that's life! Issue 4, 2022

Being Nang Nang to my gorgeous grandkids is hands down one of the greatest joys of my life. I love getting down on the ground and playing with them. And cuddling up at night, while reading a book (or four!) is just as special. So I’m delighted that this week we are launching a competition to find the that’s life! Grandparent of the Year. The rest of the tl! team are just as thrilled that we’ll be celebrating the special people who are grandparents, and we had a lovely time sharing our memories. Mari remembers her Scottish grandad, who she called Dad, because that’s what her mum called him, playing a little game with her. ‘He’d often take me to the park when I was little. One day he found…

My mum Sylvana, me, my dad Mario and sister Shanai celebrating Shanai’s uni graduation. Dean Mifsud, Werrington, NSW WINNERS are grinners Thank you that’s life! for my fabulous prize. It’s much appreciated. Barbara Gosper, Albany Creek, Qld I took my that’s life! with me on a recent holiday to Whangapoua, in New Zealand. During the last lockdown, the magazine helped me a lot – it was so relaxing to read and do the puzzles, so thank you that’s life! Sawsan Thabit, Auckland, NZ Without fail, my day gets better when this little ray of sunshine, Finlay, pops in for a visit from next door. Johanna Lee, Jolimont, WA I love looking back on photos from our family holiday to Bali in 2019 – especially this one when our nephew Zachy photobombed us. So cute! Amy Macfarlane, Frankston, Vic Here’s me with…

Josh Eastwell, 26, Ashfield, NSW Hey Ace,’ I said to my little brother, then 19. I had something to ask – a vision to share with him. ‘I’m thinking of eating a sausage sandwich at every Bunnings in the country,’ I said. ‘Do you want to come?’ ‘Yeah, all right,’ he said. I’d been mulling over the idea for a while. I picked up a tasty sanger from the charity-run sausage sizzles whenever I visited Bunnings. The challenge sounded like a bit of fun, and nobody else seemed to have done it. I reckoned I could cover all 375 stores in eight months, if I put my heart – and mouth – into it. So one Friday night in late January 2020, Ace and I left our home in Melbourne, Vic, and drove to South Australia to begin the…

Chloe Erlich, 42, Alice Springs, NT Rain was hammering down outside – the news said it was the wettest it had been in Alice Springs in 20 years. For us locals, who were used to rain only once or twice a year, the week-long downpour last November was incredible. ‘The Todd River is flowing,’ I told my kids, Bradley, 12 and Evamarie, nine, in excitement. It was usually bone dry. On November 10, Bradley couldn’t get to school, as the crossing was flooded. ‘You’ll have to stay home with me, mate,’ I told him, as Evamarie cycled off to her school. ‘Hurry before the storm hits,’ I called. A bright flash filled the room and then it went dark Grabbing my phone, I took a video from my yard of the storm clouds. We’re in for another pounding, I thought. About…

Alex Klease, 30, Biloela, Qld Holding a newborn bub at my friend’s wedding, I looked into my husband Dave’s eyes. ‘This could be us soon,’ I said to him. Dave, then 29, and I had recently got married, but we were both ready to be parents. I was a primary school teacher and loved being with children. ‘How many kids?’ Dave asked. ‘I think I’ll be a mum to three girls,’ I replied, laughing. We were going away on a delayed honeymoon to Europe, and decided to start trying while overseas. I’d come off my contraceptive and also got blood tests done to check for any issues. I got pregnant almost immediately, but sadly I miscarried early on. When I was given the all-clear to conceive again, we fell pregnant easily, but that also ended in a miscarriage. It was…

Hannah, 32, Geelong, Vic* My husband Michael and I had just moved to a new home. ‘This is a dream,’ I said, as we sat in the leafy backyard. ‘It’s beautiful. Cheers to us,’ smiled Michael, clinking his glass against mine. An older man opened our gate and came into our yard. ‘I’m Terry,’ he said, looking around. ‘I live next door if you ever need anything.’ ‘Nice to meet you,’ we replied, a bit surprised he’d just let himself in. We soon discovered Terry was a dodgy character. He didn’t have a job, yet always seemed to be cashed-up. When we were at work, he’d ‘borrow’ things from our place, even using our trailer to take stuff to the local tip! ‘You’re lucky you got it back,’ another neighbour said. ‘A heap of tools went missing from…