Indice dei contenuti per 02-Aug-2018 in Chat

Welcome to this week’s Chat... Admit it, we've all judged other mums when we see their kids kick off in public. But after reading Julie's story on p36, maybe you'll think differently? Anne's moving diary on p24 had us in floods of tears but we loved sharing her beautiful memories. And we can't wait to see what you make of Mary on p6, who is juggling four fellas - and she's not ruling out number five! Phew! As if that's not enough, we've got tons more true life, supermarket home bargains (p17) and cool pool cover-ups from just £8.99 (p12). And puzzles on 16 pages. Have a great week!…

BBQ blitz  Scrunched up aluminium foil makes a great scourer and removes all BBQ remnants on the grill and trays. It beats a normal scourer any day! Jason Cartlidge, Telford Cool coasters  I reuse old CDs and turn them into funky drinks coasters. My kids love them - they're the only ones they'll use and keep on their desks. Corrina Williams, Mold For the birds  Bird feeders are so expensive, so I took two old solar lights that no longer worked, removed the light and filled with bird food. Tracy McFayden, Brough Refreshing Keep your dog's drinking water cool during the hot weather by popping a few ice cubes into the bowl. Donna Gray, Billingham Happy feet  I always make my own foot scrub using a small amount of olive…

One expert said my case was the worst he’d seen Caitlin White, 19, Perth Standing in the lunch line, I joked with my friends. ‘Almost at the front,’ one said. I smiled back, went to say something, and then suddenly began vomiting uncontrollably. My friends jumped back. ‘You OK?’ they said. Tears streamed down my cheeks. I was 15. The whole school canteen had seen. I was sent home. But though I felt mortified, I didn’t feel unwell. Weird. Could it be something I’ve eaten? A bug going around? I had no symptoms – except, a month earlier, in November 2014, I’d been doubled over in agony. And I’d thrown up several times since then. Without warning. But the doctors had been certain it was just acid reflux and given…

My dreams had been cruelly snatched away Leeanne Phillips 22, Cwmbach, Mid Glamorgan Switching off the lights, I tiptoed up the stairs to bed. Shattered! As if looking after an over-excited toddler wasn’t tiring enough... I was six weeks pregnant, too! Sinking into bed, I plunged into a deep sleep. Hours later, my eyes pinged open. Barely made it to the loo when I felt a gush between my legs. Blood! So much of it. ‘Chris!’ I screamed, grabbing the sink for support. My partner, then 26, stumbled in, took one look at me and got on the phone. ‘Stay calm, babe,’ he soothed. While he stayed with our little girl Evvie-May, 1, my friend Rachel, then 20, took me to Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil. A doctor confirmed…

Country garden quiche Serves: 6 Prep: 50 min Cook: 50 min Cost per serving: 98p 300g shortcrust pastry For the filling 100g green beans, cut into 5cm lengths 100g fresh or frozen peas 130g pack goat’s cheese, cut into small cubes 4 spring onions, trimmed and chopped 4 free-range eggs 150ml whipping cream You will need 20cm loose-based cake tin, baking parchment and baking beans 1 Roll out the pastry and line the tin, leaving the pastry overhanging. Chill for 20 min. 2 Heat oven to 200C/Gas 6. Place the tin on a baking sheet, cover with foil, fill with baking beans and bake for 15 min. Remove the beans and bake for another 5 min. Trim the excess pastry with a knife. Reduce the oven to 160C/Gas 3. 3…

1 Tired of your lipstick smudging or fading shortly after you’ve applied it? Blot your lips lightly with a tissue just after application and set with some translucent powder, just like you would your face. 2 A really easy way to make your lashes look fuller without extensions or falsies is to ‘stamp’ your mascara on the underside of your lashes by pressing it on instead of sweeping. It will look like you have eyeliner on, but it’s slightly more natural. 3 Applying a little translucent powder to your lashes can act as a primer. Just dust a little over your lashes then apply some mascara. Voila, you have thicker looking lashes! 4 Using a white or neutral-coloured liner on the lower waterline of your eye will make you look…

Emmerdale Sam’s shock confession All hell breaks loose when Sam finally plucks up the courage to tell his son, Samson that he helped his mum Alice to die, when she was terminally ill. A furious Samson accuses him of being a murderer, and later lashes out at Sam’s girlfriend Lydia, sending her flying down the stairs! Lydia is taken to hospital, where there are more unsettling revelations… Coronation Street Will Josh survive? Josh’s whereabouts and movements have become an obsession for David, who has now drawn Billy into what’s going on. But has the vicar got in too deep? Josh has been seeing a guy, so Billy tells him what Josh is really like. Then the police turn up on Billy’s doorstep, informing him that Josh has been beaten to…

Wine woes I spotted this sign in a pub in Norwich! It made me laugh out loud – I definitely need one on my wall at home. I find myself having this talk with wine on most occasions! Sian Cowley, Birmingham Stunning Stephanie I’d like to say how happy I am for Stephanie (issue 19, 10 May 2018). After all these years putting other people’s feelings before her own, she can now be true to herself and an inspiration to others in the same situation. Lindsey Smith, Shawbury, Shropshire Safety in the supermarket Could I please ask parents not to dump their kids in the basket bit of trolleys in supermarkets. Too often I see children in amongst the food. As well as being unhygienic, it’s dangerous. I saw a…

Happy newsagents ...me and Adrian Opening up the shop at 6am, I was delighted to see one of my regulars standing outside. ‘You’re early today,’ I grinned. Chatting to the customers was my favourite part of running a newsagent’s. Smoke billowed through the hall and up the stairs Me and my husband Adrian, 60, took over from his parents when they retired in 1985. Our house was connected to the shop, while our daughter Claire, 30, lived next door with her husband Tom, 31. One of our sons Chris, 37, also lived nearby. It was a proper family business. Every morning, I awoke early and made the shop presentable before opening. Customers would tell me all their news. I was always the first to know when people got engaged or…

I’m coughing up blood Q I've noticed flecks of blood when I cough, but I daren't see my doctor as I'm terrified she'll say it's cancer. Pauline, Glasgow A Usually, coughing up blood has another cause, such as a chest infection, blood clot on your lung, heart failure or even a simple nosebleed or sore throat. But cancer does need to be ruled out. And whatever the cause, it should be treated. You must see your doctor. Black nail QI bashed my fingernail and now there's a black bruise under it that really hurts! What can I do? Meg, Bath A It's painful because the bruise forces your nail away from the skin underneath. But it will disappear within a few weeks. A quick fix means piercing a hole into…

It's normal for everyone to lose some hair. We can lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, often without noticing. But see your GP if you have sudden hair loss, develop bald patches, are losing hair in clumps, or your head also itches and burns. If this happens, you could have alopecia. This is an auto-immune skin disease resulting in hair loss on the scalp, face and other parts of the body. Affecting 2 in every 1,000 people in the UK, it can be triggered by stress, diet, vitamin deficiency or can even be genetic. It's most common in those aged between 15-29. There are treatments but they don't always guarantee hair regrowth.…

Grieving for Mum sent me spiralling. But just how far down would I go? My heart thudded as my mum, Margaret, 65, slipped her beautiful engagement ring onto my finger. ‘This belongs to you now,’ she smiled. The three diamonds I’d looked at every day of my life sparkled on my hand, a perfect fit. ‘I’ll never take it off,’ I said, wiggling my fingers. But a lump caught in my throat. A year earlier, in July 2002, Mum had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She’d had a successful round of chemo but was very frail. Mum’s gift of her ring was a bittersweet reminder of how easily things could turn for the worse. It didn’t bear thinking about. Mum was my best friend, I couldn’t cope without her. Even…

Aries 21 March - 20 April After much effort, or a special journey, you’re told they’ve sold out, the shop’s closed or something similar. In the long run, it’ll be a blessing, but right now all you feel is angry. Take a deep breath, count to 10… Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May Following your heart’s desire could get you in deeper than you expected. Yes, love will always find a way, but there are issues to deal with which you may not have known about at the start. Take care. Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June If you’re not sure where you are, and there’s no-one to ask, what do you do? Carry on and hope you’ll…

Iceland Cheese & Onion Quiche, £1.79, 400g This classic quiche is well filled and has great flavour and texture. Such good value! M&S Handcrafted Tomato, Feta & Spinach Quiche, £5, 400g This quiche has such depth of flavour and perfect seasoning, with a slightly softer-set filling. Morrisons The Best Goat’s Cheese and Caramelised Onion Quiche, £3, 450g Crisp pastry and a nicely firm filling with the perfect balance of tangy goat’s cheese and sweet caramelised onion – a real winner in our eyes.…

Now Julie answers YOUR questions Q Do you worry that, as the kids get older and go out alone, their tics may cause offence or put their safety at risk? G Davies, Tuffley A Yes, that's why we take them everywhere, exposing them to all kinds of scenarios. We've even shown them some of the few negative comments on their videos and talk it through with them to prepare them for the difficulties and attitudes they may face in life. Q How do you take care of yourselves mentally and physically, so you’re strong enough to support your kids? Tracy Enright, Strood A Connecting with others in our situation has been invaluable for the kids, as well as for Jay and me. We make use of support groups and events,…

I was mowing the lawn one chilly Saturday afternoon in February 2017 when I saw a warming sight. My son Richard, 24, walking towards me carrying two steaming cuppas. ‘The garden looks great Mum,’ he said, handing me a mug. ‘Next time, you can do it!’ I said, taking a sip. I was kidding. My lad was so caring, he didn’t need to be nagged to help his mum! Studying Retail at college, he still lived at home with me and his older sister Ashley, 29. And though me and his dad Richard Snr, 48, had split 10 years earlier, we were all on good terms. ‘What you up to tonight?’ I asked. Ashley had rung from her beautician job to say she was meeting a mate after work. And…

Dear Lauren, Blonde, confident and super-cool. Looking casual but effortlessly pretty at the same time. That was you before you left for Manchester... Heading off with a gang of pals to celebrate your 20th birthday that weekend. How had my tiny baby become this gorgeous young woman? Independent, with a ton of friends and raring to go and make your way in the world. You’d booked an apartment that weekend, and were going to a rave. That word had made me worry. ‘You won’t be silly and take drugs?’ I’d fretted. ‘Don’t worry, Mum,’ you’d grinned, kissing me goodbye. Then you’d gone, leaving a trail of giggles and the smell of your Paco Rabanne perfume behind you. I hadn’t really believed you’d try drugs. You were a sensible girl, had…

I shared my nights between Tim and Paul Mary Crumpton, 44, Chorlton Sitting down to tea with Mum and Dad, I looked at them both and thought, ‘I hope I’m as settled as they are 20 years from now.’ Find The One. Live happily ever after. Before long, though, a different pattern emerged in my relationships. No matter how in love I was with whatever bloke I was with, my eyes would start wandering. Craving a new thrill. I never strayed, but I did wonder if one man really could give me everything I wanted. Then, in December 2000, at 26, I got chatting to a woman in the pub. She said something that made my mouth flap open. ‘I’ve got three boyfriends,’ she said. ‘I’m polyamorous.’ Didn’t want to…

Clitoris query Q Sometimes my clitoris throbs, even when I'm not aroused. Is something wrong? Kara, Preston A Your clitoris contains spongy tissue which fills with blood when you're aroused. It has a good blood supply, so you might feel your pulse in it at other times, particularly when relaxed. It's completely normal, but see your doctor if it becomes unpleasant. Moves for an orgasm? Q Is it true there are exercises that can give you a better orgasm? Michelle, Deptford A Some people claim pelvic floor exercises can boost orgasms, though not everyone agrees. But they can help if you're struggling to orgasm after losing vaginal sensation, due to reduced muscle tone, such as after childbirth.…

Tears in my eyes, I slipped it on my middle finger That night, I went to bed with a heavy heart. Tossed and turned all night. Since Mum’s death, I’d been on a downward spiral. Didn’t know how to get myself out of it… The ring disaster should have spurred me into action. But, next day, I tucked it into my jewellery box, buried my head in the sand. I plodded on for years. But then, in April 2015, I was on the bus home when my hands became clammy. My head began to spin, chest tightening. I stumbled off the bus at the next stop, near my doctor’s surgery. Staggered inside, clutching my chest. The receptionist took one look at me and dialled 999. Next morning, I came round…

1 Make do and mend  Lay out all the clothes you don't wear any more, and work out why this is. Has a hem fallen down? Take action and fix it! Is an item stained? Buy a suitable product to remove the mark, rather than admitting defeat if a regular wash won't get rid of it. 2 Switch it up In a survey by stain-removal product manufacturer Vanish, nearly one in five of us say we throw out clothes to make room in our wardrobes, while 12% say clothes feel ‘old' after being worn only a few times. You can solve both of these problems by rotating the garments you wear. Put away a selection of items, then bring them out the next month, and so on. You'll have more…

Neither a him nor a her... QA few weeks ago, a guy I’ve been seeing for nearly a year told me he is non-binary – he doesn’t identify as a man or a woman. He doesn’t want things to change between us and says he loves me. It was the first time he’d told me that. I have so many fears... I’m scared I’ll lose him and I love him so much. I’m proud of him and pleased he felt he could open up to me. But I’m struggling to see how I can support him when I don’t fully understand it myself. Sarah, 23 AOK so your partner doesn’t feel they fall into either a male or female category and you don’t know what to do. That’s OK. The…

Barry M Gloss Me Up, £6.99, Superdrug This summer, it’s all about the shiny lip look and Barry M are launching three new glossy lip kits which are perfect for everyday wear! Nivea Sun UV Face Shine Control SPF50, £8 Even when it’s cloudy, we should always protect our skin with an SPF. But if you find many sun lotions make your skin greasy, thankfully Nivea’s new shine-control cream not only contains SPF50, but absorbs excess oil from your skin, too. L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Mask, £5.10 If you’ve been growing your hair for years but are struggling to achieve the length you want, try this self-heating mask. It cares for and strengthens your hair as you grow it, helping to prevent breakage and damage. Avon Skin So…

On 10 August 2017, well-known Swedish freelance journalist Kim Wall, 30, boarded a submarine to interview its owner, Danish inventor Peter Madsen, 47. Later that night, Madsen alone was rescued from the sinking vessel – but horrifically, parts of Kim’s body were later found washed up on the shore. Madsen was sentenced to life, after being found guilty of Kim’s premeditated murder plus aggravated sexual assault and desecrating a corpse. But how did the police nail him? 1 THE SUBMARINE  At the centre of the investigation was Madsen’s self-built Nautilus submarine. T wo days after Kim’s disappearance, Madsen claimed it’d sunk as he was pulled to safety by four fisherman. Kim was nowhere to be seen. Later, the police retrieved the vessel and took it ashore to comb for evidence.…