Innehållsförteckning för January 2022 från Chat Specials

Happy New Year! The last year has been challenging, but if it’s taught us one thing, it’s that we can pull together to help and support one another. When her mum Elaine started to get poorly, Leanne (pg26) had to be brave for the both of them. As her mum deteriorated before her eyes, doctors told Leanne and her sister Kelly that their mum was too young to have dementia, but Leanne had a gut feeling – and she fought to get her mum a diagnosis and the help she needed. Now, Leanne and Kelly are grieving for their mum, even though she’s still here – but they’ve still found the strength to work with a charity to help others going through the same thing. Spending time together as a…

Alison Minton, 56 Walking inside an exotic bird shop, I was greeted with chirps, squawks and feathers of every colour of the rainbow. The birds were strutting around and putting on a real show for me. It was February 2001, and I was on a hunt for some birds to fly around for a special event. The show was for 1,000 airline executives at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York – near where I live. My duty, as an events planner, was to plan the perfect day for them all with only the finest of fowls. So, I found the perfect place, that was packed full of feathered beauties. I took him everywhere with me Leaning over a pen full of chicks, a pair of big, beautiful eyes stared…

Lake Erie had a special place in the hearts of Christopher and Karen Leclair. The fourth largest lake in North America, which spans four states, had been where the married couple made their living. It was where Christopher whiled away the hours fishing, and Karen enjoyed time with her husband on their boat, Doris-M. But the choppy waters had brought its fair share of challenges for the pair, too. The couple had been married 25 years and lived in Albion, Pennsylvania. Karen, 51, was kind, hard-working and a support to her commercial fisherman husband Christopher, 48, who relied on an unpredictable vocation. For a while, they ran a bait and marine tackle shop together on Lake Erie marina. Doris-M was their 52ft fishing vessel that helped them make money from…

An enthusiastic teacher, a devoted mum and a loyal wife. Vanessa Masucci had many roles in her life, and she was 100% committed to each and every one of them. Vanessa, 30, lived in Revere, Massachusetts with her husband Andrew MacCormack and their one-year-old daughter. She taught the second grade at Connery Elementary School and her passion for teaching made her popular with students and colleagues alike. Despite her busy life, Vanessa still found time to regularly host her family in her beautiful home. Warm-natured Vanessa loved having her parents and sister over, as they were all so close. They would often comment on her sense of humour and her ability to make people laugh. Above all, Vanessa treasured her little girl, and would have done anything to give her…

For these and more, visit the Red Letter Days website and search ‘Spa Days’ SPA DAY WITH AFTERNOON TEA, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Enjoy full access to the soothing and serene spa at the Crowne Plaza. Lie back and take in the peaceful lakeside location, complete with a 19-metre swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and relaxation lounge. When you’re feeling pampered and rested, head to the hotel’s restaurant to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea with delicious finger sandwiches, scones, homemade cakes and freshly brewed tea or coffee. This blissful spa day will leave you feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and replenished. • From £35 per person • Available from Monday – Friday TWILIGHT SPA TREAT AND AFTERNOON TEA, BRADFORD-ON-AVON, WILTSHIRE Nestled away in the scenic walled garden at Woolley Grange, on the edge of the Cotswolds,…

Julie Pitcher, 41, from Norfolk In December 2021, I recieved an email with the most incredible news. ‘We’ve only gone and won The X Factor competition,’ I screamed to my fiancé, Kevin, 38. I’d entered a month or so before and didn’t really think much of it. A whopping £25,000 and an all inclusive holiday to Barbados – how amazing! ‘That’s the wedding and the honeymoon all paid for,’ I cheered, whilst jumping around the living room in pure joy. The money was safe in our joint account. And it meant we could get on and plan everything down to every last detail. I chose my dress, and Kevin picked a dapper suit. ‘No tattoos on show though,’ I nodded at Kevin’s arms, teasing him. He had a crow spread…

Ask our doc With Dr Deborah Lee, Dr Fox Online Pharmacy (www.doctorfox.co.uk) Swollen lips Q When I drink cider, my lips swell up and go red. Could I be allergic? Sarah, Bracknell A We can get red, swollen lips for many reasons, but if this only happens when you drink cider, it may well be that you are having a reaction. Allergic reactions happen when you have an abnormal immune response to a usually harmless substance. Try to avoid drinking cider where possible, but if you do find yourself in this situation, take an over-the-counter antihistamine immediately. If there is any swelling of the tongue or airways, then this is classed as a medical emergency, and you should act appropriately by calling 999. Painful toenails Q My little girl keeps…

The new Breville Deep Fill Sandwich Toaster delivers toasties faster than ever before with a cooking time of just five minutes! It is designed with deep fill plates and an improved cut and seal system to create perfect toasties. Breville ambassador, GBBO winner Candice Brown, has created two amazing recipes for you to try… TARTE TATIN TOASTIE YOU’LL NEED… SERVES 2 • 2 croissants• 1 pink lady apple• 1 ripe pear• 4 tsp of caramel (I use Carnation caramel)• 50g of unsalted butter, melted• 4 tsp of soft light brown sugar• 1 tsp of ground cinnamon• 60g of chopped pecans TO SERVE: • Vanilla ice cream HOW TO DO IT… 1. Turn on the Breville Deep Fill Sandwich Toaster.2. Slice the croissant lengthways and open up.3. Peel and core the apple and…

THAT’S SO BRITISH MAKING A LIST OF NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS YOU KNOW YOU WILL NEVER KEEP. RAIDING THE HIGH STREET SHOPS FOR THE BEST SALE DEALS! GETTING READY TO HEAD TO THE GYM AND REWARDING YOURSELF WITH CHOCOLATE ONCE YOU GET HOME.…

American actress Sarah Jessica Parker says that she never wears socks, even in the coldest weather, because she thinks that exposing her ankles does what? To find out, solve the crossword, then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the answer. ACROSS 11 Rude and discourteous (8) 12 Large concert venue (5) 13 Smoked herring (6) 14 Ring aimed at in basketball (4) 15 Sewer’s finger protector (7) 16 Apportion, hand out (8) 17 Tales (7) 18 Classifying, putting into groups (7) 19 Reservoir in a 35 Across for 39 Across (4) 21 Board game with a king and queen (5) 23 Italian red wine (7) 24 Crammed in (7) 28 Urban area (4) 29 Very warm (3) 30 Beginner, learner (6) 33 Flight terminal (7) 35…

Gemma Markland, 30, from Wigan Moving the boxes all around me, I grabbed a can of paint and cracked it open. ‘No time like the present,’ I said to myself, as I grabbed a roller and started dousing the walls in a beautiful shade of my favourite colour – baby pink! It was September 2019, and I’d only moved into my new home just a matter of hours earlier. There may have been boxes still to unpack and furniture to put up, but that wasn’t going to stop me painting. I’d been dreaming of this for so long. Layering shades of pink across my brand-new home office walls, I was so excited to finally be decorating my own place. With my husband Kyle, 28, and my daughter from a previous…

Craig Atkinson, 41, Telford Placing my dumbbells on the floor, I caught my breath. ‘What next?’ I asked myself as I flicked through videos on YouTube. It was the start of 2018, and I was busy doing my usual living room workouts. The TV was in front of me, which I played a range of different video tutorials on. Then a random motivational video flicked on, and three athletic competitors appeared on screen. I was ready for round two. But, my seven-year-old daughter, Aeryn, appeared, skipping into the room. Standing, staring at the screen, she looked mesmerised. ‘I want to do that,’ Aeryn beamed to me. Shocked by her words, I turned to look at her. ‘No you don’t,’ I said. ‘You’re far too young.’ Chatting to my wife, Melody,…

Dona Mae Bayerl disappeared one night – but where did she go? It was 1979, and disco was dominating the US charts. Dona Mae Bayerl, 38, was living in Muskego, Wisconsin, with her husband John and their two children Jodie, then seven, and Jackie, four. She’d worked before becoming John’s second wife, but once they’d married, she became a stay-at-home mum. Sadly, it made Dona dependent on John. He dominated at home and controlled their money – something that reflected his behaviour in his first marriage. His ex-wife had divorced him on grounds of ‘cruel and unhuman treatment’ after just a few years of marriage. And it seemed he hadn’t changed his ways. Dona would regularly write letters to a friend in Michigan, saying she was afraid of John. She…

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Vicky Martin, 48, from Berkshire Heading into the tattoo training school, I couldn’t wait to get started. It had been a year since I had quit my job in the corporate world, and I decided that I wanted to ink people for a living. Creating beautiful masterpieces that will stay with someone for their entire life appealed to me. Tattooing is a form of art. I’d been learning so many different fantastic skills, including applying semipermanent makeup. ‘Today I’ll be teaching you about medical tattooing,’ my teacher said. It sounded fascinating to me. We were given medically certified pigment and shown how to help people with problems like hair loss patches. Then we moved on to nipple and areola tattooing, where I found my calling in life. Nipples are so…

Gez Robinson, 60, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire Pottering around the garden, I felt at peace. I worked long hours as an engineer for the local authority, but when I finished every afternoon, the first thing I did was head out into my calm garden sanctuary. It was my haven – topping up the bird feeders and pruning hedges was my way of relaxing. My wife Amanda and I loved wildlife, and we were passionate about creating the perfect space for all creatures great and small. At the end of the yard stood Honeysuckle Cottage, a grand, two-storey Wendy house I’d built for my daughter Lucy, when she was just four years old. At nearly 17, the playhouse had stood neglected and unloved for years and years. We mainly used it…

A slightly different New Year clear out is on the cards DECLUTTER YOUR LIFESTYLE We don’t all need jam packed diaries to feel like we are successful. If anything, you are bound to feel mentally exhausted and find you have very little time for yourself. It’s time to declutter your routine, take a step back and breathe… Reduce your commitments Monday night means Pilates and Tuesday means taking the kids to footie practice. But, don’t forget the long shifts later on in the week. Before you know it the weekend is manic, too. Much like decluttering your kitchen cupboards, it’s important to declutter your commitments. Start by writing a list of all the commitments you have in your life. This can be daily, weekly, or monthly tasks. Prioritise the ones…

Marie-Claire Donnelly, 46, from Armadale I began to suffer with body image issues from the early age of seven. I wasn’t as slim as the other children in my class and would get bullied regularly. Being told my body wasn’t good enough, I then thought that meant that I wasn’t good enough. And things didn’t get any easier in secondary school. I developed an unhealthy relationship with eating, just to feel as if I could be accepted. When I was 14, I started to take an interest in nutrition. I became fond of exercise, going out three or four times a week. Although all of the exercise made me feel a lot fitter, I still didn’t like the way that I looked. In 2004, I met my husband, Craig, 46.…

Katharine Hill, the UK Director of the national charity Care For The Family (cff.org.uk) answers your questions. Isn’t taking it seriously Q I want to have a baby, but my husband won’t stop smoking or cut back on his drinking. It makes me feel like he’s not committed to a family like I am. We’re fighting more than ever. Laura, Basingstoke AIn a relationship, when we are fighting a lot, it is exhausting – and so we often lose the will to have any proper conversations. Try and find a time when you are both calm, not overtired, and have a clear couple of hours in front of you. Make sure there are no distractions at all. Ask your husband how he feels about starting a family, encouraging him to…

Fancy yourself as a bit of a brainbox? Test just how smart you are with these tough teasers… Just FOR FUN FILM AND TV 1 Who directed Titanic, Avatar and The Terminator? a James Cameron b Steven Spielberg c Martin Scorsese 2 When was Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone released? a 2000 b 2001 c 2002 3 Mary Poppins is nanny to which family? a The Banks family b The Smith family c The Jones family 4 In which English county was comedy The Vicar of Dibley based? a Wiltshire b Devon c Oxfordshire 5 In I ndiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, which Star Wars character gets a name-check? a Chewbacca b Obi-Wan Kenobi c Yoda 6 Which actor played Dumbledore from the third Harry Potter film onwards, after Richard Harris died? a Ian McKellen…

People share a love for many things in life, but have you ever heard of these unusual addictions? DRINKING PAINT Most of us like to use paint to bring our homes to life, but for some, it has a rather unique use. Guzzling paint may seem strange to most, but for some, it’s an enjoyable treat!As seen on TLC’s My Strange Addiction, this rather wacky addiction has been compared to drinking milk. Although the flavour of it isn’t the same, it’s been said to be thick, warm and creamy to drink. Despite the dangerous and potentially deadly chemicals, one woman has even been known to consume around three gallons. That’s enough paint to decorate your living room twice! Addictions come in many forms, but this is certainly one with a…