10 Dec 2020

that's life

The magazine with heart

that's life2 min read
Welcome!
I’m pretty sure I write much the same thing around this time every year, but it really is so hard to believe we’re just a few weeks away from Christmas. And it may be more true this year because, well, it’s been quite the year! So, who is ready? One
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Your LIFE!
Spotted this gorgeous Christmas tree while on a day trip in the city with the family. Wendy W, Sydney, NSW Christmas get-togethers are always wonderful shared with your besties. Julie-Ann Madgwick, Emu Plains, NSW The joy of Christmas is o
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WE TRIED FOR EIGHT YEARS Then A Miracle!
Rosa Gau, 45, Kearns, NSW Floating down the aisle, it was hard to believe my big day was finally here. At 37, there were times when I had wondered whether I would ever get my happily ever after. But after meeting Jorge, then 42, through a mutual fr
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Evil Hubby Abused My Girl
Tracey Morris, 50, Sunshine Coast, Qld Watching David* hand my daughter, Annie, an ice-cream, I smiled. I’d met him through my cousin and he was joining my three children and me for a day at the zoo. Charismatic and easy to talk to, it felt good to
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Annie, 20, Says
Throughout my experience of years of abuse by my stepfather, I felt so isolated, disconnected and like I could not relate to one person on the entire planet. I acted ‘normal’ making sure to put on my fake smile every morning before I left my bedroom.
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I Was BLINDED By My WEDDING BOUQUET
Taking in the lush green fields all around me, I felt so blessed. ‘I can’t believe this is all ours,’ I smiled to my fiancé, Jon, then 22. After getting engaged in December 2016, we’d purchased a 10-hectare block of land where we could build our drea
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I Kissed The Groom
My friend Bianca twirled in front of the mirror. ‘This is the dress!’ she squealed. The two of us had been friends for years and dreamt of our kids growing up together, too. Bianca, then 26, was engaged to Pete, 27, and as she tried on her wedding dr
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The BakeKing
Ben Cullen, a former tattoo artist, makes works of edible art that look just like objects, food or even body parts. It all started when a customer explained cake decorating, and once Ben saw some examples, he knew he’d found his new passion. After co
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Harry Potter Book Owner Makes $109,000!
A rare first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone has sold at auction for $135,000. The anonymous vendor told the BBC he was ‘absolutely delighted’ with the $109,000 he pocketed. One of only 500 hardback first editions printed, the boo
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SEPARATED BY WAR Saved By The Circus
Sue Smethurst, 47, Melbourne, Vic Sitting down with my husband Ralph one evening, we started chatting about his family history. I knew that his Jewish grandparents, Mindla and Kubush, had fled Poland to escape the Nazis before settling in Australia
that's life2 min readDiet & Nutrition
Healthy Habits This Silly Season
The festive season is often spent among friends and family eating and drinking in the sunshine – and sometimes we eat and drink a little more than we intended. So, how can you still let yourself enjoy the silly season while keeping healthy habits in
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Jacqui’s Key Tips For Developing Healthy Habits
Developing new healthy habits can feel overwhelming if you try to do too many things at once. Look at your lifestyle and find the most achievable shift to start with. Perhaps it’s limiting takeaways, or getting up 15 minutes earlier than usual so y
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Pets Are Pawsome!
Polly, Violet, Timmy, Millie, Gizmo and Roxy pose for the annual festive photo. Sue Brown, Cranbourne, Vic What does Mrs Claus say to Santa when there are clouds in the sky? It looks like rain, deer. Each week we bring you the cutest pets from
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A Sunspot Did This!
Ryan Glossop, 38, Perth, WA That spot on the back of your neck looks a bit dodgy,’ my mate said. ‘What spot?’ I asked. Taking a snap on his phone, he showed me the screen. The irregular-shaped brown mark had a darker spot right in the centre. It de
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Spot the difference: PET IN A PUZZLE!
If you look at the two pictures, we’ve made a change to the second picture. When you have found the change, write the number of the quadrant in which the change occurs on the puzzle entry coupon on page 44 for your chance to win. Turn to entry coupo
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What Is Nevus Spilus?
A nevus spilus (NS) or speckled lentiginous nevus (SLN) can appear anywhere on the body. It typically presents as a light brown macule (spot) or patch containing smaller, more darkly pigmented macules or papules (skin elevation) within the borders.
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What Do I Tell My Ex?
I think it would be healthier if you have a third party there. Or when he visits the children go in another room and get busy with a hobby. If he isn’t doing an activity with the kids, he needs to go. Also, have a time frame and stick to it. You must
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Your LETTERS
Where does Santa stay on holiday? At a ho-ho-hotel! Our dog, Harvey, is patiently waiting for Santa Paws. Dean Mifsud, Werrington, NSW Our grandson Riley, six, was very proud of his gingerbread house. Phillip Witts, Endeavour Hills, Vic I
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Dear That’s Life!
My husband and I have been separated for a couple of years. He is dealing with some mental health issues and has been getting counselling plus he has support from his family. The kids and I are much happier now but I still feel guilty over the spli
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BRAIN Waves
Most people forget that a dishwasher can be used to wash more than just dirty dishes! I throw in my kids’plastic toys and they come out squeaky clean. Sophia Price, North Island, NZ For a makeshift speaker, put your phone in an empty glass or ja
that's life1 min readRegional & Ethnic
Try A New Use For... Olive Oil
■ After washing your used hooks from a fishing trip, spray with olive oil. The oil will help prevent the hooks from oxidising. ■ For a quick foot scrub, mix eight strawberries, two tablespoons of olive oil and a teaspoon of salt into a paste. Massage
that's life6 min readCooking, Food & Wine
Bring A Plate TO SHARE
SERVES 4-6 PREP AND COOK: 1 HOUR, 10 MINS 1.3kg Lamb Easy Carve Leg Roast, unrolled2 cloves garlic, crushed2 tblsps olive oil½ x 250g tub Persian feta½ cup thinly sliced dried apricots¼ cup chopped pistachios¼ cup sliced fresh mint 3 tsps sumac3
that's life1 min readCooking, Food & Wine
This Week We’re Loving...
SERVES 8 PREP AND COOK: 45 MINS 340g packet buttercake mix2L tub vanilla ice-cream3 x 55g chocolate-coatedTurkish delight, plus extra to decorate125g punnet raspberries, plus extra to decorate ⅓ cup slivered almonds, toasted¼ tsp rosewater essence3
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Karen’s Quick Tip
Make your guests feel special this Christmas by jazzing up their bubbly. Try these delicious combos: • Blend a 125g punnet raspberries in a blender with 1 tsp each sugar and vanilla extract. Strain. Place a spoonful into champagne glasses and top w
that's life3 min readCooking, Food & Wine
In Season Berries
SERVES 8-10 PREP: 40 MINS ½ x 400g packet digestive biscuits50g butter, melted 125g punnet blueberries, plus extra to serve1 tblsp icing sugar mixture½ tsp gelatine 2 x 250g packets cream cheese, chopped395g can sweetened condensed milk2 tblsps
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Extraordinary Old Dogs!
Sprawled out fast asleep in his favourite spot right by the front door, my ancient puppy Tex didn’t even stir as I stepped over him. In his double digits and deaf, somehow Tex can still hear a cheese slice being unwrapped a mile off, though! My boy’s
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Accidental Gifts
On August 17, 1979, 10-year-old Orlando Serrell was playing baseball. Making a dash for first base, the sports-mad boy from Virginia, US, was struck in the left side of his head by the hard ball. Orlando was down for the count for several minutes but
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Five Health Benefits Of MATCHA
A relative of green tea, matcha, available in supermarkets, comes from the same plant, and has some surprising health benefits. Discover why it’s the latest superfood. Matcha is incredibly high in antioxidants which work to stabilise the ‘free radic
that's life1 min readMedical
Living Well
As you age you need to drink more water to compensate for changes in body temperature regulation. A recent study found that rehydration in older adults doesn’t reduce heat loss the way it does for young people. This means that even if you don’t feel
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Afraid To Ask?
Q My husband and I have always enjoyed a happy sex life. Recently he has found it difficult to get an erection and I know he is upset about it. He refuses point blank to see his GP. Could we buy Viagra online? A I’m afraid he does need to see his G
that's life2 min readMedical
ASK THE Doctor
Q With family and friends coming around this Christmas, I’m beginning to regret inviting them all. I’ve had a headache like a band around my head every day for the last week. I’m sure it is stress related. Please can you help? A You may have a tens
that's life2 min readMedical
I FELT LIKE A Ticking Time Bomb
Nikki Rabold-Cowley, 38, Penrith, NSW After a cuddle with my newborn, Connor, in the delivery room, he was rushed to NICU, unable to breathe on his own. I worked at the same NICU and I could see my boy had poor muscle tone, wasn’t moving much, look
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Muscular Dystrophy
• Around one in 1000 people have muscular dystrophy or other neuromuscular conditions. • The condition gradually weakens muscles over time due to a lack of a protein called dystrophin, which muscles need to function normally. • The severity of symp
that's life1 min readFashion
Show Your Stripes
Mix up your summer style with a fun metallic stripe dress. Dress it up with glitzy earrings and heels for night and dress it down with sandals and a straw bag during the day. Black or nude shoes can become dull after a while, so step outside your c
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Filling IN TIME
Three more hours and her husband Trent would be on his plane. This thought brought a smile to Karen’s face as she sipped her coffee. A dental technician, Trent was off to a five-day conference in Brisbane, all expenses paid. Karen had discovered it o
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Fantastic FOREST
1 Lay out your trees in the order you want to display them, and work out the colour palette you want to use. 2 Paint each tree individually using a large paintbrush to get in between each of the branches. It can be a little tricky and time-consuming
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My Gran Slept With Grandad’sghost
What are you up to?’ I asked my grandma, Hilda. She was sitting by the table, frowning at some playing cards she’d laid out. ‘Just asking the cards if you’ll find a decent job after graduation,’ she replied. ‘Of course, I will,’ I smiled. On the face
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YOUR Stars
Is it possible your perception is slightly distorted, Aries? Labelling a relative rude, partner pompous or colleague cray-cray is a long stretch. Regular communication with a love interest, or improved dialogue in your relationship, creates perks for
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THE Warm FUZZIES
From food waste to fashion – when Jessica Collins presented her final Design and Technology project, everyone’s jaws dropped. Upon closer inspection, the floor-length, golden gown was crafted from mango seeds! The Year 12 student, whose family own a
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My Dog Can Alk!
Dog mum Alexis Devine has seemingly done the impossible, she has taught her sheepadoodle – a sheepdog cross poodle – to talk! Bunny, 14 months, impressively uses buttons that speak once pressed. With words like yes, outside, water and walk, Bunny has

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