Innehållsförteckning för FEBRUARY SPECIAL 2019 från Chat Specials

A3ft model of a snowman, made entirely from plastic cups, took up the whole corner of my living room. ‘Where are we going to put it?’ I laughed. ‘There’s no room left in the house!’ She had buckets of slime My granddaughter Jessica, 16, was always making things. She was always following the latest crazes and searching online for new ideas. She and her mum, my daughter Katie, 36, lived with me, so I got to watch her artistic talents in action. In June last year, Jessica found YouTube tutorials on making slime. It looked pretty easy – just three ingredients, according to the online recipes. Jessica ordered some glue, shaving foam and Borax – a solution that binds it all together – for less than £10 on Amazon. And…

Carly Easter, 37, Saffron Waldon Jumping up and down excitedly, my son Bobby, five, begged me to let him go outside. ‘All the boys are playing football, can I go please?’ he asked. ‘Of course you can, just take that school uniform off first,’ I agreed. Bobby was my golden boy, and after having two girls, Sydney, 15, and Maddison, 11, our family doted on him. We lived on a peaceful cul-de-sac in Saffron Waldon, Essex. It was the perfect place for the kids to play after school. On a sunny spring day, I watched my little lad skip off outside to join his mates – the sounds of all the children playing with water guns, scooting around and playing tag together, filled the air. We had loads of friends…

Gemma Romsey, 29, Bournemouth Staring at my bulging arms and rolls of fat bursting out of the bright red and green material, tears welled up in my eyes. It was Christmas 2013, and I was getting ready for my family’s annual party. We’d decided on a Hollywood theme that year, and I knew I wanted to dress up as my favourite festive character – Buddy from the film Elf. But tipping the scales at 20st 2lb and barely squeezing into a size-26, I’d known I wouldn’t get into the one-size-fi ts-all costumes available online. Instead, I ordered some brightly coloured cloth to make my own outfit. After hours at the sewing machine, the finished costume looked more like a tent, and it was a real struggle to get on. And…

Maureen Dubberley, 75, Halesowen Sipping on my glass of fruit punch, I looked up from my lap to see a hand in front of my face. My eyes traced up the figure of a tall, handsome man stood in front of me, wearing a pair of thin gold glasses, perched on the end of his nose. ‘Can I have this dance?’ he said, flashing a grin. Absence really did make our hearts grow fonder Colin Dubberley was 18 years old when I first laid eyes on him back in December 1958. I was only 15 and it was such a thrill – being asked to dance by an older boy. ‘Why not?’ I said, struggling to stifle my excitement. I’d been working at Birmingham’s Railway and Carriage Company in Smethwick…

Carol Haslam, 38, Ratoath, Ireland Tucking into a Sunday roast, my son Daniel, 11, announced he had a new joke. ‘What do you call a monkey with dynamite up his bum? A ba-boom!’ His sister Niamh, 13, groaned. ‘He’s got my sense of humour,’ my husband Kev, 47, grinned. I loved moments like these – my family sat around laughing. Since we’d moved to the country from Dublin a few years ago, we’d had so much bad luck. I was actually beginning to think there was a curse on our house. Kev and I had met in a holiday park in Devon when I was 19. ‘Our eyes locked across a caravan table,’ Kev often jokes. We got married, and when the kids came along soon after, I bought a…

Naomi Jones, 34, Maidstone Scrolling through my phone one evening in August 2009, a message popped up. A man called David Jones had seen my profile on the dating app Plenty of Fish. Fancy a chat? he asked. I’d just come out of an abusive marriage, leaving me and my four-year-old daughter Lacey picking up the pieces. I wasn’t really looking for a relationship, but a friend had convinced me to sign up for online dating, to get my mind off things. David, 29, was funny, clever, and very charming. You’re the fi rst person I’ve spoken to on here, he admitted. I learnt that David was in the Royal Marines. He’d joined at 17, following in his granddad’s footsteps. What a catch, I thought. I told him about my…

Cool shades, kid Ethan found his dad’s sunglasses and looks very cool wearing them! He only had them on for a few minutes, but this is definitely a picture for keeping. Cathy Copeland, Liverpool Love is all around My boyfriend Steve and our baby boy Will. I couldn’t be happier with my little family! Kim Townsend, Basildon Friends will be friends I love this picture of me and my mates. I’ve been so blessed to have so many close friends. We’re always there for each other and we always have such a laugh. Christine Howard, Hull Life’s a beach Happy seventh birthday to my beautiful niece, Lily! She loved her beach cake! Jenna Stokes, Exeter One for the wall I absolutely adore this picture of my daughter Abi. My husband…

Bridie Chapman, 32, Penrith Climbing into bed, I saw I had a new message on Facebook. Hi Bridie, long time no speak, it read. It was from Perry Mason, 31, a childhood friend from school. Having lost touch, I was shocked when I saw his message, but I couldn’t hide my excitement. Perry and I ended up chatting to each other for hours. After a few weeks catching up through messages and phone calls, we finally met in October 2016, and from that night, our relationship blossomed. We would see each other every weekend, taking turns to travel between my home in Penrith, and his in Leeds. On week nights we’d chat on the phone and plan what we would do that weekend, counting down the days until we would…

Sharon Garner, 64, Penzance Since being diagnosed with arthritis 10 years ago, my joints had been stiffer than my evening gin. ‘I feel ancient,’ I moaned to my husband Alwyn, 63, inching my way to the sun lounger. We were staying at our holiday home in Turkey, but not even sun and cocktails could cheer me up. The only thing that comforted me was food, and lots of it. Cornettos and Big Macs calmed me down if I got upset. I had a loving, supporting husband  and eight grandchildren, but I was still depressed. I just couldn’t shake it. And at 11st 8lb at just 5ft 2in tall, I was embarrassed about how I looked, too. ‘Let’s go to Terkan’s gym,’ my son Carl, 39, suggested when visited us in…

1 Valentine’s Day to you is: a A special day to spoil your partner with gifts. b A day to celebrate your love by doing something exciting. c A day to spend with your partner – it doesn’t matter what you’re doing, just as long as you’re together. d A day when chocolates are over-priced and there are too many flowers around. 2 Which of these Valentine’s dates is the most appealing? a A romantic candlelit dinner. b A spontaneous trip to Paris. c A cosy night in. d A night out with the girls. 3 What’s the most romantic dessert? a Tiramisu. b Chocolate lava cake. c Chocolate chip cookies. d A tub of ice cream – for yourself. 4 What’s the best Valentine’s Day gift? a Flowers and…

I’m trying to sleep! If Oscar insists on sitting this close to me while I’m trying to sleep, then I’ll have to just take pictures of him until he’s had enough! Suzanne Moreno, Derby New addition We rescued Molly a few months ago and she’s fit right into our family. She loves her walks, adores the kids, and we’re so happy she’s part of our lives! Leigh Watkins, Peterborough Can I go inside now? Coco definitely prefers to be comfy indoors, as you can see by her troubled expression when I put her on the grass outside… Lucy Sandoval, Redditch Pawsome pooch I just love this adorable snap of my puppy Phoebe. She’s such a loving little dog, and I can’t help but spoil her. Vanessa Gregory, Weymouth…

FILM AND TV 1 Jason Statham plays rescuer Jonas Taylor in which 2018 sci-fi film? a Venom b The Meg c Red Sparrow 2 Which actor links the films The Da Vinci Code, X-Men, and the TV soap Coronation Street? a Paul Bettany b Patrick Stewart c Ian McKellen 3 Which US TV drama is set in the fictional Sterling Cooper advertising agency? a Suits b Mad Men c The Wire 4 Who voices Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story films? a Tim Allen b Tom Hanks c Brad Pitt 5 ‘You won’t know the facts until you’ve seen the fiction’ is the tagline from which film? a Kill Bill b Pulp Fiction c Sin City 6 Which series followed the adventures of Gobo, Mokey, Wembley and Boober? a Sesame…

EVERYTHING IS AWESOME! If you aren’t excited enough about the release of The LEGO Movie 2 in cinemas on 8 February, there’s even more awesomeness at the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort! The resort has set aside selected dates throughout March to be LEGO Movie Days, where guests can meet Emmet, Wyldstyle, Unikitty and Benny during character meet and greets. Help Emmet and his friends on a scavenger hunt, and stand a chance of winning some awesome prizes. Tickets £35pp. www.legoland.co.uk . FIGHTING TOGETHER To coincide with Eating Disorders Awareness Week from 25 February to 3 March, a new inspiring book has been launched, aimed at helping you and your loved ones. Hope with Eating Disorders 2nd Edition by Lynn Crilly offers a non-judgmental, family-friendly approach to treating eating…

Time management These handy tips will help working mums save time Let go of perfection Perfection doesn’t exist. Instead of cleaning an already clean house or working towards unrealistic goals, figure out a more practical us for your time. Avoid the internet Surfing the web is a time waster and an innocent break can turn into hours. Set limits on your screen time and unplug when you reach that limit. Set daily goals We’re not superheroes and we shouldn’t try to be. Make your daily goals realistic enough to complete. You can always do more if you have time. Don’t multitask We perform better when we give focused attention to the task at hand. When you’re at work, don’t worry about dinner, and when you’re helping the kids with homework,…

I was more than happy to be upstaged Leanne McQuillain, 35, Colchester Watching my sister Natasha walk down the aisle in August 2016, my nan Shirley, 80, turned to me. ‘I wish she’d asked me to be bridesmaid!’ she whispered. Nanny was a real character. She was always winding up one of her 16 grandchildren, or eight great-grandchildren. There were days when she was still her cheeky self Since we were little, Nanny would have us in stitches. She reminded us of Hyacinth, the character in Keeping Up Appearances, because she’d put on a posh voice, even though she’d grown up in a rough part of town. Losing our grandad Maurice to Alzheimer’s two years earlier had come as a blow to her. They loved to jive to the Glenn…

Talented Sylvie Cachay was a swimwear designer whose costumes and bikinis had been worn on fashionable beaches by celebrities and socialites alike. Then just before 3am on December 9, 2010, staff at exclusive Manhattan club, the Soho House, responded to a complaint about water leaking through a ceiling from Room 20. When no one answered the door, they let themselves in and discovered Sylvie, 33, submerged in an overflowing bathtub. She’d been strangled and drowned to death. While the fashion world mourned, attention fell to Sylvie’s boyfriend, Nicholas Brooks. Their turbulent relationship filled the pages of the world’s press. Had falling for a playboy cost Sylvie her life? Sylvie and Nicholas couldn’t have been more opposite. The daughter of successful Peruvian parents, she had moved to New York after studying…

BAKED MEATBALLS SERVES 4 YOU’LL NEED... • 1 x 500g pack of lean beef mince • 1 onion, finely diced • 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped • Salt and pepper • 1 x 400g can of chopped tomatoes • 1 x 400g can of tomato soup • 1/4 pint of veg stock • 2 handfuls of grated parmesan • 1 ball of mozzarella, sliced • A handful of chopped parsley HOW TO DO IT… 1. In a large mixing bowl, put in the mince, onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Using your hands, work the ingredients together – the mince should be smooth and the mixture should hold together easily. Roll them into good sized meatballs and put to one side. 2. In an oven-proof dish, add the stock, soup and chopped tomatoes and mix well with a spoon. Place…

START: DO YOU SUFFER FROM HEADACHES? YOU NEED OMEGA 3 Omega 3 is an essential fatty acid that helps lower cholesterol, prevents Alzheimer’s and soothes skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. Foods: Eating four portions of oily fish such as salmon per week can stop symptoms like muscle aches and vaginal dryness. We suggest: 250 to 500mg of Omega 3 per day. YOU NEED B VITAMINS As B vitamins help release energy from food, not having enough can leave you feeling lethargic. Other symptoms include ‘floaters’ in your vision and finding noises overwhelming. Foods: The best source of B vitamins is porridge. Mix oats, yoghurt and fruit and leave in the fridge for a quick breakfast. We suggest: 30mg of B vitamins per day. YOU NEED VITAMINS A, C,…

Hugging the toilet bowl, I closed my eyes and hoped this wave of nausea would soon pass. It was October 2012, and I was pregnant with my first child. After months of trying, my husband Paul, 47, and I had been overjoyed when we found out we were expecting. We’d spent time decorating the nursery, and we couldn’t wait for our bundle of joy to arrive. The first few months of pregnancy went smoothly, and I had no morning sickness at all. ‘This is a breeze,’ I smiled to Paul, stroking my bump. ‘I don’t know what other women complain about.’ But I soon found out. That November, at 36 weeks pregnant, my doctor noticed that I had high blood pressure and that there was protein in my urine. ‘You…

Smile! THE HAPPY SCIENCE RELIGION You decide to try your hand at law…doesn’t work. You try your hand at finance… doesn’t work. You take some classes at a community college, awaken part of your consciousness from the 9th dimension of the spirit world and – poof! – your next step is obvious: start your own religion. That’s the story of Ryuho Okawa and the Happy Science  religion – and yes, he’s big in Japan. Okawa believes his mission is to bring happiness to all humanity. He also believes that he is the incarnation of a spiritual being, and travels around the world with his bestselling books and movies, trying to convince others that aliens will begin visiting us in about 300 to 400 years. We can’t wait. Worship goals THE…