Table of contents for 3 August 2023 in Chat

TRUE-LIFE As my classmates ran and hollered around the playground, I watched on. They’re having so much fun, I thought, perched on a wooden bench. I’d never be able to join in their games. Then 4, I’d been diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease. It wasn’t unexpected. It’s a genetic disorder, and while my sister Rukhsar, then 7, didn’t have it, my brother Hameed, 9, had been diagnosed with it. Along with our growth being restricted, our bones were so weak that the slightest bump could cause a fracture. Despite using a walking frame, I still suffered three or four broken bones each year. My thigh, arm, ankle… It meant long spells in hospital. When I was well enough for school, there was no playground fun or…

Q I feel so sleepy all day, I struggle to stay awake at work. Is that normal or should I see my doctor? Merryn, Balham A Daytime sleepiness usually means you’re not getting decent sleep at night. You might not even realise this, for example if you suffer obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) where you’re repeatedly waking during the night because your throat blocks, but don’t remember it in the morning. It’s certainly worth a chat with your GP who can rule out OSA and other problems, such as the brain disorder narcolepsy, which might cause you to fall asleep without warning even in the middle of a sentence. Tracker apps on your phone monitor your sleep patterns overnight and can also help diagnose sleep problems. Meanwhile try to keep a…

Sitting at home, alone, I looked down at my bare ring finger. It was a long time to be married – 35 years. And now, in early January 2022, my recent separation was taking some getting used to, I can tell you. After being part of a couple for such a long time, I felt… lonely as an older, single woman. Since my husband and I had split the previous May, I’d had much more time on my hands. But I certainly didn’t want to spend it moping or dwelling on the past. It’d be nice to meet some new people, too. Just then, a message popped up on my phone. Take a look at this. I think it would be good for you, my friend Anita had written, followed by…

MAKE A STATEMENT REVERSIBLE DESIGN QUICKDRYING FABRIC…

Q My soon-to-be sister-in-law and I aren’t super close, but I would like us to be. We’re about to be family, after all. I’m not a bridesmaid, which is fine, and I don’t hold any hard feelings about it. But I’ve learned I’m not even invited to the hen do. I’m worried that if there’s a distance between us, it could affect my relationship with my brother. Lucy, 32 A Ask yourself this – if this girl wasn’t with your brother, would you two be friends? There’s nothing wrong with not being in the wedding party or invited to a hen do. Keep your distance if you need to. If you’re just not her type of person, that’s fine, sweetheart. Be amicable. Congratulate her, but ultimately be there as your…

Watching the happy couple dancing, I was having a lovely time. It was 2018 and at a wedding for a family friend. A warm summer’s day, I sat down and fanned myself with my hand. ‘Must be tough in this heat in your condition,’ an older woman guest said. My condition? What did she mean? I really wasn’t prepared for her next question. ‘How far along are you?’ she asked me. Then the penny dropped. Looking down at my belly underneath my dress, I let out a shaky breath. ‘Oh, but I’m not pregnant,’ I told her, cheeks burning. Her face turning beetroot too, she quickly spluttered out an apology. I spent the rest of the wedding self-conscious and wondering how many people were looking at my bulging tum and…

Making a brew, tea or milk first? Oh, it’s always water first for me – right there in the mug, then a long dunk of the teabag, and finally a conservative splash of milk. I love a strong cuppa! Go-to takeaway? We don’t get takeaway often, so when we do it’s a real treat, and we go all out. I can’t resist a Chinese, especially anything with duck. In our house, we stick to our own dish; my hubby prefers beefy recipes! What was your childhood dream? I love the outdoors, so when I was little I imagined I’d be a nature photographer, or perhaps a florist. I ended up working in factories, but I still do both as a hobby. I even make floral arrangements for my dad’s gravestone,…

A dedicated fan of K-pop band Blackpink is referred to by what term? 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 Collection of star systems (6) 2 Distance of three feet (4) 3 Place for developing photographs (8) 4 Legendary, fabled (12) 5 Room for storing food (6) 6 Crumble filling (7) 7 Went red with embarrassment (7) 8 Vehicle fuel (6) 9 Coastal navigational aid (10) 10Liverpool football club (7) 11 Louisiana city associated with Mardi Gras (3,7) 12Edible fish which swims upriver to spawn (6) 13Longing for the past (9) 14Grown-up (5) 15Edgar Rice Burroughs book, _ of the Apes (6) 16Female relatives (6) Your answer:…

STYLE TIP It looks like a miniskirt but is actually shorts – perfect for showing off your tan on a summer evening out. STYLE TIP Team this rose-printed set with chunky caged sandals and a contrasting ladylike bag for a smart lunch with friends. STYLE TIP Casual and comfortable, this long-sleeved shirt, with matching elasticated-waist shorts, makes an ideal outfit for sightseeing. Add a sporty cap for extra sun protection. STYLE TIP Wear metallic high heels and statement earrings with this trouser and top combo for a special occasion. Invest in a strapless bra for support.…

Gawping at the doctor at the Royal London Hospital, shock coursed through my body. It was March 2020 and, aged 18, for years I’d suffered from back aches and tiredness. I’d had numerous hospital tests, and was desperate for a diagnosis. Suddenly I had one – and it wasn’t good. ‘You’re telling me I have a rare disease?’ I said again. The consultant nodded. ‘One that requires lifelong care and has no cure?’ I asked, staggered. The consultant nodded once again. Explained that Pompe disease was a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive weakness to the heart and skeletal muscles. My limbs would weaken over time. I might be unable to walk in the future. And it could also impact my body’s organs, meaning that I’d likely have some trouble…

Wrapping my arms around my mum Clare in the departure lounge of Gatwick airport, I gave her a huge smile. ‘Have the best time,’ I said, waving off her and my dad Malcolm, then 56. It was October 2022 and my folks had saved up for two weeks in the sun to celebrate Mum’s 46th. I couldn’t remember the last time they’d been away, just the two of them – without me, my sisters Lilly-Mae, 19, and Tyler, 27, and brother Mason, 25. They deserved it, after everything they did for all us ‘kids’. Typical Mum though, from the second they landed in Didim, Turkey, she was sending me photos. Her on the white sandy beach near their hotel. Drinking a cocktail with one of those umbrellas in it. Some…

Tagua nuts, native to South America, are often used as a plant-based alternative to what decorative material? Solve the crossword, then read down the yellow squares to find the prize puzzle answer. ACROSS 1 Church passage (5) 4 _ Graham, comedian (3) 5 Upper limb (3) DOWN 1 Very keen (4) 2 A group of fish (5) 3 Foe (5) WIN 4 × £20 Puzzle 13 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

He's a rat on the apps Q The day after my friend’s 40th birthday party, I popped on to a dating app, only to see her boyfriend’s face staring back at me. He’s said he’s younger and very much available! My mate is so in love with him that I don’t know what to do. Should I tell her or let things play out naturally? Theresa, 40 A Having an active online dating profile when you’re in a relationship is cheating, plain and simple, if you ask me. Why not screenshot his profile and send it in a joint Whatsapp group with them both. Make a joke like ‘I know you’re good looking but someone’s duplicated your picture!’ Make them both aware that it’s there without accusing him of anything…

3 ways to… SAVE ENERGY IN SUMMER 1 Keep your cool Don’t make your kitchen any hotter than it already is in the summer. So on hot days, avoid using your oven and either prepare meals that don’t require cooking like salads or alternatively, use your microwave or cook outside on the BBQ instead. And don’t leave your fridge door open for any longer than it needs to be. When you open your fridge, it lets the cold air out and warm air in and your fridge will need to use energy to bring the temperature back to normal. 2 Stay in the dark On hot days, close curtains and blinds when the sun is out to keep rooms cooler. And there’s some debate on what to do with your windows but…

28 July-3 August 2023 Aries 21 March-20 April Synchronistic events are leading you to a new path, which will help you to feel more peaceful and fulfilled. Acknowledge the signs and move forward with faith. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May This is a time of personal growth for you, now Jupiter is in your sign for the next few months. Take the initiative – don’t be afraid to try something new. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Adventure brings you abundance now. By moving out of your comfort zone and exploring pastures new, you will quickly feel your life shifting up a gear. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July You’re always there with a…

Q I’m going through menopause and I’m really struggling in the summer heat! Can anything help cool me down? Elaine Harris, Bromley, London A Menopause can feel relentless, and hot flashes feels worse during the summer months. Beat the heat with some refreshingly cool skincare treats. For those days when you’re in need of instant relief, pop Garnier Hyaluronic Cryo Jelly Anti-Fatigue Jelly Sheet Mask, £4.99, Superdrug, in the fridge a couple of hours before use and leave on for 20 minutes. The clever hydrating technology cools skin by an incredible 7 degrees. After a restless hot night of little sleep, smother on some Versed Dew Point Moisturizing Gel-Cream, £13.50, lookfantastic.com, which contains skin-soothing aloe vera and green tea extract to calm and cool your complexion. Lastly, keep Mario Badescu…

Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Combi/Oily Skin, £13.99, Boots The new and improved formula of this SPF15 foundation makes it ideal for oily skin types. With a longwear matte finish, it’s so worth a try. W7 Glow On! Highlighter Drops in Flare, £5.95, w7makeup.co.uk Dab these drops onto cheeks, forehead and the bridge of your nose for a gorgeous natural-looking glow, or mix with your foundation for a luminous base. Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Pride Nail Varnish in Cherry-ish You, £4.99, Superdrug Quick drying, vibrant shade range and 100% of profits donated to GLAAD – this nail varnish collection is a no-brainer! The formula dries in just 60 seconds, great for last-minute events. Barry M Marshmallow Body Butter, £8.99, barrym.com The brand’s first ever body products have landed and this body butter…

At an imposing 6ft 11in tall, Lorenzen Wright looked every inch the American basketball star that he was. After a glittering 13-year career in the NBA, the world’s elite basketball league, Lorenzen, still just 33, was ready to enjoy a comfortable retirement. Enjoy the riches his talents had delivered. Spend more time with his six kids. But, in July 2010, just 12 months after hanging up his basketball vest, Lorenzen was dead. His decomposing body found in a swampy field near Memphis, Tennessee, his hometown. He was riddled with bullets, including at least two ‘execution style’ shots to his head. Lorenzen had not been seen for nine days, when he’d visited his former wife Sherra and their kids. The last thing he’d done was make an emergency call from his…

Don't get in a flap On a sunny but windy day, a good old-fashioned clothes peg will stop your curtains from flapping around. Dawn Malone, Hinckley, Leicestershire Pout and about If you don’t have room for a purse, roll notes into an empty lipstick tube. Frances Rutherford, Southbourne, Dorset Blooming great No need to throw away your favourite cup or mug when it cracks – simply drill a drainage hole in the bottom and use it as a flower pot instead! Claire Cade, Lower Gresham, Norfolk £25 For every photo tip that we print Done and dated When I’ve finished my Chat competitions and it’s ready to post, I write the closing date in the corner of the envelope until I get a stamp. Then I’ll never miss the closing…

WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 What is chef Gino D’Acampo’s greatest fear? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the two-word prize answer. ACROSS 11 Gary _, Take That singer (6) 12 Sound familiar (4,1,4) 13 Very wicked (4) 14 Royal daughter (8) 15 Chris _, Captain America star (5) 16 A planet (6) 17 Marine plant (7) 18 Mrs _, fictional hedgehog (5-6) 20 Weak and delicate (5) 22 Cannot be seen (9) 24 Modify (5) 28 Tottenham _, London football club (7) 29 Kelsey _, Cheers and Frasier actor (7) 32 Type of whisky (6) 34 The Bourne _, 2002 film (8) 36 Musical featuring the songs of ABBA (5,3) 37 Mel _, actor (6) 39 European country (7) 40 Farm vehicle (7) 45 ‘Doing’ words (5) 47 Experiences difficulty (9) 48 South American mountains (5) 51 Study of the weather (11) 53 Kitchen gadget (7) 55…

My feet are on fire! Q Please help – my feet feel like they’re on fire. My doctor’s done tests and calls it ‘burning feet syndrome’. Is there a cure? Ruth, Newport A Burning feet syndrome (BFS) is common, particularly in the over-50s, and symptoms are usually worse at night with a burning sensation and maybe heaviness or aching in your feet. Often nerve damage is to blame, which could be due to problems such as vitamin deficiency, diabetes, kidney disease or an underactive thyroid gland – a blood test from your GP should spot these. But sometimes tests are all normal and there’s no obvious cause, and it may be an inherited form of BFS. Treatment depends on the cause, but drugs to dampen overactive nerves can help. Try…

The Silent Generation Born 1926-1945 As kids during World War Two, you were expected to be ‘seen and not heard’ – hence the name. Your generation is disciplined and loyal. Technology wasn’t a thing when you were young, meaning Silents prefer face-toface conversations to chatting online. You’ve had to learn to text though, because your Millennial and Gen Z grandkids don’t talk on the phone! Baby Boomers Born 1946-1964 You arrived in the post-war baby boom and grew up in the era of moon landings, the Beatles and Flower Power. While youngsters drift to TikTok and Instagram, you’ve staked your claim over Facebook. Millennials grumble that you struck lucky, benefiting from an explosion in property prices, and you also get blamed for destroying the planet. Maybe you have something else…

Q My flatmate keeps bringing friends over after late nights, without telling or giving us any warning. For three days in a row I’ve woken up to strangers in my house. She keeps ignoring our requests to get her to stop. She just does what she wants with no care or consideration for the rest of us. What can we do? Hannah, 25 A It’s her home as well as yours, sweetheart. Are there any hard and fast rules about how many people you can have over? You can’t stop visitors when you’re sharing a home. If everyone else feels like you do, have a conversation. Be nice, explain why you don’t want visitors. If they don’t care then they’re the wrong flatmate for you and it’s time to find someone…

Pulling on her neck-to-ankle 1860s wrapper dress, soft pink knitted hair net and matching shawl, Vasi Birchwood looks as though she’s heading to a historical re-enactment. Or to work as an actor in a museum or a tourist attraction. Yet she’s probably just going for coffee with friends. Or popping to the supermarket, pushing her trolley down the freezer aisle in her antique frock. This is just how Vasi dresses every single day. ‘I started wearing historical fashion three to four years ago, and about two and half years ago I started sewing my own clothing,’ she says. Some of her pieces take her days to hand stitch. Like the purple Victorian cape that took her around 40 to 50 hours. It all started as a way to avoid the…

Tomato and chorizo pasta Flavour-packed chorizo is the star ingredient in this simple pasta dish. SERVES 6 PREP 10 MINS COOK 20 MINS ● 300g pennette pasta (or other small pasta shapes) ● 1tbsp light olive oil ● 1 onion, finely chopped ● 190g cooking chorizo, sliced ● 300g mixed tomatoes, roughly chopped ● Juice ½ ● 60g rocket ● Large handful basil leaves, roughly chopped ● Small handful flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped 1 Cook the pasta according to the pack instructions, drain and set aside. 2 Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan and cook the onion for 3 mins over a medium heat. Add the chorizo and cook for 3 mins to brown lightly, add the tomatoes, mix well and heat through. 3 In a large bowl, toss…

THE BOYFRIEND After sharing their first kiss at a school dance in 1998, teenagers Hae Min Lee and Adnan Syed were smitten. Sport-loving Hae described her new boyfriend as ‘the sweetest guy’ in her diary, yet they kept their relationship secret from their parents. Around December 1998, the sneaking around got too much and Hae broke things off. Then, after leaving Woodlawn High School in Baltimore, Maryland, on 13 January 1999, Hae, 18, vanished. Four weeks later, a passer-by found her body in a shallow grave in Leakin Park woods. She’d been strangled, and Adnan, then 17, was arrested. In February 2000, he was convicted of first-degree murder and kidnapping, the prosecution claiming he’d killed her when she began dating someone else. His friend Jay Wilds was the star witness,…

PS… Golden Glow Body Oil, £4.50, Primark Dry skin won’t stand a chance with this hydrating body oil. Smelling just like a lovely floral perfume, it provides skin with scent, shine and serious nourishment. Pop all over your body for any summer event. Works especially well on legs, making them look gleaming. E.I.F. Squeeze Me Lip Balm in Vanilla Frosting, £4, elfcosmetics.com Too much fun in the sun can leave lips dry and cracked. This tinted lip balm repairs, plumps and adds a sheen of natural colour. The vegan formula deeply nourishes your pout and provides a gorgeous shine. It tastes great too.…

Chat winners issue 18 (4 May 2023) £1,001 CASH C Trippick, Havant £500 CASH D Tingley, Brighton V Heard, Camberley £250 CASH E Edwards, Oxford H Bushell, Nottingham £200 CASH D Whyatt, Preston £100 CASH J Davies, Willenhall S Newton, Cleethorpes E Allan, Inverkeithing £75 CASH N Meer, Tamworth £50 CASH H Adams, Leeds A Firtos, Birmingham C Davies, Droitwich D Gaffney, Chichester J Spink, Darwen M Cliff, Wednesbury £40 CASH B Rotherforth, Leeds £30 CASH L Cooper, Huddersfield J Evans, Witney Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £25 CASH J Peters, Solihull L Richardson, Carlisle £20 CASH L Burgess, Wolverhampton C Derrick, Taunton E Reade, Cardiff L Fowler, Croydon C Carberry, Glasgow A Barton, Bexhill-on-Sea D Brocklebank, Pontypridd C Thompson, Newcastle upon Tyne J Goodhill, Clacton…