Innehållsförteckning för TAK2338 från Take 5

Anyone who’s had a child, grandchild, or niece or nephew, who’s obsessed with one toy, will love Elsie’s life hack on our Top Tips page this week. You’ll know it’s impossible to prise it from them when it needs a wash, and the earthshattering tantrum if you dare! When I was staying with my brother and young nieces recently, I saw poor Minnie Mouse trampled on in the car, chucked out of the pram, and drenched in milk as the youngest ‘lovingly’ shared her cereal. But would she let me put Minnie in the wash? Of course not! I had to wait until she was asleep, sneak Minnie out of bed to wash and dry her by morning. Elsie has a much less stressful idea though! There’s also great tips…

Heading to the doctor for a cervical examination is one of those things so many of us put off (a cold table set under bright lights will generally do that). However, nationwide, over 70 per cent of cervical cancers are found in cervix owners who have never been screened or are overdue for screening. Though cervical screening can sound like a daunting process, it’s usually a quick test done every five years. To help you prepare for your next examination, we asked Pathology Awareness Australia ambassador Adj. Professor Annabelle Farnsworth the big questions: 1 WHAT EXACTLY IS THE CERVICAL SCREENING TEST? The Cervical Screening Test is a test that involves taking a sample from the vagina and/or cervix that allows the detection of the high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV),…

Donna Corden, 51. Making my way through the kitchen, I tripped and hit my head on the worktop. Then I blacked out. “Mum, are you okay?” my son David, 22, asked. Putting a hand to my forehead, I saw there was blood everywhere. It was 2017, and, not wanting to take any chances, we called emergency services, who sent a nurse to my home. After inspecting the cut, she applied some bandages and advised me to go to hospital the following day if I started having headaches. “I’m worried I might have concussion,” I said to David, who drove me there later. Staff performed a range of tests, but assured me everything was fine, so we left, hoping the ordeal was behind us. But on the drive back, I had…

It’s a dry, warm day on the streets of Mammoth Lakes and we’re surrounded by snowcapped mountains. It’s hard to believe that at this time of year, locals can be skiing in the morning and mowing their lawns of an afternoon. Such is the beauty of this ski town in summer – amagical natural playground for hikers, mountain bike riders, and families camping, fly-fishing for trout and canoeing in the crisp, rocky lakes at the foothills of some of the most magnificent mountain ranges on Earth – the Sierra Nevada. While Mammoth Lakes boasts some of the biggest ski slopes in the US next to Vail and Tahoe, we didn’t come for the cold – we escaped Australia midwinter to experience a Californian summer. Day tripper What was originally planned…

While making a plan to increase your physical activity is one thing, finding time is often the biggest challenge – not to mention finding the energy! But fortunately, even a small increase is a step in the right direction. “Setting achievable movement goals and realistic expectations for yourself, in the form of 30 minutes of movement, a step target, a run or a new personal best is a great way to boost your mood,” says personal trainer Jess Swann from Snap Fitness. Here she suggests a few… TAKE A WALK • Moving your body produces endorphins and serotonin, which are natural mood lifters. • Taking only 30 minutes out of your day to walk in the fresh air will not only lift your spirits, but boost your vitamin D levels,…

Joanne Lowrey, 51. Fighting back tears, I turned to my mum, Margaret. “What if I never get to be a mum?” I asked. It was 1988, and, at just 16 years old, I’d been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal condition that had given me heavy, irregular periods and frequently left me doubled over in pain. “Don’t worry, sweetheart,” Mum soothed, “that’s ages away.” Although I was still only a teenager, I always knew I wanted to have kids. But the recent words of the doctor were still going through my head. “You might never have children naturally,” he’d told me. Trying to get on with things as best I could, I dated a few men in my 20s and enjoyed life as much as possible. Until, every…

David Hume, 79, Springvale, Vic. The prefect picked me up, bundled me into a box and bolted the lid closed. “Let me out!” I yelled, banging my fists on the lid. I could hear the older boys laughing at my distress. I was only eight and living in a boarding school for blind and low-vision children in Sydney, 300km away from my home in Muswellbrook, NSW. Born premature in 1943, I’d been given too much oxygen in my incubator and wound up totally blind. Unable to cope, my parents had sent me to a special boarding school when I was five. After two hours in the box the prefects let me out. They probably thought I would run off whimpering but I took a hot poker out of the fire…

Moo-ving gift For years, I’ve been obsessed with Highland cows and despite requesting one for my birthday every year my wish has never come true. This year my husband told me he’d bought me something I’d always wanted and I dared, for just a moment, to imagine… This isn’t quite what I had in mind but I’d like to introduce George, or as my hubby calls him, “Near Enough”. Bec Goodwin, Roseworthy, SA. Calming camels Arriving at my parents’ house to pick up my four-year-old daughter, Gemma, I found her lying back on their recliner chair, feet up and sipping from a dainty teacup. Gemma had apparently refused her nap and was a bit cranky. My mum told her that when she’s cranky a cup of chamomile tea always helps.…

Heather Inwood, 67, Brisbane, Qld. Putting on the bathing suit, I felt overcome with a mix of nerves and excitement. “I haven’t done this in 30 years,” I said to the make-up artist. “You’ll be fine,” they encouraged. It was 2017, and I was about to step into my first swimwear modelling shoot in a long time, joining four other models to pose for Camilla Swimwear by the beach in eastern Sydney. From the age of 16, I’d been a freelance model in art and fashion shows, on and off. Standing at 157cm, I was short compared to the industry ideal of 178cm, but I’d still managed to make a decent income, which I’d supplemented by managing boutique clothing shops. I searched for modelling jobs in the classifieds, though they…

TOO ’COOL’ FOR SCHOOL Picking up her teenage son’s telephone, one mother was shocked to discover a photo of his teacher lying fully clothed in bed, with the message: I’m waiting for you. The teacher was 23-year-old Monica Young, who had been working at a Sydney high school teaching physical education and social sciences, since March 2020 before New South Wales entered lockdown and classes were moved to online platforms. In that time, Young had started messaging a 14-year-old student on social media apps, Instagram and Snapchat. When classes resumed in-person, she dared the boy to hug her. “You don’t have the balls,” she teased. Two days later, he hugged her, and the relationship soon became sexual. The pair exchanged explicit photos and went on to engage in sexual activity.…

VIRGO Aug 24 – Sept 23 You’ve been leaning into intuition more than usual. This has been a good thing! While things are still a bit confusing, luck is on your side. A dream, aspiration or vision is about to come to life. ★ Trust that what you want, also wants you! SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 – Dec 22 Things may have a way of falling into place this week. All the extra effort, the long hours and grinding behind the scenes will feel as though it’s been worth it. That dream, hope or aspiration is now within your reach. ★ Chase your dreams – they are closer than you think. PISCES Feb 20 – Mar 20 Despite the communication breakdowns you are having in a relationship, things are improving slowly.…