Table of contents for 19-May-2016 in Chat

Saggy skin QI've lost 2st, but it's left my cheeks saggy and wrinkled. I don't want Botox or surgery. Any suggestions? Denise, 58 A Congratulations on the weight loss! Shifting weight quickly can leave skin baggy, but it'll recover with time. Skin-firming creams can help, and protect skin from further wrinkles by not smoking and by avoiding harsh weather. Bladder weakness QA scan has showed that my bladder isn't emptying properly. Is that why I get pain during sex? Tess, 31 A If your bladder doesn't empty, the wee that's left can leave you prone to urine infections and you might need treatment with drugs, pelvic exercises or even surgery. This doesn't explain your pain during sex, so ask your doctor. Dizzy spells Q Sometimes I feel weak and dizzy…

Serves: 12Prep: 30 minCook: 20 min 150g margarine 150g caster sugar 3 medium eggs 150g plain flour 2tsp baking powder 40g desiccated coconut 4tbsp white rum or Malibu 175g pineapple jam To decorate: 300ml double cream Yellow gel food colour Flaked coconut Popping candy 1 Preheat oven to 180C/Gas 4 and put 12 paper cases in a muffin tin. 2 Whisk margarine with caster sugar until creamy, then gradually beat in eggs. Sift flour and baking powder on top, add coconut, and fold in. 3 Spoon mixture between cases and bake for 20 min until risen and firm to touch. 4 Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Skewer each cake with a cocktail stick and drizzle each one with 1tsp Malibu or rum. 5 With a teaspoon, scoop…

1 Cook 300g penne pasta in a large saucepan of boiling water, following the instructions on the packet, drain and keep warm. 2 In the same pan, heat a glug of oil, and, over a medium heat, cook 20 sliced hot and spicy pickled onions for 1 min, and then stir in 300g cream cheese. 3 Add 2-3tsp (to suit your taste, varying on the amount of heat you can handle!) of dried chillies, 4tsp lemon juice and then season with salt and pepper. Return pasta to pan, tossing through to coat with sauce before serving. Serves: 4 Cost per head: 87p LIFE! DEATH! PRIZES! For more foodie bargains, visit www.lifedeathprizes.com and click on ‘best buys’…

We giggled and I got out my paints... My site was brimming with living canvases! As requests go, this one was pretty far-out. ‘Come again?’ I said, wide-eyed. ‘I’d like you to paint all over my body,’ the woman repeated. It was summer 2014. I was working as a graphic designer for a technology company. But, in my spare time, I enjoyed face painting. Ever since I’d been a little girl, I’d loved dressing up. Didn’t need any excuse to throw a fancy-dress party. Sometimes, I’d paint my face as part of my costume. Which was how I got into it. After, I started painting friends’ faces – then hired my services out to parties, events, festivals. And now, here I was being asked to paint a woman’s whole body!…

Avon Anew Clean Anti Aging 3-in-1 Cleansing Water, £6.50, www.avon. uk.com Works like a toner and cleanser, for lovely, fresh skin. Top tip: Use instead of makeup wipes. Sanctuary Spa Cleanse Foaming Micellar Cleansing Water, £8, Boots Perfect if you like the feel of a cleanser, but suffer from dry skin. The light foam cleanses well. Top tip: Use on a cotton pad to remove all traces of make-up and dirt. Super Facialist by Una Brennan Probiotic Micellar Cleansing Water, £6.99, Boots Fragrance-free and so gentle. Top tip: Leave this by your bed so you don't forget to take your make-up off! Argan+ Moroccan Rose Rejuvenating Micellar Water, £6.99, Waitrose All the moisturising benefits of argan oil, without the greasy residue! Top tip: The great thing…

What I loved Bluebells in my garden and going out without a coat! Yay! I'm wild, me… What hacked me off Waiting for ages for the weather forecast on telly, then realising it's over and I didn't take in one word of it. What's that about?? What made me laugh A mate moaning about a backhanded compliment she'd got. A well-meaning (or was she??) neighbour said, ‘I bet you looked fantastic when you were young…' Ouch! Hope you manage to smile through pain this week!…

Det Chief Insp Steve McCabe from the Homicide and Major Crime Command says, ‘Hayes brutally murdered the very person who cared and supported him. He sought to cover his crime by dangerously attempting to stage a gas explosion, which, had it not been for neighbouring residents, could have had dire consequences and a number of people could have been killed or injured. Phyllis died horrifically at the hands of her own son, who then went on to almost kill a man days later in a frenzied and unprovoked attack. It is only right that Hayes faces the consequences of his actions.'…

The jury believed Ka Yang knew exactly what she was doing when she put Mirabelle in the microwave. She was found guilty of first-degree murder and a second count of assault on a child causing great bodily injury leading to death, and sentenced to 26 years to life in prison. She has three other children, who have been handed into the care of relatives. ‘It was probably the worst case I’ve ever seen,’ an officer from Sacramento County’s coroner’s office told the Press.…

I had a new baby, I loved being a mum… I had to beat this My hubby Alex and I had been married for three years when we started trying for a baby. And the positive pregnancy test in my hand told me it’d happened very quickly! ‘I’ve something to tell you,’ I told Alex that night back in February 2012, and I blurted out the happy news. He grinned. ‘You sounded so serious,’ he said. ‘I thought you were leaving me!’ As first-time parents, we decided not to share the news until after my 20-week scan. When Alex, 37, took me to Bristol’s Southmead Hospital, we couldn’t wait to see our baby. Only… ‘I’m sorry, there’s something wrong with your baby’s heart,’ the sonographer told us. My stomach dropped.…

Growing up, my back was always giving me grief. See, aged 6, I’d been diagnosed with scoliosis. It’s where the spine curves and twists abnormally. I was offered various surgeries, but I didn’t want an operation. I had backache and my posture was hunched, but I lived with it. In time, I met my husband Mark, now 37. And in 2007, I gave birth to our son Ellis, now 9. Getting older, I was in more pain. But I just got on with things. Then, in April 2014, I began to feel breathless and was coughing a lot. I thought it was flu, but weeks later, I wasn’t any better. My breathing was short and I felt weak and I thought it was a chest infection that would pass in…

The bigger I got, the worse the bullying became Doctors would fast-track my gastric op. A new start... Counting my pocket money out onto the shop counter, I stuffed a packet of crisps, a chocolate bar and a bottle of pop into my schoolbag. ‘And some strawberry laces, too, please,’ I said. Once outside, as I jammed the sweets into my mouth and washed them down with my fizzy drink, I felt better… Another bad day at school, and comfort-eating was helping me block out the vicious bullies. Fatty, fatty, I could hear their cruel words echoing in my ears. I was 16 and weighed 14st. When I was 12, I was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries. One of the symptoms of the condition was weight-gain, and I’d piled on the…

In the last 20 years, an alarming number of people have disappeared from cruise ships. Not all will be the result of crime, but many are at least mysterious – and remain unsolved. Yet, by law, UK authorities are not allowed to investigate the disappearance of, or crimes against, their citizens. The responsibility falls on the country where the cruise ship is registered. US Maritime law specialist Jim Walker warns, ‘The place to get away with a crime is on a cruise ship... You can’t summons a police officer who’ll run onto the crime scene. So folk are out there by themselves.’ Heartbreaking for families of those missing. No body to bury, unable to grieve. No answers – only questions… It's awful for families of those missing John Halford After…

My name appeared in flashing lights on my screen My hubby John, 64, and I used to love an evening at the bingo hall. We still do! But when I spotted a promotion for Chat Mag Bingo online, with a fab sign-up bonus, we had to give it a go. So, in August last year, we both joined, receiving £35 to play with, when we deposited £10. ‘This is great fun!’ I said to John, as we explored all the different bingo rooms. And online bingo suits us to a tee now we’ve retired! With some downtime at home, being able to play our fave online bingo games from the comfort and convenience of our own sofa is perfect. Plus, there are so many different games to try. My favourite…

I struggle to move my lips to talk, and dribble whenI drink... Checking out my new pout in the mirror, I was chuffed. ‘Perfect,’ I told my surgeon. It was 2001, and I’d just had permanent lip fillers injected to plump up my lips. I’d also had eyelid surgery to banish the bags under my eyes. It was the first time I’d ever had cosmetic surgery. I’d done it to give myself a confidence boost. See, a few years earlier, I’d undergone painful chemo to fight skin cancer. Thankfully, I was OK – but it’d left the skin on my face looking saggy. So I’d spent two years researching surgeons, before booking a top doctor in London. The surgery had cost more than £5k, but it’d been worth dipping into…

Taurus 21 April - 21 May When you get into your car after someone else has driven it, it feels wrong, because the seat has been moved. The same applies to an important area of your life. Put things back to how they were and all will be well. Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June Is it ever worth going back to find lost love? Nine times out of 10 the answer is no, because they’ll have moved on and so will you, but this time might be the exception. There’s still some heat in the embers, it seems. Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June - 23 July Forewarned is forearmed and, this week, the planets give you a preview of…

It was a relief to know what was wrong Daniel’s on the lookout for love again One minute, my son Daniel was like any other 14-month-old. Walking, talking, playing games of touch your nose, touch your toes. The next, he was screaming in agony with a headache, rash and high temperature. ‘It’s an infection,’ our doctor explained, prescribing antibiotics. His temperature came down. The rash faded. But afterwards, he was a different child. My brown-haired boy stopped talking, had tantrums. My husband Barry and I knew something was seriously wrong. ‘He’s got behavioural problems,’ experts said. ‘Speech and language disorder,’ others suggested. We were told he’d struggle to reach his milestones. But I was determined. Aged 2, I got him into a private nursery and, despite not being able to…

She'd asked him to stop smoking so many times, only to be told she was nagging After killing his mum, Mark had tried to blow up their home ‘Will you play with me?’ asked my sister, chalking out a hopscotch grid on the pavement. Phyllis was seven years younger than me. Our parents worked long hours. So it was often left to me to babysit. Not that I minded. We were so close. She loved trying on my clothes and make-up, saying, ‘I want to be like you when I grow up.’ In fact, we were chalk and cheese. I was a lively extrovert, whereas Phyllis was quiet and bookish. The years went by and we both grew up. Aged 26, I got married to Joe. Tragically, he died in…

I was on a night out with my girlfriends when a fair-haired man sidled up to me at the bar. ‘You’re stunning,’ he smiled. ‘Can I buy you a drink?’ Over 6ft tall and with bulging muscles, there was no denying Leighton Walker was attractive. It was October 2014, and I’d seen him around town. But this was the first time we’d chatted. ‘You’re a real heartbreaker,’ he told me. Charmer! Polite, with a gorgeous smile, he was persuasive, too. And so I started seeing more of him. And, boy, did he pull out all the stops?! Sent flowers to my work, showered me with jewellery, chocolates and clothes. After about a month, I’d moved into the three-bed semi he shared with his lovely Staffordshire bull terrier Bobo. For a…

Sainsbury's Breakfast Biscuits, six packs of four, £1.40 Hard and crunchy, these taste good for you! We liked the flavour, and enjoyed them along with our yogurt and morning cuppa. Lidl Sondey Envitas Milk, six packs of four, 89p Crispy, with a good, milky flavour and the texture of a digestive biscuit, these make a tasty, hasty breakfast or a light treat for mid-afternoon. Asda Milk & Oat Breakfast Biscuits, eight packs of three, £1.29 Light, crunchy and nicely oaty, with a smooth, milky taste, these lovely biccies easily came out top in our taste test! NEW Yeo Valley Banana & Custard yogurt, 450g, £1.50 Blended with cream, this indulgent, retro-flavoured yogurt would go very nicely with a pack of breakfast biscuits and a hot drink. Mind you, it'd make…

We had to hold Marbeli vertically to help her food go down It all started six months ago when my German shepherd Marbeli was 10 weeks old. She’d started being sick, unable to keep anything down. Her breathing became laboured, and she seemed lifeless. Me and my husband Neil, 43, took Marbeli straight to the vet’s, who diagnosed pneumonia. Our poorly pooch was put on oxygen while they ran tests. Luckily, she perked up, and was sent home with antibiotics. But the poor girl kept vomiting and regurgitating regularly. I’d read online about a condition matching Marbeli’s symptoms, called megaesophagus. Digestive fluids build up and sit in the oesophagus if it fails to propel food and water into the stomach, eventually causing pneumonia. It was so rare, the vet didn’t…

I felt like the broken little girl I'd been when I was first in care Life hadn’t always been easy for me. At 13, I’d gone into foster care. With low self-esteem, I struggled to trust anyone, and began self-harming. I suffered from bulimia, too. But now, aged 19, it finally felt as if things were getting better for me. I’d moved into my own flat, met my boyfriend, and started doing voluntary work for a local organisation promoting the human rights of children and young people. Feeling more confident and positive than I had for years, I’d got my life under control. In March last year, I arranged to meet a friend in town for a girls’ night out. I’d used the same taxi driver for about a year,…

Computer says yes thought my husband might be I going mad when I heard him saying ‘thank you’ to his laptop. ‘Why are you thanking the computer?’ I asked him. ‘It said my password was very strong,’ he replied! Sam Nicholson, Yanchep, Australia Touting for business Well, that’s one way to get people through the door! Spotted outside a lovely gift shop in Teignmouth. T Griffin, Bristol WE PAY CASH My 4lb 3oz whopper Milo won Best Pet at a ferret show! Jessica Searle, Middlesbrough Why not get in touch! See page 4 for details on how • All contributions to Chat must be original, not copies or duplicated to other editors. Subject to these conditions, £25 will be paid for all rights in each letter or photo of the…

I couldn't breastfeed Zachary, was drifting in and out of sleep Did you know that you’re pregnant?’ the doctor asked me. ‘No!’ I stammered. I was in the emergency room at a hospital in Gillingham after a horse-riding accident. My injuries were minor. But being told I was five weeks gone was a major shock! I was only 17 and had been with Lee Sullivan, 20, for just five weeks. I was at college and he worked on the railways. It hadn’t been planned. Yet now I was expecting his baby. I was terrified about telling him and my mum Jo. Thankfully, though… ‘I’ll support you,’ Mum said. ‘We’ll be a family,’ Lee promised. My pregnancy went well. But when I was 39 weeks gone, I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia.…

1 Take a tram…to the summit of the Great Orme - then take a ride down the longest toboggan run in Britain. While you're at the top, don't forget to visit the exhibition at the Great Orme Country Park Visitor Centre. 2 Conquer a castle... Built for Edward I, Conwy Castle is magnificent! Climb to the top of one of the eight towers to take in the stunning views, then back down at ground level, explore the inner and outer wards. 3 Go bird-watching... You'll spot birds of all shapes and sizes at the Conwy RSPB Reserve. Check out the events before you go - including guided walks, farmers' markets and fun activities for kids. 4 Catch some waves... Surf Snowdonia in the Conwy Valley is the world's first inland…

He'd posted the footage of him killing them on Twitter THE STORY Journalist Alison Parker was a girl who had brains and beauty. According to her father, she was a ‘fierce competitor’ in everything she did, from gymnastics to getting the story first. Graduating with a degree in Media Arts and Design, she then got an internship at WDBJ-TV in Roanoke, North Carolina. And, in May 2014, she landed a job as a reporter there. Colleagues described Alison, 24, as ‘gifted’, and said she had a ‘radiant smile’, and was ‘a highly professional journalist with a great personality…’ Her personal life was also thriving. She was committed to her boyfriend Chris Hurst, who she’d just moved in with and was set to marry. Adam Ward, 27, had wedding plans of…

LOST FOR WORDS? Tongue-tied on holiday? Here's a T-shirt covered with 40 universal icons to help you overcome the language barrier. ‘IconSpeak' was designed by three Swiss men who'd had to draw symbols on paper or in the dirt to communicate while exploring Vietnam. OOH LA LA! The French tourist board About France has launched the ‘Feeling Free' campaign, encouraging tourists to strip off on holiday. It's estimated that four million naturists visit France each year, with Brits being the third-largest group after the Germans and Dutch. But remember: pack sunscreen! ‘THANKS A LOT, DAD!’ Fathers can sometimes find their daughters a handful. None more so than Californian plastic surgeon Dr Michael Niccole, who performed boob jobs on his adopted girls, Brittani and Charm. ‘They're perfect - thanks, Dad!' Brittani,…