Issue 12, 2023

that's life

The magazine with heart

that's life2 min read
Welcome
Not so long ago, one of my best friends from when I lived in London in the ’80s tracked me down to see if I’d like to catch up. I hadn’t seen her in years, so was thrilled when her message popped up on my phone to say she and her husband would be in
that's life3 min read
Incredible Elsie BORN INSIDE OUT
Don’t come alone,’ the GP said gravely down the phone line. Just days earlier, my husband Simon, then 30, and I had attended a 12-week scan for our first bub, and had been excitedly awaiting the results. But now a gut-wrenching feeling twisted in my
that's life3 min read
Private DANCER
If only I could get a job, I thought browsing the internet. At 22, I hated being stuck at home. As a result of cutbacks, I’d lost my job as a cashier and ended up on benefits. The bills were mounting and I needed money fast. I searched the job ads on
that's life3 min read
He Buried His Wife In The Backyard
Debbie Griggs was tired and she’d had enough. As her husband Andrew, then 36, dozed in the lounge room, her blood boiled. A devoted mum and nurse, the 34-year-old ran a freezer shop with her husband. But at 18 weeks pregnant, with three little ones a
that's life3 min read
SUPER POP I SURVIVED Three Plane Crashes
As the plane touched down on Fraser Island, my trainee pilot struggled with the controls. ‘It’s stuck,’ he said, nervously. ‘I’ll take over,’ I said, as the aircraft veered dangerously towards the ocean. It was January 2020 and, as the steering rudde
that's life2 min read
Just Grow It!
French-born artist Christophe Guinet has taken his love of nature to new heights with his series of sneakers creatively adorned with plants and organic materials. Entitled Just Grow It!, the funky footwear is a play on iconic shoe brand Nike’s famous
that's life4 min read
I’m The World’s TALLEST WOMAN
Whizzing around the local shops in my wheelchair, I helped my parents gather ingredients for dinner. ‘Can we have kebabs tonight?’ I smiled at my mum, Safiye. As people walked past, I could hear their curious whispers. ‘What happened to you?’ asked a
that's life4 min read
THREE TIMES The Love
Swiping through a dating app on the lounge one night, I noticed a handsome man appear on my phone screen. With his big smile and brown eyes, Dennis, then 28, instantly caught my attention. Meeting him for a drink three weeks later, I knew right away
that's life5 min read
6-ingredient MAINS
SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK: 20 MINS 450g packet thin hokkien noodles500g lean beef rump steak, thinly sliced500g punnet sliced mushrooms6 green spring onions, thinly sliced diagonally, plus extra to serve⅓ cup oyster sauce1 tblsp honey 1 Prepare noodl
that's life3 min read
Air Fryer Desserts
SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK: 1 HOUR, 45 MINS 3 egg whites, at room temperature¾ cup caster sugar1 tsp white vinegar1 tsp cornflour300ml tub thickened cream, whipped Fresh raspberries and caramel sauce, to serve MACADAMIA CRUMBLE ¼ cup plain flour1 t
that's life2 min read
BRAIN Waves
Always sweep last – after wiping benches and dusting etc. Many people grab for the broom first, but dust and dirt settles on the ground as you’re cleaning. Barbara Wells, Port Macquarie, NSW If I have extra ripe bananas, I peel, chop and place
that's life22 min read
Issue 12 22 Page Pullout
WIN! MAZDA CX-3 SUV WORTH $26,990 1 TO BE WON We would love to hear from you. Email us at thatslife@aremedia.com.au •16 inch wheels • Halogen headlamps • Keyless push-button engine start • Cruise control • Bluetooth® hands-free phone • Steering
that's life2 min read
When The Best Buy IS PRE-LOVED
My column about op-shopping a couple of weeks ago sparked a conversation in my family about what was okay to buy second hand and what should always be bought new. For me, baby car seats topped the list of things that should be purchased new, unless t
that's life2 min read
My Curious Five-year-old
Just say, ‘Daddy doesn’t like to wear make-up, so he doesn’t. If you don’t like to wear make-up, then you don’t have to either. Anybody can choose if they do or don’t want to wear make-up and it’s okay either way.’ Cassie Hicks I don’t see a dile
that's life3 min readCrime & Violence
Clever Crims
One evening in 1990, two men dressed as police officers rang the bell at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, US, and informed the night watchmen they were there to investigate a disturbance. After being allowed in, the men tied up the guar
that's life2 min read
More than BIKES
Why don’t you go and check out The Bike Shed while you’ve got a bit of spare time?’ my wife Merralyn said, showing me an article in our local paper, The Blackwood Times. It explained The Bike Shed was a men’s group that refurbished old bicycles and d
that's life4 min read
I’ve helped 6000 LITTLE FIGHTERS
Yawning, I pulled myself out of bed. At 13 years old, I was constantly tired. My parents, Lyn, then 46, and Sean, 40, thought it was the demands of starting high school. But then I suddenly developed double vision. Our GP ordered blood tests and, tha
that's life3 min read
Living Well
30 Next time you have something to eat or drink (apart from water), wait for at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth. That’s because food softens your enamel, which can be eroded by brushing too soon. Some dentists say you should wait 60 minut
that's life2 min read
ASK THE Doctor
Q We are planning a family get-together next weekend for my husband’s 70th. Our four children and their partners are due to join us. My eldest daughter called to say her son has hand, foot and mouth disease. My youngest daughter is 12 weeks pregnant.
that's life3 min read
I Fell For A MAMIL
Do you want to see my super lightweight crankset?’ What an opening line, I thought as the friend-of-a-friend stretched across the table with a bit of metal. ‘Amazing, don’t you think?’ he smiled. Lost for words, I could only nod. And that’s how I met
that's life2 min read
I Speak To Animals
As my friend gently held her hands above me, I felt the anxiety leave my body. She was performing reiki on me – a spiritual Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation. I’d been going through a lot mentally and emotionally, but I felt so m
that's life2 min read
MEDI-FILE DROWNING From The Inside Out
Waking up in the middle of the night, I reached for my bottle of water and guzzled it down. I’d never felt so thirsty. I was living in Thailand, so the minute the shops opened I dashed out and bought more bottled water. But no matter how much I drank
that's life2 min read
YOUR Stars
Hold tight while your inner domestic goddess emerges for a round of pleasing loved ones, impressing competitors or making amends with your next-door neighbour. Dance like everyone is watching on Saturday. LUCKY NUMBERS 22, 41, 43 Given you usually
that's life2 min read
THE Warm FUZZIES
When Rihanna took the field for the Super Bowl LVII half-time show, Justina Miles, 20, was nearby for her camera close-up. Justina interpreted the lyrics to Rihanna’s hit pop songs into sign language for the hearing impaired. Capturing hearts around

that's life

More Issues From that's life