but there’s a high chance you’re having twins.’ ‘Wow,’ I whispered, shocked but happy. You see, after having my little boy Leelan, then 18 months, I’d suffered three miscarriages. So the prospect of having two babies at once seemed like a dream come true. Back home, I told my boyfriend the news. ‘That’s amazing,’ he grinned. Only, at…

Lump worries Q I keep getting breast lumps. When I have them checked out I'm told they’re nothing to worry about – but could they turn into cancer? Lacey, Portsmouth A Sounds like you have fibroadenoma - very common, benign breast lumps that are no more likely to become cancerous than the surrounding tissue. Any breast changes persisting for more than a monthly cycle should always be checked. Osteoporosis treatment Q I’m having weekly treatment for osteoporosis, but friends have had issues with it. What’s the best way of reducing side effects? Miriam, Whitstable A Follow the instructions very carefully. Have regular dental check-ups, and tell your dentist you’re on it. If you miss it, take it as soon as you remember, continue on your usual day, but never take…

‘A police search turned up the priest’s rosary beads’ ‘He thought Father Tomei was a willing victim’ When the news of the murder of Father Henri Tomei, 64, appeared in California’s Sentinel newspaper on 4 November 1972, everyone was stunned. A Roman Catholic priest who was stabbed and stomped to death in a church confessional may have surprised a thief, the report read. Father Tomei was brutally murdered Thursday afternoon by a tall, young man in dark clothing and black boots, it went on. ‘A woman entering the church during the struggle told the police the young man repeatedly stabbed the 64-year-old,’ a Los Gatos police official said. Three months later, in February 1973, there was a brutal shooting. One afternoon, Fred Perez, 72, was weeding the front lawn of…

Are You A Real Back To The Future Fan? 1 How fast does the DeLorean have to go to travel back time? 2 Which song from the future does Marty play at the school dance? 3 What’s the Doc’s catchphrase 4 Which Back to the Future was  set in the old West? 5 What was the number plate of the DeLorean? Four Things You Know If You’re TERRIFIED Of Spiders 1. No Pictures, Please You hate to even look at a picture of a spider because they’re SO DISGUSTING! 2. Get It Off Me!! Even talking about spiders makes you feel like there's definitely one in your hair. 3. They KNOW… Spiders can tell you’re scared of them. That’s why they always emerge when you're on your own! 4.…

‘As I held her, all my problems – and the rash! – faded’ As the grainy black and white image filled the screen, I started to grin. ‘That’s our baby,’ I cried, squeezing my partner Dan’s hand. It was March last year and we were at our 12-week scan. We were told everything was developing perfectly. I’d met Dan, 28, in December 2014 at a mutual friend’s party. I knew from the first drink we shared that I’d met someone special. And I was right. Just four months later, Dan moved in with me. And now here we were - starting a family. It was an exciting time, even though my early pregnancy hadn’t been easy. When I was seven weeks pregnant, the dreaded morning sickness had arrived. I was…

‘I’d spoilt myself rotten and it had felt really great!’ ‘My mates were as surprised as me about all my wins’ Nibbling on a sandwich, I settled down and turned on my computer. It was an afternoon in January, and I’d just made myself a bit of lunch. I’d just finished a very busy morning. Now I wanted to relax for a while and chill out. And I knew just how to do it... Logging into Pick Me Up! Bingo, I went to the chatroom. How is everyone? I asked the friends I’d made - roomies, as they’re fondly known. Just a few messages later, and I was already in fits of giggles. There was always a laugh to be had with the roomies. While I chatted, I bought a…

Verdict: GENIUS! But eyewateringly pricey! Thermadome LH80 Pro Laser Helmet, £749, www. theradomeforhairloss.co.uk This home-use, hi-tech helmet helps reduce hair loss. It floods the scalp with light, increasing blood circulation and oxygen to hair follicles to encourage growth. Verdict: BONKERS! And crazy expensive with it! Umbrella Drone, £1,299, www. dronesdirect.co.uk We’ve seen lots of birds fly, but never an umbrella! Forget wrestling with your brolly next time spring showers strike, as this innovative drone links to the GPS signal of your phone to track your steps and keep you dry from above. Verdict: GENIUS! Time off from screens that kids’ll love. Cubetto, £159, www.primotoys.com Teach your littl’un to think and code in a screen-free way! This fun game lets your…

MEET BABY THE RAT A video of Baby nibbling his fave food nearly broke the Internet. What was it? Spaghetti! Handy Tips For A Safe Safari Don’t smear yourself in meat dripping. Never try to pet a lion (however friendly). Don’t make monkey noises out the window! Don't throw half-eaten food from the car. Don’t try to take an elephant home… These Terrifying Serial Killers Have Never Been Caught! JACK THE RIPPER butchered five east London prostitutes, mutilating their bodies and removing organs. There are countless theories and suspects, but no-one has ever discovered his true identity. THE MONSTER OF FLORENCE slaughtered eight couples in their cars in 1968-1985. Two men were jailed, but their convictions were widely thought to be unsafe… THE ZODIAC KILLER terrorised Northern California in the…

Diving into the family-size tub of ice cream, I numbed the pangs of loneliness. Moving from my home in the Wirral to Dartford for a job in a power station was always going to be hard. I’d turned to food for comfort and put on over a stone. I knew I needed to change, so I googled local keep-fit courses. Taekwondo sounded fun! From my first class, I breezed through the moves and was soon training six days a week. It helped that the teacher, Elliot, 42, was really cute! He was from the northwest, too, and felt my pain of moving cities alone. Soon, we became an item and even had a long-distance relationship when I moved to Warwick for another job a year later. Over time, we moved…

ARIES 21 March–20 April Love works in mysterious ways and, this month, it seems there have to be some setbacks in order for you to see a close one's strengths. Try not to ask for more than you should from younger people, as they’re still finding their feet from recent communications. Call: 09058 170 710* CANCER 22 June–23 July Talks you have with new people help you take off the blinkers you’ve been wearing. You realise what a big place the world is, and that you’ve only seen a fraction of it. Try not to tell tales, or you could be responsible for a major split in your inner circle. Call: 09058 170 713* LIBRA 24 Sept–23 Oct You’re going to be led into believing you have more money than…

‘I want my story to be a warning to other diabetics’ Picking up my shot glass, I knocked it back in one. ‘Cheers!’ I roared. It was 2004 and, like many 18-year-olds, I loved booze and partying. Most days, me and my college mates headed to the pub, downed spirits, wine, shots. ‘Only drink in moderation,’ doctors had told me. But I shoved their warnings from my mind - I was having the time of my life. You’re only young once, I told myself. The problem was, I had type 1 diabetes. I’d been diagnosed at 8 and, as a confident kid, I hadn’t flinched at the daily insulin injections. But, in my teens, I got sick of having to monitor my blood-sugar levels, and the strict diet. So I…