Table of contents for 23-Feb-2017 in Chat

I just couldn’t take it in. Mum was dead, Dad was in hospital. ‘What happened?’ I asked, distraught. I had so many questions. And, as we all rushed to be together in Cardiff, the horror of what had taken place slowly became clear. We heard from police that Dad had jumped in front of a train at Cardiff station, trying to kill himself. Paramedics had rescued him from the tracks, and he was beside himself with grief. ‘I just want to die. Let me die,’ he’d begged. Then... ‘I’ve killed my wife.’ Dad was taken to University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where he’d had a leg amputated. Meanwhile, officers had gone to the house, where they’d found Mum lying dead in bed. Dad had bludgeoned her to death with a…

I hated the clinical setting and man in a white coat Staring into the eyes of my beautiful new wife, I couldn’t have felt happier. Now civil partners, it felt like nothing could break us. We soaked up the joy of being newlyweds, but soon a strange feeling started to niggle… My maternal instinct had kicked in. I wanted to have a baby. ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to start a family?’ I suggested to Amy. ‘I’d love to – but we’re missing a vital ingredient!’ she replied. We had a loving home and stable relationship – but that wasn’t enough to make a baby. We’d also need some sperm! I started to explore our options. How do gay women have a baby? I typed into Google. The top results were…

Setting up the tent, I admired my handiwork. Aged 13, me and my friends liked to camp out in local woods. One lad in the group, Corey Claridge, 14, was cute, but he had a girlfriend. We were just mates. Growing up, I didn’t see much of Corey. Until I was 17, when he sent a Facebook message. Great to hear from you! I replied. Both single, we met up that week. Corey had the same cute grin, but was more grown-up than other lads my age. He even had his own place. We started seeing each other, and he’d take me out for meals, always paying. Things were great at first, but Corey was a jealous type – even though I tried to convince him he’d no need. But,…

She only leaves the house to go to the hospital Answering my mobile, I wasn’t expecting to hear my daughter Zara’s voice. It was an afternoon last May and Zara, then aged 12, was at school. ‘I don’t feel good,’ she told me. She said she’d had a funny spell during PE and thought she was going to pass out. Zara has asthma and had used her inhaler in the lesson. Her chest still felt tight, though, and she’d had heart palpitations. ‘It sounds like an asthma attack,’ I told her. Despite her condition, Zara played a lot of sport. I assumed she’d over-exerted herself, but took her to the doctor, who checked her heartbeat. It was 120 beats per minute (bpm). ‘That’s high,’ the doctor said. ‘Around 70 is…

If I carried on like this, would I be around much longer? She made me WhatsApp her a selfie every month. In a bikini! The advert popped up on my computer screen when I went to check my e-mails. And it had three questions. Are you sick of putting off the things you want to achieve in life? ‘Yes, I am,’ I nodded. Are you feeling stuck in a rut? ‘Oh, yes,’ I nodded again. Are you up for making a pledge in front of the nation that in one year your life will be dramatically different? ‘Ummmmmm…’ It was June 2015. I was a district nurse. Every day, I visited people in their homes, changed dressings, took blood pressure, talked about healthy lifestyles… And every time I did, I…

Playing online bingo is so much fun and a win is a bonus Surfing the Internet, I spotted an ad for Chat Mag Bingo. The winners’ stories caught my eye, so I signed up. That looks like fun! I thought. I’d never played online bingo before, so I was surprised how much fun it was. I loved trying out all the bingo rooms, the excitement of watching the numbers come up, edging you closer to a line or full house. That was a couple of years ago now, and I’ve had some little wins since then. During the day, I help my hubby Robert, 53, in his garage. But, after a long day, there’s nothing better than putting my feet up with a few games of bingo. Sometimes, I enjoy…

1 It's picturesque Renowned for its friendly atmosphere, the town centre is a great place to browse for antiques, luxury gifts and fine foods. Or just grab a coffee and take in the view. 2 It's well-connected Close to the Lake District, The Pennines and Howgill Fells, this is a great base from which to make the most of the great outdoors. 3 It's hiking country The Dales High Way, the Westmorland Way, Lady Anne's Way and The Pennine Way are all close by, but the one walk you shouldn't miss is the trek from Dufton to High Cup Nick. Not for the fainthearted, it's known as the Grand Canyon of the Pennines, and the dramatic views are well worth it! 4 Great accommodation For a luxurious bolthole, Appleby Manor…

The cabin crew made a real fuss of their ‘VIP guests’! Deep down, we all want to experience the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle, don’t we? Luckily last December, I got the chance to do just that! Me and my friend Lawrie-Lin, 33, were visiting mates who lived in Gibraltar. After three fun-filled nights, we were due to be heading home. Sarah, 35, lives in Gibraltar, but flew back to London with us, before going on to New Zealand. We were all booked in for a BA flight to Heathrow at 5.20pm. When I checked in online, I got an alert saying that the flight was delayed until 8.48pm. ‘There’s no point going to the airport in the afternoon then,’ I said to the girls. So I called the airport to…

What I loved Sorting my socks! OK - maybe it's not the sexy, glamorous world you all think I live in, but soooo satisfying! And I threw away all those with even a hint of a hole. Radical, eh?! What hacked me off Not having managed to see La La Land yet! I can't wait! Have YOU seen it? Tell me it's not all hype! What made me laugh The Chat team's new obsession of trying to spot Sammy the seal. He supposedly lurks in the Docklands waters by our new office and he's our own version of the Loch Ness Monster... Hope you spot something wonderful this week!…

There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease or any other type of dementia. Research into the condition is desperately underfunded compared to other diseases like cancer. For every person living with dementia, the annual cost to the UK economy is over £30,000, yet only a shocking £90 is spent on dementia research each year. However, Alzheimer's Society is committed to spending at least £150million over the next decade on dementia research to improve care for people today, and find a cure for tomorrow. This includes £50million to develop the UK's first dedicated Dementia Research Institute.…

Schwartz Creamy White Wine Sauce with Herbs 26g, 88p Serve this tasty, herby sauce just as it is with fish, or stir in sliced, cooked leeks, sprinkle with cheese and grill until golden. Colman's White Sauce, 25g, 80p A basic white sauce, ready for you to add flavourings. Stir in grated cheese and use to top lasagne, or add a handful of parsley and serve over white fish. Sainsbury's White Sauce Mix, 25g, 40p Mixes easily and, if you keep stirring, turns into a lovely, smooth sauce. Add a handful of chopped fresh parsley or dill, and serve with gammon steaks. NEW   Dole Resealable Fridge Packs, £1.19 You'll find these in the tinned-fruit aisle, but you don't need a can opener. Perfect for breakfast, baking and snacking, you can…

Serves: 2 Prep: 12 min Cook: 10 min 150g plain flour 2 large British Lion eggs 300ml semi-skimmed milk A little vegetable oil 200g tub of ricotta Zest of 1 lemon 1 vanilla pod, seeds only 1tbsp honey 150g strawberries, sliced Icing sugar, to serve 1 Sieve flour into a bowl, add eggs and around a quarter of milk and whisk until smooth. Then gradually whisk in remaining milk. 2 Heat a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add a little glug of oil then, using a few sheets of kitchen paper, wipe around pan to lightly grease. 3 Pour 3tbsp of batter into pan and swirl around so it thinly covers base. Cook for 45 sec or until golden brown, then flip over and cook for 30…

It was more serious than first thought. I had a tear in my bowel Everything seemed to happen so quickly… One minute I was huffing and puffing, getting ready to push my first baby into the world. The next, doctors and nurses were rushing around me. It was 9 September 2010 and I’d gone into premature labour at 36 weeks. ‘Forceps!’ I heard a doctor shout. They needed to help my baby out. When I heard him cry, I sighed with relief. Kaiden weighed 6lb 13oz and, despite being premature, was a perfectly healthy baby. ‘You did it,’ my mum Audrey, 54, smiled. ‘It’s all over now.’ But before I could relax, a doctor came to speak to me. ‘You’ve suffered a severe fourth-degree perineal tear,’ he explained. It meant…

Garnier Skin Active Micellar Oil-infused Cleansing Water, £6, Tesco   Shake first, then apply with a cotton pad. The oil makes taking off even waterproof mascara a doddle. Top tip: Follow with a face wash for an extra cleanse. Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil, £10, The Body Shop Camomile soothes the skin - ideal for when you've just woken up or at the end of a long day. Top tip: Use with a warm cloth to get rid of all traces. Simple Kind to Skin Hydrating Cleansing Oil, £6.99, Superdrug Unperfumed, this oil is the perfect make-up remover for anyone with dry or sensitive skin. Top tip: To avoid a greasy hairline, tie your hair up. Sanctuary Spa Cleanse Ultimate Cleansing Oil, £12, Boots The closest thing to a home facial,…

Badal had been found wandering the streets of Punjab He was on the other side of the world, more than 4,000 miles away. But he could’ve been on the other side of the moon and I’d still have wanted to help. ‘I’ve got to save that dog,’ I said. It was August last year. A charity in India called Guardians of the Voiceless had posted on Facebook about a dog named Badal. And it was no wonder the post had gone viral, shared so many times it had ended up on my Facebook newsfeed a whole continent away. Badal had been found wandering alone in the streets of Punjab close to the border with Pakistan. It was incredible this poor being was found alive, the post read. No-one knew exactly…

I was racked with guilt as I looked at Alyssa on life support In September 2014, my youngest child Alyssa, then 4, started ‘big’ school. Me and hubby Chris, 38, proudly waved her off on her first day in her new uniform. They all grow up too fast, but she’ll always be my baby. Back home, she chattered excitedly about new friends she’d made. ‘She’s settling in well,’ I told Chris. Only, two weeks later, Alyssa complained of feeling unwell. She’d no temperature but was out of sorts. Figuring it was just a cold, I sent her to school next day. Only, mid-morning, I’d a call from the school receptionist. Picking up my poorly girl, Alyssa was really lethargic, so I took her straight to the GP. ‘It’s a chest…

There was something Jessica didn’t want people to know THE STORY Samanata was so perfect. Except for one thing – she’d never seen The Lion King! Jessica had. It was her favourite film. So the two made plans for a film night. It was autumn 2013. Sam, 21, and Jessica, 22, were in the same Biology class at Virginia Tech. They’d got chatting, found common ground. This was their first date. Or so Jessica thought. Months later, Sam was dead. And Jessica Ewing had admitted killing her. She’d beaten and strangled Sam. Then hidden her body in the back of Sam’s car. But when she realised she couldn’t get rid of it alone, she texted a friend to confess. Now, in Virginia’s Montgomery County Circuit Court, she’d entered an Alford…

I gently cradled my girl, sobbing deeply for hours We’ll always be thankful for the brief time we had with them ‘ Allastair fancies you,’ teased my pal. ‘Nah, we’re just friends,’ I insisted. Aged just 16, I wasn’t interested. At 18, Allastair went off travelling and I concentrated on my studies. Then, in 2008, Allastair returned. Bumping into him in town one day, I felt flustered. Boy, had he blossomed! Aged 20, and recently single, I figured it was now or never. ‘Fancy going to the cinema?’ I asked. ‘On a date? Sure!’ he grinned. Soon smitten, we became an item. With All, I knew I wanted kids. We weren’t actively trying, but weren’t using contraception either. In December 2009, I missed a period. Too nervous to look…

Long after we’d flown the nest, they enjoyed life together If I’d heard it once, I’d heard it hundreds of times... ‘We’re managing, darling,’ Dad told me. I hung up the phone and tried not to worry. But I knew how hard things had been for him and Mum recently. My dad Angus, 86, and mum Margaret, 85, had been happily married for 64 years. As a little girl, I’d loved to hear the stories of them meeting back in the 50s, and how their romance had developed. They’d worked together at a laboratory and Dad had had his eye on Mum. But when he’d asked her to go on a date, she politely refused him time and again. ‘Saturday’s no good,’ she’d told him once. ‘I’m playing cricket.’ Dad…

Alzheimer's Society's Director of Operations Kathryn Smith (left) says, ‘Dementia doesn't just affect the person living with the condition, but also the people who care for them. ‘This silent army of husbands, wives, sons and daughters spend 1.3 billion hours a year providing care, and this can take an enormous toll on their emotional health and wellbeing. ‘Carers have told us that even when they reach out to their GPs to discuss the impact it has on their lives, accessing support and treatment presents a number of challenges - from finding the time to attend therapy and getting care cover, to the extremely long waiting times to access support. ‘Alzheimer's Society is for anyone affected by dementia. Our online discussion forum Talking Point is a platform where carers and those…

Kobi adapted to new challenges. He was unstoppable Idon’t know if you’re like me and have an uplifting motto to spur you on. Try everything and find a way, is mine. And, in March 2014, at my 20-week scan, my trusty mantra was playing on repeat in my head as the sonographer squinted at the screen. ‘Is everything OK?’ I asked. ‘The measurements for the baby’s right arm aren’t right,’ she replied. My husband Mike, 38, and I were shocked. We hadn’t expected that. Days later, a specialist confirmed our baby would be born without a right forearm. He said something had blocked the blood flow reaching the arm during development in the womb. Thankfully, it wasn’t the result of any underlying, more serious condition. It was just one of…

‘Erm,it’s a bit... personal’ Split nails Q What will stop my nails splitting and flaking? Nail paint and vitamins haven't helped. Kate, 49 A Vitamins or supplements won't help unless you're deficient, which is rare. Splitting nails usually mean that you're spending too long with your hands wet. Wear rubber gloves when you're cleaning and doing the washing-up to keep nails as dry as possible, and cut them short. Tetanus jab QI enjoy gardening, so I keep my tetanus boosters up to date. My last was 10 years ago, but my doctor won't give me another one - why is this? Sue, 52 A Doctors used to advise 10-yearly boosters but, once you've had five tetanus jabs in your life, you're immune and there's no need for more. And it…

I lost most of my right nipple and part of the other Breast cancer doesn’t have to mean a death sentence Growing up, I always knew why both my nans weren’t around – breast cancer. Both Mum’s mum and my dad’s mum had lost their lives to the disease. Mum’s at 47, Dad’s at 52. And when I was 18, the disease struck even closer to home. ‘I’ve found a lump…’ my mum Julia, then 44, told me and my brother Nick, 21. We were totally distraught as she explained that she’d been diagnosed with breast cancer. Soon she was in hospital having a lumpectomy on her left breast and then, as more tissue needed to be removed, a single mastectomy. Worried I might be at risk, too, my…

1 Bring a pan of water to the boil, and cook 150g Tenderstem for a couple of minutes until bright green. Drain and leave to cool, then blend in a food processor until finely chopped. 2 Measure 50g couscous into a bowl and cover with 60ml boiling water - just enough to cover grains. Cover with clingfilm for 5 min until water is completely absorbed. When the time is up, run a fork through grains to fluff up. 3 To the couscous, add the chopped Tenderstem, 80g crumbled feta cheese, 2 cloves finely chopped garlic, 3tbsp each finely chopped mint and parsley, 2 pinches dried chilli flakes and 3 whisked eggs. Stir well, then add salt and pepper and mix again. 4 Heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium…

Jolly grid show!   Such a clever idea! My granddaughter designed this unique and quirky noughts-and-crosses-game using just a piece of slate, some pebbles, correction fluid and a marker pen. R Griffin, Bristol DIY funnel   I made a handy funnel by removing the bottom from a plastic lemonade bottle. It works a treat! Maggie Barrow, Stoke-on-Trent Sealing spuds When you open a bag of frozen roasties, use the part of the pack you cut off as a tie to seal the bag before putting it back in the freezer. Angie Laird, Wirral Chain gang Old Halloween decorations, such as these plastic chains, can prove useful all year round as curtain ties! Beverley Kyffin, Neath Bowled over! Here's a simple way to keep kids entertained. I washed and saved those…

Despicable Daniel I was sickened to read how Daniel Wozniak coldly murdered Sam Herr and Julie Kibuishi ( Lights, Camera, Murder, 24 November issue). Like many others, Wozniak found himself in financial trouble but, unlike those others, he selfishly took the lives of two people, rather than work things out. If only he'd had the decency to face up to his problems, no lives would've been lost. Christine Walker, Workington Chuckle tax Just got a letter from HM Revenue & Customs, and I was delighted to find they said my income tax return was ‘outstanding’. How kind of them to say so! Especially as I couldn’t even remember sending it in… David Truby, New Barnet Safer driving Car accidents would be halved if drivers took more notice…

Aries 21 March - 20 April There are lots of offers and ideas in the air, and you can’t decide which ones are best. Pick any that are cheap, quick and easy, but steer clear of anything that requires long-term commitment. In a few weeks’ time you’ll see why. Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May As work pressures ease, you’ve got some time to yourself - and, for some reason, you’re spending it re-living the past, or at least trying to. Fine, if you must, but if you’re doing it to avoid facing the future, then it’s not a good idea. Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June In a perfect world, we’d all live better lives. But we…

TRICKY BRICKIE A bizarre practical joke in Hesse, Germany, saw a man trapped at home after his front door was bricked up while he slept. The total damage was estimated at 500 euros (around £425). A police officer said that experienced hands could have built the wall in minutes, adding, ‘Trick or joke, we do not know.' SOFA SO GOOD… Ever just needed a hug? Clearly South Korean designer Lee Eun Kyoung did, when she created the Free Hug Sofa for the A' Design Awards. According to Lee, ‘It will hold you warm and soft like your mother, friend, and a lover.' Goodbye, loneliness - hello, snugliness! HOP TO THE TOP! Looking for a hiking buddy , this young woman found a hiking bunny in Sir Quincey Isenhopper . The…