Table of contents for 9 May 2024 in Chat

Welcome to this week's Chat… Have a read of Carley's story on p30 and see if you agree with me that it sounds like something from a romantic Hollywood movie! Single, stuck in a rut and daydreaming of a different life, she went off on her hols and got exactly that. Now she's packed in her office job for life on a Texas ranch and has bagged a handsome cowboy hubby to boot. Swoon! Hope your dreams come true this week… PS If you're entering the puzzles online, this is the link to use: comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Snuggling down on some cushions, I watched Finding Nemo on the telly. It was November 2005, my 3rd birthday, and my mum Lisa and dad Bradley had thrown me a family party. Now everyone had gone home, and I drifted to sleep. And that's the last thing I remember about that day. I then went to live with my maternal nan Linda, then 56. ‘Mummy got hurt, she's gone away,’ Nan told me. We lived in Canada, and I'd visit Dad at his family's farm, where he'd take me horse riding. Then, a few years later, Nan told me I wouldn't be seeing Dad any more. ‘Not for a while,’ she said. I stopped seeing my half-brother Reece too, Dad's son from a past relationship. I didn't question it. Enjoyed…

WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 What advice would singer Kylie Minogue give to her younger self? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the five-word prize answer. ACROSS 11 Courteous (6) 12 Pride and _, classic novel (9) 13 Simple buildings (4) 14 Having a beat (8) 15 Ridley _, film director (5) 16 Writer (6) 17 Soaks up (7) 18 Amazing (11) 20 Actor, _ Reeves (5) 22 Hearth (9) 24 Be of the same opinion (5) 28 Total quiet (7) 29 Requiring (7) 32 60 seconds (6) 34 Superman's girlfriend (4,4) 36 Relied on (8) 37 Physician (6) 39 Have faith (7) 40 Planet that is closest to the Sun (7) 45 Soft fruit with a stone (5) 47 Keep listening! (4,5) 48 A Quiet Place actor, _ Blunt (5) 51 Actor who starred in The Devil Wears Prada (5,6) 53 Bird with a colourful…

Can I still enjoy a drink? Q I'm 45 – why can't I handle booze like I did in my 20s and 30s? Jenna, Swanage A As we age bodies respond to alcohol differently, our for a few reasons. Firstly, our liver's ability to break down alcohol slows, prolonging its impact, while additional medications can interact with booze, amplifying side effects. What's more, our body composition changes, with more fat and less muscle, leading to higher blood alcohol concentrations. Women also metabolise alcohol slower than men, and hormonal changes can make alcohol hit us even harder, worsening symptoms like hot flushes and mood swings. Moderation is key. Stay hydrated – drink plenty of water before, during and after drinking – try to space out drinks, and opt for lower-alcohol alternatives.…

STYLISH REFILLS FUN SLOGAN ZINGY SHADE…

Charlotte is used to people having opinions on her parenting style. She calls it ‘secure attachment’ parenting. ‘You respond to the needs of the child, but you also give them space to explore,’ Charlotte says. ‘It aligns with my motherly instincts. There are nutritional, emotional and social benefits ‘It's a balance that not everyone understands or agrees with, but it works for me.’ And as part of that, she still breastfeeds her 5-year-old daughter, Reyce Anne, with no plans to give up soon. Even sharing her journey online to encourage other mums to try it too. ‘For every positive person there seems to be a negative person,’ she says. And some of the comments leave her speechless. ‘Feeding my children is going to turn them into serial killers?’ she recalls…

3-9 May 2024 Aries 21 March-20 April With both Mercury and Mars in your sign, you may be feeling hot-headed. Count to 10 before telling that certain someone exactly what you think! ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May The New Moon in Taurus in the first week of May brings the opportunity to set some clear goals for the next six months. Take action to make your dreams reality. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Take time to consider your options, then make a commitment for the long term to the path that offers you a feeling of excitement and expansion. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July By allowing others to take care of themselves,…

Q What is the best way to grow out my greys? Laura Johnson, 62, Leeds A This isn't going to be an overnight process, so don't be tempted to give up and reach for the dye. Shorter hair can take as little as six months, and longer hair up to a year or more to go 100% grey. It's a good idea to enlist the help of a professional to help blend out the lengths and ends with a full head of ultra-fine highlights, known as baby lights. This will soften the contrast between grey roots and dark lengths. Your colourist needs a good few inches of regrowth to work with, but if the regrowth is bothering you, cover up with L'Oréal Paris Magic Retouch Instant Root Concealer Spray, £9.99, Boots.…

Anyone from your town in the list this week..? Chat winners issue 6 (8 Feb 2024) £1,001 CASH MJ Gillbanks, Liverpool £500 CASH O Pringle, Antrim M Clayton, Burntwood £250 CASH J Savage, Brigg S Sime, Warwick £200 CASH L Cryer, Wellington £100 CASH A Davidson, Macduff M Hay, Hull A Carmichael, Bellshill £50 CASH M Jenner, Andover L Downey, Selby K Wilkinson, Richmond T Phillips, Torquay V Johnson, Warwick A Miller, Leicester £40 CASH J Dodsworth, Nuneaton £30 CASH J Taylor, St Austell P Riley, Hoddesdon £25 CASH D Button, Southwold L Starr, Halifax £20 CASH S Ellis, Liverpool M Frisby, Stamford M Lane, Grantham H Carr, Bridgend D Hadden, Stourbridge M Nolan-Moy, Hull C Thewils, Bedford S Ford, Bedford G Barker, Leeds R Chapman, Exeter C Taylor, Sheffield…

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TRUE-LIFE Making a beeline for the freezer, I popped an ice cube into my mouth. ‘Aahhh,’ I sighed, crunching down. It was January 2023 and six months pregnant, all I craved was ice. ‘Enjoying that?’ my partner Shawn, then 31, laughed. ‘At least it's not cakes!’ I said, rubbing my huge belly. We were already parents to Zackai, then 9, and Zanaya-Li, 3. I loved being a mum, but we hadn't planned for more. This pregnancy had been a big surprise, in more ways than one… Because at our first scan in September 2022, there'd been not one heartbeat, but two. It was twins! And our most recent scan revealed one boy, one girl. Perfect. Carrying twins and looking after Zackai and Zanaya-Li was exhausting. But every scan showed our…

1 Reduce salt intake Salt may make food taste better, but you can have too much of a good thing. ‘Because of its sodium content, eating too much salt is linked to high blood pressure,’ says Ruth Goss, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation. ‘Limiting the amount you sprinkle on food can help, but the majority of salt we eat is in food products we buy, so cut down on processed meats, soups and sauces, ready meals and takeaways.’ 2 Stop smoking If you're a smoker it can be hard to give up, but it will do you the world of good. ‘Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, including lowering your risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases,’ says Ruth. ‘Smoking…

TRUE-LIFE Stirring the pasta in the bubbling pan, I heard my little girl Brooklyn playing in the next room. She babbled away. Such a cutie, I thought, smiling. It was 5pm on 6 December 2023, and Brooklyn, then 20 months, had just started saying a few words. Taking her first steps too. I adored watching my smiley baby grow into a sassy, energetic toddler. Now, as I whipped up her favourite mac and cheese, she sounded happy playing on her little activity table. My fiancé Derrick, who I'd met while pregnant, dozed in our bedroom. Pasta nearly cooked, cheese grated, I grabbed the strainer from the cupboard behind me. Turning back around, I saw Brooklyn. She'd toddled in, pulled out a bottom drawer and climbed on top of it. Now…

Sitting on the crammed train, I swiped through a dating app. Nope. Nope. Nope. More and more bodies boarded the carriage, all avoiding eye contact. It was January 2016, and I was on my morning commute from my home in Bexley, Kent, to my office in London, where I was a PA. And despite the millions of people living there, the only prospect of finding Mr Right was through an app. Then 31, I'd had a few relationships, but none that had lasted. So, that June me and my friend Serena, 31, decided to go on an adventure. We flew to San Antonio, Texas, to celebrate my birthday on a real ranch, where we'd eat, drink and ride horses. ‘Here's to the cowboy lifestyle,’ I grinned, as we enjoyed a…

Go green, save cash Top chefs avoid waste at all costs, so why not take a tip from them. Next time you cook from scratch, pop peelings, stalks and skins in a saucepan with salt, pepper and two litres of water. Bring to the boil, simmer and you have a nutritious homemade stock. 3 ways to… TALK MONEY WITH YOUR PARTNER Want to discuss your finances with your other half, but don't know where to begin? Try these tips: 1 Set a money date ‘Every couple should set aside time for a money date – a time to discuss savings goals, planning for a shared future and potentially tricky topics like money concerns or managing debt,’ says Tesco Bank's Ban Mahsoub. ‘Put a date in the diary so you both know…

TRUE-LIFE Beth I flashed my sister a smile as she cracked open a bottle of Prosecco. Watched as the bubbles filled my glass. ‘Here's to you, little sis,’ Leah grinned. It was 2020 and we were celebrating my birthday round the house I shared with our mum. I was excited to open pressies with my family. There was just one problem. Leah's other half, Liam. While she was completely smitten, the rest of our family weren't as keen. In and out of work, Liam was a bit of a layabout. And, even more annoying, he loved winding me up. ‘Still on the shelf,’ he chuckled now. I gritted my teeth and knocked back my bubbly as he teased me about being single for the millionth time. I'd vowed to tolerate…

Lacura BHA Clearing Cleanser, £3.99, Aldi It doesn't matter how old you are – spots can hit at any age. If your skin is all over the place, set an alert for this Sunday and chuck this powerful cleanser in your basket. Formulated with blemish-fighting salicylic acid, the light, silky cleanser helps to de-gunk pores and clean deep to purge the impurities that cause pimples, while keeping skin soft. PS… Flourish Eau De Parfum, £6, Primark Floral fragrances lend themselves nicely to perfume layering – the art of stacking multiple scents to create your very own signature scent. At just £6 a pop, you can afford to try the trend with this four-piece collection. Worn alone, you can enjoy the singular scent of pretty flowers, mixed with fruity, woody, fresh…

BEHIND THE BIG CRIME TRUE-LIFE The horrific scene was comparable to the reports of Jack the Ripper. Sarah Crump's mutilated, naked body was found on the bed of her west London flat. She'd been stabbed in the neck and chest, severing her carotid artery and piercing her heart. Her body had been sliced open, her breasts cut off and placed on the bed alongside a section of her small intestine. A murder only a monster could be responsible for. Sarah had last been seen three days earlier, on 28 August 1991. Around 2pm, she'd left her workplace at Wembley Hospital, where she worked as a medical secretary. Called her boyfriend Mohammed at around 7pm to 8pm. But Sarah had not shown up for her shift the next day. Unable to get…

Dear Aimee, It was you, my little sis, who first spotted the angry blotches spreading across my shoulders. ‘You bruise like a peach,’ you said. With 18 months between us, we'd always been close. But now, in November 2014, a month after my 18th birthday, purple splodges appeared all over my body. The slightest knock left my arm black and blue, and I had painful cysts under my arm. Training to be a nurse, I felt exhausted. I kept falling asleep in the bath. Our mum, Sharon, then 42, worried too. ‘You're not going through this alone,’ you said ‘You look pale,’ she said. Then one afternoon while driving, I drifted off behind the wheel, swerving across a roundabout. Luckily no one was hurt. But I ended up at Royal…

This week we meet… Elizabeth Chapman, 52, from Steyning Where's your dream holiday destination? Since watching Race Across the World on TV last year, I've had a strong urge to visit Canada and Alaska. My boyfriend lived in Vancouver, Canada, for a while, so it would be lovely to visit with him. Books or films? I'd choose books every time! Losing myself in a good mystery or crime thriller is so relaxing. For non-fiction, I love getting stuck into biographies and history books on royal palaces. I always take a book to bed before lights out! Who were the last people to make you laugh? My daughters Olivia, 18, and Emily, 14. They enjoy keeping fit by watching dance-along videos online. When I join in, we all start laughing uncontrollably……

Melbourne's Eighty-Six music festival takes its name from which feature of the city? The answer to each clue (apart from the first) begins with the last letter of the preceding answer. The shaded squares will spell out the one-word prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 2 1 Playground item (6) 2 Small, grey terrestrial crustacean found in gardens or houses (9) 3 Number of players on a cricket team (6) 4 Rowdy, loud (5) 5 Frame of wood joining draught oxen (4) 6 Region of England south of the Wash (4,6) 7 Device for waking one up (5,5) 8 Jack_, author of On the Road (7) 9 Chart showing the days of the week (8) 10 Gun dog trained to fetch game (9) 11 Stiff (5) 12 Extinct bird of Mauritius (4) 13 Large sea (5) 14 Eighth planet from the Sun (7) 15 Curb Your…

The Bossche Bol, a characteristic delicacy of the town of ‘s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands, resembles an oversized example of what more common dessert? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Enchantment = SELL + P = SPELL. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. WIN 2 x £25 Puzzle 9 TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Should I give her cash? Q A friend recently went out of their way to help me land a great job after a tough time. I'm really grateful, but now they've asked me to buy them an expensive gift or transfer them some cash as a thank you. It feels really rude and odd. How do I handle this situation without ruining our friendship? Charlie, 29 A This is a huge red flag, petal. You can't and shouldn't ignore it. Good people don't give to receive, and actually wanting money for helping a friend is awful. Tell them that you haven't got any money to give them and that, beyond buying a drink as a thank you, you can't help them. Anyone who truly cares about you wouldn't ask this.…

TRUE-LIFE Plonking myself down in the staff room, I tore into a bag of crisps. A treat won't hurt, I thought. After all, I'd been rushed off my feet all shift. It was 1999, and then aged 19, working at Asda was my first proper job. Crisps, fresh bread and pastries were hard to resist at break time, especially with my staff discount. My feasting took effect. Shifting in my size 16 green uniform, I felt the waistband dig into my tummy. Just a small muffin top, I told myself. No big deal. I left Asda to run a carpet shop with my partner. Snacked on sandwiches all day. Then, after work… ‘Chippy tea tonight?’ my partner would ask. ‘Go on then,’ I'd smile, not bothered to cook. In 2007,…

E.l.f. Holy Hydration! Gel-Yeah Moisturiser, £12, elfcosmetics.co.uk Put the spring back into dry skin with this jelly-like moisturiser. It may feel light and bouncy, but believe us, it drenches skin with moisture, giving it a lovely, perky feel. Collection POWer Stare Doodle Eyeliners, £3.49, Boots A flash of colourful eyeliner gives the face a youthful touch and brightens the whites of your eyes for a wide-awake look. These lively liners come in five punchy shades, with waterproof staying power. Nivea Q10 Dual Action Glycation Serum, £16.99, Superdrug Ten years of research has gone into this, formulated with an ingredient called Glycostop, which aims to undo damage from excess sugar on elasticity and firmness. All you need to know is this visibly reduces deep wrinkles in two weeks. Body Proud The…

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