Innehållsförteckning för 26-Sep-2024 från Pick Me Up!

Starting my shift, I knew it was going to be a good one. Because I would be working with Carl. ‘See Emmerdale last night?’ he’d grin – he never missed it. Carl was one in a million. After I’d joined the team as manager at Dell View – assisted living for adults with additional needs – Carl had taken me under his wing. Having worked at Dell View for almost a decade, he had a wealth of knowledge. And all our tenants adored him. From bringing his dog Sam in to meet the tenants, to taking them on a residential trip to see the Emmerdale set, Carl would always go out of his way to provide extra support. He wanted the adults we supported to have a fulfilling and meaningful…

I was posing in front of this van when i realised I was being watched by Stormtroopers sitting in the back… Fiona Deans, Beith As you can see, my friend Nige always manages to find the biggest strawberry in the punnet! Carol Casan, Tiverton STAR LETTER Our beautiful family cat Marley recently passed away after a short illness, aged 13. He was the most amazing boy and we all miss him so much! Joy Hampton, Yeovil My son Dylan, 10, can’t wait to join the RAF so that he can fly real planes. Benita Graham, Devon If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying Flowers. With over 30 years’ experience of helping celebrate life’s special moments and FREE delivery by post, a gorgeous bouquet by Flying Flowers…

This week, our tip of the week will win a great prize from Addis. Perfect for disposing all of your food waste, from eggshells to potato peelings, this versatile kitchen caddy is a great storage option. With a convenient carry handle, you can securely take your food waste into the garden to repurpose it as compost. For more ways to make your life easier, visit: addis.co.uk No bad hair days… When dying your hair at home, apply a layer of lip balm around your hairline to keep the dye off your skin. Judith Cairns, Colchester BOGOF! I put half a bottle of fabric softener into an empty one and top with water. The strength is regained in 24 hours, and I get two bottles for the price of one. Gloria…

Sitting out in the sunshine, surrounded by beautiful plants, flowers and vegetables, I loved being in the garden. Brew in hand, I looked at all our hard work. I was so proud of what we had achieved. Creating a community garden hadn’t been easy but the fruits of our labour was definitely now showing. And it was amazing – this had started from a lump of neglected land. Back in 2015, I’d completed a diploma in counselling after a course of evening classes. Just me and Daisy the Shih Tzu at home, I had the time to learn something new. I’d always had an interest in what makes people tick. And throughout the pandemic, me and a small team of volunteers virtually counselled people in the area. I saw the…

Heading to the after party, I made a beeline for a chair, not the dance floor. Last year, my best friend Rose was holding a christening for her grandchild and we were celebrating. And while Rose and I were known for tearing up the dance floor, I was in far too much pain. My knee was killing me – it felt like crushed glass was rubbing against the bone. And when the rhythms of my favourite music started playing, Rose rushed over. ‘Come on Lorraine, let’s hit the floor,’ she smiled. ‘Girl, I’m dancing in my head – but my knee is saying no,’ I replied. It was unlike me – I was a dancing queen. But the pain in my left knee had been getting worse. My whole life,…

Sitting at my desk, I let out a sigh. Working a high-flying corporate job back in 2012, I was stuck in a rut. Growing up, I had a diverse mix of friends and hobbies. From horse riding to listening to punk rock and playing in bands, and Buddhist meditation to women’s rugby, I had my fingers in many pies. But working a corporate job in London, I found I spent most of my time talking about vacuum cleaners and skiing holidays. I was grateful to my career, but I had huge FOMO – the fear of missing out. There was a huge world out there. And I wanted to see it. At the time, a mate and I were doing ‘date the alphabet’. What if I could date the alphabet?…

Pair your satin skirt with a pair of chunky boots for an outfit that is both snug and stylish! Red is the ultimate colour to command attention – it’s time to step into your power…

OH SO VOLUMINOUS Up your hair game this September with John Frieda’s best-selling Volume Lift range. Available from Superdrug BEAUTY NEWS JOIN THE WAITLIST FOR NO 7’S 25 DAYS OF BEAUTY SECRETS ADVENT CALENDAR NOW Scent-sational Your new favourite fragrance may not be as far away as you think. Joining the Avon scent family, Far Away Shine is the latest addition to the line-up. Featuring floral yet spicy notes, this is the perfect crisp scent for day or night. Light, airy and fresh, this has been expertly crafted around Ispahan rose, an ancient and exotic Persian bloom used in beauty for over 2,000 years. Just £16, this bargain bottle of bliss is not one to miss. • Available from Avon and your Avon rep GET YOUR GLOW ON Summer may be…

Brieanne Doyle is an experienced counsellor and member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists, specialising in mood and women’s health issues – anything from periods and PMS to motherhood and menopause. Based in London and online. For more info, please see: dwelltherapy.co.uk and bacp.co.uk My mum has been replaced… Q My mum has turned into a different person due to the menopause. We used to have a really strong relationship and now she doesn't want to see me. It’s like she doesn't know who I am. How can I encourage her back into my life without upsetting her?  Hayley, Manchester A I hear how difficult this is for you. You are really missing your relationship with your mum! Menopause is a time of transition. Many women reflect they…

Mothers and sons often have a special relationship. And no mother likes to think of her children suffering. So when Kevin Jazrael Davis, 17, told his mum Kimberly Hill that he wanted to die, it was undoubtedly very concerning for her. Kimberly, 50, and Kevin seemed to have a close relationship. Often sharing updates on her Facebook page, Kimberly would post about the two of them taking a picnic to the park, going out for breakfast, playing Scrabble together and watching films. Kimberly was known for her kind-hearted nature. Working as a carer in a hospice near her home in Corpus Christi, Texas, she devoted her life to looking after people in their final moments. Finding out her teen son was ‘so bored of life’ that he wanted to end…

Catch Claire live on Facebook ARIES 21 March–20 April The Jupiter retrograde forces you to question all that is not moving forward in your life. You no longer push close ones for what you want, but you distance yourself from those who are not going the same way as you – and you won’t be looking back. Being on time for family is more important than you think, so make sure you watch your timings this week. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Another person’s actions may cause you pain, but they do not determine your future. Have confidence and know that you are in control of your choices in life, whatever comes your way. What transpires astrologically in the days ahead will see many Taureans making changes…

Bitesize! Read down the shaded squares for the answer. Answer on page 44. ACROSS 1 Simon __, comedy actor (4) 5 Client (4) 6 Raja’s wife (4) 7 Felt guilty (4) DOWN 1 Rumble (4) 2 Jacob’s twin (4) 3 DNA unit (4) 4 Network(4) Follow it! Solve the puzzle to spell out a term related to the picture. The arrows show you where to put your answers. The answer is spelled in the yellow squares. Answers on page 44. Fill it! Complete the grid then read down the shaded squares to reveal the hidden answer. Clue: Type of motorcycle. Answer on page 44. ACROSS 1 __ Woman, 1972 song by the Eagles (6) 4 Trustworthy (8) 10 Fish tanks (9) 11 Famous (5) 12 2014 single by Pixie Lott (5)…

THE BIG READ Scribbling down a list of priorities, I hadn’t finished writing ‘cot’ before the pen was snatched off me. ‘Oh well that’s not a baby essential, is it?’ I groaned at my boyfriend George, 23. In huge letters, he had scrawled out MAN UNITED KIT with a bubble around it. ‘I think we need to get a pram instead,’ I scoffed. But it was no surprise that George wanted to mess around. He was a joker. ‘I’m moving to Mexico,’ he grinned when I told him I was pregnant at the start of 2023. ‘You’re a moron,’ I hissed. We’d been together since we were 16, so I was used to George’s banter. ‘I’m God’s gift, I am,’ he would tease. ‘You’re punching.’ ‘It’s the other way around,’ I’d…

Verdict: GENIUS! Catch a critter! Spider Catcher Pick Up Tool, £10.99, The Range It’s that time of year again when pesky bugs start creeping around. But instead of getting up close and personal with a spider, you can use this clever tool instead. It’s an easy way to remove critters from your home – at a safe distance. Simply extend the pole and press the handle when you’re ready to catch a critter. The soft bristles mean that you won’t kill them either. You can drop it off outside. Conquer your fear and live in a bug free home! Verdict: BONKERS! They didn’t skip leg day! Sorry, how strong?! Spiders are creepy enough when they scuttle along the floor. But have you heard of the Californian trapdoor spider? It’s the…

Say goodbye to your empties Have you got a bunch of old makeup lying around the house? Don’t chuck it away. Recycle empties at Boots instead – you’ll get rewarded. All you need to do is register online, scan your old beauty products and upload them onto the Boots online scheme. They didn’t need to be purchased at Boots – and it doesn’t matter how old they are. Once they’ve been uploaded, take your empties to Boots. Scan the QR code found on the recycling deposit box and drop them inside. For every five empties recycled, you’ll receive 500 Advantage Card points in your account, worth a fiver. You can then use this for money off your next Boots shop. • Please visit: boots.scan2recycle.com Don’t ask, don’t get As the…

Adding an inspo picture to my collection, I’d created quite the pinboard. After getting engaged to my partner Jordan, now 28, in December 2020, I’d excitedly started planning our wedding. We’d given ourselves two years and had booked a date for April 2022. For Jordan, he insisted on tying the knot in the same local church as his parents Sandra, now 60, and Nigel, now 65. He also wanted to honour his late grandad Robin by holding the reception on his farmland. Joining Facebook bridal pages, I wanted to see if we could get a DJ, marquee and catering package. That’s when I stumbled on Style and Joy Events. It was a wedding supply company owned by a lady called Sandie. She had glowing reviews. Great experience. Nothing was too…

Bitesize! pg 3 Gear Strike it! pg 11 Clockface (Cross out: 1, 12, 28, 30, 45, 59, 61, 76, 83) Crack it! pg 23 Bookstall Fill it! pg 11 Scrambler Sudoku pg 36 6,4,2 Cross it! pg 36 Building Number fit! pg 11  8698 Spot it! pg 20 Follow it! pg 6 Mudguard Name it! pg 12 Jaws – Inside Out 2 – Grease – It Ends with Us – Titanic PLEASE NOTE Pick Me Up! will still be bringing you great puzzles to pit your wits against, but will no longer be offering prizes. Don’t forget, you can do puzzles for big cash prizes every weekin our sister magazine, Chat.…

You can incorporate a nod to the season with cutesy mugs! WE’RE LOVING…

INSTANT appointment With Dr Louise Newson GP (newsonhealth.co.uk) What’s the best option for me? Q I think I’ve started the perimenopause but my partner and I were hoping to have a baby. Can I still get pregnant? Should I start exploring other routes? Suki, Sterling A Perimenopause doesn’t mean you wont be able to get pregnant, as your periods don’t just suddenly stop. Even if your periods are fewer, ovulation may still be happening, and menopause itself doesn’t start until 12 months have passed since your last period. Even if you’re considering taking HRT for any perimenopause symptoms, this is safe and may actually improve your chances of conceiving. A conversation with your GP or a fertility doctor should be able to paint a clearer picture for you. Sexual healing…

Settling down on the sofa, there was one thing my son wanted to watch. Black Panther. Zeias-Wolf, five, was a huge superhero fan. Loving all things Marvel, his favourites were Spider-Man and of course Black Panther. And as we watched T’Challa take on the bad guys, Zeias-Wolf snuggled further into me. Unlike his sister Nahla, two, who charged around the house, Zeias-Wolf was more sensitive. He was attentive and kind – kindness was his superpower. He was a proud big brother and with just the three of us at home, he looked after us. When I dislocated my shoulder in autumn last year, he made sure to look after me. ‘You’re my little superhero,’ I told him. Only Zeias-Wolf had his own battles to fight. In September last year, he…

Famous for his fish and chips, beloved chef Rick Stein has been on a tasty exploration to discover how different cultures have shaped modern British grub – and now you can try his favourites for yourself! • Rick Stein’s Food Stories, £28, from Waterstones Treat of the week Chicken Katsu Curry YOU WILL NEED: ☐ 4 small chicken breasts (or 2 aubergines, thickly sliced)☐ 2 tbsp plain flour☐ 1 large egg, beaten☐ 60–70g panko breadcrumbs☐ 60ml sunflower or vegetable oil RICE: ☐ 400g sushi rice☐ ½ tsp salt KATSU SAUCE: ☐ 2 tbsp oil☐ 2 carrots, peeled and chopped☐ 1 large onion, chopped☐ 2 garlic cloves, chopped☐ 2.5cm root ginger, grated☐ 1 tbsp medium curry powder☐ ½ tsp cayenne pepper☐ 400ml tin coconut milk ☐ 150ml chicken stock☐ 2–3 tsp soy…