Monthly Archives: May 2014

Winter has arrived!

Sam took these photos a few minutes ago whilst inspecting the Orchard for any damage from the winds last night.

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Lugs has settled in for the day

 

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Ask Aunty S

askauntys2

Dear Aunty S

My neighbour has a kune kune pig, which is always visiting me and is systemically destroying my gardens.

Her owner refuses to house her properly and laughs every time I ring him to come and get her.  He always makes me wait for hours which means I have to stand over it until he arrives.

I’m at the end of my tether but I don’t want to fall out with the neighbour because I really like his wife.

What can I do?

Aunty S responds

To avoid falling out with your neighbour, tell your strapping sons to build a pig strong pen in the paddock adjacent your property and when the pig arrives, have your sons herd the beast into the pen.

Ensure there is a water trough inside and biff some scraps at her when she is settled.

I’m sure the neighbour will be ringing asking if you’ve seen his pig after a while or you could ring the wife and ask her to pass on a message to him saying ‘piggie is safe so don’t worry and is ready for pickup’.

If the neighbour plays games and doesn’t turn up for days, it just won’t matter as the pig can do no more damage.

Also get your sons to help tidy up your gardens.

Time they helped out their Mum.

Take good care of yourself.

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Ask Aunty S

askauntys2

Dear Aunty S

My son wants to follow his friends to University next year even though he hasn’t made up his mind what he wants to do so will take random subjects until then. My husband wants him to have a gap year and make up his mind before we waste our money on him as we intend to fund his University studies, food and board etc so doesn’t have to take out a student loan.

I think my husband is a bit unfair

What do you think?

 

Aunty S responds

I’m on your husbands side my dear.

Your son is a very lucky boy to have parents like you and he should be kissing the ground you walk on.

A year or so in the real world will soon have him thinking about his future hence your money will be well spent when he enters University with a goal!

Over and out.

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Ask Aunty S

askauntys2

Dear Aunty S

Your bullying and cyber bullying postings helped us understand our son’s predicament and how to assist him as he too was lied about on Facebook and at the local Hotel. Nobody stopped for a minute to ask whether it was true and gullible friends who should have known better ostracized him.
Our son was ill with worry over it and didn’t know what to do as the Police said it was a civil matter.

After reading your postings we advised him to record all phone calls, save TXT messages and my brother-in-law put up security cameras around his rural property.

Because of this, the bully has now been found out to be the thief and liar he is but this doesn’t take away the dreadful hurt we feel for our son.  How do we move on?

Most have apologized and he is okay with them but we are elderly and are still very upset over how he was treated.

This bully hasn’t stopped making trouble and is still very threatening and intimidating towards him but now that he’s been proved to be a liar and a thief our son is okay as he knows this man’s credibility is shattered.

We are so happy our son is fine with it.

Bullying was so different when we were kids as it was more of a kids’ thing

Thanks again.

 

 Aunty S responds

I am glad my postings have been of assistance.

Your devastation is only natural but time will take the edge off the pain…trust me.  Try and focus on the fact that you helped your son beat the bully!!  Pride is something you should feel.

Of course there will be those who you will never speak to again as is your right. I’m in a similar situation.

The bully has been caught out hence he is still acting irrationally by trying to further intimidate your son, obviously hoping he will retaliate so the bully can appear to be the victim!!!!!!

Remember a bully loves drama and will do anything for a reaction from their victims and from the audience they are trying to convince.  Of course your son is aware of this as he still has the security cameras in place.   A very wise man.

And it’s very hard for us oldies to understand the mind of a modern day bully.

When we were kids at school we knew to stay away from the bully at all costs.

There were two kinds of bullies…….one kind would bash the living daylights out of us and the other  would lie  till the cows came home to get us in trouble.

The latter would often use a selected handful of ‘stooges’ to spread lies about us for more impact.

The modern day bully has Facebook…..oh yahoo…and  hundreds of ‘friends’ who can help do their dirty work!

Stooges are still utilized if the bully is anxious to reach a wider audience.

Not retaliating and using modern technology right back at them will always win through in the end as you are aware.

Take comfort and be proud of the fact that your intervention ensured the vindication of your son.

Well done you two.

Keep in touch.

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Memory Lane

The Fruit Stall will close for the Season in a few days time so I will have more time for my blog.

We’ve had a great Season with hectic days and catching up with wonderful loyal customers/friends whom we see year after year, many times during the Fruit Season.

I find myself strolling down memory lane a lot these days; perusing photo albums and photo boxes and as it’s a wet day, Ruby has scanned many of my favorites for my blog.

And here they are!!

Some of them are a real blast from the past…..

10 years ago

10 years ago

 

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A little girl I once knew

1991

My darling – 1991

Sandra Hobbs Orchard pruning

Me back in 1991 after a long and tiring day of pruning!

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Sam and Ruby Hobbs

Anne, Kimmie, Ruby, Sam & Findlay

Ruby Hobbs Alex Hobbs snow

Ruby & Dad having fun in the snow

Ruby, Sam, Joe & Emma on a chilly morning

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Sam helping Dad

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Orchardists in Training

 

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April 1995 Catlins

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Our old mate Barry & Ruby

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Mum and Bob IMG_1064 IMG_0877

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Sam, Ruby, Chari & Tomek

Ruby and Bill

Bill & Ruby

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Alex and his Mum

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Our dear friends Shirley & Roy

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Sam,Sandra, Ruby, Vivi & Chris

Sam,Sandra, Ruby, Vivi & Chris

Ruby & Vivi

Vivi & Ruby

Vivi, Sam & Ruby

Vivi, Sam & Ruby

Ruby, Aunty Belle & Vivi

Ruby, Aunty Belle & Vivi

Vivi apricots

Sam and our dear friend Roy who is 94 years old.

Sam and our dear friend Roy who is 94 years old.

Sandra Hobbs and Roy

Roy and Mum having a laugh at one of Sam’s jokes

Ruby Hobbs & Roy

Roy & Ruby

 

Jasna & Vivi

Jasna & Vivi

Cat,Barry & kids

Sam, Ruby & Christina having fun

Sam, Ruby & Christina having fun

Jasna, Sandi & Philip with their kids

Jasna, Sandi & Philip with their kids

 

Jane & some of her beautiful family

Jane & some of her beautiful family

Sam Hobbs & Vivi

Sam, Ruby & Derrick

Sam, Ruby & Derrick

 

Ruby & her friend Jenny. This was taken many years ago. Ruby is having a wee cry because Jenny was moving away that day.

Ruby & her friend Jenny. This was taken many years ago. Ruby is having a wee cry because Jenny was moving away that day.

Here they are now -- all grown up!

Here they are now — all grown up!

 

 

Jasna & Lugs

Jasna & Lugs

Elslie, Ruby & Melanie

Elslie, Ruby & Melanie

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Sam, Ruby & Laura

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