Innehållsförteckning för 15 June 2023 från Chat

Welcome to this week's Chat… Dementia affects so many families, with 900,000 sufferers in the UK alone. So I know Kristen and Mary's story will touch a lot of you. Kristen is a carer for her grandma Mary – and she shares their story online, helping so many others in the same situation (p24). While dementia is a cruel disease, Kristen and Mary's joyful story is a reminder sufferers are so much more than their diagnoses. Thanks to them both for sharing it with us. Have a great week,…

TRUE-LIFE Pulling a pint, I watched a bloke with dark hair and stubble saunter through a sea of England shirts. ‘I'm David,’ he grinned, taking a gulp of his beer. ‘Bethany,’ I smiled back. It was June 2018 and, aged 36, I was at one of my many jobs. Single, I lived alone and juggled cleaning gigs alongside bar work while studying for my law degree through Open University. Tonight, England were playing in the World Cup and my boss had brought some pals, including David, to watch. But as the fans screamed at the TV, David seemed more interested in me. Chatting away as I cleaned glasses, David was easy-going and confident. So, when he asked me out, I said yes. A few weeks later I met David for…

WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 What do actors Kit Harington and Ashton Kutcher have in common? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the fourword prize answer. ACROSS 1 Circular (5) 4 Baby cow (4) 6 Margaret _, former PM (8) 13 American state (7) 14 Former footballer, _ Owen (7) 15 Unclothed (5) 16 Encounter (4) 17 Ways of getting somewhere (6) 18 Where an artist works (6) 20 Writing table (4) 21 Total disorder (5) 22 Large wasp (6) 25 Mirage (8) 28 Mythical half-man, half-fish (6) 30 Author of Wuthering Heights, _ Brontë (5) 32 Baker's dozen (8) 34 Out of the blue (6) 35 Swedish band (4) 38 Crude (6) 39 Unit of gem weight (5) 40 Confidential (6) 43 Unusual (4) 44 Lifting devices (6) 45 Is victorious (8) 48 Cooker (5) 49 Prizes (6) 51 Person with brown hair (8) 54 Enquiring (6) 55 Ringo _,…

Terrified of toilets QI've hated public or work toilets ever since school and if I try to pee in one, I can't go! What's wrong? Maeve, Batley A This sounds like paruresis, which is more commonly known as a bashful bladder! It means that in a public place, or when you think other people are around, muscles controlling your urine flow tense up and you just can't pee. It affects many of us to some degree but in a few people it's severe and can cause real problems at work or when you're out. Sometimes there's an obvious cause, such as having been embarrassed in the loo in school or at home as a child, or being accosted in a public loo as an adult, and sometimes the tendency seems…

TRUE-LIFE We've been close for my whole life Collapsing on to my single bed, I pulled a crumpled photo of my grandma out of my bag and smoothed it out. ‘I miss you so much,’ I whispered, tears falling as I stared at her cheeky grin. It was August 2002, and piles of boxes were scattered across my bedroom floor. See, I was only 14, and my mum Debbie, then 44, had just got a new job in Las Vegas – 2,500 miles from our home in New York and my grandma Mary, then 63. Before the move, Grams, as I called her, lived with us. She and I shared a room. Were attached at the hip. ‘Let's go to the races,’ she'd wink on a weekend. Or she'd take…

Sitting at the dining table, I tucked into my dinner. ‘Make sure you clean your plate,’ my mum, then 50, said. It was 1995 and I was 10. But everyone from Mum to my doctor was worried about my weight. See, while I was taller than most of my mates and loved playing netball and riding my bike, I loved food too. Was apparently too heavy for my age. And before dinner that day, I'd already got through a stash of chocolate walking home from school. Bingeing was a comfort, especially when I was being bullied. A bit of a tomboy, I felt like I didn't fit in with the other girls in my class. It hurt. Made me eat more. When I turned 12 in 1997, I had something…

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With a fluffy unicorn in each hand, my daughter Carly, then 11, trotted them around her bedroom. ‘Dinner's ready, love,’ I called. But Carly was lost in her imagination. Daydreaming a magical world for her toys to live in. Carly had loved unicorns since she was a tot. Her room was full of dolls and cuddly toys, her wardrobe an array of pink and sparkles. Coaxing her downstairs that Sunday night in October 2021, I enjoyed watching her daydream. She'd just started secondary school, you see. ‘Soon she'll be texting her mates about boys and slamming doors,’ I joked to her dad John, 36. Dinner was lively. As well as Carly, John and I had two boys, Dominic, 9, and Cody, 2. Plus there was John's daughter and my son,…

YOU'RE THE JUDGE! Surrounded by the bright lights of Sin City, Veronica Youngblood's boyfriend slid a wedding ring on to her finger. It was 2009 in Las Vegas, and Veronica must have felt like she was in the rom-com Pretty Woman. The single mum had been a sex worker, and naval officer Ron was one of her former clients. And now, they were man and wife. As they began married life, Ron took on Veronica's daughter Sharon, and in 2012, the pair were blessed with daughter Brooklynn. They travelled the country for Ron's job, but their relationship was stormy. When Ron was stationed in Honduras, the couple were subject to an ‘emergency removal’ after getting into an argument. They split and by 2016 their divorce was final. But when Ron…

QI'm almost blind in one eye due to a lazy eye. Now I'm pregnant and worried, could my baby inherit it? Laia, Penrith A A so-called lazy eye usually results from a squint, where your eyes point in slightly different directions, in childhood. The squint means your brain receives two images that don't match, and eventually compensates by shutting down the image from one eye. After around age six to eight the shutdown becomes permanent, and you're unlikely ever to see properly from that eye. Treatment means spotting a squint as early as possible and correcting it with surgery or temporarily covering one eye. A lazy eye isn't inherited, although squints affect 1-5% of children and can run in families. Regular checks from your doctor and health visitor will help…

Walking down the stone corridor, my eyes were out on stalks. ‘I can't believe you live here,’ I told my dad, Chris Clawson, then 49. ‘You'd better believe it,’ Dad laughed. ‘Or it'll be off with your head!’ It was December 2017 and Dad had got a new job and a new home. Only, this wasn't any ordinary career. Dad had just become a Yeoman Warder, better known as a Beefeater. And his new home? The Tower of London! As one of 37 Beefeaters, Dad's job was to look after the Tower and protect the Crown Jewels. Dating back to 1097, the Tower was dripping with rich history. Walking around the winding moats and cobbled courtyards, I imagined the royalty and soldiers who'd walked here before me. Magical! After 30…

WORDS: LIANNE LA BORDE. PHOTOS: GETTY High flyer I told my mate that she drew her eyebrows too high. She seemed surprised. Riddle me this Q: What do Alexander the Great and Winnie-thePooh have in common? A: Same middle name. Chat me up! Did you just fart? Because you completely blew me away. Punchline A man walks into a bar with a roll of tarmac under his arm. He says, ‘Two pints please. One for me and one for the road.’ Toilet humour Q: What did one loo say to the other? A: You look a bit flushed. Word play Q: What do you call a bloke with a seagull on his head? A: Cliff! Pint-sized laugh Somebody should sell a beer called ‘Occasionally’. So when I'm asked, I can…

Tantrums at work QI work in the same nursery my son attends. His behaviour is terrible as he always wants to be with me and when I say no, he has a meltdown. He's recently been hitting out and screaming at me. I've tried to let other workers deal with him, but I feel bad when he's shouting for me. Should I leave work to look after him at home? Sonia, 29 ANo, absolutely not, petal. It doesn't sound like your son's getting any independence and you're not getting a break. Nursery teaches them so much about sharing, making friends, and being independent. Is it possible for you to change rooms or for him to go to another nursery instead? Quitting now will take you both 10 steps back, sweetheart. Dumped, but still…

3 ways to… SAVE CASH USING YOUR PHONE Make managing your money easier with these handy apps. 1 Money Dashboard Neon This app lets you connect to over 50 different accounts, including online current accounts, savings accounts and credit cards, so you can see everything in one place, making managing your money quick and easy. It tracks what you spend across different categories, and you can compare your spending with previous months. It also allows you to set budgets, and has other useful features – for example, it can notify you when your balance is looking low and bills are still due. The Money Dashboard Neon app is free – find more info at moneydashboard.com. 2 Emma You can connect the Emma app to accounts at more than 30 banks, and…

2-8 June 2023 Aries 21 March-20 April On 11 June the moon in your sign gives you the perfect opportunity to take on a fresh, new challenge, which will really help you to believe in yourself more. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May The month has started well for you, and this will last as long as you continue to put yourself first and accept all of the opportunities that are coming your way. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June When Mercury moves into your sign on 11 June it will really help you to convey your ideas better, think more clearly and intuitively know what is best for you. • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23…

Q Do I really need to double cleanse my face every day? Sandra Jackson. Barry A It may seem excessive, but it's really important to cleanse your face twice in the evening, especially when you've been wearing make-up or a SPF. The first cleanse will remove any foundation, product residue and any pollution or grime from being outside all day, whereas the second will actually clean your skin. For your first cleanse pick something rich like an oil or balm that will help loosen up the make-up and products on your face. The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm, £11.99, Boots will melt away make-up and won't irritate sensitive skins. Massage into skin and follow on with a wet muslin cloth or flannel to sweep it off. For your second cleanse,…

Pantene Perfect Waves Heat Protection Hair Mousse, £5.25, Boots A clever multitasker, this will protect your hair from damage caused by heat styling, while helping to give that hairstyle better hold. It also includes argan oil, to nourish dry strands. OPI Nail Lacquer in I Sold My Crypto, £14.90, opi.com Picking a brighter manicure is one of the easiest ways to update your look for the new season. This perky purple will look especially gorgeous clutching an Aperol spritz. Lottie Oil Slick in Extra Cherries, £5.95, lottie.london Infused with jojoba and almond oils, this will intensely nourish chapped lips while adding a pop of colour. It's available in five shades, plus a clear shade for a more neutral look. Pacifica Scalp Love Rosemary Mint Serum, £14, cult beauty.co.uk If you…

Martine Vik Magnussen was born in February 1985, just an ordinary girl. But to her family, she was a blonde-haired and blue-eyed princess. Her father, Odd Petter Magnussen, described her as ‘pure sunshine’. In 2007, Martine moved from her native Norway to enrol at a prestigious business school in London. Martine quickly made friends, who described her as ‘gentle, inclusive and generous’, always putting others before herself. One such friend was Farouk Abdulhak, the son of Yemini businessman Shaher Abdulhak. Worth around £6.8 billion, Shaher Abdulhak made some of his fortune investing in Coca-Cola, and was known as the King of Sugar. The family had close contacts in the Yemeni government. While Farouk was born in Yemen, he spent most of his life in the UK. By 2008, Farouk, then…

I'm nominating Dana Power as my local hero. Dana, 67, known as ‘Puff the Dragon’, wears his dragon costume while fundraising for Asthma + Lung UK, and supporting local charities. He has taken on all kinds of challenges to raise money, including running marathons. While Puff's training has been reduced due to some health issues, he continues to raise money in other ways. One of those is through a children's book, Puff's Special Day Out. It's been written and illustrated locally with all money going to Asthma + Lung UK. He's also taken part in our local charity performance of The Full Monty – as himself, not Puff! Dana was even nominated to be a baton bearer for the Commonwealth Games, and then volunteered at the games in Birmingham. Meanwhile,…

On a horse, what word describes a wide white stripe from the forehead down to the nose? The number next to the clue tells you which line the answer's in. We've put a section in to start you off! There may be two Across answers in one line. Down words fill themselves in. The shaded squares spell out the one-word prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 2 2 Building inhabited by monks or nuns • Mischievous fairy 4 Groove, furrow • Brownish-yellow colour 6 Asian starling which mimics speech • Male cat 8 Grandmother • Approaches Your answer:…

All sizes 6-22 F&F at TESCO All sizes 8-24 TU at SAINSBURY'S  STYLE TIP Mix and match smart separates to create different looks, and don't forget to add accessories. STYLE TIP A-line, tiered-style dresses are perfect for warmer weather. Loose fitting and airy, they'll keep you cool in the heat. All sizes 8-24 GEORGE at ASDA  STYLE TIP If you want the extra height but not the discomfort of a pair of heels, opt for a flatform-style shoe. All sizes 10-22 NUTMEG at MORRISONS STYLE TIP A great addition to your wardrobe, wrap dresses are figure-flattering, versatile and easy to wear.…

Sitting in the cinema, I tried hard to focus on the film. It was Valentine's Day 2019, and at 19,1 was on a hot date with my new boyfriend. ‘Happy?’ he whispered, flashing a smile. I nodded. Yet all I could think about was the painful tingling on my top lip. I'd suffered with cold sores since I was 5. There was no reason for it, they just arrived. They got worse over the years, covering my top lip and travelling up my nose, leaving me with red, raw open wounds on my face. They hurt too, lasting around 10 days, cracking open and weeping when anything touched them. Over the years, I'd been insulted and teased. ‘You been hit in the face?’ a classmate taunted after a particularly bad…

What word completes the following quotation from author Paulo Coelho: ‘Most people see the world as a ____ place, and, because they do, the world turns out, indeed, to be a ____ place.’? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Film = MOVE + I = MOVIE. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. WIN 2X£25 Puzzle 9 Your answer: TO EMTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Stroking the top of his soft, golden head, I leaned down to give my labrador Harry a farewell kiss. ‘I'll miss you so much,’ I whispered, my cheeks slick with tears. It was February 2021 and Harry had been my trusted companion for 13 years. By my side since he was 6 weeks old. And now, a week after he'd been diagnosed with cancer, we had to say our goodbyes. One of the hardest days of my life. ‘He was my soul dog,’ I sobbed to my husband Kevin, then 40. ‘Cherish the memories,’ he said, his arm around my shoulders as we flicked through old photos of Harry. I spent the next few months consumed by grief. Coming home from my work as a shoe designer, the house felt…

Holding up a pretty blue dress in front of the mirror, Mahogany, 24, peers at her reflection. ‘I'm picking out an outfit for a blind date and I want to look cute,’ she says. With her radiant complexion and slick dark locks, you wouldn't think that Mahogany needed to be self-conscious. A true beauty. But there's a reason she posts pictures on social media of herself from the waist up. See, Mahogany has a condition called lymphoedema, where fluid builds up in the body, causing swelling. For Mahogany, this means her left leg is triple the size of the right. Gallons of fluid filling her limb like a balloon. It can weigh as much as 1001b-over 7st. And there's no easy cure. ‘Lymphoedema does not prevent me from living my…

Top tip If you don't have celeriac, parsnips would make a good alternative. Root veg burgers Packed with veg and plenty of flavour, these burgers make a great weeknight meal. SERVES 4 PREP 30 MINS COOK 20 MINS ● Knob of butter ● 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped ● 350g floury potatoes, peeled and diced (we used Maris Piper) ● 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed ● 250g celeriac, trimmed and peeled ● 250g carrots, trimmed and peeled ● 3tbsp coriander, roughly chopped ● 150g halloumi, grated ● 1 large egg ● 2tbsp plain flour ● Vegetable oil, for frying ● 150ml Greek yogurt ● ½ cucumber, peeled and finely chopped ● 1tbsp olive oil ● 4 burger buns ● Mint leaves and rocket, to serve 1 Melt the…

Getting ready to turn in for the night, I heard my phone buzz on my bedside table. ‘That's strange, it's Rebecca,’ I said to my husband Ian, then 55, as I picked up my phone. Rebecca, then 31, was our son Braden's girlfriend. It was May 2022 and they'd been together for two years, recently moving into their first home. I loved seeing Braden, 26, our only child, so happy. The kindest, most loving boy, who'd once raised money to support his friend with cancer, he deserved it. He worked hard as a groundsman too. A bodybuilder at over 18st, he was my gentle giant. But it was 10pm, and unusual for Rebecca to call so late on a Friday evening. ‘Something's happened,’ she cried when I answered the phone.…

PS… Fragrance Balm, £2.50 each, Primark You don't have to spend a fortune on perfume, there are some brilliant buys on the high street. In fact, this one costs pocket change. The solid formulation and pocket size means it's ideal for topping up your scent on the go. It's available in three summer-ready scents, including watermelon, coconut and tropical. For this price, you could buy all three and layer them together, to create your own bespoke scent. Garnier SkinActive Anti Fatigue Ampoule Sheet Mask, £3.99, lookfantastic.com Sheet masks are a great way of giving your skin an intensive hit of what it needs. Whether that's hydration, radiance or blemishbusting, there's an option for all skin types. The gel mask is soaked in serum, which you leave on for 15-20 minutes.…

Chat winners issue 11 (16 Mar 2023) £1,001 CASH T Nixon, Whitley Bay £500 CASH W Luckman, Pontefract W Jenkins, Perth £250 CASH J French, Eastleigh M C Carthy, Belfast £200 CASH K Kemp, Southsea £100 CASH A Milner, Looe A Gamble, Alfreton S Nayler, Herne Bay £75 CASH R Hamilton, Sturminster Newton £50 CASH J Noble, Carlisle S Hinton, Margate J Mouzoura, Pinner M Hildrup, Bolton K Kularia, Walsall E Thompson, Ballymena £40 CASH M Cocker, Sheffield £30 CASH S Baker, Paignton B Flowers, Warwick £25 CASH A Edwards, Bridgend N Dykes, Sunderland £20 CASH R Bridgeman, Bristol A Wells, Glossop A Crowsley, Bristol T Bailey, Loughborough K Hudson, Heanor S Cooper, Boston J George, Bournemouth R Bridgeman, Bristol H Hylands, County Antrim J Sedgwick, New Milton M Brown, Hornchurch M Burton, Exeter J Taylor, Kidderminster R Kennedy, Nottingham H Hodgson, Workington A Harris, Abergavenny G Jilllittle, Ayr P Gill, Newtownards L Martin, Wakefield C Andrews, Worthing C Hansom, Crook D Connor, Glasgow C Chipp, Romford A Hazzard, New Milton Anyone from your town in the list this week..? Chat PUZZLE 1 230446 Chat PUZZLE 11…