Table of contents for 28-Apr-2016 in Chat

She was unlikely to survive the journey, a doctor said Suddenly, Amelia went lifeless. She was having a seizure The sonographer pointed at the screen and told us that she’d found another heartbeat ‘No way!’ I exclaimed. What a whirlwind. It was July 2014, and I’d just miscarried. But until 24 hours earlier, I’d no idea I’d been pregnant. Now I’d found out that I’d been carrying twins and one had survived. I was going to be a mum! It wasn’t planned. I’d been with Jamie Woodham, then 17, just three months. He was shocked, and we broke up four months later, on good terms – he needed time. My mum, Kerrie, 43, was my birthing partner on 7 April last year. Amelia Mary arrived naturally at Broomfield Hospital, weighing…

When a stranger answered, my stomach flipped My heart jumped when I heard the sound… Buzz! Buzz! I didn’t recognise the number. Suddenly, I began shaking and my palms started to sweat. I wanted to throw up. Only when it stopped ringing did I calm down. ‘Phew,’ I sighed, relieved it was all over. I knew it was only a matter of time until it happened again. See, I suffer with something called telephonophobia. It means I’m terrified of phones, especially a call from an unknown number. It sends me into a panic. Sometimes I can’t use my phone to call people either. The thought of speaking to a stranger fills me with dread. I can’t explain why, but phones just freak me out! It started a few years ago.…

Hiccup troubles Q My friends laugh at me because I always get hiccups when we're out - isn't there a way to stop them? Rachael, 29 A Avoid triggers such as eating and drinking quickly, fizzy drinks or spicy food. When hiccups strike, try holding your breath, swallowing sugar or pulling your knees into your chest. Rarely, a doctor might use pills to reduce stomach acid. Gum disease QI've started spitting blood when I clean my teeth. I daren't see my doctor in case it's cancer. Elle, 34 A You need a dentist, not a doctor! Bleeding when brushing usually points to gingivitis, a gum infection. Untreated, it can worsen into periodontitis, a more severe infection. Clean and floss regularly, and see your dentist. Teary eyed Q My eyes have…

Primula Light Cheese, 150g, £1.45 Very creamy and smooth, with a delicate flavour. This is perfect instead of spread in sandwiches - and has less calories than butter! Sainsbury's Cheese Spread, 200g, £1.10 A nice, big, family-sized 8/ tub. We liked the creamy cheese flavour. Spread it thick on bread and just add salad for a tasty lunch. The Laughing Cow Light, £1.35 for eight triangles With only 25 cal per triangle, this is a guilt-free treat to spread on a cracker or two. It's our favourite because of its great cheese flavour. NEW Cadbury Dairy Milk Big Taste, £3.49 These big new bars are made for sharing! Try Toffee Whole Nut, Triple Choc Sensation or our favourite, Oreo Crunch - Oreo biscuits hidden between layers of vanilla-flavour creme, smothered…

I saw a red lump, about the size of a 50 pence piece It was 8pm on Friday evening and, right on cue, my lorry-driver hubby Brian, 41, arrived home from a week away at work. ‘Good to have you back,’ I said, kissing him. ‘Thanks, love,’ he said. Hearing his voice, our 8-year-old daughter Madison came hurtling downstairs. ‘Daddy!’ she squealed as Brian scooped her up and gave her a hug. Brian would leave for work in the early hours of Monday morning and, driving all over the country, he wouldn’t come home until Friday evening. Madison and I would speak to him every day. But we missed him and looked forward to his return. I’d met Brian in a nightclub in August 2002, about six months after splitting…

Internet trolls. They’re probably all fat, smelly blokes who still live with their mums, right? Well, in my case, that couldn’t have been more true… It started when my dad was killed – shot dead – when I was 2. I’d no memory of him. But my mum Coreen filled the gap he left in my life with food. Fast food, takeaways, chocolate and sweets. I got fatter and fatter. I was 28½st by the time I was 18. So unfit, I couldn’t keep a job because I couldn’t stand for long. And I hated going out, convinced people were judging me. That’s when I began a second life online. I’d spend hours playing on multi-player games like World of Warcraft. There, I could chat to people all over the…

Meet Max and Ruby, a pair of poodles with oodles of talent. The pups, from Tampa in Florida, are specially trained therapy dogs, who work 40 hours a week cheering up elderly folk and children in hospital with their amazing tricks. They began to get worldwide attention after their owner, known only as Carl, set up an Instagram page so others could see his clever pooches. Soon they had tons of fans, attracted by Max and Ruby’s distinctive looks – like Max’s dyed-red paws – and silly poses. Carl, who’s been an animal trainer for more than 20 years, is keen to stress that he used voluntary training, or positive reinforcement, which means Max and Ruby only perform when they want to and are never forced to practice their tricks…

I won a new Toyota Prius by sending a simple 25p text They say, ‘You have to be in it to win it!’ Well, for the last 20 years, I’ve definitely been ‘in it’, entering up to 30 competitions a day. And I’ve been pretty lucky, bagging around £100,000 worth of prizes, including holidays to Florida, Dubai and Barbados, and a brand-new car. I was bitten by the ‘comping’ bug in the early 1990s. Walking past Woolworths, a lady stopped me to ask if I’d like to enter a free prize draw. She explained that every Woolies store in the UK had a Mickey Mouse toy to give away and those who won it would then be entered into a second draw to win a holiday to Florida. I only…

1 Heat 1tbsp sunflower oil in a frying pan, add a sliced onion and fry for 5 min until golden brown. 2 Add 1tsp crushed garlic, 1tsp finely grated root ginger, and 2tsp garam masala and then cook until aromatic - about 1 min. 3 Drain a 400g can of baked beans, keeping juice. Stir beans plus 3tbsp of juice into pan, along with 200g passata and cook for 5 min until thick. Season to taste, and then stir in 1tbsp fresh, chopped coriander. 4 Meanwhile, heat 2tbsp sunflower oil in a large frying pan, and fry 4 large eggs until whites have almost set. Add a knob of butter and baste yolks to evenly cook. 5 Spread 4tbsp tomato chutney over 4 mini naan breads, then top with the…

Chessie became so confident and happy in Hong Kong The boiler in her apartment had been faulty... As our brother James did his best Ray Davies impression, me and my sister Chessie, then 20, cheered him on – and laughed! We’d all had a go at the karaoke. Chessie had sung Avril Lavigne, I’d belted out Backstreet Boys. Now James was singing The Kinks’ You Really Got Me. The three of us always had a giggle together. But this night out was extra-special. Four months earlier, Francesca – or Chessie, as we called her – had moved out to Hong Kong for a placement as part of her uni course. Eight years older, I’d always been protective of my little sis. She could be sensitive, shy and had struggled to…

Nick would take me and Carrie driving in his wagon Picking up the phone to my best mate Carrie, I was bubbling with excitement. ‘Guess what?’ I said when she answered. ‘Nick said we might be getting a racehorse!’ Carrie and I were horse-mad. Always messing around in the local fields, mucking out and horse-riding. And now Mum’s new boyfriend Nick Dalby had said we could get a new horse, if I saved up for half. Nick hadn’t been in our lives long. But I’d liked him. He made my mum happy. He’d taken me under his wing as well – Carrie, too. She was often round at ours, and Nick would take us driving in his wagon – he delivered livestock for a living. He was a father-figure to…

My right foot became stiff and began turning inwards As a teen, I was active and loved sports. I often went to dance classes with friends. And I loved riding my bike. Then, when I was 14, out of nowhere, I began to feel constantly tired. I’d get home from school and climb into bed for a nap. ‘I’m so sleepy,’ I’d yawn to my little sister Cara, then 11. As time went on, my left foot became stiff and achy, too. Then it started turning inwards when I walked. Concerned, I went to see my GP. But he couldn’t figure out what was wrong. ‘It might be chronic fatigue caused by stress,’ he suggested. I reasoned he was probably right, just got on with things. In time, my right…

Serves: 12 Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min 225g wholewheat plain flour 1tsp bicarbonate of soda 115g light-brown sugar 50g walnuts, finely chopped 1 medium egg, beaten 200ml low-fat buttermilk 4tbsp sunflower oil 1 banana, large, ripe, peeled and mashed 2tsp caramel flavour Dried banana chips 1 Preheat oven to 190C/ Gas 5, and line a muffin tin with 12 paper cases. 2 Sift flour and bicarbonate of soda into a mixing bowl, adding any husks that remain behind in sieve. Stir in sugar and walnuts. Make a well in centre of mixture. 3 In a measuring jug, mix together egg, buttermilk, oil, mashed banana and caramel flavour. Pour into well and mix for thick batter. 4 Spoon mixture into paper cases, put a banana chip on top of each…

I’ve always been fitness mad. I love running and cycling, and I can never wait to get stuck into my next physical activity. At first, my partner Michael didn’t share my passion when we met online, in March 2012. But he caught the fitness bug and started to get keen on cycling. We were soon very keen on each other, too. On Christmas Eve 2014, Michael mischievously said, ‘I’ve got a present for you.’ It was an engagement ring! Squealing with joy, I hugged him as tight as I could. ‘Yes!’ I said, accepting his proposal. In July last year, I moved from Cambridgeshire to live with my new hubby-to-be in Harlow, Essex. Once I found out that Harlow Town Park hosted a 5k run every Saturday morning, I just…

I started planning how I’d spend my winnings I was playing 90-ball bingo in Tiki on Chat Mag Bingo. The game was thrilling as I watched my numbers being automatically dabbed off. Tears of laughter ran down my cheeks as the numbers were called. Only, it was my mates in the chat rooms who were really making me giggle! One of them had just said something hilarious, and the whole room had cracked up. What are you like?! I typed, still chuckling to myself. I began playing online bingo a few years ago. But the chat rooms were actually the reason I enjoyed Chat Mag Bingo so much. My fellow roomies were brilliant. Even the chat hosts joined in the banter. Sometimes I logged on to chat even when I…

1 Marvel at the Sistine Chapel ceiling There's so much detail in the fascinating ceiling, painted by Michelangelo, it's hard to take it all in. Prepare for serious neckache afterwards from looking up for so long! 2 Climb to the top of St Peter’s Basilica Be prepared to queue, but the stunning interior (including the famous Pieta sculpture) makes it worth it. Head to the top for breathtaking views of the city - it'll be the highlight of your trip! 3 Step back in time at the Colosseum Sign up to a group tour to beat the crowds and gain access to parts of the ruins that are usually off-limits. History buffs will love it! 4 Wander around Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum Spend an afternoon admiring the ruins…

Now the world knows exactly what kind of manNick is Now, finally, together, we’d surely get the justice we deserved… I also, at last, told Mum, too. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she said, and promised to support me. And in July last year, Nicholas Dalby, 43, stood trial at Teesside Crown Court. Carrie and I both gave evidence against him. Dalby was convicted of indecent assault on a female, 17 counts of rape and one count of attempted rape. He was sentenced to 22 years and ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely. ‘We did it!’ Carrie said afterwards as we hugged, crying. We still don’t talk about our past. But it’s not because we’re keeping Nick’s secret. Together, we made sure the world knows exactly what kind of man…

GUILTY! In October 2006, Samantha Bachynski, 20, was found guilty of murdering Scott and Melissa Berels. She was convicted of first-degree murder, home invasion, aiding and abetting and other charges. Sentencing her to four life terms, the judge told Bachynski her actions were ‘beyond all bounds of human behaviour’. In April 2007, Bachynski stood trial for killing Winfield Johnson. She pleaded no contest to second-degree murder, carjacking and possessing a firearm, receiving 23 to 75 years in prison.…

One of the bags tore Ð revealing a human thighbone A caretaker watched as Larry Eyler lugged three binbags out to dustbins by an apartment nearby. He was clutching the heavy bags to his chest and had to make a 360-degree turn to get enough momentum to discard them. The caretaker asked what he was doing, and Larry said he was clearing out his apartment. So Larry was told to use their dustbins, not the other buildings’. Next day, the caretaker for the neighbouring block moved the plastic bags, as there was no room for anyone else’s rubbish. But one of the bags tore – revealing a human thighbone. The sacks contained the body parts of 15-year-old Daniel Bridges. He’d been chopped up into eight pieces. Eyler was arrested the…

Letter to the Lord I was looking through my daughter's Religious Education book at a parent/teacher evening and had to smile. Each pupil in the class had to write a letter to God, and my little girl's one read: Dear God, I NEVER used to think that orange went with purple until I saw the beautiful sunset you made last night. It was SO cool! Love, Rosie. Jeena Sumner, Haringey Sign doesn’t lie This cute sign certainly sums up how I feel when I’m stressing about looking after two teen boys. There are never enough hours in the day! Karen McGuire, Cleethorpes Weaning off words My kids appear to have stopped speaking to me, and each other – at least verbally. Even when they’re in the next room, they’ll text…

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Andrew Barton Naturally Brush for Mid-Long Hair, £8, Asda The natural bristles redistribute your locks' natural oils for healthy hair. Top tip: Be gentle when brushing to avoid damage. Braun Satin Hair 7 Iontec Brush with Natural Bristles, £28.99, Amazon Releases active ions that help fight frizz and add shine. Top tip: Brush the ends first to detangle without pulling hair out at the root. Kent Brushes Oooh That's Nice! Brush, £12.50, Boots The back bends for a comfortable brushing experience with no tugging! Top tip: If you have thick hair, opt for a brush with spaced out bristles to help tame it. Lee Stafford My Big Fat Silky Smoother Brush, £9.99, Boots Round shape and ceramic barrel make this perfect for using while blow-drying your locks. Top tip: Never…

I flew out to Spain every school holiday, spoke to Dad every day Growing up, I’d always been incredibly close to my dad Des, now 40. We could talk about everything. He took me clothes shopping, out for food and to the cinema. If I needed advice, it was Dad I turned to. ‘You can tell me anything,’ he’d say. He was bubbly, fun and outgoing. I can’t remember when I found out, but I knew Dad was gay. But it never bothered me. All that mattered was that he was happy. Then, in 2011, when I was 12, Dad went on holiday to Benidorm, Spain. When he arrived home, he looked so happy. ‘I’ve met someone,’ he confided. ‘His name is Wayne Wright.’ ‘How did you meet?’ I asked.…

Taurus 21 April - 21 May Meeting up with people you used to work with makes you long for the good old days, and you could think of going back to your old job. That shows you don’t like where you are now. But time goes forwards and so should you! Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June You see or hear something which helps you see an episode from the past in a new light. Should you tell what you now know? Only if you need to prove that you were right. Otherwise, it’d be best to just let things stay as they are. Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June - 23 July It looks like you’re the right person at…

John had gone to the police. Only, something didn't add up The plot had been found out because of careless e-mails THE CRIME While US Army Staff Sergeant John Wayne Mackay was visiting family in New York, his wife Dana had stayed at home. There, she'd been murdered. John thought he knew who'd done it - the woman he was having an affair with. THE STORY A woman scorned? Nicole Houchin, 35, was seven years younger than Dana Mackay. She worked at the AutoZone shop in Williamsburg, Virginia, dealing in second-hand car parts. Dana’s husband John Mackay worked there, too. It was his second job. He took shifts there to fit around his army duties. It was there he started an affair with Nicole. But when, in 2012, Dana found…

NOSY BOY! There’s two-faced, and then there’s two-nosed! A Californian music producer, Todd Ray, thought this unusual Australian Shepherd, Toby, 2, wasn’t to be sniffed at! A sucker for the underdog, Ray also houses a five-legged miniature Pinscher and a two-legged Chihuahua. GRAPES OF WRATH! An annual ‘wine fight’ in the Spanish town Haro sees thousands of litres of wine used as ammunition. In June, the inhabitants chuck wine at each other with no apparent rules, teams, winners or losers. Everyone gets soak ed and, presumably , sozzled! CORPSE BRIDE Thirty-six recent grave robberies in China have been linked to bizarre ‘ghost marriages’. There’s an ancient belief that a man entering the afterlife with no spouse leaves a curse on families. So dead ladies are dug up to get hitched.…