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ISSUE 8 Fb 27 2020 202 February 27,

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MY GIRL HAD BREAST CANCER AT 8 Australia’s most Don’t judge my hubby!

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COVER STYLING: PAIGE McMILLAN COVER PHOTO: JEM CRESSWELL

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f you are feeling a bit down and looking for a pick me up, may I gently suggest you head to Page 58 and read our story about the amazing group of eight centenarians who live in the same nursing home. The eldest, Beatrice ‘Biddy’ Abrahams, was born in 1917 (yes, 1917!) and will actually turn 103 during the week this issue is on sale. Biddy did not have an easy start in life, and is still a big fan of the cricket and footy which, she says, keeps her heart pumping!

As you read through each of these wonderful old Aussies’ stories, what is striking is how it’s the simple things in life which have, and still do, bring them joy. Family, friends, music, the outdoors and travel figure often. Not surprisingly, their answers agree with a famous US study which has followed 724 men since they were teenagers in 1938. Approximately 60 men, now in their 90s, are still left. The men were chosen randomly from all different social and economic backgrounds. They’ve been regularly questioned since, and every two

Australia’s most tattooed dad – don’t judge my hubby!

My pokies addiction put me in jail DNA kit shock – I found out I was adopted at 59 Serial killer horror – Mum’s body was stuffed in a suitcase My girl had breast cancer at 8 Awesome puzzle prizes!

26 best mince meal ideas I laugh for a living!

more real life 10 56

MAZDA SUV $26,810 years, asked about their lives and their mental and emotional wellness. Family members have also been interviewed. The researchers found that specific traits and behaviours were linked with increased levels of happiness across the group. One was to learn to not sweat the small stuff, and focus on what’s important, a trait that often comes with age. As I’m sure many of you will agree, experiencing the death of a close family member or friend can make you realise that life is short and it’s better to focus on what makes you happy now, than what might make you happy in the future. The other big contributor to happiness from the study can also be found in the stories of our 100 Club – connections with family and friends are an important part of their lives. So there it is. There’s no big secret to a long life. But some great tips on making it a happy one!

Linda Smith, Editor linda@pacificmags.com.au

58 73

Every parent’s worst nightmare Hospitalised by our house We’re in the 100 club!

Spooky Story

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ustralia’s mos AAfter fter hhaving aving his first ink, Brett soon found himself hooked Brett Cross, 43, Charleys Forest, NSW The face tattoos did feel very strange

It didn’t take long to catch the bug

Me now

aking a deep breath, I winced in pain as I felt the needle prick my skin.

‘All done,’ the tattooist said eventually.

Standing up, I looked in the mirror at the small of my back.

‘Looks great,’ I grinned.

Then I walked out to the waiting room where my partner, Dorothy, was sitting.

‘Babe, it’s awesome,’ she beamed when I showed her.

I was 24 and had just gone for my first ever tattoo – Dorothy’s name.

We’d been together for eight months and I wanted to show how much I loved her.

I’d only planned to get one, but a few weeks later, I decided to have a tribal design tattooed onto my left shoulder.

‘Then I’ll be done,’ I said to Dorothy.

Chuffed with the results, I was gutted when we caught up with Dorothy’s mate Andrew a few weeks later.

He had the exact same tribal design on his leg!

I wanted to be different, so I decided to get a woman

T

inked onto my other shoulder.

‘If you’re going to keep getting them, go big or go home,’ the tattooist said when I went back to him.

So, along with the girl, I had a huge sprawling dragon etched onto the left side of my ribs.

By now, I’d got the bug.

‘I want to be covered in them!’ I told Dorothy.

‘Let’s keep it under your T-shirt for now and see how you go,’ she said.

Dorothy and I got married the following year, so I didn’t have much cash for new ink.

But I put a little away from each pay, and soon enough I was adding colourful designs to my arms and torso.

My original tattoo artist moved, so I found a new one, who he recommended to me, called George.

After etching out a stunning angel on my back, he soon expanded to my lower arms.

Dorothy loved my tatts and was encouraging when I decided to do my legs next.

I wanted Japanese anime girls on my right one, so Dorothy spent ages finding characters for me.

On the left leg, I opted for another giant dragon.

George reckoned it would take 150 hours for both legs, so I spaced it out with six-hour sessions.

And as soon as they were finished, I was thinking about my next one.

I’m addicted! I realised.

Despite my body art growing, my workplace – where I was a printing machinist – didn’t mind.

By this point, I was also a dad to Michael, 14, and Anamae, two.

They weren’t bothered with how their dad looked either, and on the school run, no-one seemed to care.

Twelve years after that first tattoo, I made a decision.

‘I want to do my head and face,’ I told Dorothy.

‘No, it’s not happening,’ she said.

Understandably, she was worried about other people’s opinions and how it would affect my employability.

But I explained how I was already in a good position in my career.

‘And who cares what others think?’ I added.

It took a while for her to come around to the idea, but eventually she agreed.

‘As long as it’s nothing offensive or rude,’ she said.

It was George’s first time tattooing a head and I’d

The only bit untouched is my private parts!

PHOTOS: RENEE ENCHANTED IMAGES; SUPPLIED

My kids don’t know me any other way

TO

t

Me with Bastien and Anamae

It’s fine if my kids want tattoos one day

DOROTHY SAYS

T he

BEST

chosen a tiger. The pain wasn’t different to other body parts, but the vibrations of the machine on my scalp did feel strange.

From there, I covered my entire face in tattoos – even getting etchings on the inside of my ear.

Each time, Dorothy would admire the new addition.

As the face was a gradual process, it was easy for her to get used to.

A few years ago, I decided I wanted a job change and retrained as a nail technician.

Working from home, I’d have women pop by for a mani or pedi.

They loved my tatts and we’d chat away about my ink while I painted their nails.

In total, I’ve had 750 hours

of work and 99 per cent of my body is tattooed – the only bit untouched is my private parts!

Dorothy is a little apprehensive about that.

I have considered it, but I’d have to find a female tattoo artist to do it. George and I are close, but not that close!

As a kid, Michael, now 24, always said he wouldn’t get tattoos, but he’s since started his own sleeve.

Sometimes Anamae, now 12, says she wants them, but other times she doesn’t.

It’s fine if they want as many as me, but only once they’ve got a career.

Our little one, Bastien, 18 months, loves looking at my tatts and will point out the girls on my leg.

There’s still some stigma attached to tattoos, but the majority of reactions I get are positive. When I’m in the supermarket, old ladies will still ask me to pass them items from a high shelf – proof they’re not intimidated.

People may sometimes stare, but I love it.

Getting inked is my way of expressing my individuality and I still love all my tattoos as much as when I first got them. ● As told to Kathryn Lewsey

When Brett got his first tattoo, I never imagined he would end up with so many.

It was quite gradual and it didn’t bother me.

But I was a bit sceptical when he wanted to ink his head and face – it took me almost a year to agree.

I love him, so I didn’t care how he looked.

We get lots of stares in the shopping centre, but I’m oblivious to it now.

And if Anamae sees photos of Brett before the tattoos, she says he looks strange without them!

Friends who meet him for the first time always say after, ‘Brett’s so lovely.’

He’s just a friendly giant and proof that you should never judge a book by its cover!

WE PAY

CA$H for your stories

tl.features@pacificmags.com.au Dorothy with her friendly giant

Carolyn had no idea her habit was spiralling out of control Carolyn Crawford, 68, Vic s I brushed my hair and picked out an outfit, I felt a shiver of excitement and nerves.

I was starting a new job for a small electrical company as an account manager and personal assistant.

The last few years had been tough. My two sons had grown up and moved out, and as I was single, I felt incredibly lonely.

Work proved a great

A

MY PO ADDIC C P M T he

distraction. Apart from my boss, I was the only other person in the office so we became good friends.

One night, we went out to dinner, then afterwards we decided to play the pokies.

‘You never win on these machines,’ I said, but I thought it would be fun.

Seeing the bright lights and spinning images, I felt a buzz. A few days later, I played again.

Soon, I was going every couple of days.

Then, one weekend, I found myself alone and immediately I thought of the pokies.

Before I knew it, I was in

the pub, pressing the butto waiting in anticipation for a win.

From there, it was a slippery slope.

Most of my weekends we spent at the pokies. After 1 months, I was playing ever day after work.

Lonely at home, I saw pokies as a way to get out.

But even though there were other regular players like me, I didn’t speak to them.

Transfixed by the machines, it was like I was in a vegetative state.

Seven hours would pass, but I had no concept of time.

I can stop any time, I convinced myself.

In reality, I was addicted.

Counselling helped me Every morning, my first thought h was, I can’t wait to play l the pokies tonight.

And if my dad or sons

‘I’ll pay it back when I win,’ I told myself

called when I was playing, I’d lie, saying I was out for dinner or at the shops.

My habit was becoming a huge strain on my bank balance too.

Even if I had a few big wins, it went straight back into my next game.

Four years after I started playing, I decided to transfer some of the company’s money to my account.

I’ll pay it back when I win, I told myself.

But then I didn’t win and it became a vicious cycle.

I’d make fake bills from companies we’d used before, then transfer the money over to my y account.

Eve en when our books were audited, it wasn’t picked up.

I haad no idea how much I wass taking. Pokies were consu uming me.

Theen, in 2015, my

I

*CAROLYN HAS NOT BEEN PAID FOR THIS STORY

shocking

OKIES CTION ME N

I

boss’s daughter-in-law started working in the office.

I knew that if I stopped stealing, I’d get away with it.

But I just couldn’t.

Eight months later, my boss called me into his office.

‘I wanted to ask you about a withdrawal from the account,’ he said.

Heart hammering in my chest, I said, ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

‘You’re lying,’ he said.

His daughter-in-law had gone through the books and found discrepancies.

‘I took the money for gambling,’ I said, breaking down in tears. ‘I’ll pay it all back.’

‘Leave,’ he said.

Hysterical, I went home.

I knew I had to tell my sons, my family and friends, and I admitted everything.

‘We’re here for you,’ they reassured me.

Have you overcome an addiction? Tell us at tl.features@ pacificmags. com.au

Now I want to help others

I didn’t dare go near a pokie machine after that.

Then, a few weeks later, the police phoned and asked me to visit the station.

They told me I’d stolen $400,000 over seven years.

‘What?’ I gasped, in shock at the sum.

I didn’t even know how much I’d spent of my own money on top of that.

Charged with obtaining money from my employer by deception, I felt embarrassed and devastated.

In April 2016, I appeared at Melbourne County Court and pleaded guilty.

I was sentenced to 18 months in jail and a two-year corrections order, stating I had to attend counselling.

It was terrifying.

I hadn’t even got a parking ticket before and now I was going to prison.

After two weeks in a Melbourne jail, I was transferred to a prison farm.

I attended a support group with other women like me.

One had lost $7 million through internet gambling.

And a lot of them cited loneliness as the reason.

Counselling helped me realise that pokies were as addictive as alcohol or drugs.

After my release, my counsellor accompanied me to a pokies venue.

At first, I was unable to breathe and had to rush out.

It took many attempts until I could deal with seeing them.

Now, I can walk past any

The police told me I’d stolen $400,000

pokies without a problem.

I also applied for an early release of my super. Between that and an inheritance I received when my dad passed away, I have paid every dollar back to my former boss.

I now work with gambling support groups and no longer feel lonely. I also knit toys, which helps me to relax.

Gambling is highly addictive and it can happen to anyone. It is no excuse for breaking the law, but I want to help others.

If anyone thinks they might have an addiction, I urge you to get support.

It’s not something you can battle on your own, but I’m a survivor and I’m proof there’s light on the other side. ● As told to Kathryn Lewsey

For support 24/7, contact Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 (Aus) or 0800 654 655 (NZ).

terrifying

ERY PAR

WO ST IGHTMA J never Ja im imagined she’d needd to use her er lifesaving skills skill on her own family Jane Moana, 40, Gold Coast, Qld tanding next to my 18-month-old boy Zac, as he floated in the pool, I didn’t take my gaze off him.

For a moment, he seemed

S

Little Zac loves footy

to ob bee getting comfortable with lying on his back.

But within seconds he was thrashing about, trying to get the water out of his ears.

‘It’s okay, I’m here,’ I reminded him.

Growing up on the sunny Gold Coast, I’d always been a real water baby.

But I also knew how quickly things could go wrong when someone didn’t know how to swim.

So I decided to become a lifesaver to help others if they got in to trouble.

When I welcomed my older kids, Blaze, 13, Caiden, 11, Lily, nine, and Macy, five, I insisted they have swimming lessons as early as possible.

And when Zac was

Macy, Lily, Caiden, Zac and Blaze

four months o d he began learning too too.

Then, one day in February 2018, my four youngest kids and I headed to my parents’ house for a family dinner while my husband Clifton took Blaze to football.

Mum and Dad adored their grandkids and had even set up a toy room at the back of the house for them.

When we arrived, the kids headed straight there while I chatted to my parents.

Around 30 minutes later, my sister, Louise, 43, arrived with her daughter, Lauren, 16.

‘Where’s Zac?’ she asked when she came inside.

‘In the toy room,’ I replied.

But she’d just come from there and when she wen nt to double check, ch Zac was nowhere to be seen.

Instantly, a sick feeling formed in my stomach.

I hope he’s not near the pool, I panicked.

Although he was getting better at his weekly lessons, Zac was still far too young to be in the water alone.

Rushing out of the house and through the gate of the pool area, I saw Zac’s lifeless body floating belly up in the water.

The gate must have been unlocked, I realised.

That’s when I noticed there were ripples around him in the water, meaning he was still moving or had only just jumped in.

Diving straight into the pool, I saw his tiny face had turned blue and froth was coming out of his mouth.

Incredibly, my lifesaver training kicked in and I began performing CPR. Have you After blowing saved your five quick child’s life? Tell us at tl.features@ breaths into his pacificmags. mouth, I pulled

I saw his tiny face had turned blue

com.au

All my kids had swimming lessons from a young age

T he

his cold, limp body out of the water.

‘Help!’ I cried.

After two more rounds of CPR, my sister rushed to my side and took over.

Watching as Louise desperately fought to bring my boy back to life, guilt flooded through me.

How could I have let this happen?

Taking over again, I tried once more to resuscitate Zac. When I looked up, I saw Caiden staring at me – his eyes wide with terror.

‘It’s okay,’ I managed. ‘Just go back inside.’

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I felt the faint beat of Zac’s pulse and relief washed over me.

Placing his frail body into the recovery position, I put my knuckle in his mouth to keep his airways clear, just as I’d been taught.

Biting down on my hand, he seemed like he was regaining consciousness, but he hadn’t opened his eyes.

Thankfully, just a few moments later, paramedics arrived.

Still soaking wet from the pool, I ducked inside to get changed while they loaded

BEST

him onto the stretcher.

When I returned, Zac was awake but very dazed and confused. He’d coughed up lots of water, but paramedics had stabilised him and put him on oxygen.

‘Mummy’s here. Don’t worry,’ I soothed.

Once on board the ambulance I called Clifton.

Meeting me at the hospital, he gave me a hug.

‘He’s going to be fine,’ he assured me.

While we waited, doctors assessed Zac for brain damage and performed an X-ray to check for water on his lungs.

Incredibly, they came back

completely clear.

‘He mustn’t have been in the water very long,’ the doctor said.

I felt like the luckiest mother in the world.

With Clifton heading back home to look after our other kids, I spent the night in hospital with Zac. Curling up with him in bed, I kept my hand on his chest all night.

When I saw him open his eyes the next day, I felt on top of the world.

Now, two years on, Zac is such a happy but cautious little boy.

He’s grown into a water baby, just like me, and he

TODDLERS AT RISK • Under-fives are the most at risk for backyard pool drownings, with one in three parents admitting that a family member has had a near drowning experience involving a backyard pool.

• Despite this, new research finds one in three parents are only checking the safety of their pool area once a year or less.

• Faulty pool gates and fences remain a leading

loves playing footy with his brothers.

While I wouldn’t wish the ordeal on anyone, it has made us much more vigilant as parents and Zac, now three, has learned not to go anywhere near water without supervision.

‘Why don’t you swim without adults?’ I quiz him.

‘Because it’s dangerous,’ he replies.

I’m so thankful that I was trained to perform CPR and I encourage everyone to learn the same skills.

You never know whe hen you might need to sa save someone’s life. ● As told to Amber W Wemyss

cause of wnings in ki under five.

• It only takes w minutes to check.

To download a safety checklist for pool gates, to checkyourpoolgate.com

11

fascinating

DNA BOMB B

Me as a baby in 1958

SECRET T he

BEST AUSSIE olding the envelope in one hand, I pushed it into the mailbox and listened as the package dropped inside.

I was sending off my DNA kit because I’d always been fascinated by genealogy.

I’d spent years delving into past generations on both my mum and dad’s side, mapping a family tree of over 13,000 ancestors.

Once my sample was received, it would be crosschecked with other people in the database to find any matches.

It would take at least six weeks to receive my full DNA profile and I couldn’t wait to see the results.

But when they appeared

H

I was raised with a little sister

Me with my adoptive sister and cousin

Me, my wife Lynn and our five children

e Ancestry website in October 2016, I was stumped.

The test found I had Italian and aboriginal heritage – not Irish like I’d thought.

And when I crosschecked my matches in the database against my family tree, I couldn’t find any that matched.

That’s weird, I thought.

I checked my wife Lynn’s DNA matches against her family tree and sure enough, there were names that matched.

I couldn’t get my head around my DNA profile and what it meant.

Then one day, I received a message on the website from an Italian woman in Sydney.

I think we may be related, she’d written.

She explained that growing up, she’d always thought she was adopted.

I checked her surname against my family tree, but I couldn’t see where she could possibly fit in.

I was determined to get to the bottom of it.

But gradually, as I checked back over the results, a thought began to nag in my mind.

It grew louder until I couldn’t ignore it any longer.

Am I looking at this all wrong? I thought. Am I the one who was adopted?

It would explain the mystery around my unfamiliar matches.

But, at the age of 59, my parents were all I’d ever known.

I knew I was born at the Salvation Army Bethesda Hospital in Sydney, so I typed it into Google and clicked on a link.

As I started to read, the hairs on my arms stood up.

I delved deeper on the internet, until I was sure.

Then I ran into the bedroom, turned to Lynn and said, ‘I’m adopted.’

‘Get out of here, no you’re not,’ she replied.

I explained that I’d found

Everything I’d known about my identity was wrong

BSHELL

FAMILY Peter thought he knew his ancestry inside out.

But he was wrong Peter Mo ore, 61, Lake Macquarie, NSW

several mentions of forced adoption at the hospital where I was born.

Suddenly, it all made sense. The woman who had contacted me wasn’t adopted – I was.

Still reeling, I sat down at the computer and typed out an email.

You’re my sister, I wrote to her.

She didn’t believe me at first, thinking her test results were wrong.

But there was no denying how closely matched our DNA was.

As the reality dawned on me, I realised everything I thought I’d known about my identity was wrong.

The family tree I’d so painstakingly researched for years didn’t belong to me at all.

Confused and shocked, I felt betrayed by my parents.

It shocked my grown-up children, Jade, Jasmine, Natalie, Belinda and Steven, too.

But when I saw my parents a few days later, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything just yet.

They knew I’d been looking into my DNA and they’d even done I hope my tests themselves. story inspires Even though I others to felt hurt and search for angry, I couldn’t the truth bear to upset them.

Instead, I focused on finding my birth family.

Identifying the most common surname in my DNA matches, eventually, I came across a man called Graham who I suspected was related to me.

He had filled out his mother Ruth’s side of his family tree from both of her marriages but there was a gap – a child born without a father.

I had a hunch that child was me.

After sending him a message with my contact details, the next day my mobile rang.

‘You’re Ruth’s son,’ he said.

‘Yes,’ I replied. ‘And so are you.’

Just like that, I’d found my half-brother.

But I wasn’t the only one looking for someone.

He explained that just three weeks earlier, our 83-year-old mum Ruth had suffered a stroke.

Fearing she would have another one and that she could lose the ability to speak, she’d confided in Graham about a child she’d been forced to give up for adoption.

She’d kept the secret for 59 years but now she wanted to track me down.

I couldn’t believe it.

He passed on her number.

Holding the phone to my ear, I didn’t know what

Meeting my birth mother for the first time

to expect.

‘It’s Peter, I’m your son,’ I said, when she answered the phone.

‘I never wanted to give you up,’ she explained.

‘I was forced.’

I felt a lump in my throat.

‘I know,’ I replied.

We then arranged to meet in person two weeks later.

Turn the page to see how Peter’s reunion went...

13

Meeting my father’s family in Italy

I met my father’s former business partner, Franco

In the meantime, the sister I’d grown up with agreed to tell our parents that I knew the truth of my adoption.

Afterwards, we all sat down together.

It was a painful conversation as my mum and dad explained they’d burnt my adoption papers because they didn’t want to lose me.

But by keeping it from me, they’d left me feeling like my life had been built on a lie.

Soon after, I travelled to the Gold Coast to meet my birth mother.

Walking up the path with my daughter, my stomach churned with nerves.

I spotted her in the window and then the front door swung open.

Before I could say anything, she grabbed hold of me at arms-length and studied my face.

‘I just want to hold you and look at you you,’ she said said.

Tears filled my eyes as I stared back at the mother I never knew I had.

It was so overwhelming.

We spent the day together with my siblings, and I learnt about my mum’s story.

After becoming pregnant at 24, when she was newly divorced and without any support, her grandmother had sent her to Sydney to give up the baby.

She felt she had no choice and at the hospital, she was forced to give me up against her will.

Even though I had a great time getting to know my new relatives, it wasn’t always easy. After all, I was a total stranger to them.

With one side of the puzzle complete, I also wanted to

find relatives of my father – an Italian man who’d died in the ’80s.

On his side, I found a sprawling web of Italian relatives in Sydney and Melbourne.

I discovered I had eight siblings in total – three on my dad’s side and five on my mum’s.

In time, I was reunited with the sister who’d first contacted me, and I met aunts and uncles who told me of my father’s story.

After the war, he’d left his village in Italy and moved to Canberra where he started a hairdressing business.

He’d never known I’d been born or put up for adoption.

I travelled to his village in Italy, meeting more family.

I was welcomed with open arms and there was a lot of food and wine and laughter.

My dad didn’t know I’d been born or put up for adoption

TRAGIC HISTORY On March 21, 2013, then prime minister Julia Gillard delivered a historic national apology to mothers forced by government policies to give up their babies so they could be adopted by married couples.

‘This parliament, on behalf of the Australian people, takes

14 www.thatslife.com.au

responsibility and apologises for the policies and practices that forced the separation of mothers from their babies, which created a lifelong legacy of pain and suffering,’ she said.

‘We acknowledge the profound effects of these policies and practices on fathers and we recognise

the hurt these actions caused to brothers and sisters, grandparents, partners and extended family members.

‘We deplore the shameful practices that denied you, the mothers, your fundamental rights and responsibilities to love and care for your children,’ she added.

Have you discovered a shocking family secret? Tell us at tl.features@ pacificmags. com.au

Now, I speak to my birth mother on the phone each week and plan to return to Italy in the future.

I’m involved in advocacy work too with Adoptee Rights Australia, supporting others and campaigning for changes to the adoption law.

I hope my story inspires others to search for their truth, because in the end mine set me free. I learnt never to take family for granted – now every moment with them is precious.

Discovering at 59 that I was adopted turned my life upside down. But given the option, I’d do it again in a heartbeat. ● As told to Jess Bell

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Bethesda Hospital in Sydney’s Marrickville

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0 0 0 2 $CASH Plus!

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ENTRIES TO ARRIVE BY 5:00PM AEDT ON THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 TERMS AND CONDITIONS Visit www.thatslife.com.au/terms for fullT&Cs. Entry is open to ALL Australian and New Zealand residents over the age of 18.Winners must be prepared to sign a release form, failure to do so will prohibit entry to the competition. Entry opens for Australian residents at 09:00 AEDT 06/02/20 and New Zealand residents on 10/02/20 09:00 NZDT. Entire competition closes 17:00 AEDT 05/03/20. Judging will take place at the Promoter’s Premises from 10:00 AEDT 12/03/20.The winners will be notified by email and their names published in that’s life! on sale 09/04/20 in Australia and 13/4/20 in New Zealand. Total prize pool valued (up to) $5,199.00. The Promoter is Pacific Magazines Pty Ltd, 8 Central Ave, Eveleigh NSW 2015 (ABN 16 097 410 896).

story

Becky, 29, couldn’t possibly tell a lie.

Or could she? crolling through pictures of idyllic beaches and turquoise waters online, I let out a sigh.

I need a holiday, I thought.

Work had been hectic for the last few months and now I was burnt out.

But as the only single one in my group of loved-up girlfriends, I didn’t think anyone would be up for a last-minute getaway.

Then one day, I was talking to my old school friend John. Mates for years, he was like a brother to me.

‘I’m desperate for a break,’ I told him.

‘Why don’t we go away?’ he replied. ‘It’ll be a laugh.’

‘That’s not a bad idea,’ I said.

We found a bargain deal for a week in Bali and a month later, met at the airport for our flight.

Joining the check-in queue, John whispered in my ear.

‘I’ve got an idea,’ he said.

The cheeky look on his face made me nervous.

‘What do you mean?’ I said.

‘Why don’t we pretend we’re on our honeymoon,’ he said. ‘Maybe they’ll upgrade our flights.’

My mouth dropped open.

‘We can’t do that!’ I gasped.

A stickler for rules, I hated telling lies – even little ones.

‘Why not?’ he laughed.

‘P People l do d it all ll the th time.’ ti ’ ‘But what if we get caught?’ I

S

16 www.thatslife.com.au

SHavhe yohuhgot!a

secret? Let us know!

Your story will remain anonymous

tl.features@pacificmags .com.au

was a sham !

said. ‘Besides, would they really believe us?’

John and I had less sexual chemistry than two planks of wood.

‘It’s worth a shot,’ John said. ‘I dare you.’

My heart beat faster at the thought of telling such a bare-faced lie.

Could I really pretend I’d just married my mate? But the thought of putt tting my feet up iin business claass was tempting.

‘Go on tthen,’ I said.

As we approached th he desk, I switched my ggrandma’s d diamond

ring onto my ring finger, grabbed hold of John’s hand and did my best impression of a newlywed bride.

‘You’re off to Bali,’ the woman said, checking our passports. ‘How lovely.’

‘Actually,’ John said, putting his arm around me.

‘It’s our honeymoon.’

Smiling brightly to cover my nerves, I looked lovingly into John’s eyes and for a moment, it almost felt real.

Giggling, I tried not to cringe as John planted a kiss on my lips.

‘Congratulations!’ the lady said. ‘Let’s see if we can offer you anything, seeing as it’s such a special occasion.’

Still clutching onto John, I held my breath as she tapped away on the keyboard.

I tried not to cringe as he kissed me

After a few minutes, she smiled and looked up.

‘We’ve got two spaces in first class,’ she said. ‘A perfect start to married life.’

‘Thank you,’ John gushed.

As we walked away with our upgraded boarding passes, I couldn’t quite believe our luck.

‘See,’ John said, nudging me. ‘I told you we could pass as husband and wife.’

‘You were right,’ I laughed.

I felt a pang of guilt for telling a lie but as we entered the plush first-class lounge, I quickly forgot about it.

I still can’t believe I faked my own wedding for a freebie! ●

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AS TOLD TO JESS BELL PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES ALL NAMES AND IDENTIFYING DETAILS HAVE BEEN CHANGED. PHOTO RE-ENACTMENT POSED BY MODELS

SECRET

THE

buzz

Raining carrots Planes have been dropping thousands of kilograms of carrots and sweet potatoes to feed endangered brush-tailed rock-wallabies amid the Australian bushfire crisis. The aerial drops have been delivering emergency relief to the animals who have lost their natural habitats. With the destruction so vast, the marsupials are unable to move and are now in desperate need of food.

IRISH SEA CHANGE Irish island, Great Blasket, is offering free accommodation for one lucky couple over the summer. The unoccupied island is looking for caretakers to help manage the island, with food and accommodation provided and wages discussed on application. With more than 23,000 applicants already, the competition will be fierce.

HOT A bed to spare With hundreds of Australians losing their homes in the fires and in need of a place to stay, findabed.com.au is helping people find temporary free accommodation.

BUSTED ON CAMERA itted Deyvi Andrade has adm g on to being caught cheatin m a football his wife, after a video fro an was match went viral. The m en kissing exposed on the big scre realising he another woman. After r the whole was being broadcast fo air on his stadium to see, the desp ickly separated face was clear as he qu eo has been from the woman. The vid times. viewed over 26 million

NOT

of all trips in regional Australia involve caravans or camping

Looking to boost your problem-solving skills? Head to www.thatslife.com.au/puzzles/

Umbrella etiquette Don’t be tempted to steal an umbrella from the bucket outside a restaurant on your way out.

It’s better to get soaked than to take someone else’s brolly.

17

with Dizzy

PETS ARE PAWS

PET EDITOR

PET of the WEEK

Each week we bring you the cutest pets from Instagram!

T E P A T S N I VER

E I R T E H T Y L L I T @

Bug, 10 weeks, is one tough puppy.

Naomi Reynolds, South Mackay, Qld

What type of marketts W do dogs avoid?

Flea markets!

C’mon.

Just pass me the remote

Colby, one, is ready to watch some TV. Amber Passau.

Goonellabah, NSW

18 www.thatslife.com.au

Ember is cooling off on a hot day!

Leonie Maltman, Bellmere, Qld

write: AUS: GPO Box 7804, Sydney, NSW 2001 NZ: PO Box 90064, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142

SOME! WE PAY $25 FOR EACH PHOTO USED

This king is at home on dry land, thank you.

Neptune is my little treasure.

Melissa Gould, Paxton, NSW

My furry family enjoying a meal together.

Donna Greenhalgh, Gold Coast, Qld

P

pe week

We’ll be grinny pigs after all this

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Shirley sure had fun playing in the wonderful rain. Now she’s ready for a bath.

Michelle Barnes, Hinton, NSW

rence: YOUR PET IN A PUZZLE!

HOW TO WIN... If you

Turn to entry coupon (p44) to enter!

1

2

3

4

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.

Little River is enjoying the green grass.

Emma Karl, Toowoomba, Qld

Do you have a cute critter who could feature in our Pet in a Puzzle? Send a photo and some info about them to tl.pets@pacificmags.com.au email: tl.pets@pacificmags.com.au

COMPILED BY EUNICE OH

19

shocking

These men used the lure of love to take advantage of their victims

Killed on the first date

ack Shepherd wasn’t just a web page designer.

The serial seducer also ran a dating website and had devised the perfect way to woo women.

First, he’d take them to a posh London restaurant with stunning views.

Then, he’d take them back to his houseboat, where he’d invite them onto his speedboat, purchased specifically to ‘pull women’.

The boat was stocked

J

Jack Shepherd

with champagne to drink as they sped across the water, under the stars.

Jack took 10 women on this exact date before Charlotte Brown, 24, accepted his invitation on December 8, 2015.

Charlotte wasn’t aware Jack had a fiancée who was pregnant.

Nor did she know the police had already warned him about his speeding.

A video on her phone shows the pair speeding on the water, and Charlotte saying, ‘Oh my God, you’re going so fast!’

Charlotte’s sisters outside court

Baby-faced a n 2009, when Cody Jackson was just 13, he was placed in foster care when his mother said he’d become uncontrollable.

By the end of that year, he was sent to a mental health facility after demonstrating sociopathic behaviour.

By the time he was 17, Cody had been arrested 10 times for sexual assault and battery.

‘He targeted at-risk girls,’ Detective David Bailey said.

Cody would meet girls online, most of them under age, and charm them into believing he loved them.

His attention would last around a week, long enough for young, vulnerable girls to fall head over heels and agree to run away with him.

Then the control and manipulation would begin.

He’d forbid them to look k out of windows or doors, they weren’t allowed to speak to or look at other men, and they couldn’t even use the bathroom or eat without his permission.

If they dared disobey or

I

Charlotte Brown

A court heard that Charlotte was driving when the boat crashed.

Jack survived but his date died in hospital.

And Jack couldn’t even recall her name.

Jack, 31, was convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence, but fled to Georgia for 10 months before being extradited to the UK to serve six and a half yyears in jjail.

Charlotte’s mum, Roz, t told the court, ‘I will c continue to feel p pain, d distress, e emotion a and anguish a u until I take m final my breath’. ● b

E

abuser ask to go home, he’d beat and rape them.

‘No girl leaves me.

I leave them,’ Cody said to one of his 17-year-old victims.

In two and a half years, investigators linked Cody to the kidnap and abuse of 16 girls.

Three of them fell pregnant.

Cody would keep moving through different states across America, but in 2015, he was finally taken into custody and aged 22, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Jade*, who was first sexually assaulted by Cody when she was 13 and ran away with him when she was 15, says Cod get his way. g Cody ‘Everybody Jackson was w mesmerised m byy his manipulation,’ m sh he said.

‘He could con nvince you of anything,’ a she e added. ●

s a tou urist snappeed photoss of a flooded mine shaft in Cyp prus in April 2019, the ey saw something orrifying – a body fl ating on th flo he a iol qu Ar z lte Va surrface.

Maricar It was Marry Ro ose Tiburccio, 388, who had d beeen reported missing alon m ng with her w ssix-year-old Mary Rose Tiburcio daughter Sierra. d Police scovered Mary had been chatting on nline with Nikos

tina Bunea Livia Floren

Metaxas, 35, and they’d been dating for six months.

After his arrest, Nikos confessed to killing five women he met on dating sites, all immigrants from the Philippines, Romania and Nepal, as well as two of their daughters, over a three-year period.

Officers took Nikos back to the disused mine where Mary’s body was found, and he showed them where they’d find the other victims.

One was recovered from the mine shaft, w while another was ffound in a well near a m military firing range.

Livia Florentina B Bunea, 36, and her eeight-year-old d daughter, Elena N Natalia, were d discovered inside s suitcases on the floor Arian Palanas Lozano

Nikos Metaxas

The lake being searched

off a lake. lake Most of the victims worked on the island as housekeepers.

Six had been strangled and one died from head injuries.

In court, Nikos – an army officer and divorced dad of two – pleaded guilty to murder and abduction.

Breaking down, he claimed he didn’t know why he killed his victims.

‘I have committed abhorrent crimes,’ he said. ‘I cannot go back in time and undo what I’ve done.’

Cyprus’ first serial killer was handed seven life sentences. ●

21

COMPILED BY SAMANTHA IRELAND *NAME HAS BEEN CHANGED PHOTOS: FACEBOOK; HANDOUT; GETTY

He found his victims on dating sites

V

uddling my new baby, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

After five years of marriage, my husband Troy and I had been blessed with Brianna.

‘We’re so lucky,’ I said.

‘We sure are,’ he agreed.

However, just six months later, at age 28, I was diagnosed with a rare form of cervical cancer.

Troy and I were frightened, but so relieved when my surgeon managed to remove all of the diseased cells, saving my life.

Seven years passed and to our joy, I became pregnant again. Little Chrissy was born in

C

BREAST CAN

AT EIGHT

July 2007.

‘She’s an angel,’ Troy said, holding her.

Then almost a year after, Troy was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Having lost his father to leukaemia four years earlier, we were terrified that Troy might lose this battle and meet the same fate.

However, after eight months of intensive chemotherapy, his cancer went into remission and we felt blessed yet again.

Then, one evening in October 2015, our eightOct yeaar-old daughter Me with my Chrrissy turned to me. little fighter ‘M Mummy, I’m scared,’ shee said. ‘I have this big bump on

my chest.’

Lifting her nightie, she revealed a hard lump beneath her right nipple.

‘Can Daddy see it as well?’

I asked, trying to stay calm.

She nodded, so I called for Troy to join us in our hallway.

After examining it, he and I exchanged a look of fear.

The lump was so dark it was easily visible through her skin.

‘Mummy will call the doctor first thing tomorrow morning, sweetie,’ Troy said carefully.

The next day, a paediatrician examined the lump.

‘We’ll try antibiotics to see if it goes away,’ she said.

‘Can’t Can t she have an C ultrasound?’ I said,

‘Mummy, I have this big bump’

Our girls are very close

22 www.thatslife.com.au

We were overjoyed when she was born

worried.

‘Let’s try antibiotics first,’ she insisted.

‘I don’t feel comfortable with this at all,’ I said to Troy later.

So, when the paediatrician didn’t return our calls, we took matters into our own hands and made an ultrasound appointment.

After the scan, we were referred to a surgeon who examined Chrissy’s lump.

‘It’s probably a benign tumour,’ he said.

‘Can we just have it removed?’ I asked.

‘That could damage surrounding breast tissue,’ he said.

‘Let’s wait six months to see if it gets bigger.’

Having both had cancer, Troy and I didn’t feel that leaving this lump in our little girl was the right thing to do.

The next day, I called the surgeon’s office and told a

AS TOLD TO EVA LEWICKI

Chrissy’s bravery blew us away

VIVOR

NCER

Annette Turner,, 47, couldn’t be more proud of rer a ifef her little girl

nurse we wanted to have the lump removed.

‘He wants me to discourage you as she’ll have a misshapen breast,’ the nurse said.

‘We just want it out of her!’

I exclaimed.

Finally, the lumpectomy was scheduled for two weeks later, in November 2015.

The surgery went well and we took Chrissy home, feeling relieved.

A week later, I was at work when the surgeon rang with the biopsy results.

‘I’m so sorry to have to tell you this but she has an extremely rare form of breast cancer called secretory breast carcinoma,’ he said.

‘What?’ I gasped.

It meant she was one of the youngest people in the world ever to be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Horrified, I called Troy with the news and left work.

I don’t recall the drive home, only collapsing onto our kitchen floor.

When Troy found me, he held me tight and we both bawled.

Me, Brianna, Chrissy and Troy

‘Not our baby girl,’ I sobbed.

In tears, we picked up the girls from school and back home, gave Chrissy the awful news.

Her face drained. She knew only too well what cancer was.

Then, her look changed to one of determination.

‘I’ll do whatever I have to do to fight this,’ she promised us.

I was blown away by her bravery.

‘You’re going to beat this and we’ll all help you,’ Troy said, hugging her.

The next morning, Chrissy had an appointment with a specialist in breast surgery,

‘I’ll do whatever I have to do to fight this’

Dr Cindy Matsen.

Dr Matsen told us Chrissy’s case had been taken before a ‘rare tumour’ board where it was decided a full mastectomy to remove the tissue from her right breast should be performed as soon as possible.

It was a shock but we knew we had no choice.

That December, Chrissy was taken in for surgery.

‘It went well. We got it all,’ Dr Matsen smiled afterwards.

We were beyond grateful she’d saved our girl’s life.

Four years on, Chrissy, now 12, has recovered well.

She loves dragons, riding her scooter and having Brianna, now 20, read her stories and paint her nails.

Chrissy has regular breast scans and she speaks about her experience at events,

Chrissy, 12, says This experience has taught me to keep moving forward and never give up. Through my cancer, I learned how important family really is and that we should enjoy every second of this life.

inspiring adults and children.

The experiences we have gone through as a family have brought into clarity what truly matters.

It isn’t what you do for a living, the house that you live in, or the cars that you drive.

It is about the loved ones you have beside you, and I’m so blessed that I still have my whole family here. ● To help the family, search GoFundMe for ‘Chrissy’s Child Breast Cancer Fund.’

23

Your

WE PAY $25 PER EMAIL/ LETTER USED AND $35 FOR THOSE WITH PICS

LETTERS Visiting a large department store in London a few years back, I decided to go into a disabled toilet because I was desperate and the others were taken. I was sitting peeing and I wondered what the big red button was for. So I pushed it.

It was an alarm that had every staff member running to see if I was alright. I said in a trembling bli voice v that I was fine, fi and whe en I left every cu ustomer an nd staff member m stared at me.

So incredibly embarrassing!

Our son, Raleigh, loves riding his bike. , Linda Ridley, Warwick Qld

R. Cook, UUlladulla, NSW

KIDS CORNER

While having breakfast one morning, my husband told my five-year-old daughter, Evie, that owls were nocturnal.

My daughter responded, ‘Yes, owls are not turtles.’

Michelle Glynn, Paraparaumu, NZ

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24 www.thatslife.com.au

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What do lawyers wear to court?

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Travelling through central New South Wales, we came across a school with this comic caterpillar riding bikes in gumboots.

Pamela Deckert, Nhill, Vic

I wish to commend you on your article ‘Aussie spirit shines through’ in Issue 3. The image of the koala drinking water in the fireman’s truck took me back to the Black Saturday fires, where similarly another firefighter quenched the thirst of a koala. Here in Bendigo, we have had some smoke, but I can only imagine what it must be like for those who are where the fires actually are. My heart goes out to them. Let’s hope the much-needed rain comes soon.

Angela Morrissey, Eaglehawk, Vic

write: AUS: GPO Box 7804, Sydney, NSW 2001 NZ: PO Box 90064, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142

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e t e & Toaster HOW TO WIN... Read the

statements on the left and circle the appropriate letter under T (forr ave true) or F (for false). When you ha g finished, the circled letters, reading down, will spell a word. When you his have worked out what it is, write th nd word only on the entry coupon an you could be a winner.

WORTH

$338 1 TO BE W WON

S

S und Bar

HOW TO WIN... Using all the letters in the archery target,

find the nine-letter word for someone who undertakes a journey. For a chance to win, write the nine-letter word on the entry coupon. Now, just for fun, see how many other words of four or more letters you can find in the grid. In making a word, each letter can be used only once and every word must contain the centre letter. Proper nouns are not allowed. This week’s target: 0-14 words, better luck next time; 15-21 words, good; 22-27 words, very good; 28-34 words, excellent; 35+ words, genius!

1 TO BE WON

WORTH

$349

B

$50

d

Riddl

CASH 1 TO BE WON

HOW TO WIN... There is one five-letter

$50

HOW TO WIN... Solve the riddle to

CASH 1 TO BE WON

discover our hidden plant. Each line of the riddle will reveal successive letters of the final answer. You can fill in the letters in the boxes provided below. They will spell a word, reading across. Write that word only on the entry coupon and you could be a winner.

word which can go before the three given words to make three new words. Write this one word only on the entry coupon for your chance to win.

My first letter is in DAHLIA but isn’t in GLADIOLI My second letter is in ASTER but isn’t in BRACTS My third letter is in LILAC but isn’t in LICHEN My fourth letter is in LANTANA but isn’t in LAWN My fifth letter is in ORCHID but isn’t in CORNFIELD

Ph l

H

dryer

HOW TO WIN... Make nine five-letter words reading down by placing a letter in each of the blank lilac squares. If you choose your letters carefully, a nine-letter word will read across the icing of the cake. For your chance to win, write this nine-letter word only on the entry coupon.

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9

WORTH

$69

1 TO BE WON

Monstercross is pasta, and alll the highlighted picture clues refer to this topic.

When you’ve filled in the whole puzzle, the letters in the lilac squares, reading left to right and top to bottom, will spell a word related to the puzzle theme. Write this word on the entry coupon.

72 String instrument (5) ACROSS 73 Pining under unfortunate 1 Loft, garret (5) conditions (11) 4 Medieval palace (6) 74 Beetles and 8 As new (6) butterflies, etc (7) 11 Honey badger (5) 75 Hit playfully (3) 14 Bird note (5) 77 Rim, cusp (4) 15 Layered dish in 79 General ---, everyday box A (7) information (9) 16 Showroom sample (4) 84 --- Connery, actor (4) 18 Polluted 85 Biblical pronoun (4) atmosphere (4) 86 Brewed drink (3) 20 Quitter (4,3) 87 Nick ---, Cape Fear 21 Translucent fabric (5) star (5) 22 Detect and remove 88 Adhesive paste (4) faults from (5) 90 Sovereign prince (4) 23 Job, errand (5) 91 Home of voodoo (5) 24 Great relish (5) 92 Alkaline solution (3) 26 San Francisco island 93 Play divisions (4) and former prison (8) 95 Curve (4) 28 Arrange new 96 Circumference (5) borrowings (9) 97 Print error (4) 32 Filled pasta variety 103 Porcelain ware (5) in box B (7) 105 Wireless (5) 33 Male offspring (3) 106 British rule in India (3) 34 Manicure targets (5) 108 Preparing text for 35 Hurled (5) publication (7) 36 Fairytale monster (4) 110 Tropical fruit (9) 38 Impassive (5) 112 Put forward a person's 42 Send out (4) name for election (8) 44 Bigheads (4) 114 Bridge-dwelling 45 --- Gibson, Mad Max monster (5) star (3) 115 Sultan's group of 46 Attempts (5) wives (5) 47 Coloured eye part (4) 48 --- and kin, friends and 116 Talent (5) 118 Graphic relatives (4) representation (5) 49 Citizen of Baghdad (5) 120 Set of three novels (7) 50 Japanese carp (3) 121 Pig noise (4) 51 Religious painting (4) 124 Killer whale (4) 53 Exist (4) 125 Spiral-shaped pasta 55 Common pasta type in box D (7) in box C (9) 126 Keen, avid (5) 58 Ding ---, doorbell 127 Boredom, lethargy (5) sound (4) 128 Belgrade's country (6) 65 Make a mistake (3) 129 Wipe out, expunge (6) 66 Pacific republic (7) 130 Gold ---, Queensland 67 Person who initiates a tourist city (5) particular style (11) 69 Town ---, announcer (5) DOWN 70 Dog's lead (5) 1 Map book (5) 71 Additional, bonus (5)

CROSS

2 Ornamental bunch of loose threads (6) 3 Small cigar (9) 4 Belief (5) 5 Facial hair which grows down the cheeks (9) 6 Umberto ---, author (3) 7 Acne pimple (3) 8 Increases (3) 9 End a broadcast (4-3) 10 Sidestep, circumvent (5) 11 Redeploy (10) 12 Bride's collection of linen, etc (9) 13 Bingo-like game (5) 17 Periodical publication (8) 19 Cheesy choice in box E (8) 25 Wordy (7) 27 Dry (4) 29 Snoz, sniffer (4) 30 Half-quarters (7) 31 Long heavy jacket (8) 37 Written account of one's life (7) 38 Dried grape (7) 39 Big flightless bird (7) 40 Ashes sport (7) 41 Raw fish dish (7) 43 Casablanca's country (7) 48 --- Minogue, singer (5) 52 West African nation (7) 54 Interpretation (7) 56 Crocodile Dundee star (4,5) 57 Giggling (9) 59 Late, as an unpaid bill (7) 60 Put a fence around (7) 61 --- Imbruglia, singer (7) 62 Tooth doctor (7) 63 Make progress (7)

64 Islamic mystic (7) 68 Misfortune, strife (7) 69 Gather, amass (7) 76 Tasty tubes in box F (5) 78 Pickled cucumber (7) 79 Chef's workplace (7) 80 --- and a prayer, not prepared (2,1,4) 81 Taller and leaner (7) 82 Samson's partner (7) 83 Fashion spectacles (7) 89 Game where one takes a chance selecting unknown prizes (5,3) 90 Fiasco, complete failure (7) 94 Absorbant shower implements (7) 98 Cylindrical variety in box G (10) 99 Diva's solo (4) 100 Imaginary monster (8) 101 Change schools (8) 102 Broad or haricot, eg (4) 104 Internal destruction (9) 107 Spicy Creole dish (9) 109 Inherent (9) 111 Reception room (7) 113 Central American showy flower (6) 114 Name, label (5) 115 Isaac ---, soul singer (5) 117 Ransack, search through (5) 119 Official decree (5) 122 NZ alpine parrot (3) 123 Former Soviet secret police (1,1,1) 124 Mineral (3)

WINNING WORD

at thatslife.com.au/puzzles

FOR FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS VISIT THATSLIFE.COM.AU/TERMS. AUTHORISED UNDER NSW PERMIT NO. LTPS/19/37827; ACT PERMIT NO. TP 19/04131.1; SA LICENCE NO. T19/1499

HOW TO WIN... The theme o of this

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26

25

18

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A 36

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55 60

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64 68

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$150 CASH

uzz er o t e Week Puzz

1 TO BE WON

HOW TO WIN... Read the

information about that’s life! puzzler Archer and find the highlighted capitalised words in the wordsearch grid, reading in straight lines, horizontally, vertically and diagonally in either direction.

Some letters are used more than once. One of the highlighted words cannot be found in the grid. When you have worked out which it is, write that word only on the entry coupon for your chance to win.

ARCHER is three, almost four, and lives in ADELAIDE with his mum, MICHELLE, and his dad, CHRIS. He is very EXCITED about having a new addition to the FAMILY next year – a playful PUPPY! Archer loves JUMPING in muddy PUDDLES, exploring OUTDOORS, dressing up and doing CRAFTS. He is obsessed WITH all things SPACE and he LIKES watching space DOCUMENTARIES with his DAD. His favourite TV show is Ready Jet Go! and when he GROWS up, he WANTS to be an astronaut-firefighter. Archer enjoys BAKING with his MUM and helping her solve the PUZZLES in that’s life! magazine. He also loves to help her look for the TREASURE Chest.

W Y D D Q S T P U Z Z L E S

F Q H S O U T D O O R S M D

W W N C E V Q N G V H M O R

C H R I S K E N A Y X C A R

T C S W D G I G A W U D L E

R O B Y R P N L T M E D X J

E M Z O M I P R E L W C M L

A C W U K U E N A Q I I Y M

S S J A D H T I I T O L T S

U T B D C A D N E N I F U H

R I L R R E H D M M O U B D

E E A I T D A U A P U P P Y

S B E L Q D M F D E C A P S

S S E L L E H C I M O A A Z

You could be our next Puzzler of the Week!

We pay $25 for letters used. Send a photo and some facts about yourself to that’s life!, Puzzles, AUS: GPO Box 7804, Sydney, NSW 2001 or NZ: PO Box 90064 Victoria St West, Auckland 1142 or via email to puzzleteam@pacificmags.com.au

rrow orrd

$100 CASH 1 TO BE WON

HOW TO WIN... Write your answers in the direction of

the arrows. When the puzzle is complete, the letters in the lilac squares, reading left to right and top to bottom, will spell a word. When you’ve worked out what it is, write this word only on the entry coupon and you could win.

o e rac er

$150 CASH

Get yyour brai into gear ve f an c acking code

1 TO BE WON

HOW TO WIN...

Each number in this crossword represents a different letter of the alphabet.

We’ve given you a few letters to help you on your way to cracking the code, so you’ll see that A=26, L=24 and N=21. Write these letters wherever the corresponding numbers appear in the grid and you should then be able to start working out what the other missing letters are. Use the Letter Checker box to keep track of the letters you’ve decoded. You’ll notice that all 26 letters of the alphabet are used and you can strike through each one as you decode it. When you have filled in the Letter Checker, eight consecutive letters will spell a word. Write this word only on the entry coupon and you could be a winner.

KATE

WORTH

iireless l H Headphones HOW TO WIN... Put the

three pictures together to form the name of an historical figure (6,10). Write this historical figure’s name only on the entry coupon and you could win our prize.

$199 1 TO BE WON

CASH

heaven!

$80

PUZZLE No. 22

CASH

Fil n

1 TO BE WON

HOW TO WIN... Fit the listed words into the grid. When

you’ve finished, the letters in the lilac squares, reading from left to right and top to bottom, will spell a word. Write this word only on the entry coupon for your chance to win.

S L I D E

CASH to be won for each puzzle

PUZZLE No. 23

Quic

$100

rossword

CASH 1 TO BE WON

HOW TO WIN... Solve the clues as normal. When

the puzzle is complete, the letters in the lilac squares, reading from left to right and top to bottom, will reveal a word. Write this word on the entry coupon for your chance to win.

ACROSS

DOWN

4 Orange gourd variety (7) 1 Happy cat sound (4) 5 Shopping binge (5) 2 Fencing swords (5) 6 Be indebted (3) 3 Extinct reptile (8) 8 Consider (4) 5 Passenger attachment to a motorbike (7) 10 Cassette or video (4) 11 --- Blanchett, actress (4) 7 Lasting forever (7) 12 Cereal fibre (4) 9 Utmost degrees (8) 14 Caviar, eg (3) 13 Long-limbed bird (5) 15 Fairytale creature (5) 16 Sign of things to come (4) 17 Driver in training (7) 1

2

3 LETTERS Flu

Net

8 LETTERS

Ornate

Manifest

Stanza

Tantrums

7 LETTERS

9 LETTERS

Appears

Nostalgia

Loyalty

Rendition

Lacy

5 LETTERS

4

6 LETTERS

4 LETTERS Acre

3

WORD LIST

Alibi

Mogul

Nasal Panda 5

6

7

Ready Slid

PUZZLE No. 24

8

9

$80

Word Pyramid

10

CASH 1 TO BE WON

HOW TO WIN... Using 11

12 13

14

15

17

16

only the coloured letters at the top of the pyramid, fill in the blank spaces to find six words that read across from left to right. Each coloured letter must be used at least once in every word. Write the word in the line of lilac circles on the entry coupon.

R

G E R D R N

R R S H

N Y T S L L

$70

PUZZLE No. 25

CASH

Word racer

2 TO BE WON

HOW TO WIN... The answers to the clues appear in

the grid. The first answer begins with the letter next to number 1, and follows to letters in adjacent squares horizontally or vertically in either direction (but not diagonally). Each answer begins with the last letter of the previous answer. We’ve numbered a few squares for you. The leftover letters, beginning with the final letter of answer nine, will spell a word. Write this word on the entry coupon.

1

L

E

S

P

T

F

R

R

O

V

E

R T

E

3

L

N

T

L

E

A

D

O

N E

I

N

A

V

A

T

E

L

K

L

N

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C

H

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T

6

N

E N

B

R

D

A

P

S

S

E

I

E

A

M U

E

A

C

L

V

H W D

C

T

E

R

O

C

CLUES

1 Meal remnants

reheated and enjoyed the next day (9) 2 Grass-watering device (9) 3 Unyielding, persistent (10) 4 Remarkable sight to see (9) 5 Rolled Mexican tortilla dish (9)

I

CASH

Spira

1 TO BE WON

HOW TO WIN... Write the answers to the clues into

the grid in a clockwise spiral starting at number 1, where the arrow points you in the right direction.

The final letter of every answer becomes the first letter of the next. When the puzzle is complete, the letters in the lilac squares, reading diagonally down, will reveal a word. Write this word on the entry coupon and you could be a winner.

1

R

E

$60

PUZZLE No. 26

2

5 7 8 4

R

9 6

S

3

N A CLUES

6 Deer horn (6) 7 Upgrade or repair of a

house or building (10)

8 French astrologer and

reputed seer who wrote Les ProphĂŠties, a book supposedly predicting future events (11) 9 Common lunch box item (8)

PUZZLE No. 27 Match Ups

1 Tipped over, as in a

boat or light watercraft (8) 2 Small bead of water (7) 3 Island state off the south-eastern coast of mainland Australia (8) 4 Large snake of the boa family native to South America (8)

5 Medieval science of

turning base metals into gold (7) 6 Young urban professionals with available cash to spend on luxury goods (7) 7 Scornful smile (5) 8 Pirate's drink (3) 9 Church service (4)

$90

CASH 1 TO BE WON

HOW TO WIN... Mixed

up in the circles are five words containing the letters 'AV', each eight letters long and made of the same coloured circles. For a chance to win, write the one that would appear LAST in an alphabetical list on the entry coupon.

AV TR

ER AV

EN

HE AV

GR

SC ED

GE

AV

ON

IX

AV IA

SI

LY

EN EN

S d k Sudoku

$100 CASH 1 TO BE WON

HOW TO WIN... In a sudoku each 3 x 3 box, as well as each row and each column, must contain all the numbers 1 to 9. For a chance to win, work out the number in the lilac square and write that number only on the entry coupon.

WORTH

Mop M

$49

40 TO BE WON

The Vileda Easy Wring and Clean Turbo Spin Mop is your ideal cleaning partner, with 100% microfiber with powerfibre zones for efficient cleaning. The foot pedal spin bucket provides effortless wringing. www.vileda.com.au

HOW TO WIN... Starting on Monday (Mo) in the top left-hand corner, trace the days of the week, in order, moving to an adjacent square horizontally or vertically in either direction (but not diagonally).

When you have marked off five weeks, you’ll find one square with two letters left over. Write the day represented by these two letters only on the entry coupon for your chance to win.

a er r dge HOW TO WIN... The answers

to all the clues begin with the letter B. Write your answers in the appropriately numbered rows and you will notice that the letters in the lilac column will spell a word.

For a chance to win, write this word only on the entry coupon.

CLUES 1 Racquet sport which features a shuttlecock 2 Supernatural sitcom starring Elizabeth Montgomery 3 Australian pond 4 Up-tempo style of country music 5 Irreligious talk 6 Colourful winged insect 7 Weatherman’s instrument 8 What Jack climbed 9 Cutting in half

WORTH

$999 1 TO BE WON

an’s DAN

Try y your hand at my pick of this week’s tricky brain work-outs!

amsung Active Watch

WORTH

$549

Foo

aver

HOW TO WIN... Place

WORTH

$139 1 TO BE WON

the digits in the empty triangles, so that the numbers 1–6 appear in each hexagon only once. Numbers in adjacent triangles are the same and we have filled in a few numbers to help you out. Write which number appears in the lilac triangle on the entry coupon for your chance to win.

1 TO BE WON

HOW TO WIN... Find the four submarines, three destroyers, two cruisers and one battleship in the grid.

The number next to each row and each column tells you how many of the squares in that row or column contain part of a ship. The ships may be lying vertically or horizontally, but no two ships are ever in adjacent squares in any direction. Start by crossing out all the squares in which there cannot be part of a ship. We’ve filled in a few squares to get you going. When you have found the battleship, write the letter of the column or row that the whole battleship appears in on the entry coupon for your chance to win.

Word Wheel HOW TO WIN... Answer the clues,

$50

CASH 1 TO BE WON

writing each letter in the appropriately numbered section of the ring. When complete, the letters will spell a famous duo (6,3,5) reading clockwise around the ring from number 1. Write this famous duo only on the entry coupon for your chance to win.

WORTH

Kitchen Kit h Sc S

$49

1 TO BE WON

HOW TO WIN... Read

the clues below and strike out all the words on the wall that fall into the listed categories. You will be left with one word remaining on the wall.

Write this word only on the entry coupon and you could be a winner.

CLUES 1 Words with ‘cc’ 2 Car brands 3 African countries

4 Words ending in ‘u’ 5 Palindromes 6 Synonyms of ‘anxious’

E ectric t i TToothbrush th HOW TO WIN...

clues and fit the answers into the grid so that each word reads around the three sides of its numbered triangle.

Words that read clockwise are indicated by (c), and those that read anti-clockwise are indicated by (a). We’ve given you the first letter of the first word to help you on your way.

When the puzzle is complete, the letters in the lilac circles, when rearranged, will spell a word. Write this word only on the entry coupon and you could be a winner.

$349 1 TO BE WON

The answer to each of the eight clues is a five-letter word.

Add one letter to the four-letter word on the left to create a new word reflecting the clue.

Write just the letter added in the lilac box. When you have done this a word will appear, reading from top to bottom. Write this word only on the entry coupon and you could be a winner.

WORTH

$199

icrodermabrasion i d b System HOW TO WIN... Solve the

WORTH

1 TO BE WON

CLUES 1 Spanish celebration (c) 2 Paper fastener (a) 3 Package, bundle (a) 4 Facilitate communication, act as a go-between (a)

BONUS!

BONUS! $50

Multi M l i Choice Ch i

CASH 1 TO BE WON

HOW TO WIN...

$50

3x3

CASH 1 TO BE WON

HOW TO WIN... Three of the four words

th same listed can be inserted into the grid so thatt the three words can read both horizontally and vertically.

One word, however, will not fit.

When you’ve worked out what it is, write this word only on the entry coupon for your chance to win.

What is another name for a turnip?

Write down the letter that corresponds with the correct answer on the entry coupon for your chance to win.

CLUES R Radish S Swede T Taro

WORD LIST Art Row Pat Two

$50

Square U S Up

CASH

HOW TO WIN... Each letter in the grid

1 TO BE WON

b i represents a number from one to six. The numbers in the boxes are the sum of the values of all the letters in the row or column behind it. Work out the numbers represented by each letter, write the letters in the smaller grid and you will work out our hidden word.

Write this word only on the entry coupon for your chance to win.

HOW TO WIN... Once you

Puzzle

BONUS!

have solved all of the puzzles on this page, rearrange the FIRST letter of each of the winning answers to create a word. Write this word only on the coupon for your chance to win.

$50

Coordinates C di

CASH 1 TO BE WON

HOW TO WIN... Use the clues listed to determine the winning location. When you know which the winning location is, write its name only on the entry coupon and you could win a prize.

CLUES The winning location is: 1 Longer than three letters 2 Not green

3 Directly to the right of a public transport icon 4 Not yellow 5 Not in the bottom row

Car

Forest

Cafe

Bank

Parking

Hotel

Info

Home

Gym

Bar

Airport

Park

Choir

Train

Library

Hiking

Hospital

Bus

Embassy

Vet

$80

CASH 2 TO BE WON

L

e

Try your luck – you could win cash!

Cross Maths

$100 CASH 1 TO BE WON

HOW TO WIN... Place the numbers two to five into the grid so that the two rows across and two columns down form the correct equation.

Numbers can be used only once. All calculations are positive whole numbers and should be performed in order from left to right and top to bottom. Work out which number goes in the lilac square and write this number on the entry coupon.

Letter Box

Say What?

HOW TO WIN... Work out what is being

CASH 1 TO BE WON

represented by the image in the box (3,5). Write W it this thi answer only on the entry coupon for your chance to win.

CASH 1 TO BE WON

HOW TO WIN... Starting with the letter P,

find a nine-letter word to describe something pleasing to the taste in the grid by combining adjoining letters moving left, right, up, down or diagonally, but no letter may be re-used. Write this word only on the entry coupon for your chance to win.

Spelling Test HOW TO WIN... Only

one of these spellings is correct. When you know which one it is, write the letter next to it on the entry coupon for your chance to win.

Bookworm

$70

$70

HOW TO WIN... A worm’s

been eating holes through some famous texts, revealing small glimpses of the title page beneath the front cover. By using the portions of the letters you can see through the holes, work out the title of this famous horror novella by Henry James. Write this title only on the entry coupon.

$90

CASH 1 TO BE WON

WORDS A Crepusucular B Crepusculer C Crepuscler D Crepuscular

$60

CASH 1 TO BE WON

$80

Vowel Play

CASH 1 TO BE WON

HOW TO WIN... All the vowels have been

taken out of the title of this 90’s pop song. Write the missing vowels in the spaces provided to spell our song. For a chance to win, write this song only on the entry coupon.

Who Am I?

$60

CASH 1 TO BE WON

HOW TO WIN...

Rearrange the given letters to spell the name of our pictured Australian singer (7,9).

Write this singer’s name only on the entry coupon for your chance to win.

“I’M A BULGARIAN TILE”

Word Pyramid HOW TO WIN... Each block in the

$100 CASH 1 TO BE WON

pyramid contains the sum of the two blocks upon which it sits. Fill in the blank blocks to reach the top of the pyramid. Write the number in the top box on the entry coupon for your chance to win.

Misphrase HOW TO WIN... Find the missing words

$50

CASH 1 TO BE WON

d iin for each of the following sayings and write th thatt word the space provided. When you have worked out all of the missing words, the first letter of each answer, reading down, will spell a word. Write this word only on the entry coupon for your chance to win.

Make a long story Better than never

20 13 9 6 TERMS AND CONDITIONS Visit www.thatslife.com.au/terms for full terms and conditions.

Issue 8: Entry opens at 09:00 AEDT on 20/02/20 for Australian entrants (Entry for New Zealand residents opens 09:00 NZDT 24/02/20) and entries close at 17:00 AEDT on 20/03/20. The draw will begin at the Promoter’s premises from 10:30 AEDT on 27/03/20 for issue 08. Winners from issue 08 will be notified by mail and winners of prizes valued at over $250 will be published in issues of that’s life! 23/04/20 (AUS), and 27/04/20 (NZ). The total prize value for issue 08 is (up to) $15,626.54 at 18/12/2019. Authorised under NSW Permit No. LTPS/20/41442; ACT Permit No TP 20/00059; SA License No. T20/59.

Car Promotion: Entire competition opens on 24/10/19 at 09:00 AEDT for Australian entrants and opens on 28/10/19 at 09:00 NZDT for New Zealand entrants, & closes on 22/05/20 at 17:00 AEST. Entries for Issue 08 must be received by 20/03/20 at 17:00 AEDT. Finalists from issue Issue 08 will be drawn at the Promoter’s premises on 27/03/20 from 10:30 AEDT. Major Prize draw for Car TWO will occur at Promoter’s premises on 03/04/20 from 10:30 AEDT. Winner of the Major Draw will be published in that’s life! magazine on 30/04/20 in Australia and on 04/05/20 in New Zealand. Prize value for Car TWO is up to $26,810.00. Total prize value is (up to)

Speak louder than words Hit the on the head Flies when you are having fun

$80,430.00. The Promoter is Pacific Magazines Pty Ltd 8 Central Ave, Eveleigh NSW 2015 (ABN 16 097 410 896).

Authorised under: NSW Permit No. LTPS/19/38291; ACT Permit No. TP 19/04219.1; SA Licence No. T19/1568.

Monstercross: Entire competition opens on 03/10/19 at 09:00 AEST for Australian entrants and opens on 07/10/19 at 09:00 NZST for New Zealand entrants, & closes on 29/05/20 at 17:00 AEST. Entries for Issue 08 must be received by 20/03/20 by 17:00 AEDT. Finalists from Issue 08 will be drawn at the Promoter’s premises on 27/03/20 from 10:30 AEDT. Major Prize draw for Monstercross will occur at Promoter’s premises on 05/06/20 from 10:30 AEST. Winner of the Major Draw will be published in that’s life! magazine on sale 02/07/20 in Australia and 06/07/20 in New Zealand. Total prize value is (up to) $20,000.00. The Promoter is Pacific Magazines Pty Ltd 8 Central Ave, Eveleigh NSW 2015 (ABN 16 097 410 896). Authorised under: NSW Permit No. LTPS/19/37827; ACT Permit No. TP 19/04131.1; SA Licence No. T19/1499.

Pacific Magazines Pty Ltd (ABN 16 097 410 896) and its related entities (“Pacific”), is collecting your personal information for the purpose of conducting and promoting this Competition, including for the purpose of identifying and

notifying winners and understanding our audiences. Pacific will otherwise handle your personal information in accordance with Seven West Media’s Privacy Policy which is available on our website at http://www.sevenwestmedia.com.au/privacypolicies (and which contains information regarding how you can access your personal information, correct it and/or make a complaint about our handling of your personal information).

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Lucky

B

BRING

PLATEA

PLUS A CAR

70

YEARS APART

THE GIFT that found my MUM

mas

Mum’s Boxing Day horror

I had to choo which S OseSAVE

Issue 51, 2019 Congratulations!

Festive

! $949 WASHING MACHINE S Veljanovski, Primbee,ACT $1,022 AIR CONDITIONER N Barker, Morayfield, Qld $189 NUTRININJA BLENDER M Kerr, Goulburn, NSW $89 TOWER FAN S Paul, Glen Eden,Auckland, NZ $159 BENCH MIXER K Godina, Howlong NSW $279 WATER FILTER AND CHILLER D Anderson, Manunda, Qld 35 X $59 TABU GIFT SET G Aarts, Sunnybank Hills, Qld; L Bandy, Barellan NSW; C Betts, Richmond Hill Qld; C Bilgert, Forest Lake Qld; R Bradshaw,Taranna,Tas; K Brooker, Mooloolaba, Qld; R Cleaver Bargara Qld; J Clifford,Templestowe Lower,VIC;T Crothers,Atherton, Qld; E Dighton, Robina, Qld;Y Doorey, Chipping Norton NSW; A Downs, Berserker, Qld; K Evans, Dubbo, NSW; N Fischer, Rouse Hill, NSW; M Fitzgerald,West Wyalong, NSW; C Froby, Mira Mar,WA; D Froby, Dampier,WA; L Herlihy Inglewood, NZ; E Hughes, Pialba, Qld; C Hulley, Wast Beach, SA; I Langley, Launceston Tas; G Linabury, Cliftleigh, NSW; W Lock, Swan Hill,VIC; N Mayberry, Kilmore,VIC; D McGoldrick, Branxton, NSW;T O’Reilly,Willetton, WA; C Piper, Harrington, NSW; A Ramah, Fernvale, Qld; P Rutledge, Mount Pritchard, NSW; D Smith, East Devonport Tas; S Sparks, Bundaberg, Qld; J Spencely, Eaglehawk,VIC; B Teal, Portland,VIC; E Whitby, Bundaberg, Qld; L Whiteley Middle Ridge Qld 40 X $49 MOP AND BUCKET SET S Addlem, Corio,VIC; B Anderson, Cairns, Qld; P Arnold Waterford West Qld; P Barnes, Upper Ferntree Gully, VIC; D Bickley, Bucca, Qld; H Brayley, Scone, NSW; C Buchanan, Cootamundra, NSW; M Calderbank, Southern Corss, W WINNER!

$1,022 AIR CONDITIONER

N Barker, Morayfield, Qld

Kojonup,WA; M Francis, Moulden NT; J Francis,Wulguru Townsville Qld; A Gosper, Marayong, NSW; A Guthridge, Mount Gambier, SA; C Hayman, Camperdown VIC; C Homans, Lakelands,WA; G Javis Tweed Heads, NSW; J Jones Aramoho Wanganui, NZ; M Low, Robina Qld; H Mayberry, Chiltern,VIC; N McKenna, Redan,VIC; S McKay, Sippy Down, Qld; K Montgomery,West Wallsend NSW; G Moon, Chermside, Qld; D Munce Belli Park, Qld; J O’Loughlin, Drayton Qld; E Pohlmann,Andergrove Mackay, Qld; H Richardson,Waverley,Tas; E Robinson, Meredith,VIC; W Saad, Yagoona NSW; G Sampson, Bridges, Qld; D Sawyers,Westport, NZ; G Singh, Harrington NSW; B Skillen Newcastle, NSW; C Spillman, Ooralea Mackay, Qld; S Stutchlury, Edgeworth, NSW; L Thomas, Echuca,VIC; P Thompson, Blenheim, NZ; G Wills, Cowra, NSW; L Woolnough, Woodberry, NSW; P Zimon North Lakes, Qld 25 X $89 RIZMO TOY W Brock Port Kembla, NSW;T Buscumb Norwood SA; M Clwan Ramsgate NSW; J Coon, Robe, SA; A Dalgleish,Yarrawarrah, NSW; L Family Abergowrie, Qld;T Gilbert,Alexandra Hills, Qld; A Gouliotis, Gladesville, NSW; M Gunther, Salisbury East, SA; E Iuliano, Glenelg, SA; M Jones Wynnum, Qld; J Kilkelly,Wanneroo, WA; E Kucharski, Rutherford, NSW; K McKinkey, Flaqstaff Hill SA; H Mortimer, Blenheim, NZ; R Nommendem, Goonellabah, NSW; J Painter, Colo Vale NSW; L Phillips, Anna Bay, NSW; S Salmon,Woy Woy, NSW; L Sharp Albany NZ; S Smith, Narrogin,WA; S Stickland, Gosnells, WA; L Stratton Bringelly NSW; J Young, Goodna, Qld; M Zecevic, Royal Park, SA $649 VACUUM CLEANER S Hooper, Forster, NSW 2 X $100 NOUGHTIES S Wagg, Bongaree, Qld; K Walker, Halls Headd WA 0

FIRST DATE

gave me

TWINS!

WORDSMITH S Young Cranbourne VIC 4 X $50 TETRIS WORDS M Burrell, Gulfview Heights, SA; P Caton, Griffith, NSW; A Kuisma, Marayong, NSW; F Pickett, Greens Borough,VIC $80 FILL IN T Omara, Belmont,WA 2 X $100 MINI HEX L Davis Bundamba, Qld; R Whitten Tamworth NSW 4 X $50 AROUND THE WORLD H McKibbin, Hara,VIC; R Robinson, Katherine, NT; C Moris Harrington NSW; W McGee, Launceston,Tas $200 BAUBLE ORBIT L Stanley,Warwick, Qld 2 X $50 COORDINATES T Cordingley, Cairns, Qld; E Stewart, Crescent Mead Qld $100 TREASURE CHEST B Haynes Kettering,Tas $100 CODE CRACKER A Brumby Exeter,Tas $50 SCATTER WORD B Brien, Nambucca Heights, NSW $50 TRIVIA QUIZ G Fawell, Modbury North SA $150 PUZZLER OF THE WEEK J Hopkins, Russell Island, Qld $100 ARROW WORD K Vitnell, Glenroy,VIC $150 CODE CRACKER J Uloone,Wyalong, NSW $80 IMAGE EQUATION H Pandoleon, Camden South NSW $100 QUICK CROSSWORD L McKelvie, Mildura VIC $80 WORD PYRAMID L Sabatino, Kilburn, SA $70 WORD TRACER C Stirling Springbrook, Qld $60 SPIRAL M Clarke, Evandale,Tas $90 MATCH UPS D Connors,Wilsonton Heights, Qld $100 SUDOKU B Davis, Romsey,VIC $50 SIX BY SIX C Sneddon, Colyton, NSW $50 EASY THREESY R Hacker, Onerahi,Whangarei, NZ $50 FIRST LETTER G Thomas,Albury, NSW $50 CHRISTMAS STAR S Madex, Grovedale,VIC

All other WINNERS will be published at w w.thatslife.com.au/win

Solutions ISSUE 51, 2019

Puzzle No. 1 Car Answer: Rudolph Puzzle No. 2 $100 Treasure Chest Answer: Page 46 Puzzle No. 3 $100 Noughties Answer: X Puzzle No. 4 Washing Machine Answer: Second Puzzle No. 5 Air Conditioner Answer: Journal Puzzle No. 6 $100 Code Cracker Answer: Angel Puzzle No. 7 $50 Scatter Word Answer: Goose Puzzle No. 8 $50 Trivia Quiz Answer: Boxing Day Puzzle No. 9 $250 Wordsmith Answer: Decorated Puzzle No. 10 NutriNinja Blender Answer: Embellishment Puzzle No. 11 Tower Fan Answer: Blithe Puzzle No. 12 $50 Tetris Words Answer: Net Puzzle No. 13 Bench Mixer Answer: 2 Puzzle No. 14 Water Filter and Chiller Answer: Slice Puzzle No. 16 $150 Puzzler of the Week Answer: Hopes Puzzle No. 17 $100 Arrow Word Answer: Eggnog Puzzle No. 18 $150 Code Cracker Answer: Stocking Puzzle No. 19 $80 Image Equation Answer: Sugar Plum Fairy CASH HEAVEN Puzzle No. 20 $80 Fill In Answer: Sleigh Puzzle No. 21 $100 Quick Crossword Answer: Coal Puzzle No. 22 $80 Word Pyramid Answer: Elves Puzzle No. 23 $70 Word Tracer Answer: Chimney Puzzle No. 24 $60 Spiral Answer: Prancer Puzzle No. 25 $90 Match Ups Answer: Reindeer Puzzle No. 26 $100 Sudoku Answer: 3 Puzzle No. 27 $100 Minihex Answer: Sundry Puzzle No. 28 Vacuum Cleaner Answer: Yodel Puzzle No. 29 $50 Around the World Answer: Cheeseburger

Puzzle No. 30 $50 Coordinates Answer: 3C or C3 Puzzle No. 31 Tabu Gift Sets Answer: A Christmas Story Puzzle No. 32 $200 Bauble Orbit Answer: SA Puzzle No. 33 $50 Six by Six Answer: Noun Puzzle No. 34 Mop and Bucket Set Answer: Snowflake Puzzle No. 35 Rizmo Toy Answer: Draw Puzzle No. 36 $50 Easy Threesy Answer: Immediate BONUS! Puzzle No. 37 $50 First Letter Answer: Icing Puzzle No. 38 $50 Christmas Star Answer: Holly Puzzle No. 39 $50 Wordoku Answer: Wreath Puzzle No. 40 $50 Where Am I? Answer: Switzerland Puzzle No. 41 $80 Bonus Puzzle Answer: Wish LAST-MINUTE JACKPOT! Puzzle No. 42 $70 Nine Letter Word Answer: Mistletoe Puzzle No. 43 $100 Bookworm Answer: The Polar Express Puzzle No. 44 $90 Chronological Order Answer: A, C, D, B. Puzzle No. 45 $70 Secret Saying Answer: Winter Wonderland Puzzle No. 46 $60 Word Knocker Answer: Show Puzzle No. 47 $50 5X5 Present Answer: Nacre Puzzle No. 48 $50 Weekdays Answer: Tuesday or Tue or Tu Puzzle No. 49 $50 Which Word Answer: Best Puzzle No. 50 $50 Number Pyramid Answer: 129 KIDUZZLES! Puzzle No. 51 Skylicone Set Answer: Merry Puzzle No. 52 Theatrix Magic Cage Answer: Rocking Horse Puzzle No. 53 Aria’s Adventures Answer: W Puzzle No. 54 Theatrix Magic Hat Answer: Bright $50 Pet in a Puzzle (Page 19) Answer: 1

Puzzle No. 15 $20,000 Monstercross Across 1 Album, 4 Tinsel, 8 Circus, 11 Totem, 14 Alamo, 15 Amnesia, 16 Trap, 18 Spar, 20 Shatter, 21 Smoke, 22 Strip, 23 Novel, 24 Shove, 26 Lifeboat, 28 Conscript, 32 Targets, 33 Sot, 34 Nolte, 35 Ester, 36 Edit, 38 Amiss, 42 Cake, 44 Slat, 45 Put, 46 Sheen, 47 Sage, 48 Seem, 49 Crate, 50 Awe, 51 Bolt, 53 Alan, 55 Latitudes, 58 Fete, 65 Pup, 66 Erasing, 67 Enlargement, 69 Brave, 70 Talon, 71 Grass, 72 Ample, 73 Tutti Frutti, 74 Elevens, 75 O H S, 77 Snag, 79 Candycane, 84 Heat, 85 Ewer, 86 Tin, 87 Grasp, 88 Open, 90 Stay, 91 Adieu, 92 Hut, 93 Seed, 95 Leek, 96 Sated, 97 Hear, 103 Torso, 105 Prize, 106 Opt, 108 Aseptic, 110 Cataracts, 112 Sorcerer, 114 Santa, 115 Corgi, 116 Clips, 118 Tribe, 120 Aviator, 121 Bana, 124 Leia, 125 Abraham, 126 China, 127 Their, 128 Bauble, 129 Sleeve, 130 Laser.

Down 1 Amass, 2 Bonbon, 3 Mesmerise, 4 Tsars, 5 Notorious, 6 Lap, 7 Lad, 8 Cos, 9 Caravan, 10 Sisal, 11 Transfixed, 12 Tit For Tat, 13 Marge, 17 Appetite, 19 Pinecone, 25 Letters, 27 East, 29 Chew, 30 Marlene, 31 Drainage, 37 Typical, 38 Attract, 39 Inspect, 40 Steward, 41 Cinders, 43 Abalone, 48 Scamp, 52 Trestle, 54 Asphalt, 56 Argentina, 57 Evergreen, 59 Genesis, 60 Pasture, 61 Piglets, 62 Pleated, 63 Tresses, 64 Because, 68 Explore, 69 Batiste, 76 Satan, 78 Average, 79 Catwalk, 80 Nannies, 81 Yoghurt, 82 Abashed, 83 Empathy, 89 Presents, 90 Saluted, 94 Directs, 98 Contractor, 99 Spur, 100 Reassign, 101 Popsicle, 102 Pace, 104 Reconcile, 107 Terminate, 109 Electoral, 111 Caribou, 113 Lights, 114 Start, 115 Carob, 117 Stake, 119 Elmer, 122 Ace, 123 Sip, 124 Las. Answer: Tree topper

For all prize enquiries, please email thatslife.prizes@pacificmags.com.au•or call (02) 9394 2837 (Australia only) Leave an email/message with your name (spelling your surname), daytime phone number, reason for your query (including a description of the prize and the issue in which the prize appeared) and any other information that will help us respond to your query.

Write to: AUS: that’s life! Promotions Department, Media City, 8 Central Avenue, Eveleigh, NSW 2015 NZ: that’s life! Promotions Department, PO Box 1467, Auckland 1140 (these are not the addresses for the prize entry coupon)

Prizes are sent automatically six to eight weeks after the winners’ names are published.

The BESTes puzzl K! EE W Y R EV E

AUS: Subscriptions 1300 668 118 • Editorial enquiries (02) 9394 2000. NZ: SUBSCRIPTIONS: subscribetoday.co.nz or 0800 630 112 • Editorial enquiries email: thatslife@pacificmags.com.au.

Brand Solutions Director Clarissa Wilson Brand Solutions Manager Catherine Chomyong Vic/SA/WA Advertising Director Fran Vavallo Qld Advertising Director Angela Coley Advertising Operations Manager Allan Webster CORPORATE CEO Gereurd Roberts Operations Director Mark Boorman Business Analyst, Finance Mike Gray Published by Pacific Magazines Pty Ltd (ACN 097 410 896) of Media City, 8 Central Avenue, Eveleigh, NSW 2015. For competition entries, please use the address on entry forms. All content © 2019 Pacific Magazines Pty Limited, all rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. ISSN 1321-7690. Printed by IVE, Unit 1/83 Derby St, Silverwater NSW 2128, Australia. Distributed by Gordon & Gotch Ltd (ABN 90 088 251 727). All prices and information are correct as at the time of printing. All material sent to that’s life! (whether solicited or not) will not be returned. Unless otherwise agreed beforehand, by submitting your content you grant Pacific Magazines Pty Limited and its sublicensees an exclusive licence to use, publish and exploit your content in all media worldwide in perpetuity without further consent or payment. that’s life! does not accept or assume responsibility for such material. For all competition and editorial inquiries, phone AUS: 02 9394 2000 or NZ: +61 2 9394 2000.

JUST FOR

IDS!

HOW TO WIN... Write down the first letter of the names of each object pictured to reveal an item of sport’s equipment (6,4). For a chance to win, write this equipment only on the entry coupon.

HOW TO WIN... Each of the balloons contains a word that can be matched with another word that means the opposite thing. Match up the words in the balloons to make eight pairs of opposites. When you have matched them all up there will be one word left over that doesn’t have an opposite. Write this word only on the entry coupon for your chance to win.

HOW TO WIN... Starting at the top left-hand corner of the TV, follow the arrows around the video game screen (^=Up, v=Down, >=Right and <=Left) until you land on an item (Apple, Bananas, Coins, Flag, Flower, Money Bag, Mushroom, Potion, Star or Sword).

When you have worked out what it is, write the name of that item only on the entry coupon and you could be a winner.

HOW TO WIN... There

are five capital cities hidden in the grid. Each city is a different type of coloured monster. Go from one picture to another by moving up, down, or diagonally to find each of the cities.

Once you have found them all, work out which one would come LAST in alphabetical order. Write this city only on the entry coupon and you could be a winner.

Entries to arrive by 5pm AEDT Friday March 20, 2020

No. 1

Mazda CX-3 SUV

No.37 $50 Multi Choice

No. 2

$100 Treasure Chest

No.38 $50 3x3

No. 3

Espresso Machine

No.39 $50 Square Up

No. 4

Digital Camera

No.40 $50 Coordinates

No. 5

Tablet

No.41 $80 Bonus Puzzle

No. 6

$50 Scatter Word

No.42 $70 Letter Box

No. 7

Mobile Phone

No.43 $100 Cross Maths

No. 8

TV

No.44 $90 Spelling Test

No. 9

$100 5x5

No.45 $60 Bookworm

No.10 Tabu Pack

No.46 $70 Say What?

No.11 Book Pack

No.47 $80 Vowel Play

No.12 Kettle & Toaster

No.48 $60 Who Am I?

No.13 Sound Bar

No.49 $100 Word Pyramid

No.14 $50 Buzzword

No.50 $50 Misphrase

No.15 $50 Riddle

No.51 Blindfolded Twister

No.16 Hairdryer

No.52 Yahtzee Game

No.17 $20,000 Monstercross

No.53 Moanna Doll

No.18 $150 Puzzler of the Week

No.54 Nerf

No.19 $100 Arrow Word

Pet in a puzzle (Page 19)

No.20 $150 Code Cracker No.21 Headphones No.22 $80 Fill In No.23 $100 Quick Crossword No.24 $80 Word Pyramid No.25 $70 Word Tracer No.26 $60 Spiral

BY POST Write your answers in the spaces provided on this coupon and fill in your name and address details in the space below.Tear out the whole page and post it in for your chance to win!

ONLINE Complete the puzzles you’d like to submit answers for, then head to www.thatslife.com.au/win and follow the links to the online coupon for issue 8. Fill in your details and type in the answers for the prize puzzles you wish to enter.Then press submit and your online entry is done!

For enquiries, please email thatslife.prizes@pacificmags.com.au

No.27 $90 Match Ups No.28 $100 Sudoku No.29 Mop

SEE INSIDE FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY COLLECTION STATEMENT FOR PUZZLES AND CAR PROMOTION. SEND THE WHOLE COUPON TO:

No.30 Fridge No.31 Food Saver No.32 Active Watch No.33 $50 Word Wheel No.34 Kitchen Scales No.35 Electric Toothbrush No.36 Microdermabrasion system

44 www.thatslife.com.au

tl! Competition No. 8 PO Box 21 Eastern Suburbs MC, NSW 2004

Name Street Town/Suburb Postcode

State Phone

ONE ENTRY PER MAGAZINE PURCHASE. FOR ALL ONLINE ENTRIES, CUT OUT AND KEEP THE MAGAZINE’S BARCODE AS PROOF OF PURCHASE.

Puzzle number All puzzles are individually numbered to make entering easy

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BRAIN waves WE PAY $25 PER TIP USED AND $35 FOR PHOTO TIPS

with Eunice

Try a new use for... wine cork

To get rid of ants from potted plants, use dried coff ee grounds sprinkled aro und the pots. Ants do n’t like the smell an d will avoid the are a.

Daniela Gress, Randwick, NSW

■ Fi Fix uneven ffurniture it with ith

a piece of cork. Cut your corks into little rounds and stick underneath wobbly chair legs.

■ Old corks make perfect spools for twine or string.

Cut a tiny slit at the corner of the cork to secure twine.

■ Turn a wine cork into a pin cushion to keep your needles organised.

Remove toilet bowl stains by pouring a can of Coke down the toilet. Let it sit for an hour, wash with soapy water and flush.

Leonie Falzon, Northcote, NZ

When pouring cake batter into a baking-paper-lined tin, peg down the sides so the batter can’t pull the paper down.

C. Anderson, Geographe, WA

Place a wine glass in the middle of a plate. Fill with dip s. and surround with chip This will stop the chips from getting soggy.

Michelle Eaton, Ellendale, Tas

Try a natural remedy to...

Sprinkle salt on the ice in your esky – it helps the ice stay frozen for longer.

Martin Valenti, Bellmere, Qld

email: tl.brainwaves@pacificmags.com.au

46 www.thatslife.com.au

✔Store onions in cooll, dry and dark spaces as the lack of sunlight will help reduce changes in temperature, and help slow the spoiling process. ✔Ensure onions are in a wellventilated room to prevent mould.

An open basket or mesh bag will do. ✔Avoid storing whole onions in the fridge as they absorb moisture ver y easily and can become mushy.

write: AUS: GPO Box 7804, Sydney, NSW 2001 NZ: PO Box 90064, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142

READER TIPS ARE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. THAT’S LIFE! ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY NOR ASSUMES ANY LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE OR INJURY TO PERSONS OR PROPERTY ARISING FROM ANY USE OF ANY PRODUCT, INFORMATION, IDEA, OR INSTRUCTION CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION. SAVINGS SHOWN ARE APPROXIMATE AND SHOULD ONLY BE USED AS A GUIDE.

COMPILED BY EUNICE OH PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

hole onions fresh

REALFOOD Home cooked never tasted SO good!

Great idge1a

Try addin d coarsely grate carrot and zucchini when cooking the mince.

Mince is so versatile and great for a ny night of th

Summer ONE-PAN BEEF WITH GARLIC BREAD TOPPING SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK: 25 MINS 250g packet garlic bread 1 cup grated pizza cheese

BOLOGNESE SAUCE 1 tblsp olive oil 750g beef mince 1 onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed 680g jar tomato pasta sauce

1 To make bolognese sauce, heat oil in a large, deep, ovenproof frying pan. Add mince, onion and garlic.

Cook, using a wooden spoon

to break up mince, for about 6 minutes, or until cooked.

Season with salt and pepper.

Add pasta sauce. Cook, stirring occasionally, until hot. Remove from heat.

2 Cut bread all the way through the pre-cut slices.

Arrange over mince mixture.

Sprinkle with cheese.

3 Cook in a hot oven (200°C) for about 10 minutes, or until bread is toasted. Remove.

Stand for 5 minutes.

4 Serve with mixed salad, if desired.

LAMB MEATBALL SALAD WITH BEETROOT AND QUINOA SERVES 4-6 PREP AND COOK: 40 MINS ¾ cup white quinoa, rinsed 1 cup chopped fresh parsley ⅓ cup dry roasted almonds, chopped 220g tub tzatziki 450g can diced beetroot, well drained 60g baby rocket leaves

MEATBALLS 500g lamb mince 1 tblsp Greek seasoning 100g Greek feta cheese, crumbled ¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley 1 egg, lightly beaten

1 Place quinoa in a large saucepan with 1½ cups water over a high heat.

Bring to a boil. Boil for about 10 minutes, or until quinoa is tender and water is absorbed.

Transfer to a bowl.

2 To make meatballs, combine all the ingredients in a large bowl with ½ cup of the cooked quinoa. Mix well. Using damp hands, roll tablespoons of mixture into balls (makes about 30).

3 Heat an oiled, large, non-stick frying pan over a medium to high heat. Add meatballs in two batches.

Cook, turning occasionally, for about 8 minutes, or until cooked through.

4 Transfer the cooked meatballs to the bowl of quinoa. Add chopped parsley and almonds.

Season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine.

5 Combine tzatziki with 2 tblsps water in a jug.

Mix well.

6 To serve, place combined beetroot and rocket on a serving platter. Spoon over meatball mixture.

Drizzle with tzatziki.

Greasatuceidceaan be

Burger o days made up to tw red, in cove ahead. Keep, rgers can the fridge. Bu p to several be prepared u Keep, hours ahead. covered, in the fridge.

THE FULL WORKS BURGER SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK: 55 MINS 500g minced beef ½ red onion, finely grated 2 tsps Worcestershire sauce ½ tsp celery salt Pinch chilli flakes 8 Swiss cheese slices 4 brioche burger buns, split, toasted 4 lettuce leaves 2 vine-ripened tomatoes, sliced ¼ cup sliced gherkins

SECRET BURGER SAUCE ¼ cup mayonnaise 2 tblsps American mustard 1 tblsp finely chopped gherkins, plus 1 tsp vinegar from jar 1 tblsp tomato sauce

SWEET AND SOUR ONIONS 2 tblsps red wine vinegar 2 tsps caster sugar ½ red onion, very thinly sliced

1 To make the secret burger sauce, combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well. Cover and set aside.

2 To make sweet and sour onions, place vinegar and sugar in a small bowl. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Stir in onion.

48 www.thatslife.com.au

Stand for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3 Meanwhile, place mince and onion in a large bowl.

Add Worcestershire sauce, celery salt and chilli flakes.

Using your hands, mix together well. Divide into eight equal portions.

4 Flatten each portion into a very thin patty. They will spring back in the pan, so make them much thinner than you think you should.

5 Heat an oiled, non-stick frying pan over a high heat.

Add patties in two batches.

Cook for 2 minutes on each side, or until browned and cooked through. Remove.

Transfer to a large oven tray. Top each with a slice of cheese.

6 Cook in a hot oven (200°C) for about 2 minutes, or until the cheese melts.

7 Spread a third of the burger sauce over the bun bases. Top with lettuce and tomatoes. Place two burger patties on each one, with cheese on top. Add another one-third of the burger sauce, drained onions and gherkins. Dollop over remaining burger sauce.

Top with bun tops.

CURRIED PORK WITH BROWN RICE SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK: 25 MINS 1 tblsp olive oil 1 large onion, halved, thinly sliced 500g pork mince 1 tblsp mild curry powder ¼ cup kecap manis (Indonesian sweet soy sauce) 2 x 250g packets microwaveable brown rice

Cooked large pappadums, to serve

SALAD 2 carrots, peeled, coarsely shredded 2 Lebanese cucumbers, cut in half lengthways, chopped 1 cup chopped fresh coriander (leaves and stems)

1 Heat oil in a large,

non-stick frying pan over a medium to high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft. Add pork mince and cook, stirring to break up mince, for about 5 minutes, or until browned. Add curry powder.

Cook, stirring for 1 minute.

2 Stir in combined kecap manis and ¾ cup water.

Bring to a boil. Gently boil for about 5 minutes, or until sauce is slightly thickened.

3 Meanwhile, to make the salad combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. Mix together well.

4 Heat rice according to packet directions.

5 Serve pork with rice, salad and pappadums.

Top tip

To cook pap p place two a adums, t a time on a large, mic r proof plate. owaveCover with absorbent k itchen pape r.

Microwave on HIGH (100%) for 1 minute, o about r until crisp .

MINCE IDEAS

✔ BUYING MINCE: Leaner grades of mince are lower in fat, ideal for Bolognese sauces, pie fillings, san choy bau and for tacos and burritos. Mid-range grades are good for burgers, meatballs, kofta and meatloaf as slightly higher fat content adds flavour and helps keep moist. Regular mince is an all-purpose, budget choice. It’s higher in fat; it may be necessary to drain off fat during cooking. ✔ ON A ROLL: Wet hands with cold water when rolling meatballs or shaping burger

patties. This will prevent the mince from sticking to your hands, making rolling and shaping faster and cleaner. ✔ REDUCING FAT: If browning mince with a higher fat content, chill it after cooking to allow the fat to set. This way it can be easily removed before adding other ingredients and completing the dish. ✔ DOUBLE UP: Make a double batch of patties or meatballs and freeze for up to two months. Place in a freezer-proof container with baking paper between

layers. Defrost and cook as required. ✔ BROWNING MINCE: To develop flavour and colour, make sure the frying pan or wok is heated over a high heat until hot. Cook in batches, breaking up any clumps with a wooden spoon. Continue to cook until any liquid evaporates, so that the mince browns, rather than stews. ✔ TOP TOPPING: Try this, tear leftover sourdough or rolls into pieces. Toss in a bowl with cheese and scatter over Bolognese and

cook until hot and golden. ✔ STRETCH IT: To make a small amount of mince go further, try adding vegetables, can-drained and rinsed beans or lentils, rice or pasta. This is an ideal solution if you’re feeding a crowd and also adds extra flavour and nutrition to the dish. ✔ FREEZING: Mince can be frozen for up to two months.

Place in a freezer bag and flatten into a disk shape (this will allow it to freeze quickly and thaw evenly).

Seal, label and date.

49

MEXICAN SPICED BOLOGNESE SERVES 4-6 PREP AND COOK: 18 MINS

Great idea

t, try For extra hea chopped adding 1 finely hen green chilli w . Try ums cooking capsic amed te serving with s flour d rice or warme s la tortil .

2 corn cobs 1 red capsicum, chopped 1 green capsicum, chopped 30g sachet taco spice mix 1 quantity Bolognese Sauce (see p47 One-Pan Beef with Garlic Bread Topping) 400g can kidney beans, rinsed, drained ¼ cup chipotle in adobo sauce Corn chips, sour cream, chopped avocado, fresh coriander leaves and shredded iceberg lettuce, to serve

1 Remove husks and silk from corn.

Cut corn kernels from the cobs.

2 Heat an oiled, large frying pan over a medium heat. Add corn and capsicums. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until tender. Add spice mix. Cook, stirring for 1 minute.

3 Add bolognese sauce, beans and chipotle. Mix well.

Bring to a boil.

Cover with lid.

Simmer for about 5 minutes, or until hot.

4 Serve with corn chips, sour cream, avocado, coriander and lettuce.

CHICKEN AND LEMONGRASS LARB SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK: 25 MINS ½ x 250g packet rice vermicelli noodles 500g chicken mince 2 cloves garlic, crushed 2 tblsps lemongrass paste 2 carrots, peeled, coarsely shredded 150g green beans, trimmed, finely chopped 1 cup fresh coriander leaves

DRESSING ⅓ cup lime juice ¼ cup fish sauce ¼ cup sweet chilli sauce 1 small red onion, halved, thinly sliced

1 Place noodles in a large heatproof bowl.

Cover with boiling

water. Stand for 10 minutes. Drain. Rinse under cold water.

Drain well. Transfer to a large bowl. Cut into shorter lengths using kitchen scissors.

2 Meanwhile, make dressing. Combine juice and sauces in a bowl. Stir in onion.

Stand for 5 minutes.

3 Heat an oiled, medium frying pan over a high heat. Add chicken, garlic and paste. Cook, stirring to break up mince, for about 5 minutes, or until cooked.

4 Add chicken to noodles with dressing.

Stir well. Toss through carrots, beans and coriander.

5 Serve immediately.

50 www.thatslife.com.au

Top tip Pork or beef mince can be used instead of chicken in this recipe and in most other recipes where chicken mince is used.

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Please allow between 2-10 business days for delivery. All sales subject to product availability and reservation acceptance. Credit criteria may apply. Our privacy policy is available online at www.bradford.com.au. You must be over 18 years old to apply. From time to time, we may allow carefully screened companies to contact you. If you would prefer not to receive such offers, please tick this box. ❑

AWARD-WINNING AUSTRALIAN PODCAST GET READY TO BE SHOCKED, MOVED AN

HOW I

SURVIVED FROM THE TEAM AT

LISTEN

NOW!

www.thatslife.com.au/podcasts

T Karen Buckley Food Editor

.

G N I V O L E WE’R

ESPRESSO LAMINGTON DESSERT SERVES 8-10 PREP: 35 MINS ¼ cup instant coffee granules ¼ cup coffee-flavoured liqueur 600ml tub thickened cream ½ cup icing sugar mixture 2 tsps vanilla extract 2 x 250g tubs mascarpone 2 x 350g packets lamington fingers (36 in total) Toasted flaked coconut, sliced fresh strawberries and dark chocolate curls, to serve

1 Dissolve coffee in ¹⁄³ cup boiling water in a heatproof jug.

Stir in liqueur. Cool slightly. Pour into a small, shallow dish.

2 Beat cream, sugar and vanilla in a large

bowl of an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Add mascarpone. Gently fold until combined.

3 One at a time, place half the lamingtons into coffee mixture.

Stand for 5 to 10 seconds. Turn.

Repeat until soaked.

Arrange in a single layer, over the base of a large 21cm x 32cm x 5cm deep serving dish (8-cup capacity).

4 Spread half the cream mixture over the top of lamingtons.

Repeat layering with the remaining lamingtons, coffee and cream mixtures.

Cover tightly with plastic wrap.

Refrigerate overnight.

5 To serve, top with coconut flakes, strawberries and chocolate curls.

The perfect make-ahead sweet treat

Great idea

For a kid-friendly version, omit liqueur and replace coffee granules with drinking chocolate powder, adding an extra ¼ cup boiling water when dissolving.

KAREN’S QUICK TIP SPICY CRISPS

Spray 2-3 Lebanese breads with olive oil spray. Sprinkle each with zaatar or dukkah. Place on oven trays and cook in a moderate oven (180°C) for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Cool on trays and break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

53

IN THEKITT WHAT’S NEW

MAKE THE MOST OF THOSE STRAWBERRY PUNNETS

Kitchen companion

Mix & Store Look no further! Breville’s Handy appliance with Mixer is an easy-to-use compact controls that a retractable cord and five-speed redients allow you to mix, whip and beat ing icient storage thoroughly. It includes a space-eff s and dough case in the base to hold the beater place. Perfect hooks, keeping everything in one kitchen. Available for those small jobs in the family from harveynorman.com.au

MICROWAVE COCONUT RICE Ramp up your next curry or stir-fry with this addictive, coconut-flavoured rice. It’s just as good served with maple syrup or sprinkled with brown sugar, then topped with sliced fresh fruit, for a quick dessert.

2 Cook, uncovered, on High (100%) in a 1200watt microwave for 5 1 cup jasmine rice minutes. Stir well. Cook ½ cup coconut milk on Medium (50%) for a further 6 minutes, 1 Place rice in a large, or until rice is tender deep, microwave-safe and liquid is almost dish (12-cup capacity) absorbed. Remove. with coconut milk and Fluff with a fork. Stand, 1¾ cups water. Season covered, for 2 to 3 with salt. Stir to combine. minutes before serving.

SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK: 15 MINS

FRESH STRAWBERRY CAKE WITH STRAWBERRY FROSTING SERVES 12 of an electric mixer until PREP AND COOK: 50 MINS creamy. Add pureed 250g punnet strawberries, strawberries and crystals. hulled Beat until just combined.

470g packet moist vanilla Spread into pan. cake mix 4 Cook in a moderately 2 eggs, at room temperature slow oven (160°C) for about 60g unsalted butter, chopped, 40 minutes, or until a at room temperature skewer inserted in the 85g packet strawberry jelly centre comes out clean. crystals Remove. Stand in pan for Quartered fresh strawberries, 10 minutes. Turn out onto to decorate a wire rack to cool.

STRAWBERRY FILLING 5 Meanwhile, to make 125g fresh strawberries, hulled frosting, process 200g unsalted butter, chopped, strawberries in a food at room temperature processor until smooth.

1½ cups icing sugar mixture You will need ¹⁄³ cup puree.

6 Beat butter in a small 1 Grease an 18cm x 28cm bowl of an electric mixer rectangular slice pan. Line until pale and creamy. base and sides with baking Gradually beat in sugar, paper, extending the paper ½ cup at a time, until 3cm above pan edges. combined. Beat in puree 2 Process strawberries until just combined. (Don’t in a food processor until over-beat.) smooth.

7 Spread frosting over cake.

3 Beat cake mix, eggs Decorate with quartered and butter in a small bowl strawberries.

TCHEN HOW TO:

Great idea

You’ll need 2 x 250g punnets of strawberries for cake, frosting and to decorate cake. Frosted cake can be made up to three days ahead. Keep in an airtight container at room temperature.

Q+A I want to add a citrus flavour to a plain butter c ke.

Can I add lemon or orrange juice to the cake bat er?

For a citrus-flavoured cake or muffin, it’s best to add the very finely grated rind of a lemon, lime or orange.

Add to the butter and sugar while beating, as this will help release

the natural oils in the rind. You can also add 1 to 2 tblsps of the juice, but don’t add too much or it will affect the other raising ingredients in the cake.

If you handle a cut chilli, it can easily burn or irritate your skin (and don’t touch your eyes or they will sting).

To prevent this, hold the

stem of t one han a sharp opposit long thi finely c

BAGEL TOPPERS

These dense bread rolls are delicious eaten fresh or toasted.

Cut 4 bagels in half horizontally, then serve with any of these delicious toppings!

B NOFFEE BA Wh W isk ½ cup caramel Top ‘n’ Fill in a bowl until smoot o h. Spread over cut-side of bagels.

Top ith sliced bananas. Beat ¾ cup thickened cream in a small bowl of an electr mixer until soft peaks k form. Dollop over banana a s. Sprinkle with ¼ cup gr nulated nuts.

STRAWB RRY COCONUT Beat 125g slig s htly softened cream cheesse and ½ cup strawberryy-flavoured frosting in a sm s all bowl of an electric mi m xer until re d evenly over cutf bagels. Top them

wiith sli lice ced d st strraw awb berrie i s.

Sprinkle with ¼ cup toasted, shredded coconut.

PASTRAMI Spread a 140g tub spreadable cream cheese evenly over cut-side of bagels. Spread 1 tsp English mustard over cream cheese.

Top with 200g sliced beef pastrami, sliced avocado and snow pea sprouts.

55

shocking

ea - i e st rie

S

My little girl was in intensive care

crolling through countless rental properties online, I let out a sigh.

‘I feel like we’re never going to find a new home,’ I said to my partner, Cameron, then 29.

We were renting a granny flat with our daughter, Te Aurpouri, three, but the owners had recently sold it so we had to move out.

We’d looked at dozens of places already, but with a dog, cat and two birds, it wasn’t easy to find the perfect fit.

Then we viewed a house for lease in Papakura.

‘We need someone in this Te Aurpouri, Cameron and me

HOSPITA

BY OUR H lurking in her new home Dawn Robbie, 29, Papakura, NZ

week,’ the landlord, Avendra Raj, said.

At $520 a week, it was a bit of a stretch, but we were desperate and the timing was perfect.

‘Sometimes in winter the house might have some drainage problems,’ Aven said, handing over the keys. ‘But it’s nothing to worry about.’

Pushing the comment to the back of my mind, I busied myself around the house to make it feel like home.

The following month, Cameron and I were delighted to discover I was

pregnant again. But my joy soon turned to stress when winter arrived.

The house was as cold as ice. We’d dress in layers of clothes, but nothing seemed to keep us warm.

We also noticed that mould had built up on the window of our daughter’s bedroom and spread across the curtains.

No matter how much we cleaned, we just couldn’t get rid of it.

‘This doesn’t seem normal,’ I said to Cameron.

But when we reported it, Aven told us to keep using mould removal products.

Then, in October 2017, our daughter Atamarie arrived four weeks early. Being born prematurely

The house was as cold as ice

We were living in a swamp

meant she was more susceptible to infections.

So, when she started getting sick at eight weeks, I put it down to her immune system not being fully developed.

Over the next five months though, my poor girl always seemed under the weather.

Suffering from a constant runny nose and cough, she had to be soothed through the night.

Then, in May 2018, Atamarie was hospitalised with bronchitis.

Thankfully, she was discharged the following day.

That same week, we’d been hit with a heavy downpour which flooded the ground under our house.

Our yard turned into a mud pit.

And despite spending a fortune on different heaters, nothing seemed to keep any warmth inside during the harsh winter weather.

It was so cold and damp that for the next three months, we all slept in the lounge room, huddled together to keep warm.

Then that August, Cameron and I both came down with the flu and Atamarie was hospitalised with bronchitis once again.

‘I can’t take this anymore,’ I cried.

ALISED OU There was a lake of water under the house

I realised it must be our home making us sick.

Going to investigate, I ducked my head under the house.

I was shocked to see a lake of water littered with underfloor insulation.

Where it had come away, condensation had seeped into the house causing mould to spread across the floors, walls and windows.

It had even started growing on the bottom of our mattress.

No wonder we’ve been getting sick, I realised, furious. It’s like we’re living in a swamp!

I shared a video of what I’d found on Facebook and the post received hundreds of comments.

Within days, we were contacted by Daniel Newman from Auckland Council who then launched an investigation.

An inspection revealed

Has your property made you sick? Tell us at tl.features@ pacificmags. com.au

Atamarie and me

that outlets for stormwater pipes had been diverted under the house, causing water to collect and pond underneath it.

Aven was issued an insanitary notice, meaning he had 20 days to repair the drainage issues and windows and clean the mould.

Before we had a chance to move out, Atamarie fell ill again with an awful cough. And one morning, I woke to find her tiny body limp in her cot.

Calling an ambulance, I begged for help.

This time, Atamarie was admitted to intensive care with severe bronchitis.

Watching my baby girl so ill, I felt completely broken.

Doctors placed tubes up her nose to suction out mucus before she was finally discharged five days later.

Despite the repairs, we no longer felt safe in our home and we couldn’t put Atamarie at risk, so we moved out.

In November last year, the Tenancy Tribunal at Manukau found that while Aven’s maintenance breaches hadn’t been intentional, he had been ‘negligent and slack’.

They said the cold and damp conditions probably contributed to Atamarie’s hospitalisation with bronchitis, as well as other illnesses we had all suffered.

Incredibly, Aven was ordered to pay us more than

You can’t put a price on health

$6000 compensation, including reimbursement for repair costs we’d made to the house.

Now, 17 months after leaving our house of horrors, we couldn’t be happier in our new home. Our girls love playing in the yard with our dog, and Cameron has even grown his own vegie garden.

I’m sharing my story to warn others about the dangers that could be lurking in their homes and in the hope that landlord’s will take the responsibility to make sure tenants are safe. You can’t put a price on health. ● As told to Amber Wemyss

WE PAY

CA$H for your stories

tl.features@pacificmags.com.au

57

amazing

Edna, 100, is delighted to have become a member of a very exclusive club indeed

T he

BEST

aving just blown out 100 candles, I recently became part of a highly revered society – The 100 Club! There are eight members and we’re all centenarians living at the same address. Incredibly, I’m the baby of the bunch!

Our home is at Peninsula Villages, a not-for-profit aged-care facility on the Central Coast, NSW. With a combined lifespan of over 800 years, here are our stories – and the secrets to our longevity! ●

H

Edna Taylor Born 20/10/1919

Dad was an Anzac soldier from WWI and died when I was eight. I went to work at 15 for the Australian Woollen Mills. I still recall the trains changing over from steam to electric!

I had four children and my family visit regularly and take me on outings. I’ve had a wonderful life and can’t believe I’ve made it to 100!

My secret: Appreciating the outdoors. I love getting outside to see everything that the beautiful coast has to offer with my beautiful family. y

100

U L C 0 0 1

Beatrice (Biddy) 102 Abrahams George Jackson Born 24/02/1917

Born 26/11/1918

I spent my first 14 years either droving sheep or being fostered out when times were difficult. After school, I did nannying duties, then went into the Land Army. Later, I became a cook at the Tresillian home for unwed mothers.

My husband, Eric, and I loved to travel Australia.

My secret: Sport.

Watching cricket and footy keeps my heartt pumping! I keep my mind and body active e with knitting and crocheting.

After school, I sold papers, became a sheet metal worker and a travelling salesman. As captain of my local cricket teams, I led two different grades to their respective premierships.

I also taught ballroom dancing, which I love.

My secret: Living life to the full. I’ve experienced a lot of joy. I also have close relationships p with loved ones like my sstepdaughter g erry.

Ke

AS TOLD TO EVA LEWICKI

101

Dorothy Callister Born 11/06/1919 I had a happy childhood playing games such as hide-and-seek and

101 Petersen Born 5/05/1918

My husband, Lyle, and I ran a florist shop. Our second daughter, Susan,

Peninsula Villages CEO Shane Neaves says: You’re unlikely to find another place in Australia where so many centenarians live under the one roof. For the first time ever, there are two men in the group. This is a first for us and we believe it’s testament to our commitment to supported living. Who knows – maybe we will have 10, 11 or even 12 to celebrate this amazing milestone with next year!

U! hopscotch, and my school was literally next door. I studied art at technical college. My husband, Gordon, and I had four children. My

suffered from MS and 20 years ago, we moved to St Huberts Island on the Central Coast to care for her.

We were honoured to be with her in her final days.

My secret: Good memories and music.

I enjoy reminiscing about the wonderful years with my family.

I also love hearing my favourite songs at the music performances put on here.

Joy Lewis Born 02/02/1919

love of art never waned and I have some of my paintings in n my room.

My secre et: Being part of a community and staying active. I enjoy

100

the sense of belonging here and d all the wonderful activities keep me busy and happy.

My secret: Phyllis Hill Finding the right Born 13/05/1919

My father was a carpenter and due to the Depression we moved around a lot for his work. At 17, I met Stanley at Luna Park. Leaves were blowing into my hair and he picked them out. When I was 21, he was going to war, so we organised our wedding in a week.

We had a daughter and a very happy life.

place to grow old in! I’ve always been a spontaneous person but lots of thought went into where to settle down. And this turned out to be the perfect place.

100

101

My older brother didn’t come back from the war. It was devastating ass he was my best mate. I loved to travel and worked around the world doing secretarial work. My sister Yvonne lives close by and her three sons help me a lot.

My secret: Good memories and being grateful. I can no

Gordon Briggs

g travel longer el but I have great memories of it and that leaves me with plenty of good stories to tell!

100

Born 27/05/1919 I worked my way up from auditor to being on the board of directors. My wife and I lived in Sydney with our kids right on the harbour We harbour.

W had lots of p rties, holidays and pa fun times. I loved fish hing and boating. bo My secret: Keeping my K

mind active and maintaining relationships. I enjoy watching the stock market and read the Australian Financial Review every day. I keep in contact with friends and family and there are also plenty of people here at the Village to keep me company.

59

Living we

5

RONAVIRUS things you need to know WHAT IS IT?

Coronavirus refers to a family of viruses that can cause respiratory infections in humans. This latest coronavirus, named COVID-19, has never been seen in people before now.

It was first reported in the city of Wuhan in China but has since spread to 26 other countries, including includin Australia. countries

SYMPT TOMS Cold a and flu-like symptoms such as a fever, ccoughing, difficulty breathing, headaches, chills and a sore throatt are

20

t A study revealed tha men who ate more than this many grams of red meat a day, or who consumed more animal protein than plant protein, increased their chances of premature death by 23 per cent.

60 www.thatslife.com.au

common. Some people recover easily, others may g ore very sick very quickly. In mo severe cases it can cause death.

WHO IS AT RISK? People who have recently been to China, or had conta t with someone who has been there are at a higherr risk. The very young, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are most vulnerable.

PREVENTION There is evidence that coronavirus is spread from person to person through saliva and mucus expelled while coughing and sneezing.

Regular hand washing, using a tissue to cover yyour mouth

and nose when coughing or sneezing, and isolation are the best ways to prevent passing it on.

There is no immunisation.

TREATMENT There is no treatment available but a doctor can help manage symptoms.

WHAT IS IT Proustian memory effect

?

reference Named for author Marcel Proust’s linked to the way childhood memories are conducted to particular smells, researchers ect to a study of the Proustian memory eff made discover how it influences choices en as adults. It was discovered that wh m fro a smell stirs up a positive memory the past, we’re more llikely to uch as purchase a product su perfume or a scented candle.

These memories also have the ability to influence our emotions and induce feelings of wellbeing, happiness, insecurityy and even fear.

HEALTH TIPS ARE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. THAT’S LIFE! ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY NOR ASSUMES ANY LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE OR INJURY TO PERSONS OR PROPERTY ARISING FROM ANY USE OF ANY PRODUCT, INFORMATION, IDEA, OR INSTRUCTION CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION. IF YOU HAVE ANY HEALTH CONCERNS, SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE IMMEDIATELY.

ell

K I’LL...

E E W IS H T : E G D HEALTH PLE

e m i t r e v o e h skip t than of us work more nt ce r pe 13 ut Abo t and in paid employmen k ee w a s ur ho 50 ch our health. A Fren it’s taking a toll on 10larly clocking up gu re at th d un fo study risk of ts you at a higher pu s ay kd or w ur ho people l studies say that stroke. Additiona overtime tend to regularly working e l, smoke, gain mor ho co al e or m k in dr and tal health issues weight, suffer men sleep quality. experience poor

This many peeople in aged care require palliative care

WAYS TO…

3

n e h c t i k r u o y Keep 1

Avoid crosscontamination Use separate chopping boards and utensils for raw meats and vegetables, and keep raw and cooked meat separate. Wash sponges and tea towels in hot water or bleach after each use.

2

sh your hands Wash This is one of the most effective ways to eliminate health risks. Good old soap and water is fine.

3

Clean Antibacterial products aren’t necessary. Simply use white vinegar and water to keep your kitchen germ-free.

61

Living well

Me with Zac

MEDI-FILE

For Cat Lewington, 28, being a new mum should have been a happy time taring at my newborn, tears welled. Zachary was just four months old and I’d do anything to protect him.

But part of me wondered... was it me he needed protecting from?

When he arrived in October 2014, I’d felt nothing but happiness.

But I’d soon started to feel sad and alone. I thought it was just the ‘baby blues’. Then I started crying during night feeds.

‘Is there something going on?’ asked my husband Jack, then 22.

S

‘I don’t know,’ I replied.

My mum, Tina, 57, suggested I see my GP. ‘I think we’re dealing with postnatal depression or PND,’ the doctor said.

I felt a lump in my throat.

I’d always been so bubbly and upbeat.

She also reminded me I wasn’t alone.

Up to one in five women experiences PND within a year of giving birth. For me, I was withdrawn, felt low and avoided all social situations.

My doctor suggested talking therapy and some medication. I also reached out to a charity supporting

I felt low and avoided social situations

WE PAY CA$

parents experiencing perinatal mental illness.

Talking to other mums about PND – and mum things – was a huge help.

To my relief, by May 2015, I stopped taking medication.

Five months on, Jack and I started trying for another bub. Falling pregnant quickly, we were thrilled.

‘What if it happens again?’

Jack asked.

It was scary but I felt it was worth the risk.

Sadly, in January 2016, I began struggling. Shopping, or taking Zachary, one, to nursery seemed impossible.

I was diagnosed with perinatal anxiety.

Friends and family rallied, helping me with daily tasks.

So when Erin was born in July 2016, I could focus on her and getting better.

YOUR STORIES

This time, I came e off ff medication after just a month, and with the charity’s support I found ways to cope.

Falling pregnant again in September 2017, we all felt prepared.

When Charlie was born in June 2018, I luckily didn’t have any symptoms.

Renewing our vows last year, I felt so happy surrounded by my kids.

I’ll never forget the feeling of PND though.

I urge any new mum to ask for some help. ●

PND • Although the ‘baby blues’ is common in the days after giving birth, if low mood persists speak to a health professional.

• For more information visit panda.org.au or mothershelpers.co.nz

HAVE YOU TRIED

WHY YOU SHOULD... give your fridge a makeover Reorganise your fridge so fruit, vegetables and yoghurt are front and centre at eye level.

Make healthy options as quick and convenient as unhealthy snacks. Fill

The number of icroplastic particles the a rage person consu es each year

small containers with vegie sticks and hummus or grapes and cubes of low-fat feta and plan meals ahead, so when you’re hungry and open the fridge it’s easy to make good choices.

s

bulous fruit co ins no fat, but is full althy fibre, calcium antioxidants. Figs e a virtual multivitamin omb, being rich in vitamins A, B, C, K, zinc, copper, manganese and iron. Figs are a natural laxative so it’s important not to eat too many, but they make a great snack.

63

AS TOLD TO EMMA ROSSITER WWW.TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

baby blues

G

s i y l l a e r R E T AUGH e life lov ur yo e ov pr im d an ty ity un m im t os bo , a lax re u yo lp he n ItIt ca Helps you relax emember b th the llast time you had a good belly laugh?

Apparently, we’re just not laughing as much as we once did – it may be because we’re too busy these days to relax enough to have a good chuckle. Laughter therapist Kate Hull Rodgers says just being happy can make a huge difference. ‘Selfconfidence is increased because happy people attract praise, warmth and kindness.

People like to be with happy people,’ says Kate, who has made a living from laughing.

Here are a few reasons to get giggling more often...

R

Those feel-good endorphins are great to de-stress. Your blood pressure may lower after a good chuckle and you may find it helps halt a headache too.

WORDS: JULIA SHAW TI-MEDIACONTENT TI MEDIACONTENT.COM COM

All that giggling gets your heart pumping, raising your heart rate and improving your circulation.

Research by the University of Maryland found that

blood flow improved after people had watched a comedy, but was restricted in people who had watched a drama, as their blood vessels tended to tense up.

NATURAL PAIN RELIEF People suffering with painful and degenerative conditions, such as MS, cancer or Parkinson’s disease have

found relief from m laughter therapy. Some reported 10 minutes of giggling gave them two hours ho of pain pain-free f sleep.

Kate Hull Rodgers

t’s a mini workout The effects of laughter and exercise are similar as they’re both aerobic activities that make you breathe faster. Just like a cardio session, laughing can improve your lung capacity. In fact, giggling 100 times a day is equal to 10 minutes on a rowing machine. ‘I call it internal jjogging,’ says Kate. ‘All the intercostal muscles get a workout. That’s why a good w laugh can leave you feeling exhausted.’

64 www.thatslife.com.au

Good for your heart

Improve mental health

Laughter triggers the happy hormones, endorphins, so acts as a natural antidepressan t.

‘We don’t laugh becaus e we’re happy. We’re happ y because we laugh,’ says Kate Hull Rodgers.

Boosts immunity Having a laugh increases infectionfighting antibodies in the body and boosts immune cells, whereas stress can deplete your immunity.

Longer life Just 20 minutes of chuckling a day can, according to research, improve your life expectancy by eight years.

4 ways to laugh more

s the

TRICK YOUR BRAIN Even if you’re making yourself laugh, your brain releases happy hormones. Okay, you may feel silly doing it but it works. Try this: Say ‘ha, ha’ and make yourself smile.

WATCH OR LISTEN TO SOMETHING FUNNY Use tools such as favourite photographs, letters, books, films or comedy shows that make you giggle.

TRY LAUGHTER YOGA It began in India where people gather for laughter yoga every morning. Started by giggling guru, Madan Kataria, it uses yogic breathing and laughter to lift your mood, de-stress and benefit overall health.

Zaps kilojouuplteosan

GET-TOGETHERS Get-togethers often spark the best laughs, so ring friends now to arrange a date.

rn You can bu kilojoules e 200 impressiv ies) after (50 calor for 10-15 chuckling ording cc minutes, a h. to researc

Improves your love life It may sound like a cheesy dating site ad, but a good sense of humour really is what we’re looking for in an ideal partner, as laughter is key to the mating ritual. Sharing a smile with someone is bonding; it brings out loving feelings and shows that you’re comfortable together.

HELPS US BOND WITH OTHERS Laughter is a key socialisation tool that is unique to humans and primates.

A professor from the University of Maryland said that while there are thousands of languages, everyone ‘speaks’ laughter in pretty much the same way, and that everyone has the capacity to laugh.

HEALTH TIPS ARE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. THAT’S LIFE! ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY NOR ASSUMES ANY LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE OR INJURY TO PERSONS OR PROPERTY ARISING FROM ANY USE OF ANY PRODUCT, INFORMATION, IDEA, OR INSTRUCTION CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION. IF YOU HAVE ANY HEALTH CONCERNS, SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE IMMEDIATELY.

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FAST

fiction

The bi rthday assie looked in on her son as he did his homework. She ruffled his hair as he sighed.

‘Finished Riley?’ she asked.

‘Not yet, Mum, just a few more maths problems.’

Cassie shuddered. She’d always hated maths at school, but Riley seemed quite good at it.

‘After dinner, how about we plan your birthday party?’

Riley frowned.

‘No party this year! That’s only for little kids,’ he said.

‘Are you sure?’ asked Cassie, secretly feeling a huge load lift.

The house full of 10-yearolds whooping through the place last year, acting out all the latest superheroes, gave her nightmares for a week.

‘Well if you’re sure, then at least tell me what you want for a birthday present.’

‘It’s a secret, Mum.’ ‘But I’m not a mind reader, love. You’ll need to tell me. We don’t have that much time.’

‘Sure,’ Riley smiled.

Cassie felt her heart lurch.

He was the image of his late father. Mike died when Riley was a toddler, and he had no memory of his dad except the one Cassie kept alive with videos and photos.

C

68 www.thatslife.com.au

Cassie was late dropping Riley off to school the next day. She noticed a parent she didn’t know kissing his daughter goodbye.

Her heart did a flip flop; he was gorgeous.

Put him out of your mind, she thought. He’s probably married with several children.

But she could dream.

Cassie had loved Mike dearly, but before he passed, he made her promise she would start dating again.

And while she had gone on a few dates, they hadn’t worked out, and not many men wanted a ready-made family.

‘Riley, have you decided what you want for your birthday?’ she asked again the next evening.

‘Not yet, Mum. I have to talk to someone.’

‘Who do you have to talk to? It’s your birthday.’

‘It’s a secret; I already told you that.’

This was getting stranger by the day. Still, she had a couple of weeks left, and she was hoping for a pay rise

soon. Riley wasn’t a greedy boy, so it wouldn’t be anything expensive. But why was he being so secretive?

After dinner, she received a phone call from a plumber.

‘I’ve been told you have a leaky tap,’ said a pleasant voice down the line.

‘Sorry, I think you have the wrong person,’ Cassie said.

‘This is the number I was told to ring; my daughter took the call.’

‘Not me, sorry, but you can give me your number if you like… in case I need a plumber in the future,’ she said.

Next afternoon, Riley was outside playing with his dog when she arrived home from work. Her neighbour always kept an eye on him until Cassie pulled into the drive.

‘Hey Riley, give me a minute to put the washing on, then we can cook up a storm. And if you get your homework done in time, we can watch that game show you like.’

That’s funny, she thought, standing at the laundry sink, the water appears to be off.

It was times like this

He made her promise she would start dating again

Cassie missed Mike. He could solve any problem.

Then she remembered she had that plumber’s number.

He answered.

‘Sam the plumber, how can I help? … Sure, just let me ask my neighbour to look after Sasha and I’ll be there.’

It was the gorgeous bloke from the school that eased himself out of the ute.

He smiled at Riley.

‘I think my daughter is in the same class as your son.

She never stops talking about him. Now, let me take a look at this problem.’

Five minutes later, he returned with a grin.

‘Someone has turned your water off at the mains. It happens – kids skylarking, showing off to their mates.’

‘Oh dear, thanks. What do I owe you?’ Cassie asked.

‘Nothing. No problem. That dinner smells good. Since my wife died, I’ve been doing all

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

Riley had a clever plan to make his special wish come true

the cooking. I’m hopeless at it, really. One day when I get time, I’ll take some lessons.’

‘How about you and your daughter come around for lunch or dinner, then? It’s the least I can do since you came out for nothing.’

Sam grinned. ‘Well, to be honest, I was hoping you’d ask. Thanks, I’ll keep in touch.’

Riley could hardly wait until Sasha and Sam arrived for lunch the next Saturday. Cassie wondered why he was so taken with her. He was far too young for a girlfriend.

Sam arrived with a bouquet of roses and a bottle of bubbly.

When she protested, he said, ‘I know it’s over the

top, but Sasha insisted.

She even chose the blooms; Riley had told her they were your favourites.’

Later, as they watched their kids playing on the trampoline, Sam toasted her with the bubbly. Cassie felt alive for the first time in ages.

‘Our kids get on so well,’ Sam said, ‘maybe we should do this more often.’

‘Yes,’ said Cassie as she met Sam’s gaze.

That evening, as she said goodnight to a weary Riley she asked, ‘Have you thought about what you want for your birthday?’

Riley smiled and said, ‘What I really want is a dad.’

Cassie fought a tear, ‘You had a lovely dad, Riley, and

‘Our kids get on so well, maybe we should do this more often’

besides, you can’t just go and buy a new one.’

‘But Mum, you don’t have to. Sasha and I decided her dad will do just fine.’

‘But darling, it isn’t that simple.’ And then a sudden thought came to her. ‘Did you turn the water off?’

‘Yes. When Sasha told her dad about the leaky tap and it didn’t work, I had to do something,’ Riley confessed.

Cassie kissed her son goodnight, then picked up her phone.

‘Sam, we need to talk.’

‘Yes, Sasha just told me, but I think the kids have made up their minds. Maybe we should go out for dinner.’

There was silence on the other end of the line.

‘Cassie? Are you there?

I’ve been

thinking, we can give it a go.

I hope you feel the same.’

And Cassie did. ●

By Rosina Owen

WHINGE

ANY PAYMENT IS MADE ON PUBLICATION. PAYMENT AMOUNTS ARE AT THE EDITOR’S DISCRETION. THAT’S LIFE! DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT EACH READER WILL RECEIVE PAYMENT FOR THEIR SUBMISSION.

rumpy Gwen Got a complaint? Send it to Grumpy Gwen and if she thinks your whinge is justified, she might just send you some cash – it’s that easy! email: tl.grumpy@pacificmags.com.au

BALL PARK

ADDED VALUE

Every time I go out with my partner, I have to store his glasses, phone, wallet, etc., in my handbag.

This gets annoying and makes my bag heavier to carry. How do I stop this?

Luise Kleemeyer, South Penrith, NSW

Why does my neighbour’s mum park in front of my place when their house has no car in front of it?

Christina Gerber, Clarence Park, SA

Are any decent men out there with oldfashioned values?

Still Single, Auckland, NZ

U Uvula’s ex bought a man b bag. ‘Who do I look like?’ he g grinned. ‘Here’s a clue – my llast name is Jones!’ Uvula rreplied, ‘Catherine ZetaJ Jones?’ and his face fell. The ccorrect answer was ‘Indiana Jones’. Be grateful your man brings his wallet and unless you too want him to carry a man bag, suck it up.

Dearie me, surely you have better things to worry about than walking an extra five metres to your house?

Perhaps she doesn’t want to park under a tree. You own the house, not the road, and unless she’s blocking your driveway, it’s perfectly legal.

If they’re not shooting live ammo in the backyard, do not argue with neighbours.

Count yourself lucky you have parking in your street at all. Many don’t.

$0

$0 WHINGE-O-METER

WHINGE-O-METER

When Uvula went online asking for an old-fashioned man, she didn’t expect a guy to apply with a monocle, pipe and slippers. Mind you, she got suspicious after she asked to see a recent picture and he sent her an oil painting. Turned out he wasn’t so old-fashioned. He suggested a sordid affair, but neither of them had the time management skills.

There are decent men out there. Listen to your gut and don’t ignore the red flags.

$35 WHINGE-O-METER

write: AUS: GPO Box 7804, Sydney, NSW 2001 NZ: PO Box 90064 Victoria St West, Auckland 1142

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These cheerful and easyto-make wooden puppets are the perfect holiday activity!

What yo will nee ✔ Con stru cti stic ✔ Acrylic pai ✔ Pa int bru she ✔ PVA glu e ✔ Felt scrap s ✔ Hot glu e gu n ✔ Gogg le eye s ✔ Co lou red textas

or pen s

s Instructions

1 aint the construction ssticks in the main body ccolours (cow – white, pig – pink, horse – brown). You u may need to do two coats coat cover stick. of the white to cov o 2 Once the paint is dry, paint on t cow’s markings with o black paint.

3 Use PVA glue to glue the

together. construction sticks tog ck a at the back We put 1 stick used for the body of the 2 us to enable them to all stick together.

4 Cut out ear shapes and mouth shapes from felt for each animal. To create the horse’s hair, cut a piece of felt that follows the shape of the construction stick and then

cut into the outside edge to create a fringe. Be careful not to cut the whole way through.

5 Use a hot glue gun to glue the felt pieces onto the sticks and glue the goggle eyes in place.

6 Use a pen or texta to draw the nostrils onto the felt noses – and your animals are complete!

PSYCHIC

Into the insights Baths cleanse our auras as well as our bodies, keeping the mind/body/spirit connection healthy. Make your own bath salts and tailor them to your needs

Bath time

Making your own bath salts is fun and inexpensive and you can also give them as gifts.

A salt bath brings us a little closer to Mother Nature too – it’s like soakin in the s

What you will need draw ✔ Coarse sea salt (to

out toxins and heal skin ) abrasions and irritations ✔ Epsom salts (to soothe tired muscles and reduce inflammation) ✔ Bicarb soda (to soften the water) ✔ Essential oils (see right) ✔ Food colouring (optional)

METHOD 1 Mix together 6 parts coarse salt, 3 parts Epsom salts and 1 part bicarb soda in a large glass bowl.

2 Add your choice of essential oils and combine.

3 Add food colouring if desired (this is nice if you are giving them as gifts).

4 Store in a labelled jar with a lid to keep out moisture.

72 www.thatslife.com.au

ESSENTIAL OIL LIST Depending on your favourite fragrance or what you want yyour bath salts to do, use the appropriate essential oil. Here a are some oils andtheir a properties: p

PPeppermint P Peppermint essential oil is e rrefreshing and rrevitalising.

Properties: Uplifting, P invigorating Scent: Menthol, herbal S

LLavender O of the most One popular essential p oils because of its versatility and well-liked aroma, lavender can be used in a variety of ways to inspire, calm and relax. It’s excellent to use just before bed.

Properties: Calming, relaxing Scent: Floral, herbal email: tl.features@pacificmags.com.a

Chamomile

Patchouli

A beautiful, relaxing oil, chamomile can help eliminate stress. It is anti-inflammatory, calming and balancing, and can boost your mood and help you sleep.

Properties: Sedative, antiinflammatory, pacifying Scent: Herbal, sweet, fruity

Floral and earthy, patchouli is great for grounding and relaxing, and is also a natural aphrodisiac!

Properties: Centring, sexy Scent: Herbal, earthyy

Lemon/lemon myrtle

The queen of oils (an the most expensive), rose oil is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and helps to elevate your mood and alleviate depression and anxiety. When you buy it, is normally diluted in jojoba which is also a lovely isturiser. Not only that, mells divine! perties: isturising, ifting, thing Scent: Rose

Fresh and fruity, lemon or lemon myrtle essential oil is perfect to give you a refreshing boost.

Properties: Uplifting, cleansing Scent: Lemon

Sweet orange Citrusy and invigorating, sweet orange oil helps restore balance and remove negativity.

Properties: Balancing, stimulating Scent: Orange

Rose

Rosemary Rosemary essential oil is dynamic and purifying. It helps bring mental focus and clarity.

Properties: Uplifting, energising Scent: Herbal, medicinal

rite: i AUS: AUS GPO Box B 7804, Sydney, S d NSW 2001 NZ: NZ PO P Box 90064, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142

SPOOKY

story

Sandy was stunned by some strange noises at night

nspecting the old rental house, I went into the second bedroom and involuntarily shivered.

It felt hostile and dramatically cooler than the rest of the house.

The place was around 100 years old and dilapidated but the rent was so cheap I couldn’t complain.

‘I’ll take it,’ I said.

I signed the lease and moved in on my own.

Soon after, I began to hear a strange metallic scraping noise in the middle of the night.

A piece of guttering must be loose somewhere, I thought.

It wasn’t loud or consistent enough to bother me so I tried to ignore it.

One night, about a month later, I heard it again.

This time I turned on the torch I kept by my bedside and flashed it around the room.

I couldn’t see anything unusual – until I shone it down the corridor towards the spare room.

As soon as my torchlight hit it, the big round Victorian doorknob spun around!

As the metal handle screeched against the rusty

I

WHO’S IN THE plate, it was as if someone had been midway through turning it and had let it go in surprise at the beam of light.

So was that the noise I’d been hearing?

Terrified, I walked gingerly towards the spare room, determined to figure out what was going on.

As I touched the door handle I almost jumped out of my skin.

It was freezing cold!

I nearly turned back, but held my nerve and pushed door.

I touched the handle and jumped out of my skin. It was freezing cold!

Your ghost stories wanted!

AS TOLD TO EVA LEWICKI

No-one was there, but as my torchlight bounced around the room, I saw something that I hadn’t noticed before.

The beam illuminated something that was underneath an awful paint job.

It was a large mural of trees and animals, painted in a cartoon-like fashion, as if for a child’s bedroom.

Suddenly I felt the hair on my body stand on end, followed by a deep sense of pity.

Instinctively, I knew that ild who had once slept s room had passed on. so noticed, to my k, that one of the light ches on the wall had ’ carved into it. fter the experience, I ed my landlords if they ew of any deaths in the use, but I didn’t find out d I didn’t push it, as I

Do you have a spooky story to share? If so, that’s life! would love to hear from you – and we pay for each story we publish.

Tell us at tl.features@ pacificmags.com.au

couldn’t afford to cause trouble.

The next day, I took some of my old childhood toys – a raggedy teddy bear and some wooden horses that I’d kept – and placed them in the room.

‘Whoever is here is welcome to stay and play, as long as they are quiet and behave themselves,’ I announced loudly.

The scraping metal noise stopped after that and the room stopped feeling cold and hostile.

I no longer live in that house, but I’m certain a child who had once lived there must have passed on.

I just hope they are happier now. ● Sandy Rudd, 24, Hobart, Tas

WE PAY

CA$H for your stories

tl.features@pacificmags.com.au

73

CLARIFICATION: IN ISSUE 5 WE RAN A SPOOKY STORY ABOUT SOULA VAITSIS, WHERE WE DESCRIBED HER AS A ‘DEMONOLOGIST’. WE’RE HAPPY TO CLARIFY SHE IS AN EXPERIENCED PARANORMAL INVESTIGATOR WITH AN EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF DEMONOLOGY.

SPARE ROOM?

With psychic astrologer

Kris Fontaine Aries Mar 21 – Apr 20

Your stars

What’s in store for your week ahead

Love knows no bounds!

You bypass obstacles so a relationship moves forward with style. A local newcomer or extensive traveller’s story provides ammunition for your next venture. You won’t need to go far, either.

LUCKY NUMBERS 4, 8, 10

Taurus Apr 21 – May 21

LUCKY NUMBERS 13, 29, 30

Gemini May 22 – Jun 21 To this day, you have no idea what you said, did or didn’t do to make someone stay, leave or block you. Listen forr Sunday’s surprising answer, G Ge ini. i i A Debbie-downer loved one may require one of your pep talks.

LUCKY NUMBERS 6, 24, 32

Cancer Jun 22 – Jul 23 Feel someone hasn’t been n pulling their weight lately? ?

Check out their attitude shift – you won’t lift a finger all week. Clear space on Thursday when your child, partner or housemate brings something super-cute home.

LUCKY NUMBERS 5, 20, 23

Leo Jul 24 – Aug 23

Sagittarius Nov 23 – Decc 21

Self-care means leaving those debilitating emotiona al connections in the past.

What you have in life now is precious – keep it that way. People power puts a project, family reunion or community activity back on the map.

Remember those lucrative e concepts you used to run with? Pull out your innerentrepreneur and brainstorm your current bright idea. Tossing up between a three-star motel or five-star camping site? Consult with your offsider.

LUCKY NUMBERS 40, 42, 44

LUCKY NUMBERS 12, 27, 34

Virgo Aug 24 – Sep 23

Capricorn Dec 22 – Jan 20

Do something new, or try something out, or learn something different. Pushing your boundaries paves a path to greater fulfilment. Are you counting the sleeps until you take a train journey, road trip or jump on a plane?

Life-changing opportunities s are hurled your way – but which one to pick? Choose the one with security contained i d in i its synopsis. Your commitment to an exercise routine or vegie-packed eating plan sees a health issue fading fast.

LUCKY NUMBERS 17, 26, 28

LUCKY NUMBERS 19, 37, 45

Libra Sep 24 – Oct 23

Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19

Don’t you just love it when your solo night is disturbed by a loved one making serious demands? Shoes back on, reapply lippy and switch to your most loving demeanour. Your choice of recipes, decor or greenery is on-point.

LUCKY NUMBERS 14, 33, 35

74 www.thatslife.com.au

A belated Valentine’s gesture is right on time and from the right person. How could you have doubted their devotion, tural Aquarius? Better to do the cultural cooking yourself – supermarket selections look like D-grade alternatives.

LUCKY NUMBERS 1, 2, 41

Scorpio Oct 24 – Nov 22

Pisces Feb 20 – Mar 20

It’s an epic mental or emotional journey you have to take. Toxic mind-chatter and weary worries ultimately hightail it. Your potential partner or vision-board items await at Saturday’s coffee catch-up or clearance sale.

You can’t magically morph things back to how they once were with someone. So much has shifted since then.

Irrespective, the love is still rampant – so roll with that. Feeling good automatically makes you look good.

LUCKY NUMBERS 11, 16, 18

LUCKY NUMBERS 7, 9, 38

THAT'S LIFE! READERS CAN GO TO KRIS'S WEBSITE WWW.KRISFONTAINE.COM.AU FOR AN IN-DEPTH 20-MINUTE LIVE ONLINE CHAT READING. COST, $40.

Think before including an ex-partner, signing a binding contract or enrolling for study. You need to commit 100 per cent. Willing to work late or through lunch on Friday?

You’ll need some delicious snacks or good-looking company.

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