Innholdsfortegnelse for 18-Jan-2018 i Chat

Say cheese! Just grate! My dad Jon, 61, loves his cheese but I was still surprised when he wanted to buy this giant cheese grater! Jodie Andrews-Holland, Reading Dino dinner My daughter Pixie, 6, had a great day out at Dinosaur World - until one tried to eat her! Francesca Mowles, Felixstowe DON’T I KNOW YOU? Keep dancing! I ran into the Strictly and Hollyoaks star Gemma Atkinson in Blackpool. She was so lovely and friendly. Kathryn Milner, Pudsey Give us a wave! Couldn't resist a Titanic pose while out whale watching in Whitby! Shirley Dodds, Wallsend The Way We Were Memories! My late grandma Ada on holiday in the early 1950s. It's lovely to look back at…

I thought she was a bit gobby, but tried my best to get on with her CALL THAT JUSTICE?! Throat slashed in a rage over going to a party Judge said he was lucky to survive the knifing Attacker gets just 27 months in jail They say blood is thicker than water. But sometimes, family isn’t just about blood. It’s about loyalty. Knowing someone has your back. And when I first met Andrew, in the spring of 2014, we clicked straightaway. We had loads to talk about and had fun together. But we’re not from the same area, so I invited him out for a drink, introduced him to mates. ‘They’re like a second family,’ I laughed. In time, Andrew became part of that family, too. He felt like a…

Frustrated, unable to walk, I fell into a deep depression I was amazed, so proud at how farI’d come Walking through the countryside with my two kids, I felt alive. Summer breeze, leg muscles pumping, feet pounding the muddy fields. It was June 2005, and being outdoors and active was my life. Skiing, cycling, horse-riding and, my biggest passion, scuba diving. I loved exploring the ocean – the deeper the better. My hubby and I were separated, so our kids George, then 10, and Rebecca, then 9, spent two weekends a month at his. I missed them, but I also relished the chance to scuba dive. That month, aged 40, I’d planned a diving weekend in Cornwall. ‘See you in a few days,’ I smiled, waving George and Rebecca…

Inspirational Rachel Having discovered cancer in her nose bone, Rachel's story (9 Nov 2017 issue), was so moving. I can't imagine her emotional turmoil. Rachel is a very strong woman, who's survived the tremendous suffering she's endured. Although her journey continues, I think she looks as beautiful now as she did before her whole nightmare began. Irene Wheeldon, Ammanford WE PAY CASH Recycle right! Shouldn’t we wash cans and bottles before recycling? Food that contaminates the contents can leave the rest of the recycling useless. Taking a few minutes to rinse them out’s no hardship! Alana Jacobs, Helsby Half-coat kid While talking about not having the zip-out lining in his coat on a cold day recently, one child in my class amused me when he gasped, ‘Oh, no, I’ve only…

Birds Eye Potato Waffles, £1.48 for 10, Tesco These are a classic for a reason! The waffles had a crisp coating with a light and fluffy potato filling. Iceland Potato Waffles £1 for 12  These waffles had a good colour, but were a bit too dense and heavy for our liking. Asda Potato Waffles 95p for 12  Asda's waffles ticked all the boxes. They had a golden and crisp coating and were nice and soft in the middle. A great bargain, too! NEW Castello Extra Creamy Brie  This Danish brie has a rich buttery taste with a soft, creamy texture. It makes a delicious toastie when paired with some crisp bacon.…

Watching my eldest daughter Alice, then 4, in dance classes, I felt my little one, Julia, 2, pulling on my hand. ‘I want to do that, too,’ she said, eyes wide. And that was that, I signed up Julia and had two little dancing queens. Tap, Irish, hip-hop... You name it, they did it. And my girls had talent! But, at the age of 6, Julia was diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine. My first question? ‘Will she still be able to dance?’ I asked. ‘Exercise can help stop the curve from getting worse,’ the doctor reassured us. But in the future she’d need spinal-fusion surgery. This op would fuse Julia’s spine into a straight, upright position with a metal rod. It couldn’t be performed until…

Making myself comfy on the sofa, I smiled at my mate Eric Schrickel, 42. ‘Thanks again for letting me stay here,’ I sighed. ‘Don’t mention it, what are friends for?’ he replied. It was July 2016 and I’d just moved out of my own place in Greenock. I’d had a bit of trouble with my neighbours. We didn’t get on and, when I couldn’t take any more, I’d packed up and left for a bit of peace. I hadn’t got anywhere to stay but, luckily, Eric had come to my rescue. A good Samaritan, he’d offered me his sofa. And I really couldn’t thank him enough. I’d known him for years through an ex-boyfriend. He was nice enough and was always pleasant to me. And now he’d proved what a…

I looked like the bride who’d scoffed all the cake! Talk about an incentive to lose weight. ‘I don’t want to be fat for our wedding,’ I told my fiance Richard in December 2012. We were due to marry in April 2013 and, like most brides, I wanted to shift a few pounds before the big day. I’d always been on the heavy side. I was around a size 18-20 when I’d started dating Richard in 2010. I kept meaning to lose weight, but our love of meals out and takeaways scuppered that and saw me wearing size-24 clothes. Now, with a wedding dress to get into, I was a woman on a mission. I joined Slimming World and, when I stepped onto the scales at my first meeting, I…

Crooked teeth QI've always hated my crooked teeth. Am I too old to straighten them with braces? Evie, 49 A It's never too late for braces, and increasing numbers of adults are using them to straighten teeth that have been wonky for decades. Your teeth won't move quite as easily as a child's - but, with persistence, they can be repositioned. Ask your dentist. Crossed legs Q Our mum never let us sit with our legs crossed, saying it raises blood pressure, causing varicose veins and blood clots! Is she right? Nikki, 25 A Sorry mum, it's a myth! Permanently crossed legs might damage nerves and blood vessels, but you'd become uncomfortable and uncross them long before that happened. Crossing can cause a slight surge in blood pressure, but it's…

Serves: 4 Prep: 20 min Cook: 50 min Cost per serving: 95p 1 Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. In a large bowl, combine 4tbsp thick-cut Seville orange marmalade (such as Duerr's), 2tbsp olive oil, 2 sliced cloves of garlic, 2tsp mustard and 1tbsp thyme leaves. 2 Score the skin of 8 chicken thighs, then add to the marinade and stir to coat. Leave in the fridge for 30 min if possible. 3 Arrange the chicken pieces in a shallow, ovenproof dish and pour over any remaining marinade. Slice 1 lemon and tuck it in and around the meat. Put the dish onto a baking tray and cover loosely with foil. 4 Bake for 20 min, then remove the foil and baste the chicken with the juices. Return to the…

Serves: 4 Prep time: 15 min Cook time: 10 min Cost per serving: 84p 1 In a small bowl, mix together 25g melted butter and 25g light muscovado sugar. 2 Scoop the seeds from 1 passion fruit and combine with 80g of pomegranate seeds in a separate bowl. Set aside. 3 Peel 4 bananas and slice them lengthways. Brush with the butter and sugar mixture. 4 Place bananas on a very hot griddle pan or barbecue, and cook for 2-3 min on each side, until golden-brown and caramelised. 5 When bananas are cooked, put two halves on each plate, and spoon over any remaining butter and sugar mixture. Sprinkle over a few of the reserved fruit seeds and serve the rest in a small bowl. Serve immediately with a couple…

Every year, we travel to Devon for a two-week holiday, staying in a lovely chalet, right by the beach – it’s become a bit of a tradition. My husband Nick, 61, and my son Charlie, 16, love it, too. We usually spend our time chilling out, doing a bit of shopping, playing on the beach. Last July, we began the four-hour journey from our home, for the well-earned rest. I’m a delivery driver and work long hours, and Charlie had been studying for GCSEs. Sorting out the chalet once we’d got there, both Charlie and Nick couldn’t wait to get down to the beach. ‘I’ll stay here for now,’ I said. They ran to the beach, just metres away with a football and towels under their arms. I logged into…

Ready to be red! Liverpool supporters start young! My son Alfie's just 4 months old - but already knows who's the best team in the country! Laura Cooper, Torrington Happy days! I really love these snaps of my 2-year-old son Jack entertaining his little brother Harrison! Alison Tucker, Edenbridge Home, sweet home…  My Pearl Liliana weighed just 2lb 7oz, and was poorly for 4 weeks. Now 5 months old, she's home at last! Georgia Clarke, via email…

As I threw a ball into the sea, I watched in delight as our two dogs went absolutely crazy. I was laughing at them as they both stumbled headfirst into the waves. Then they both quickly doggy-paddled hard, trying to claim their prize To be honest, I can’t actually remember a time when my family didn’t have pets. We’d been adopting golden retrievers for years. Had found that they were the perfect dog for us. They’re cute to look at and have such a kind nature... they just seem to love everyone! We were lucky enough to live on a farm that was close to the beach – and our furry friends loved nothing more than playing around in the sand and swimming and frolicking in the sea. As I’m…

During the day, Macquarie Fields seems like any other train station in the suburbs of Sydney, Australia. Bustling with passengers, part of a busy rail network . But, as midnight approaches, Macquarie Fields is almost deserted. Almost... Over the last few years, those at the station late at night have reported some strange occurrences. Eerie noises that sound like crying, sometimes even screaming... All centred around the ghostly apparition of a teenage girl covered in blood. One evening last summer, a woman named Kymberly found herself at Macquarie Fields station. She was alone, the station appeared empty. Until she heard the sound of someone crying. Following the faint noise, she was shocked to see a young girl sitting in the middle of the tracks, softly weeping. The girl was wearing…

THE CRIME Police in the town of San Jose, California, started to receive reports of missing cats in September 2015. Soon after, several of the missing animals were found dead. Their injuries showed they had been brutally killed. Who would commit such a twisted crime? THE STORY Cat owners in the neighbourhood of San Jose, California, were frantic with worry when a number of their pets started vanishing in September 2015. Stories started to spread about a man who had been seen trying to lure moggies into a backpack. One puss escaped and was treated by a vet, who said the cat had a bite that was ‘not an animal bite’, as well as a head injury. Several of the missing cats were later found dead. Two were discovered in…

My 36th birthday is a day I will never forget. It was the day my perfect boy Jackson came into the world – 25 February 2016. ‘He’s finally here,’ I sobbed to my husband Carl, 32, enjoying my first cuddle. We’d been trying for a baby for six months, started to worry it’d never happen for us. But then on Father’s Day 2015, I’d found out I was pregnant. It was a dream come true! Jackson was worth the wait. My son Joshua, 17, from a previous relationship, doted on his little brother. We cherished every precious moment with him. His first steps, first words. ‘You’re so clever,’ I’d coo. He’d chuckle away, clap his hands, pull all his toys out of the box. He was cheeky, charming and utterly…

Argan Oil 5-Oil Infused Cleanser, £7.99, Waitrose Some cleansers can strip skin of its natural oils, leaving your complexion dry and dull. This nourishes as it melts away make-up for a soft, fresh face. Eucerin Intensive Hand Cream, £8, Boots This fast-absorbing cream provides instant relief for sore, cracked hands. It works to strengthen the skin barrier, too, preventing further chapping. Dr Bronner's Lavender Organic Hand Sanitiser, £4.49, drbronner.co.uk Keep winter germs at bay with a few spritzes of this handy sanitiser. The lavender scent is nice and relaxing, too. Kind Natured Ultra Gentle Oatmeal & Aloe Body Wash, £4.99, Boots Made from ingredients known to reduce redness and irritation, this is the kindest shower gel around.…

Distraught, wecontacted GOSH for a second opinion After my sons Jack, now 18, James, 9, and Archie, 7, I thought my fourth pregnancy would be a breeze. Me and my husband Matthew, 44, were full of excitement. In August 2014, I had George by Caesarean section. But, struggling to breathe, our poor baby was whisked to another hospital. We lived in Cyprus at the time, with Matthew in the Army. George was transferred to a special unit a few miles away. Tests there revealed he had Pierre Robin syndrome. ‘It’s a set of abnormalities affecting the head and face,’ a doctor said. It causes a small lower jaw and a tongue set further back. With the right treatment, though, George would hopefully live a full, healthy life. We decided to…

Commuting to work three hours a day? That’s not living! They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. That was certainly the case with me and my fella Steve. He was 22 when we’d first met, during military training in 2007. He was a helicopter pilot, me in air traffic control. We fell for each other hard. But at the end of my seven-month course, while Steve stayed at the RAF base in Shropshire to continue training, I was posted all over. London, Iraq, Afghanistan… Before social media kicked off, we relied on old-fashioned love letters and phone calls. Finally, in 2009, we moved in together near Steve’s base. But I’d drive three hours a day to London, then come home to an empty bed while Steve was on the…

Adults would tell their kids to stay away from me Growing up, I always knew I was different. It wasn’t like my life changed overnight, or that something bad happened to me. I was born like this, with a giant congenital melanocytic naevus – a large birthmark or mole. Worldwide, only one per cent of babies are born with it, and I was one of them. It covers more than 80 per cent of my body, including my torso, back, neck, face, arms and legs. It’s everywhere. As a child, I was always treated the same as my sister Thais, now 26, and brother Marcelo, 21. My parents Sandra and Jorge never made me think there was anything wrong with me, or even that I was special in any way.…

Now I can’t wait to go holiday shopping… By Josephine Howarth, 56, Nottingham Since Christmas two years ago, I’d had one aim – to lose weight. At 17st 5lb, I was feeling chubby, and wanted to shed some pounds. So I cut out unhealthy foods and started a healthy diet and the weight fell of me One treat I still indulged in was bingo! I’ve always loved it – both online and at the hall. Chat Mag Bingo is great fun – friendly, with great bingo and slot games to play from 1p. My favourite room is Tiki. On 15 July last year, I was chilling in the living room with my husband Len, 68. It was a Saturday night, and we were catching up on our favourite programmes. The…

I’d been gasping for a cup of coffee all morning. With two kids, I was always running around after them. So, having a break with a hot drink was very rare! It was a typical Sunday in March last year... My husband Richard, 29, was outside doing some gardening, and my younger daughter Maisie, 2, was playing happily in the living room. I couldn’t wait to have five minutes to myself. But just then… ‘Mum, Mum…’ my older girl Libbie, 5, called from upstairs. She’d been struck down by a nasty sickness bug a couple of days earlier. Putting my steaming-hot coffee down on top of the radiator shelf in the hall, I ran up to make sure she was OK. But, just as I was going up the stairs,…

Aries 21 March - 20 April Plans have to be put on hold for other, more urgent things. Are you cross because you feel you missed your big chance? Don’t be. You may have to wait a few months - but it’ll still be there and well worth the wait! Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May You don’t give up easily, do you? Others might simply say you win some, you lose some - but you’re in secret meetings checking out whether you have legal rights, and more. This is risky stuff, so be very careful. Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June You’re about to take on a serious financial obligation. If it’s a mortgage or similar, then…

Waiting for the ambulance to arrive, I was crying in agony. It was one evening in April 2016 – and, out of the blue, an excruciating pain had exploded across my right knee. ‘Something’s not right,’ I said to my husband Brian, 61. Brian had recently had a hernia op, so I was taken to the walk-in clinic alone. The doctor thought I had an infection and gave me antibiotics. But I barely slept that night, writhing in pain. Trying to manage with paracetamol, it was unbearable. The next morning, I called my friend Susan and asked her to take me to hospital in Sunderland. As we pulled up outside, the pain was so bad I couldn’t walk. Two nurses spotted us. ‘Don’t move, we’ll bring a wheelchair,’ one cried.…