Innehållsförteckning för BEST OF 3 2019 från Chat Specials

It’s a known fact that being grateful makes us happier. Even in trying times, there’s always something to be thankful for. After losing her husband after just two weeks of marriage, you would think that Shelley (pg6) would have very little to be grateful for. But through her pain, she’s learnt to live life for the moment, and is so thankful for the memories. After nearly 70 years, Lynn (pg10) finally learnt the truth about her family. Her dying mum dropped an unexpected bombshell, but now she couldn’t be more grateful for how it all turned out. We admire the bravery of Molly (pg41) – after a horrific accident, she was able to see the silver lining, and it ended up changing her life forever. Even animals can be grateful.…

Lynn Lonnkvist, 66, Vancouver, Canada Walking into my mum’s home in Vancouver, Canada, I felt really anxious. ‘How is she?’ I asked my brother Stuart, 65. ‘Not very well, Marcy is in with her now,’ he told me, referring to his wife. Mum had been diagnosed with cancer the previous year, and we were told she didn’t have long left. I sat down next to Mum, stroking her hand tenderly. She always said that me and my six siblings were her pride and joy. ‘I’m here, Mum,’ I whispered, so sad that she looked so weak after years of smiling. A while later, my sister-in-law Marcy took me aside. She’d been helping Mum write a diary and said that she’d been surprised by something Mum had said. ‘She’s been telling…

Nora Sheehan, 56, Maryland, USA Glancing out the kitchen window, my heart jolted. ‘Andrew!’ I screamed, as my eight-year-old boy clambered up a tree, the pencil-thin branches bending under his weight. ‘Look, Mum,’ he giggled. ‘Look at how high I can climb!’ Typical Andrew. As curious as he was fearless. Ever since I adopted him in September 1996, aged six, he’d been a daredevil. A risk-taker, and an adventurer. Go fishing, and he’d be the one to get stuck in the mud! But for all his mischief, Andrew was a kind, loving boy. He was always fixing things around the house, wrapping up gifts for us in electrical tape. Still, there was a troubled side to Andrew, too. In care, he had developed mood disorders and depression. By the time…

HONEY & GARLIC WEDGES SERVES 4 YOU’LL NEED... • 4 large potatoes • 2 tablespoons of oil • 6 tablespoons of Heinz Tomato Ketchup • 2 tablespoons runny honey HOW TO DO IT… 1. Preheat oven to 180°C/Gas Mark 4. 2. Toss potatoes with oil; place skin sides down, on foil-covered baking sheet. Bake 25 min or until potatoes are tender. 3. Meanwhile, mix the tomato ketchup and honey together in a pan; simmer on low heat for 5 mins, or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Keep warm until ready to use. 4. Remove potatoes from oven. Brush potatoes with marinade, cook for another 10 minutes. 5. Serve hot! ITALIAN SAUSAGE PASTA SERVES 4 YOU’LL NEED... • Olive oil • 200 g of spicy sausage • 1 red pepper • 1…

Ask our doc Dr Adam Friedmann, dermatologist at The Harley Street Dermatology Clinic, answers your questions What could it be? I keep getting red blotches on my face. For a while I thought it was adult acne, but my sister mentioned it could be rosacea. How can I tell? Abby, Edinburgh Rosacea and adult acne are two distinct skin conditions, but they do have similarities. Rosacea usually affects the central parts of the face such as the cheeks, forehead, nose and chin. It is characterised by persistent redness over a lengthy period of time. Symptoms can include facial flushing and redness, thread veins, acne-like spots, thickening of the skin, dry eyes and sore eyelids. Rosacea sufferers may have pimple-like breakouts, but unlike acne, they will not consist of blackheads. Blood…

Speaking to my sister Sandra, 57, on video chat, I wanted to magically teleport myself to her side. She’s lived in Florida since the 1980s and I still miss her every single day. The States always felt so far away and, while I tried to visit as much as possible, I wished I could see her more often. ‘I’ll see you soon,’ I said, waving to her and taking one last look at the beaming sunshine as I returned to the rainy day reality in England. This February, I was playing my favourite game – Blox Bingo on Chat Mag Bingo. I’ve been playing bingo on the site for over 13 years now, it’s been a lot of fun, a lot of chat and a lot of surprises. When I…

In a recent study by cosmetics brand Olay, results found that men are having secret love affairs with their partner’s beauty cabinet. According to the study, seven in 10 men dabble in their girlfriend’s skincare regime, as they refuse to invest in their own. Women are reportedly catching their men red handed at least once a week, with a third blaming it on a mishap. Despite what they might say, more than half of men admit they are concerned about their appearance and that women’s skincare is better for results. As a result of this study, Olay have launched their #OlayChallenge on their UK Instagram, and even have a dedicated advert slot on ITV2. This is the first time Olay have used men in their advertising, as viewers watch a…

FILM AND TV 1 In which year did The X Factor begin?a 2001b 2004c 1999 2 In Toy Story, whose catchphrase is ‘To Infinity and Beyond’?a Buzz Lightyearb Woodyc Mr Potato Head 3 Which actress plays Captain Marvel in the 2019 Avenger’s film?a Scarlett Johanssonb Brie Larsonc Evangeline Lilly 4 What is the name of the pub in Eastenders?a The King Victoriab The Queen Elizabethc The Queen Victoria 5 Which actor is the voice of Frozone in The Incredibles?a Samuel L. Jacksonb Bob Parrc James Todd Smith 6 Who wrote the James Bond series?a Ian Flemingb William Shakespearec Daniel Craig 7 Which British entertainment show has a golden buzzer?a Britain’s Got Talentb The Voicec Dancing on Ice SHOWBIZ 8 Which Loose Women stars stripped off for cancer on the All…

Jayne Hobbs, 44, Kent Dragging my sunbed over towards the pool, I worked out the best angle for maximum tanning. I was on holiday with my husband Keith, 48, and our three young kids in Biarritz, France, and the weather was glorious. ‘This trip is just what I needed,’ I sighed to Keith. The next morning, as I was checking out my tan lines over breakfast, I spotted a mole on my chest that had slightly changed in appearance. It looked darker than it had before, but my whole body was in the process of being turned a lovely nut brown by the sun, so I thought no more of it. After getting back home to drizzly Kent, we immediately had the holiday blues. ‘I think the sun has aged…

I found out I was adopted when I was 15 years old, and a few years later I tried to find out more. I managed to track down my birth certificate about 25 years ago, but when I couldn’t find anymore information, I gave up. Last year, I got a call from my sister asking if I wanted to meet my half-sister, Lynn. She showed me the article and I couldn’t believe it. I got in touch with Lynn straight away, and before I knew it, she and Stuart were flying over to see me. I knew my mum was out there, but I had no idea I would have a whole other family in Canada! Meeting Lynn and Stuart was incredible and I’ve loved finally finding out about my…

Super strength Use rubber bands to help open a jar easily. Place one band around the jar lid and another around the middle of the glass. The rubber provides friction to prevent your hands from slipping. Aimee, Portishead Ketchup on everything Clean silver cutlery with ketchup and it’ll shine! Leave it in ketchup to soak and then buff away with a rag. Heidi, Swindon Strawesome Use the hole in the can tab to hold your straw – it’ll stop your straw moving around. Sip away! Amy, Salisbury When life gives you lemons Descale a kettle with lemon juice and white wine vinegar. Fill the kettle with an equal part solution of water, household vinegar and the juice of one lemon. Let this soak for an hour. As good as new!…

Georgia Axford, 19, Gloucestershire Folding up new, white sleepsuits, I was overcome with excitement. ‘Once we know if it’s a boy or a girl, then we can buy more,’ I smiled to my boyfriend Tyler, 21. Our first baby! My mind danced with plans. Buying the best pram and cutest outfits for our little one… A week on, at our 20-week scan at Southmead Hospital in Bristol, I couldn’t hold back my excitement. ‘So? Pink or blue? I beamed at the sonographer. But she didn’t return my smile. Tyler and I exchanged worried glances as she called a doctor in. ‘I’m afraid your baby may have spina bifida,’ the doctor said. The doctor couldn’t confirm, but he explained that it was a rare birth defect, causing a gap in the…

Katharine Hill, the UK Director of the national charity Care For The Family (www.cff.org. uk) answers your questions. Temptation Q I’m married, but I’ve started chatting to a man online. It’s been innocent flirting so far, but now he wants to meet, and I’m tempted. Surely if I want to, it means my marriage is in trouble? Joely, Cardiff A When you get married, it doesn’t mean that you will never again find anyone other than your husband attractive. But your marriage vows are about promising to stick with your husband, even through those times when you might not feel madly in love with each other. Everyday life can get a bit boring. An affair may offer much more of a thrill – at first. But what happens if you…

Heather Ahearn, 37, Hertfordshire A s the eagle I was training swooped onto my arm, I felt an enormous sense of pride at having taught him his latest command. ‘Good boy,’ I praised . But that feeling didn’t last long. From the outside my job appeared to be carefree and fun, but the competitive nature of it was weighing me down. I was an animal trainer and worked with birds of prey. I loved my job, but the constant politics between trainers was starting to get the better of me. Every show was giving me a panic attack I knew I needed to leave. After months of searching for something new, I got a job in another zoo doing a similar role, but that soon became even harder. In my…

Elly Keegan, 33, Minnesota, USA As I put down the phone, I bit my lip. I better not tell Andy what I’ve just agreed to, I thought to myself. But I knew that as soon as my husband, 32, met the newest addition to our family, he wouldn’t mind a bit. It was summer 2016, and I’d just had a call from our local animal rescue center here in Minnesota. It had a dog, an American Foxhound named Cooper, who needed a foster family. ‘The thing is, he’s disabled,’ the centre worker explained. ‘He’s got a short-spine condition, so it’ll be a bit more work for you.’ I’d fostered plenty of dogs in the past, and had three of my own, too – a 13-year-old Husky called Skylar, a mongrel…

Cranberry powers Scientists have discovered that the humble cranberry could help in the fight against antibiotic resistance. With the drug being used so frequently, many bacteria have become unaffected by antibiotics, but this new study has found a way to combat that. Researchers at McGill University in Canada have discovered that cranberry extract, when teamed with antibiotics, made bacteria more sensitive to the drug, and even better, they didn’t develop a resistance. Holiday ready With the number of Brits venturing beyond Europe and North America almost tripling over the last 30 years, holiday makers could be putting themselves at risk from developing travel-related illnesses. A new survey has discovered that only 17% of people get a travel health risk assessment before they go away. Pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur are encouraging…

LUXURY FOR LESS We all love a little luxury in our lives, but it can be a costly treat. So here are some feel good products that won’t break the bank. 1. ORIFLAME SWEDISH SPA BATH DROPS This gorgeous oil transforms into a silky, soft milk for a soothing bath experience. Infused with a relaxing aquatic scent and calming lavender, you’ll get the ultimate pamper experience. Sit back and unwind, as the oil gets to work softening your skin and releasing your stress from the day. £8.95, Sainsbury’s 2. COLLOSOL EAU DE LAIT Loved by the recently departed Karl Lagerfeld, this unique blend of half-milk, half-water, can be used as a cleanser or a skin-softening bath soak. This French favourite, is a great product to make you feel like a…

Growing up in California, John Albert Gardner III, had a troubled childhood. His parents divorced when Gardner was 10, and he claimed that his father was an alcoholic who would repeatedly beat him up. His mother, Cathy Osborn, got full custody of her son and Gardner’s childhood was spent moving around Southern California, with a different father figure rotating in and out of his life. His childhood was dysfunctional, and as a result, Gardner struggled to cope with the constant changes. Cathy was a psychiatric nurse and when Gardner was just six years old, he was put on psychiatric medication. He was a clever child, but was deemed, ‘seriously emotionally disturbed’ and by the time he reached the age of 10, he was held in a psychiatric ward for nearly…

FESTIVAL OF SCRAMBLED EGGS CIMBURIJADA IN ZENICA, BOSNIA Bosnians celebrate the start of spring in March buy cooking hundreds of scrambled eggs in huge pots and giving them out for free. Visitors flock to the city of Zenica every year for the fun and interesting sights. The day begins with a large breakfast of eggs, symbolic of new life. The rest of the day is spent barbecuing and jumping into the river. Sounds eggsellent! WILLY WORSHIP KANAMARA MATSURI, JAPAN Every first Sunday of April, thousands of people visit the city of Kawasaki to witness the Kanamara Matsuri. Now simply known as the penis festival, there’s lots of penises in all shapes, colours and sizes, and even penis-shaped sweets on offer. As the story goes, a vicious demon hid inside the…

SUMMER WITH THE STARS… Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars and Olly Murs are all heading to Yorkshire this summer – well, sort of. Tribute acts for  the singers are set to take to the stage at Lightwater Valley theme park as part of the parks summer of fun line up. The theme park boasts over 35 rides and attractions to  please both kids and adults, including rollercoasters, river rapids and a huge bouncy pillow. Enjoy the rides and attractions in the day then settle in for some family entertainment as the sun goes down. Singers posing as Robbie Williams and the Spice Girls have already taken the stage by storm this summer, with fake Bruno Mars up next. TABLE MANNERS Using your phone at the table, talking with your mouth full…

An adorable mini village complete with log cabins, post boxes and even dining tables has been built by a photographer – for mice. Simon Dell began making the mini shire in spring 2018 when he spotted a wild mouse in his back garden. He said: ‘I could see the cats sitting just feet away from him at the other side of a fence. ‘I piled some small logs around a box as a home for the mouse and covered it with moss and straw to give him a little shelter. ‘I then secured some wire fencing around the fence so that there was no way the cats could get to the mouse. ‘We decided to name him George.’ After saving the mouse, Simon began to add more homes next door.…

Margaret Moffat, 42, Penicuik Racing towards the rollercoaster, my daughter Hannah, eight, couldn’t contain her excitement. ‘Can we go on it, Dad? Please?’ she begged, tugging insistently at my husband Adam’s arm. ‘Oh go on then, let’s give it a go!’ he agreed. But I could see fear glinting in his eyes… It was September 2012, and me, Adam, then 39, Hannah, and our youngest, Holly, four, were on a much-needed family holiday in the beautiful Torremolinos, Spain. Climbing into the rollercoaster, Hannah jiggled with excitement. But by that point, poor Adam looked like he was in a complete panic, his face white as a sheet. Not because he was scared of heights – but because he was 23st. And as the ride operator tried to secure Adam’s safety harness…

HATHERLEY MANOR HOTEL & SPA GLOUCESTER Forget slaving away over a hot stove for hours. Head to the heart of the British countryside for the ultimate day of rest. On arrival, indulge in a tasty welcome drink before making full use of the magical facilities. With an ice fountain, sauna, steam room and much more, you can relax and unwind. Choose from the Hatherley Manor Back, Neck and Shoulder massage, ELEMIS Intensely Cleansing Salt Scrub, or the ELEMIS Express Facial. Once you’re truly satisfied, head down to the restaurant for a spot of supper. • Sunday pamper, £80 • hatherleymanor.com WOOLACOMBE BAY HOTEL WOOLACOMBE Fancy mixing up your evening routine for something a little more mystical? After 5pm, head for some solo, or group time of intense relaxation. Choose between…

Chantelle Harrison, 29, Geldeston I’ll never forget the moment I held my beautiful daughter in my arms for the first time. It was January 2012, and, drinking in every detail of my perfect Rosabella – her big brown eyes and rosebud lips – I was overwhelmed with love. But there was one thing that stood out – a large patch of hairy dark skin covering her right cheek and eye, snaking around her little nose. ‘What’s this?’ I asked the midwife, concerned. ‘It’s a birthmark,’ she said. ‘Nothing to worry about.’ As beautiful as my Rosabella was, I was shocked at the size of the mark. And when we were discharged from the hospital hours later, I couldn’t help but worry. How will this affect her future? I fretted. Her…

PHIL SMITH BIG IT UP SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER Achieve that gorgeous bouncy look with these volume boosting products. For best results, use the shampoo and conditioner together to add weightless body, and give the hair a thicker appearance. Used together, these products are a fast track option to salon perfect hair. £3.50, Sainsbury’s JOHN FRIEDA LUXURIOUS VOLUME ROOT BOOSTER Transform flat and dull hair into full and voluminous locks. With root-lifting ingredients, this smart formula boosts hair right at the roots. This lightweight spray will add immediate volume to your hair, for luscious looking locks. £6.99, Superdrug NOUGHTY HAIR ANTI-FRIZZ SERUM Enriched with Argan oil, this serum is rich in frizz-taming fatty acids. With its unique blend of plant oils, it will smooth your hair, as well as strengthening and…

Watching the world go by from my armchair, it was nice to take five minutes to relax in peace and quiet. See, despite being 99, I’d spent the morning rushing between various activities at my care home. Now I was looking forward to some quiet knitting. Then Trudy, one of the managers, sat down next to me. ‘Good to see you’re relaxing for once, missus!’ she said. ‘Well, I’m not as young as I used to be,’ I joked to her. Trudy was always good for a gossip and a chat. Soon conversation turned to my upcoming birthday… It was January this year, and I was about to hit the big 100! I fancied tea with some handsome chaps ‘You must want to do something really special?’ Trudy smiled. To…