Restoring Eden

Week 15

2009-03-22T13:07:00.027-04:00

Day 99 - Monday (Winter): Chrysolite's Final Semester

"College is great Mom! Anytime I want to meet someone new I just call the campus directory!"

"Cassia, I know you're my cousin, but do you really need to call me three times a day."

"My love of snowball fights seems to be shared by many of the students I've met here and they're a great way to make friends."

"This guy Andrew is always showing up naked at my place, but he never stays long enough to chat. I guess he must get cold running around in the buff like that."

"As my college life draws to an end, I've developed a sudden urge to maximize my knowledge of all things. My last skill I need to work on is mechanics and I thought that rebuilding a car would be a great way to earn the skills I need."

"I graduated Summa Cum Laude! I'm so happy! I've decided to spend the rest of the day trying to earn my final mechanical skill before returning to Eden."

"Chalcey's fiancee Nathen even showed up to cheer my maximization of knowledge. I thought it was rather sweet of him."

"I have to admit that when I saw the clothes that I'd grown-up into I was happy that Chalcedony hadn't been able to find a job in Music. It's incredibly selfish of me that my clothing is more important to me than restoring natural weather to Eden, but ask yourself, would you be willing to walk around for the next 29 years in this outfit?"

Day 99 - Monday (Winter)

"Wow, I know I want to become a Business Tycoon, but there's some serious cash in Show Business."

"It looks like Wednesday morning in here, I'm shocked that Cedar left this mess, he's usually so neat."

He was tired last night and then this morning he had to rush off to work, otherwise he probably would have fixed the shower and cleaned up the mess.

Simselves vs. LaFeuilles, who will win the snowball fight?

Hoorah! Chalcedony has lifted Show Business!

Sims may use the mirrors to change their appearance, we can now buy wardrobes, Dates and Outings are restored and the sewing machine can be used.

"Ooh! I look pretty!"

I figured since Chalce lifted the restriction she should be the first to get to change her look. Thank goodness that other sims in the family have had some half decent clothing. Funny though, I thought the career outfits were supposed to be available as everyday wear.

"No more wreath! Thank Maxis that Grandpa Skylar had decent clothing."

Bella on the other hand has had pigtails for so long that I couldn't bare to change her hair so she just got a bit of makeup.

Day 100 - Tuesday (Winter)

Chrys' clothing was so horrible that she went straight for the dresser and mirror when she got home without even stopping to say hello. I think she likes her new look though.

"I hope you don't mind Mom, but I borrowed your old tank top and Grandma's old pants."
"Oh honey! You look absolutely fabulous! You keep those clothes, I'll never fit into them again anyway."

"It's all about Chrys isn't it? Mom never even said anything about me lifting Show Business and making this all possible or anything about my new look."
Don't worry dear, I just wanted you and Cedar to be here when Chrys got home, but now the two of you get to move into a very nice mansion where the rules are a bit less strict. You'll like that, right?
"You know, for awhile I was sure I'd be the heiress, everybody loved me, and then suddenly everything was about Chrys, but if not being the heiress means that I get more freedom to do as I please, then I guess it's all right."

So you're the one... Beware my wrath old man...

"I am so glad she picked me..."

I've seen worse outfits, but honestly, how many adults do you know who run around dressed like that?
Blair Turner: Family Sim
LTW: Have 6 Grandchildren
Zodiac: Cancer (6,3,6,4,6)

Originally I intended for Chrys' husband to lift Adventure, but Music is pretty important too, and it's available.

Having gotten a decent job, Blair gets to be the first sim in Eden to ask someone out on a date. Have fun guys!

"I know it's a forgone conclusion, but marry me Chrys?"

"I will, I do!"

"I'd love to! I've been waiting forever!"

Angelica! You finally decide to scare a sim and it's your pregnant granddaughter?

"Maybe if I walk away Chrys will repair it."
No way Bella! You broke it....
"...you repair it, sigh."

I hope you know what you're letting yourself in for Chrys.
"Lots of babies that I can be Best Friends Forever with!"

"So it looks like we'll get to have decent haircuts and get rid of this snow, isn't that great?"
"I guess it is dear, I just hope that it's the right decision."

Day 101 - Wednesday (Winter)

After having foolishly added on rooms and bought things that are too big to be moved I realized that I can't stand to have my family living in the boxy modern looking house that I had built them forever. So I reconstructed Shephall Manor by Browse007X, modifying it for a 5x5 lot and building it on a foundation. There are a couple of rooms still missing because of the driveways. We need a burglar to come steal the cars! Usually I just rebuild Soup 4 by Ms.Barrows, but I thought it might be time for a change of pace no matter how ideal Soup 4 is for my play style. Besides, Cedar got Soup 4.

Poor Chrys, pregnancy doesn't seem to agree with her, this is the second time this morning she's puked her guts out.

Good job Blair! As soon as that car leaves you can go to work again. It's probably too late in the day for another promotion, but it's worth a shot.

Sometimes I think that Chrys likes pink almost as much as Bella does. How do I keep ending up with all these barbie dolls?

I guess I underestimated you Blair. I just hope you don't get a chance card tomorrow. I never get the Music Camp one right.

Day 102 - Thursday (Winter)

Argh! I'm glad she got the job, but she doesn't start work until Monday.

There's only one solution to this problem, Bella! It's a good thing Angelica wasn't too greedy with the Elixer of Life. Bella is already 75 years old and approaching her death rapidly, but we need her free babysitting services since Chalcedony moved out with Cedar. Bella drank the remaining two doses of Elixer which moves her age back to 69 years old. That should be long enough.

Are you worried about you and Blair, or Cedar and Alicia?
"Cedar and Alicia. For all that Cedar is a Family sim, he doesn't seem to want to spend much time with Alicia."

Come on Bella, we've got to get that car fixed up. No self-respecting theif will steal it as it is.
"I can't believe I'm fixing a car just so a theif will steal it."

You guys haven't had a theif in awhile, you're due and I'd really like for the cars to be stolen. We can buy new ones and if I understand the restrictions properly, I can move the driveways, just not the cars.

How was work Blair?
"Great! I got another promotion, but coming home and having to look at Shelby was kind of a downer."
No worries big guy, I've got just the thing to cheer you up.

"You're right, this does make me feel better."

Great, this is good all around, I want the car finished so it can be stolen, you want to restore a car, and you need to build mechanical for your next promotion anyway.

Day 103 - Friday (Winter)

Bella! No!

Please let Chrys be fast enough.

"I saved Mom! I kept my cool and put the fire out!"

"I bet you're glad that Chrys was there!"
"It would have been fitting if I had died by fire like my poor Gordon, I deserve it."
"Mom, no! We need you here, and Dad wouldn't want that for you, I'm sure he knows that you wanted to help."
"As for you young lady, what were you thinking? Putting yourself and the babies at risk like that!"

"Mouse-Clicker Lady? It's time!"
Can't you wait two more minutes, Blair is just pulling in from work.
"NO I CAN'T WAIT TWO MORE MINUTES! THESE BABIES ARE COMING NOW!!!"

Thank goodness you're home, hurry, Chrys is having the babies!
"What am I supposed to do?"
Stand there and either look annoyed or worried. Just hurry up and do it.

Welcome Dill LaFeuille!

Welcome Diamond LaFeuille!

*Don't ever try something like that again Bella, the family needs you*
"I won't Gordon, I'm so happy that I'm alive to hold my grandchildren, they're so cuddly!"

"Mmm, Berry Pie! The perfect end to a dramatic day!"

Looks like Beryl was right, huh Bella!
"Oh hush you! I'm changing my grandchild's diaper, big deal."

*Peek-A-Boo! I see you Chrys!*
Leave the girl alone Skylar, go float a grave or something. Why aren't you red anyway?

Day 104 - Saturday (Winter)

"Why are there always these dogs hanging out at my house when I get home? Don't I have any hot fans?"
Maybe you're just too picky.

Day 105 - Sunday (Winter)

Didn't your doctor tell you you're supposed to take a break between pregnancies?
"I want to enjoy my children while I'm still young. Mom is so old that she won't see the children become teens most likely. I don't want that to happen to me."

"You are so sexy when you're in the kitchen babe!"

Now I see why Beryl did most of the child rearing for you Bella. How hard can it be when that's all you do. You don't cook, clean, repair or work. Your only job is to get the twins bottles and change their diapers.

Blair, I know that you have an interesting relationship with that pillar, but don't you think you should get your butt inside and skill if you expect to get a promotion in the morning? After this you don't work until Friday. That's a long time my man. Now say goodbye Blair.

"I'm too busy contemplating this pillar."
Fine, I'll do it. Bye Folks!

Week 14 - Jung Family

2009-03-21T16:40:00.000-04:00

Day 92 - Monday (Winter)

"Don't get the wrong idea, I'm just using you for aspirational points."
"Understood, your evilness."

"You will teach me how to do this homework this one time. After this I expect you to do all my homework."
"I'm afraid that won't work Cassia, the teacher will be able to see the difference between our handwriting."

Think you can create some sort of reverse Jekyll/Hyde potion for your daughter?
"I think she's beyond my medical expertise."

Day 93 - Tuesday (Winter)

You'll never earn the two points you need before the carpool arrives you know.
"So it'll give me a head start when I get home."

The GCD seems to be making her rounds this week.

"Take that maidservant!"
"Young lady, I am not your maidservant."
"Then how come you do all the cleaning and are forced to play with me while my parents study and play?"

Day 94 - Wednesday (Winter)

Luckily for you Rodney, you can build the skills you need and rest. Good thing you're not in the military.

"Entertain me NOW mother!"

Hah! I caught you Beryl! You're willingly spending time with the little monster.
"No I'm not, I just happened to sit down in the chair next to her while we both learn life skills."
Whatever you say Beryl.

Don't know why you wanted this skill when you're already permaplat, but hey, whatever makes you happy.

Day 95 - Thursday (Winter)

"Dad! I just saw someone painting!"
"What? Where?"
"Works every time!"

You've lived in Eden long enough to know the rules Beryl, You Broke It, You Fix It!
"Doesn't seem to apply to Chalcedony."
It's not my fault that she's got Cedar wrapped around her little finger.

"Maybe now that I'm a Master of Logic my superiors will see how much I deserve a promotion."
That, or they'll give you a promotion because you're in a good mood.

"It's just you and me Old Man. The rest of this household has forgotten us two elders, we gotta stick together."

Day 96 - Friday (Winter)

Poor Noodle. He passed away and I never noticed until Beryl rolled up a want to resurrect him.

On a happier note, Rodney earned himself another promotion!

"My sparkly growth will allow me to be even more evil!"

Happy Birthday Cassia!

Cassia is a Romance sim who won't waste time on slackers and loves custom hair. She doesn't like people who waste their time in the kitchen. Her dream is to become a Hall of Famer. Honestly, can you think of anything crueler she could have done to her mother? A family sim with a romance child, the sparks are gonna fly.

"Why am I being forced to jump rope like a child?"

Because your chances of finding a compatible teenage boy will dramatically increase if you have the ability to travel to community lots and you don't have enough skill to do yoga yet.

Day 97 - Saturday (Winter)

Another sim who has learned Fire Safety and yet will likely panic while a loved one suffers a horrible fiery death.

Rodney, it's four in the morning, go to bed. Yeesh, he doesn't even work until Monday, but he was so gun hoe to get that cleaning point right away.

Bet you wish now that I'd made you keep jumping rope, huh? Definitely not a sexy outfit.

"Hah! I will now be able to foil the plot to keep me in this hideous outfit and at home much more quickly!"

Cassia, don't you think you're a bit young to be playing poker with Maxi and the others?

"What else do you expect me to do? That prude Randy wouldn't flirt with me, and there are no other boys here."

I couldn't decide whether or not basketball courts and bowling alleys should be restricted by athletics or not, and then I decided that they're already restricted by space, so why not leave them to politics and architecture? Let me know what you guys think. The rules are a little bit looser at the Jung household so the LaFeuilles still don't have either despite the fact that I'm constantly being asked for expensive games.

Day 98 - Sunday (Winter)

"Stupid teenage boy! Why aren't you attractive? Why can't I find one single boy in this town worthy of being flirted with?"

Found something to keep you busy Bay?
"It's this or video games."

Week 14 - Academie Le Tour

2009-03-21T16:35:00.000-04:00

Day 92 - Monday (Winter) : Cedar's Final Semester

Welcome to college Chrysolite! You're enrolled in Art, so that should help you lift Architecture and get your dream job in Journalism.

Hopefully you guys will be the last generation forced to learn creativity through writing.

See? Sushi is a stalker. She calls everyone in the house at least once a day.

"Yummy!"

You say yummy, but you're relationship panel says you've got a negative chemistry with him. Let's keep looking, shall we?

"Sorry it didn't work out with your sister dude, but she's just not my type."
"It's all right, I'm sure Chalce will help her find someone."

"Look here coach! I'd love to max my body skills but I can do it without you. Do you see an ounce of fat on my body? No? Then stop telling me to workout more!"

You're dating a cheerleader and she didn't warn you not to trust the cows?

Chalce? Chalce? Are you okay? Can you breathe?

"Time to go home?"

Yes, it's time to leave. Your mother needs you. You may have had three days to get over your father's death, but for her, it happened last night.

"Am I styling or what?"
Definitely or what.

Day 93 - Tuesday (Winter) : Chalce's Senior Year - First Semester

Cedar got a job in Architecture, which means you get to lift Art, better get cracking on those Creativity skills chica!

I think we may have a winner. He's not the best looking sim, and I worry about what their children will look like, but I'm trying to resist creating a YA and towniefying them just to preserve good genetics. Chrysolite has a two bolt attraction to him, and I'm pretty sure he's Fortune, so he won't want to cheat.

Novels, novels, novels, all day, all night...

Hun was another spouse option because he has fuller lips and bigger eyes than Patrick, but he's just not that into Chrysolite. He likes creative old women who aren't athletic. Why are all the dormies so ugly?

"It's crazy Aunt Bay! All she ever wants to talk about is Grilled Cheese, if she's not talking about it she's writing about it, and if she's not doing that she's cooking it!"

Day 94 - Wednesday (Winter) : Chalce's Final Semester

Chrys, you have to stop dressing like Chalce. It's confusing.

You fell in love with him because he did his homework?
"Well, it shows that he's a hard worker."

Chalcedony managed to write seven novels during her college years. She had enough time to start another, but why start a book you have no intention of finishing.

There's still time for one last snowball fight though!

Ugh! Yet more ugly clothes. Better than Cedar though.

Day 95 - Thursday (Winter) : Chrysolite's Sophomore Year, 2nd Semester

"Yeah, it's kinda boring here now, nobody to chat with, or play red hands. I redecorated, but that didn't take long..."

Darnnit! I missed your Maxed Creativity Chrys! It's those darn Eureka!
I was having Chrys write a novel on 3x speed and suddenly she maxed her creativity before I could get a shot.

Blair recently showed up in the college directory and Chrys has been calling him ever since. Let's see what she thinks about him face to face.

Two Bolts! And he's better looking than the other blonds!

Day 96 - Friday (Winter) : Chrysolite's Junior Year, 1st Semester

Chris maxed out her grade bar with 45 hours to spare, so as a reward I let her visit the student center to make some new friends. This lot seems to have the least amount of restricted items. Just some radios and a cook, so as long as she avoids those things she's good and I don't have to build another lot!

The student center was a bomb because it was too big and nobody ever stayed long enough to make friends, but with some persistance on the phone Chrysolite managed to become Big Sim on Campus. Why must they always think about important things in the shower?

"Why do I have to listen to the coach?"
Because you've started to lose some fitness, what with all the Grilled Cheese you've been eating.

Day 97 - Saturday (Winter) : Chrysolite's Junior Year, 2nd Semester

"Maybe coach will leave me alone now."

I've never met anyone who loves a good snowball fight as much as Chrys does.

Maxed Body, it just seems to easy once you've learned Physiology.

Even Cows are now welcome here. As long as they'll provide an aspiration boost.

Day 98 - Sunday (Winter) : Chrysolite's Senior Year, 1st Semester

Chrys, you are going to fix the other computer, aren't you?
"Eventually."

Another Skill Bites The Dust

Say goodbye Chrys.
"Aren't you going to mention my doodad?"
What doodad?
"The one over my head that means I earned $10,000."
I don't need to now, do I? Now say goodbye.
"Bye Folks!"

Week 14

2009-03-21T16:30:00.000-04:00

Day 92 - Monday (Winter)

"It's all right Mom, I'm here now."

It's a good thing that Cedar came home too. Bella hadn't been taking care of herself or the house. Poor Scarlett was starving and everything was filthy. Bella spent all of her time sobbing or screaming at the cloud filled sky.

"Here you go Mom, you have to eat something."
"There's no sugar?"

"Mom, you need to eat something healthier, something that will give you some strength instead of a temporary high."

Cedar spent the remainder of the day cleaning the house, repairing broken items and making sure that Bella ate.

And then SHE showed up. Cedar knew that you don't just ignore a Goddess arriving at your house. He was puzzled about how to properly serve her though since with his father no longer suppressing Intelligence he couldn't invite her in out of the cold. Did the nuclear winter even bother gods?

"I apologize for the lack of Grilled Cheese, Your Cheesiness, but my sister is the only sim I know capable of making Grilled Cheese worthy of you."
"This is fine Cedar. Bella, you mustn't worry about Gordon. He's fine, and he's waiting for you, but he won't be happy if you let yourself keep going like this. He wants you to go on with your life and enjoy the time you have left before joining him."

Congratulations Cedar. Looks like you and Chrys are switching Restrictions.

Day 93 - Tuesday (Winter)

Good luck at way may be your first and only day as an Architect!

"I really tried, but no promotion today Mom. I'll try harder tomorrow, I promise."

Umm, Cedar? The reason you didn't get promoted is because I forgot to take a look at your career panel. Turns out you need three more friends.

Here's the plan, you work on Troy while your mother calls Rodney repeatedly to befriend him. Then one of you will have to head to Safe Zone for one more friend. Catch all that?

"Yeah yeah, befriend random sims, blah, blah, blah."

"I swear, the rat's where THIS big!"

Interesting conversation choice Bella. Doesn't matter though, just keep socializing till she's at least at the 70 mark. Can't have you loosing her as a friend while Cedar is at work tomorrow.

Day 94 - Wednesday (Winter)

Chalcedony arrived home in the middle of the night because I forgot to exit the lot at 8 am. She and her mother didn't feel the need to say hello. Bella was more worried about spending time with Chrysolite and Chalcedony was only thinking of novels and jobs.

Bella was obviously feeling better since she started building snowmen again, but I found it vaguely disturbing that she was already hoping to fall in love again.

Three Cheers for Cedar!!! Architecture has been lifted!

We are now free to build whatever we want as big as we want. We can buy cars and elevators, move plumbing, delete walls, doors, windows. Time for a major renovation as soon as I get those pesky sims out of the way.

Not a huge change for now because I'm happy with the house for the most part. Just bigger stairs and porches, and a separate kitchen to make space for a main living area.

"I'll find us a home of our own as soon as I can manage to get a moment at the computer sweetheart."
"....."
"Yeah, Chalcedony and her novels."

Marina!!! Why is it so hard for sims to resist destroying snowmen? Maybe if the family's snowmen were more evil they'd survive better.

Day 95 - Thursday (Winter)

Yet another book by Chalcey. This is getting ridiculous.

"I want pie!"
Yes I know, but Chalcey needs the aspiration points and you don't.

Day 96 - Friday (Winter)

"Exactly how long do I have to wait before I can move out and marry Alicia?"
Until Chalcey tops Music or Chrys moves back in. Chalcey will need your friends.
"But Chalcey doesn't even have a job yet."
I know, it's driving me nuts too, especially since every day there's another opening in Architecture.

"Desi, will you tell the leader of the pack to come back for a visit?"

Day 97 - Saturday (Winter)

"I'm so glad Desi gave you the message!"

"It's a good thing that I've learned to control my anger now, I seem to be no closer to becoming a werewolf than I was when I was a teenager."

"I am so glad you invited me over!"
"We didn't invite you over Sushi, you rang our doorbell for hours until we took pity on you and let you in."

"I learned Fire Safety, what's next?"
Whatever you want, I just hope that you understand the concept of Fire Safety better than your mother.

Oh Gordon, I'm so sorry. I tried to get Bella to stop panicking and help you, I swear!

I was aiming at Music, but Show Business is also an excellent lift. We'll have a few days to change our minds anyway since she needs more Charisma and two more friends to top it.

Day 98 - Sunday (Winter)

"I am slightly less furious at you now."
I don't suppose it helps at all that Chalcedony finally got a job?

Yay! There's finally something useful for Bella to do! Make yet more friends.

"Must eat cake before Mouse-Clicker makes me eat Grilled Cheese."

Slow down Bella, I'm not going to take away your cake you deserve it. You made one friend and made it most of the way with another sim. This is your reward.

Congratulations Chalcey, now get some sleep, you deserve it. Chalce was up all night building Charisma. It's actually now two in the afternoon and the poor girl is dead on her feet.

"So we can count on your continued support tomorrow, right?"
"Yes, my daughter will be trying to lift Show Business restrictions tomorrow."

"Please Spot, just one little nibble, that's all it would take..."
Bella's a little too busy sucking up to Spot to say goodbye this week, so I'll just do it for her: Goodbye!

Week 13

2009-03-16T08:25:00.002-04:00

A/N: I've decided that 1 Uni Semester = 1 Eden Day

Day 85 - Monday (Winter)

At Academie Le Tour:

Welcome to college life Cedar. That's an interesting combo you've got going there.
"Where's the dorm? Or an apartment? Or a house?"
Two seconds.

There you go. It's not much, but it's what you could afford. Hope you didn't want a car.

This is the pathetic interior of his home away from home. Cedar was really grateful that his family bought him a computer and fridge to put in his inventory before he left because that's about all he's got. There's also a small bathroom with the cheapest toilet and shower. Poor Cedar.
"Well, I guess now I know how Grandma Angelica must have felt when she first came to Eden."
I hate to burst your bubble, but Angelica was far more comfortable when she arrived in Eden, despite the fact that she had no computer, no shower, and only had access to the fridge once a day.

"Can I write my term paper?"

Nope, you need creativity, so get cracking on a novel. You'll probably need to do that a lot anyway since you have no money and no way to make money. Usually I'd have you dig the way Angelica did, but you can't sell what you did up, so it's kinda pointless.

So how was the first day of Art?
"Ok, my professors are old though, nothing like that hot Dr. Skully Grandpa talked about."

Cedar is taking Art because I still don't know what LTW Chrys will roll when she becomes a teen and I didn't want to take it away from her if she had one that I wanted. Since they never get the Artist LTW Cedar is going to work on lifting Art.

Really? She can't be as dumb as she looks then. Go for it Tiger.

For those who thought all my sims were good looking. Cedar's not ugly, but he's got a pretty horrid profile if you're not into the whole Roman thing.

One reason Alicia would be so perfect for him is that her face has practically the opposite defects which would hopefully result in more normal looking children. I forget, are cheerleaders students or are they adults?

All right, so it wasn't a great novel, but at least you now have enough to pay the bills that the mailman dropped off this morning.

Now it's time to write your term paper.
"But it's the middle of the night! And I'd rather play video games or chat online."
Too bad, you want top marks don't you?

"That maxed skill really makes me feel a lot better about this whole college thing."

At the LaFeuille House:

"I'm so glad that Daddy is suppressing Intelligence. My classmates stay a lot longer when they're not freezing."

"Grilled Cheese again?"

Your daughter is a fortune sim. Grilled cheese is the only thing keeping her from aspirational failure. Eat the grilled cheese and smile like a good father.

"Did you know that you can dust with a sock?!"

Yes I did, now hurry up, this is the last scholarship that you need, and Cedar could use your help at college.

At the Jung House:

Yet another useless skill maximized just because sims get stuck in a rut. Oh well, at least you'll be able to rebuild the next car we have to buy due to a thief much faster.

Luckily for this household, there's not a neat sim among them, therefore, everyone at the table finds belching and farting and spraying food hilarious as opposed to revolting. Hey, as long as everyone's happy right?

"Ugh, they were right, this is a horrible book."

"Cassia, my little angel, you've made my dream complete."

"Now I feel like I can protect Beryl and Cassia from any fires that may start."
What about Bay?
"Who?"
Bay, your sister-in-law-slash-babysitter?
"Oh yeah, her too."

Michelle, you're over here everyday that you can catch a lift with Bay, why is that?
"Because you forced me and the other simselves to move out of the mansion and into mini safehouses all by ourselves. Even Sushi technically lives by herself, it's just that there are two of her. I'm lonely, and I'm bored since you never visit the simselves' houses and therefore I live my life in stasis."

Day 86 - Tuesday (Winter)

At Academie Le Tour:

"Can I buy a bookshelf?"
Sorry, I already spent most of your grant money on giving you a kitchen.

"Wow! I forgot how good spagetti was!"
So I'm forgiven for spending most of your money?
"Could we at least buy a cheap bookcase?"

You don't need one you know. The only skills you have left to build are Charisma and Creativity, neither of which can be learnt from a normal bookcase.

"Can I buy a birdcage then?"

No, no pets in college. I'm playing it safe and including caged pets in that. You don't want Maxi over here do you?

"Gulp, no...."

If you ever want wallpaper you'd best get back to work boyo!

Cedar worked all night and well into the morning on his novel and it still wasn't completed, but he had now maxed his sixth skill. He managed to completely tank his needs and barely had the energy to remove his thinking cap and go to the bathroom before collapsing on his bed.

Only to be disturbed two hours later by the harsh ringing of the phone.
"Sushi, I was sleeping. What do you want?"
"....."
"Because I was up all night writing a bestseller."
"...."
"Well I have to be sure it's a bestseller. If I don't think it is, who else will?"

Eventually the novel was finished and wallpaper was put up and construction of walls around the bed was started.

"Alicia baby, I'm in serious need of an aspiration boost, help me out?"
"Anything for you Tiger."

Poor Cedar. Practically a grown man, and yet this is his first kiss.

Cedar, why are you doing your homework outside in the snow?
"It helps me think."
Are you thinking about your homework at all, 'cause you've been using that eraser a lot.
"Actually I'm trying to come up with a plot for my next novel, but I'm a bit stuck."

Please don't fry yourself the way you fried the computer...

"I like Romanesque men..."
Yeah, but I'm not sure if I can put up with years of staring at someone who looks like they're in a coma.

At the LaFeuille House:

Bella you crazy old woman! That's your second snowman in a row, you'll turn into a simsicle if you keep it up.

Filling up an aspiration bar using only eat grilled cheese wants is painstakingly slow, but here's a little tip for those who haven't discovered it yet. Have the sim eat one bite, cancel the action, eat one bite, cancel the action, repeat ad naseum. Done this way each bite fulfills a "Eat Grilled Cheese" want. Takes a long time to eat the sandwich, a long time to get your sim above green, but it will work eventually.

Hot chocolate again Bella?
"I was building snowmen and I turned grey."

Bella seems determined to rebuild the Snowman Army all by herself. If she's not romancing Gordon, tucking the girls in, or trying to burn down the kitchen, she's outside freezing while she builds snowmen.

I love my girls. They bring people home with them from school and then proceed to ignore them in the interest of skill building instead.

Insert your own sparkle joke here. Seriously, I'm drawing a blank this time around.

Very nice Chrys! You even have the least amount of your father's nose. Interview time!
"Really? You want to know about me?"
Sure do sugarplum, so what's the news?

"Hmm, well I really like making friends and I'd like to become a media magnate. I like guys with blond hair or custom hair, and I can't stand a man who doesn't bath. Does that answer all your questions?"
Sure does hon! I hope you won't be crushed if you have to take a different job before becoming a media magnate?

Awww.... so cute! You'd never believe it was an arranged marriage.

See ya in college sweetheart!

At the Jung House:

Beryl? I'm pretty sure that Noodle is an elder. Are you going to be willing to command him to come down near the snowmen every day at ten and keep him there till eleven?

"But I want a pet, so does Bay."

"She didn't!"
She did. Just think of Noodle as easy aspiration boosts for Cassia.

"The things I learn to do for sims are ridiculous, but if that's what it takes to get a nice cushy bed for my old bones..."

Day 87 - Wednesday (Winter)

At Academie Le Tour:

I am totally digging those threads Chalce!

As you can see construction of a second floor has started, but $500/day means that we can only build 7 wall panels before we have to stop. It may take awhile!

"I like her, she's nice enough to listen to me talk about the wonder that is Grilled Cheese."

Sorry for the poor photo Cedar, but I'm so proud of you! You not only maxed all your skills, you got the proper doodad for it!

"Is the upstairs finished yet?"
No, those stairs lead nowhere yet.
"But we have enough money."
I know, but the architecture restrictions say we can only spend $500 of it per day.

"Perfect, I can now make Grilled Cheese that is so perfect angels would weep."

At the LaFeuille House:

It was a very quiet day at the LaFeuille household, the only thing of interest that happened was that Chrys maximized her Logic.

At the Jung House:

I was wondering why Cassia was being so glitchy Tuesday and now I know. Seriously, her parents and Bay kept changing her diaper even though she wasn't dirty and then they'd put her down again only to go pick her up and change her diaper again a minute later. Oh well, Happy Birthday Cassia! Scorpio (9,7,9,3,1). She's the first mean sim in the family. Better keep her away from the super nice ones or she'll have them in tears all the time.

Beryl, I can't believe you. You finally have a child of your own and you don't have a single want to toddler skill her. To be perfectly honest that's not true. Beryl spun up a lot of marriage wants, but she never did ask me for a child, I just assumed she'd want one of her own, so I only have myself to blame.

"I talk and walk now!"
Yes, even though your mother couldn't care less, you do, don't you sweety?

"I wanted to teach her things and you ignored me."

Yes, because you had to go to work and you wanted that and a promotion too, or did you conveniently forget that?

Day 88 - Thursday (Winter)

At Academie Le Tour:

"EEEEE!!!! He proposed!!!"
"Hurry up and say yes so I can go back to writing my term paper."

"What happened to the kitchen?"
"I think she finished building the second floor last night, maybe it's up there?"
"Does that mean no more sharing the bed?"

Nope, sorry guys. That happens when I finish the third floor. Usually kitchen would be this floor, but since I can't move the huge bed...

So, what do you think?
"It's more spacious."
That's it?

"What do you want me to say? You moved the kitchen upstairs, used ugly wallpaper and linoleum and bought a table. Whoopty-doo."

Well, that kind of goes well with the whole Grilled Cheese thing. It's a good thing that Gordon is suppressing Intelligence, because having a secondary aspiration is the only thing saving Chalce from constantly being in aspirational failure.

At the LaFeuille House:

Gordon has earned yet another hobby plaque to clutter our walls. If they keep this up I'm going to start giving the darn things away as gifts. I have to admit hobbies are starting to annoy me. First there was was uni spam, and then downtown spam, and now hobby spam. All day everyday, it's all about their latest hobby, and of course, except for the max hobby want all the wants are worth like 500 measly points. Hopefully Sims 3 will be less prone to small want spam.

"I'll make myself some more snowmen to keep me company, I just wish they could talk."

Poor Bella, the house echos all day long. For someone who grew up in a house that was always filled to maximum capacity being alone all day seems like torture.

"What I wouldn't give for a hamburger. If it's not my daughter with her Grilled Cheese, it's my wife with her Berry Pie. What's a man got to do for some meat around here?"
Cook for himself? That's what Cedar does.

I know, I know, but they're so sweet with each other that I can't resist taking pictures of them and their autonomous romance.

As usual, Chrys is chained to a book skilling. We're at the boring part in between career lifts and having a family.

At the Jung House:

"WAAAH!!! I wanna baff!"
I know sweetie, but it's only for a few days.

"No one told me there would be a toddler! Unhand me you fiend!"

"Hee hee! I managed to get old when you weren't looking!"
Oh wow! Bay I love your elder outfit, even if you are a sneak!

"I told you I could do better."
I never said you couldn't.

"Piece of cake, why does Beryl find this so annoying?"
Maybe because she already helped raise Bella's three kids?

Day 89 - Friday (Winter)

At Academie Le Tour:

"Your Grilled Cheese is so good Chalce, that I wish I could become a Grilled Cheese addict too."

Yes, despite a tendency to pick on his sisters, Cedar is still taking care of them. One of his main jobs in college is to keep Chalce from aspirational failure by being one of the few sims that will listen to her babble about the wonders of Grilled Cheese.

Now back to the Simlympics, up next Chalcedony and Cedar LaFeuille in Synchronized Term Papers! I'd give them a 9 out 10.

Followed by Synchronized Blogging. 7 out of 10 since Cedar hasn't reached 'The Zone'.

The only thing that saved Chalce is that she also had an earn $3,000 in her want panel to counter balance the horrible novel.

The shell of the house is finally complete. Now we can start spending the architecture allowance on silly things like windows. The bed downstairs will be the Woohoo bed if anyone actually ever spins up a want to.

At the LaFeuille House:

"Yes! Snow Day! That means lots of skilling!"
Yes, because I'd like you to hurry up and get to college please.

Chrys managed to earn another scholarship today, but I have a feeling she won't be starting college till next week.

At the Jung House:

"If you go down to the woods today..."

"Daddy wrote this book just for you Cassia, see it even says 'For my Sweet Little Cassia' in the dedication."

"Enough is enough, I want a shower!"

Other than the nose you're cute, too bad you're so mean.

It's dangerous putting Beryl and a bird in the same house again since she's forever letting them out, but Cassia wants to work on her charisma some more.

"I got another promotion!"
So how come you don't want to skill build for the next promotion?
"What would be the point? You're about to leave anyway."

Smart alec sims.

Day 90 - Saturday (Winter)

At Academie Le Tour:

The semester started with the Gypsy Lady dropping off another lamp the family can't use. Joy.

"I'm bored. Make my life interesting."

I tried, but all you ever want is to write novels, blog about writing novels, or talk about writing novels. I invite Alicia over for you and you don't spin up a single want about her.

"They said my new novel was delicious!"

Chalcedony earned a hobby plaque for Film & Literature. Normally I wouldn't care, but Grilled Cheese and novels are the only thing saving this girl from the loony bin. At least this should make writing novels a bit easier on her needs.

"I shouldn't have said I was bored, now I'm stuck doing Chalce's assignment too."

At the LaFeuille House:

"I can't wait to go to college Scarlett, I don't know why I have to study so hard now, isn't that what college is for?"
"KRAWK! Scholarships! KRAWK!"
"Yes, I know about the scholarships, but Cedar and Chalce already have lots of money and they don't need me to earn the extra scholarship money. They've got more than enough for all three of us."

"I don't like you Aunt Bella. Daddy says you're the reason that Mommy doesn't want to spend every single waking minute of the day catering to my desires."
Bella and I rather missed the old Tuesday gatherings. Now that there's no pressure to maintain friendships with them, they can just invite over some friends and family and I can see what they do when I'm not micromanaging their interactions.

"Hee hee hee, Daddy is so gullible!"
Evil evil little child. I'm so glad you're not one of the potential heir/heiresses.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Bella Gathering if the guests weren't served pie. Mmm, pie. Bella is starting to get to me, now I feel like running upstairs and making a pie, but my crusts are horrible. Maybe a crumble.... There goes what's left of my waistline!

"Shouldn't skill building be done while I'm sitting in a nice comfy chair?"

And miss out on yoga? For shame! I thought you'd be happy to be doing something other than reading.
"I might have been, but I think I'm stuck."

This is the last skill dear, just tough it out and soon you'll be in college. You know, there are lots of new people for you to meet there, and Cedar's even met one boy who has blue hair.

"Blue hair? Really? Can I meet him?"
As soon as you reach level 8 in body.

Sometimes this family is a little too close knit. You invite over a bunch of people and then leave the sims alone and what do they do? Ignore the non-family members. Look at poor Rowan, she's bored out of her mind.

"Did you have to invite Beryl? You know how I feel about her."
Yes I had to invite Beryl. I was hoping some of you would make friends with Cassia despite her personality.
"Cassia went home hours ago, shouldn't Beryl go keep an eye on her?"

That's Noodle's job, and no. Having her sisters here makes Bella happy. You want Bella to be happy don't you?

"I guess. As long as none of them stays the night."

"You don't remember me do you Spot? The last time you saw me I was a teenager....sigh, well I guess I've had a good life even if it has lacked supernatural spice."

At the Jung House:

Just a typical day at the house of Jung. Beryl and Bay really have nothing left to strive for, so for the most part I allow them to do as they please. Rodney is the only one who really has something to work towards.

Cassia meanwhile makes plans to destroy the world with her pet parrot. She won't even tell me his name. Says it's a secret and then giggles evilly.

"Lorin! Where have you been lately? Sushi practically stalks everyone, but we hardly see you."

Day 91 - Sunday (Winter)

At Academie Le Tour:

"She is so hot when she does her little cheerleading thing!"
I'm glad one of us thinks so.

This is your blue-haired friend? He looks like a rabbit! No nose and a slash for a mouth. Can't you find anyone better? Maybe we should start interviewing blond men?

"I'd be happy to take the job, I've heard his other sister is just as hot as Chalcedony!"
So not going to happen Mitch, you're playable.

"Now this is more what I pictured college as! Hanging out and goofing off!"

"Mom's pie always seemed to win her lots of friends, maybe it'll work on Joel and Alicia too."

"Mmm, hamburger, I meal which requires neither cheese nor sugar."
What about cheeseburgers?
"It's NOT a cheeseburger."

This family is completely obsessed with what they put in their stomachs. It is unbelievable, if it's not hobby spam then it's about food. I swear it's not me. I'm not even dieting which means I have no reason to obsess about foods I can't eat.

"I caught you this time Chalce! I knew it wasn't Alicia breaking the computers all the time!"
"Just be a dear and fix it for me before I get back from class, alright?"

You are getting way to used to having Cedar do everything for you. Cedar eats her Grilled Cheese, listens to her talk about Grilled Cheese, does all the cleaning, does all the repairs, does at least half of her assignments, and Chalce never really does anything for him.

"He's so fuzzy!"
I suppose, but wouldn't you rather have someone who will listen to you talk about Grilled Cheese?
"But he's hot!"
How can you tell? The only part of him you can see are his hands.

At the LaFeuille House:

"Surprise! I got buff while you were gone!"

You couldn't have done this yesterday?
"I hadn't decided yet if the little demon spawn was worth befriending yesterday."
What in the world made you decide she is?
"She's family."

Every now and then Chrys remembers that she's actually a Popularity sim and spends some time calling friends. Gotta keep that friend count high you know.

"This kid really is a little monster, oh well, I'll just have to smile and be nice. She is family."

Off to college you go Chrys!

"Well I'm glad that's over with."

"Ignore her dear, she can't help it. Cedar will be home soon, and I'm sure his sisters won't be too far behind him. I'll make you some Crepes Suzette after she leaves, that'll make you feel better."

"I never thought I'd miss them this much. The house is just so empty now."

"Oh no! Gordon lit himself on fire instead of the Crepes Suzette! What do I do?"

Isn't this why you studied Fire Safety?

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that."

Next time you might want to be a little slower on the panic and quicker on the fire extinguisher.

I guess it could have been worse, at least the urn isn't blocking the door. The question is, do I now plan the plan for the generation three career lifts?

At the Jung House:

"Put me down woman, I am not a substitue for the children YOU decided you didn't want."

Yes it's true, recently Bay has begun to randomly spin up wants to woohoo or fall in love. I suppose I could find her a nice elderly gentleman to keep her company, but the second I did she'd loose all interest in the subject.

Poor Rodney, the aspirational pay-outs for novels are far apart. An apocalypse is so hard on the Fortune sims, all that moolah and nothing to spend it on.

Week 12 - Beryl's Place

2009-03-12T19:00:00.001-04:00

Day 78 - Monday (Winter)

Welcome to Beryl's Place. Beryl will still have to live under the hardships of the apocalypse for the most part, but I'm willing to make a few exceptions for spares once they move out. Unlimited access to Elixer of Life, smaller lot size, and those ladders that I felt would be an unfair advantage in the main home since sims go up them in a split second and they take up so much less space. For those interested in that sort of thing, this house has 50 interior squares per level, but it makes up for those 6 squares by ease of travel. If I think of any other exceptions I'll let you know. At the moment Beryl's home is completely unfurnished except for a phone. There's not even any paint in the interior. But I'm sure she'll help me remedy that. As you can see, Beryl didn't want to move too far from the family, she just wanted space for her own.

"Is it just me or is it Monday again? I thought it was Tuesday, you know, the day I could call Rodney?"
Yes, it's Monday again, it's an oddity of the sim world. Don't worry, you'll see Rodney tomorrow.

"Lorin? Rowan mentioned that you were moving into town. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise, I don't know anybody here, even the other simselves haven't stopped by to say hello and get reaquainted."

"Beryl? I don't want to sound like a pest when we've just met, but isn't that Mr.Humble's computer, and a bug collection?"
"Yes, but I'm a spare, so Rowan's loosened the rules for me a bit."
"Oh, I thought you might be the heiress."
"Nope, not enough votes for me, although I still got more than Bay!"

As you can see, Beryl's got a nice setup downstairs now, with tons of room to spare.

After spending the afternoon with Lorin having snowball fights and hot chocolate Beryl returned to her writing. She's quite dedicated to it as you can see by the stink cloud surrounding her.

Day 79 - Tuesday (Winter)

Cripes! Your not kidding about wanting your own kids are you?
"Nope! And today's the day I get married and start working on those kids!"

By the time noon rolled around Rodney wasn't home, so with nothing better to do, it was time to work on the car a little.

"Nothing better to do? It's Tuesday you lunatic!"
Okay, so there were more important things to do, but you had fun, right?

"I missed you so much Rodney!"
"Really? 'Cause I couldn't tell, maybe you should kiss me again!"

"Beryl, will you be my wife?" "Of course I will, that's all I've ever wanted, I'll even take your name!"

"Here you go friend I brought with me that I've never met before. It's full of all the inventory items I had that are banned at the moment."

Rodney Jung: Fortune, Become Chief of Staff, Gemini, +Underwear/Great Cook, -Custom Hair

The rest of the night was spent getting Rodney's motives up and then with him playing chess with Vyn while Beryl went to work. Rodney is not well employed and isn't even in his dream career track so she'll have to keep her job for now. No opening on the computer in Medical either.

Day 80 - Wednesday (Winter)

"Yes! With this I can fulfill my dreams of children of my own!"

"Bay! What are you doing here?"
"I lifted Gamer! After that, well, I thought with all you had done for the family and all... Well, I came so I can help you raise your kids the way you helped Bella."
"But don't you want kids of your own?"
"Not really, I'm perfectly happy as I am. I've never even spun up the want to flirt. I enjoyed helping Bella with the kids, and I'm sure I'll enjoy helping you with yours. So, can I stay?"
"Of course you can! The fourth floor is all yours!"

"It's empty!"

Of course it is, the whole house was empty when Beryl moved in two days ago. She hasn't had time to do the third and fourth floors yet.
"Oh. Hey! At least this means I can do what I like with it! Let's see what we can get done before I have to go to work."

That's the spirit.

"That's more like it!"

Working on the car again Beryl?
"No, I'm taking it apart! Here's your sign."
Okay, so the question was 'Here's Your Sign' worthy, but your comeback was not.

Well that's a no brainer since it's oddly familiar. ;)

"Maybe I can do better than Skylar and actually restore bathtubs."
I don't think so, but you're welcome to try.

"So dear, I'm home, your home..."
"Babies?"
"Well, I was thinking woohoo, but babies too."
It took three tries, which made Rodney quite happy.

Day 81 - Thursday (Winter)

"It's so quiet."
Too quiet?
"Maybe. I'm not used to being in an empty house. It's kinda creepy."

"Beryl, I'm home!! With a promotion!! I gotta leave again in five hours."

Wouldn't you rather be upstairs playing Sims 3?
"Bay can't be doing this in her condition."
She's not even showing yet.
"I know that, but her needs are dropping fast anyway."

"Yay me! I got one of the less ugly maternity outfits!"
You do realize that your bra is showing right?

Day 82 - Friday (Winter)

Poor Rodney. All he wants is to buy stuff that's illegal. I'm hoping that having him write a novel may encourage him to redirect his wants towards gaining creativity or writing a bestseller.

Day 83 - Saturday (Winter)

"I was sure that I didn't finish the body work on this yesterday..."
You didn't. Beryl snuck down here while you were sleeping and finished it.
"She shouldn't push so hard when she's expecting, she could hurt herself or worse, the baby."

Wow Bay! That was fast. Wasn't it supposed to be orange?
"The can said Orange."
Hmm, ok, I like this better than the picture on the can anyway.

Bay had the forsight to invite the entire family over for a visit. She had a feeling that Beryl made need Bella's experience during the actual birthing of her first child. Besides, they all need a break from skilling and the only way it's going to happen is if they're visiting here.

"Yay! Aunt Beryl made grilled cheese! Best Aunt Ever!"
Actually, I think that award should probably go to Bay.

"Got some spare simoleans? Anyone? Just a couple of spare simoleans to help a guy down on his luck?"
Poor Rodney, his novel did horrible. Doesn't matter that the family has tons of money, just that he didn't earn it.

"I'm so happy for you Beryl!"
"Bella!!! It hurts!!!"
"Of course it does, did you think I screamed just for fun?"

Welcome Cassia Jung!

"Yay Beryl! Congratulations!"
(everyone)

"I know it's a bit soon to ask you to start your Aunt duties Bay, and I really enjoyed having the family here, but I'm exhausted."

"I have a daughter... and she helped me get a promotion... zzzz...."

Go to bed Rodney, you're exhausted. Bay is taking care of Cassia, you can see her in the morning. Oops, make that afternoon.

Day 84 - Sunday (Winter)

"Good morning Mommy's Little Angel!"

No fair Bay! I should be playing it! Darn delays for marketing! Bah! If people weren't already planning on buying it, four more months of marketing (of which I have seen none) won't make a difference.

"Super Mom coming through."
Hey Super Mom, your sister just rushed upstairs to change Cassia.

"Hello Cassia, I'm your daddy."
Ok, you saw the baby, now get back to studying before I find you outside panhandling again.

The timing of cooking meals separately could not have been more perfect if I tried!

Say Goodnight Rodney.
"G'night."

Week 12

2009-03-12T19:00:00.000-04:00

Day 78 - Monday (Winter)

"What took you so long? You said you'd be back soon! The next day is not soon! Where have you been!"

What, no hello, nice to see you again?

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?"

Unlike your children, my own are not self sufficient, do not do their homework and chores without lecturing, and constantly fight with each other. I also didn't happen to have any leftovers in the fridge, alright? Give me a break, I not only have to control your family, I have to control my own too. Also, I spent a bit of time making the links page for my website, alright?

"I guess, at least you're here now. Can we do the birthdays now?"

Nope, not till tomorrow night. You might want to consider spending some time with Cedar as well, he'll be leaving for college on Tuesday you know.

"Your hands got so big baby!"

Yes, and it's well past her bedtime, even as a teen. One game of red hands and then she has to head off to bed before one of her aunts steals hers.

"I really can't wait for those women to move out!"
Which one of them broke it this time?

"Beryl, and I've got proof! I installed a camera in here so I could see who was breaking it all the time."

"Why won't she scare me? I've been wanting to see a ghost since she died!"
*such a nice young man I chose for my daughter*

"Harder Chalce! You gotta make sure you can take care of yourself, I leave for college tomorrow, so I won't be around to protect you anymore."

"Man Gordon! Your ride is TOO LOUD!!!"
"If you don't like it, you can always walk 50 miles to work."

"Cheese Whiz Cedar! This cookbook only includes a recipe for standard cheddar and bread grilled cheese! How could they not include all the wonderful cheesy variations?"

"Your cheesiness is showing Chalce."

"Oops! I meant to say, how could they not realize that a recipe book filled with cheese recipes would earn millions?"

"Would you please consider not sending Cedar to college until I get home from work tomorrow? He may not need to leave so unprepared if I can just get that final promotion."
You read my mind sweety! You know, despite your initial disinterest in this job, your still doing much better than Beryl ever did.

Looks like your up for crustification Gordon!
"But I wanted Chrys to go first!"

She's about two seconds behind you. Two birthdays on two separate floors. It's every photographer's nightmare.

Congratulations! Your elder clothes don't completely suck! Hooray for me, hooray for you, hooray for the readers' eyes!

"Mommy! The sparkle fairies have me! Make 'em let go!"

"Mommy! I haven't been clean since I was a baby! I was supposed to get the shower!"

Did Aunt Bay downsize that outfit for you Chrys?
"Yeah, isn't awesome?"

Awesome is not the word I'd use, although at least it looks a little more natural on a child than a teen.

"So the brat can't be that bad after all, she obviously worships me the way that Bay worships Mom, I mean she copied my hair and all."
I actually think she does rather worship you, but I don't think you really deserve it if you're going to call her a brat.

"You should try be a having Cheesecake as your secondary aspiration Chalcedony. All the cheesy goodness, plus a sugar rush!"

I appreciate the fact that you found something to do while you wait to move out Beryl, but your last book was just delivered at 3 am, waking everybody up. I need to go find that hack that makes the doorbell less likely to wake the entire household. I don't think it would give me an unfair advantage, I think it's something that should have been done by the developers in the first place. Honestly, waking sims who are sleeping two stories above the doorbell?

Day 79 - Tuesday (Winter)

"Are you sure you don't want to wait until the kids get home so you can say goodbye?"

"I'm not really one for long tearful farewells Bella. Besides, I've put off having my own family to help yours for quite long enough."

"Beryl! It's not like it was my idea!"

"I know that honey, I'm just tired of waiting, I want to hold my own babies now."

What's that Bella? You already paid the bills today.

"I'm sending Beryl $100,000 to help her get started with her own life. If she'd asked for it I might have said no, but since she didn't I will. She deserves, she's sacrificed a lot for the family, and truth be told she took care of my children more than I did."
Her, Bay, Cedar. Just about the only person who took care of your children less is Gordon, and even he thought about them more.

Once everyone was invited over and the kids had done their homework it was time to play! I know there aren't a lot of pictures of Tuesdays, but it's because I'm too busy micro-managing everyone.

"He didn't leave yet did he? I'm not too late am I?"

No, he's still here, and you ROCK!!! Phones and computers all the time now! By the way, now that you're no longer stuck here have you thought about what you want to do?
"Well, I thought I might move in with Beryl and give her a hand taking care of all those kids she says she wants."
Sounds like a good plan. Why don't you wait till tomorrow though and go while the kids are in school. It might be easier on everybody, and Beryl sure will be surprised to see you on a Wednesday.

"Yay! I get to take a break from skilling and actually socialize with people!"

Day 80 - Wednesday (Winter)

You are such a cutie pie Chrys! Simply adorable!

"I'll miss you Bay!"
"I'll miss you too Bella, but I'll be right next door you know."
And then there were five.

Yay! It's Sushi! She my all time favorite sims writer! I miss Fred and Norm though. I wonder how she likes living with herself? Yes, there are two Sushi's or rather one Sushi and one Grilled Cheese Goddess. She must be starting to feel a little schitzo by now.

Gordon, I know you love your girls, but Bella was teaching her to do her homework.

"Oh well, being a dirty old man was good while it lasted."

Happy Birthday Bella! I should hate those clothes, but they suit you.

"I told you I'd come back for visits! It's just too bad that I'm a bit late to watch you crustify."
"Just wait, it'll happen to you too Bay!"

Forgetting what Skylar said Cedar?
"She wanted a snowball fight."
I don't think she planned on you sneak attacking her.

Day 81 - Thursday (Winter)

"Mom! Mom! An A+ Mom!"
"G'way, 'm sleeping."

"One more game of red hands Cedar? Please? My fun level is so low it hurts and I still need to do my homework."

"This pie is great Mommy!"
I think maybe I should have called them the Pie family instead or maybe the Bakers or Sugars.

Back to work little Missy, you've been slacking off on the jumping rope end of things.

Day 82 - Friday (Winter)

"Woot! Snow Day!"
I'll second that emotion! Time to get some serious skill building done!

"How come Chrys isn't skilling with us?"

She is, she's just upstairs jumping rope where there's more space.
Now get back to work. *cracks whip over heads*

"She's in my chair! How am I supposed to maximize my creativity if she's in MY chair?"
Calm down, I'll find something to get her out of your way.

Now behave yourself and stay out of the way. Keep your daughters company while they study.

It appears that Skylar is another ghost who is completely harmless. He's been wandering around upstairs for hours. I'm betting all this will change when art is restored to the world. It seems to me that sims who are painting are the favorite targets of ghosts.

Bestseller eh Gordon?
"I can do better."
Have at it then.

Not a bad idea if you're going to start kitchen fires.
"It was only that one time."
Uh huh.

Day 83 - Saturday (Winter)

"I guess I should be grateful that you made Mac & Cheese for breakfast instead of grilled cheese, huh?"

"La la la, not listening, I'm a fortune sim."

Surprisingly enough, Bella has decided that she wants to get fit. Guess she wants to be a good looking ghost.

"I am one hot old lady!"

An old lady with pigtails who wears pink constantly. Bella, I swear, you never did grow-up.

Congratulations Gordon!
"Leave me alone, I'm writing."
Could you at least take off the thinking cap so someone else can use it?
(I accidentally took the photo with the Sims 2 cam instead of Snagit. He just achieved his LTW.)

Day 84 - Sunday (Winter)

"Hey bird, any idea what I need to do to earn some money or buy something?"
"KRAWK! Stocks!"
"Well that's certainly helpful, the stock market collapsed you lunatic bird."

Bored Elders are so romantic.

"You know Chrys, one of us should really try to bring Art back to Eden."

"That would be so cool! I'd love to be able to paint. Mom told me that Grandma said it was really fun."

"Can I become a fireman?"

Nope, sorry, it's not one of the careers EAxis gave us. Too bad, my husband might make less fun of me if there where real firemen in the game.

"I know it's not your birthday until Tuesday, but I'm leaving for college tonight, so I'm giving you your gift a bit early."

"Can I open it?"
"Not till you birthday, then you can call and tell me if you like it."
"You're so awesome Cedar! Come home quick, 'k?"
"Nah, you hurry up and get old enough for college quick runt!"

Not bad! Considering that the only other grant he could have gotten (with the current restrictions in place) would have been if he'd topped a teen career.

"I now have medical proof that cheese does a body good."
I thought the slogan was Milk Does a Body Good.
"And what exactly is cheese made of?"
All right, you caught me.

Hey Angelica, wanna say goodbye for old times sake?
*BOO!!!*

Week 11

2009-03-10T12:30:00.000-04:00

Day 71 - Monday (Winter)

Let's start the week off on a completely random note. This has always freaked me out. I mean look at her stomach, that can't be good for the baby. No offense to EAxis, but the meshing on this is just weird, definitely could have been done better.

Skylar, feed the darn bird! Much as I'd love to be rid of it, the family will just spin up the want for another one if we let it die.

"Grandpa?"

"My time is coming soon Little Dudette, don't cry too much when it happens. Just remember, I'll be getting to be with Grandma again and I'm sure she'll be excited to hear all about you."

"Wow! Did you see Cedar? I didn't trip!"
"You really are doing much better Chalce!"

Wow! It really does pay off to be mature!

"I'm home with a promotion!"

Yep, and as soon as that car leaves you can hop in the restored car and go try to get another one, just like your mother used to do!

"Yes, I'd like to stay home with my children now."

Wow! You're almost as big as I was when I was pregnant. Course, I was addicted to Kraft Dinner with my second child and homemade chocolate chip cookies with my third.

"That one little game of darts pushed me into PLA!"
Personally I think that PLA makes things a little too easy.

Welcome home Mr. No Expression, I see you had a good day at work!

"I did it! Two promotions in one day!"

Yup, now you and Gordon just need to both get promotions tomorrow and you're free to go. Better go earn that last cleaning point.

"Excuse me Ms. Mouse-Clicker Lady? Isn't someone supposed to teach me how to do this?"

Oops! Sorry about that Chalce! I forgot that today was your first day of school. I'll have someone teach you tomorrow, ok?

"Alright, but this is awfully hard stuff."

"Here I grow Grandpa! Watch!"

Cedar, don't turn around, there's a reason your Grandfather isn't watching.

"Grandpa don't go!"
"Grandpa you can't go till I hug you, wait!"

"Sorry Little Dude, Little Dudette, but your grandmother's waiting. I'll come back and check on you all though."

"I'll miss you Daddy."

"Maxi's here, better make extra sure no one breaks any rules."

Gordon is the only one who can be trusted to make supper tonight. He and Gordon barely acknowledged each others existence, so he won't leave the food on the stove to burn while he has a crying jag.

Sorry your birthday wasn't the best ever Cedar. So what do you want out of life?
"I want to have 6 Grandchildren, and be the best grandfather ever, just like Grandpa Skylar!"
So what kind of wife are you looking for then?

"A really logical red-head, just like that Dr. Scully that Grandpa told me about, and she can't be too fit either."

Day 72 - Tuesday (Winter)

1:12 a.m: "I know it's been a busy night, but it's time."

Welcome Chrysolite LaFeuille.

Chrysolite is a variety of olivine and is supposed to invoke the sun and grant dignity and charisma.

"Yay! Another daughter!"
OMG!!! You just showed emotion! Are you feeling well? Should you go lay down?

"My daughter so rocks! An A+ without anyone having shown her how to do homework!"
Yeah, now go help her with today's assignment.

The only time Gordon shows any emotion seems to be when it's about his daughters. He used to get excited about Cedar, but I haven't seen it in awhile.

Remember to thank your Aunt Beryl after for inviting her over for you.

Personally I think his ideal date would be Professor Butters, but I don't things are Squeaky Clean enough around here for her.

Once more with the Tuesday Madness. I know exactly how you feel Rowan.

"Marina! You're late, what kept you?"

"One of my sons did something incredibly stupid and I had to deal with Raikov, and then I had to call in some help to deal with Carlos. There's a lot of trouble in Sierra Plains at the moment."

It's 2 a.m before Beryl manages to get that last cleaning skill, but luckily Gordon is now fully energized and can go meditate and take care of Chrysolite while she takes his spot in the bed.

Day 73 - Wednesday (Winter)

"This place is always such a dump Wednesday morning!"

"I'll take care of the plumbing and bathroom cleaning on this floor for you before I leave for work, alright dear?"
"You're such a sweetheart! I promise to keep the kids out of your hair when you get home so you can skill build, how's that sound?"

"Sounds like heaven!"

Err, guys? Hello? Chrysolite is screaming. Will someone please change her?

"I did it! I did it! Can I leave now?"

Not until Gordon lifts Military, but I do have some good news for you. We can now have more than one phone and computer, and the computer is now a computer not a glorified typewriter. We can now have lights, cellphones, insecticides, train sets, Knowledge LABs, trash compactor, and you've unlocked an aspiration reward. Smart Milk or Thinking Caps.... Hmm, can I think about it? No? Alright, I guess we'll go with thinking caps since they can be used to help toddler skill and can be used by teens and up for general skilling as well.

You just lifted Military restrictions and yet you still have no facial expression? Your kids can go to college now you know. And visit community lots once they have enough body points. They can invite over anyone they like, and as long as you stay a General you've supressed Intelligence which means Sims can bring friends and people can have secondary aspirations. No telescope options still because of Music, and between you and Beryl you're two steps closer to vacations.

"So can I leave now?"

Well, actually you have to wait for the game servers to go down Tuesday and then you can move out. Don't forget though, I said that once you weren't living in the main house I was willing to cheat enough to give you as much elixer as it takes to make you as young (or younger) than Rodney, so what's six more days, right?
"You're not the one stuck living with your two sisters, your brother-in-law, two neices, and a nephew."

No but I'm stuck living with my own kids and my husband, that count?

"Here you go Lydia, maybe you can find some use for these."
"What is it?"
"The original barbecue and a full wastebasket."
"Gee whiz, thanks!"

Goodbye Grey. I could have sworn that I installed the patch that stopped birds from dying while the game was paused. Oh well, if the family wants another one they've got more than enough money.

"The table is in the way again!"
Have you ever considered putting the book back in the bookcase?

I think I may have gone a little overboard with the lighting, but I figure no one who lives here has ever seen a light bulb before, they'd probably be very excited about it and overdo it themselves.

For all that Chalce is supposed to be the nicest sim ever, she hates Chrysolite and can barely stand her Aunt Beryl. Probably because Beryl doesn't bother hiding the fact that she can't wait to move out. The only solution to this is to force them to spend time together. Eventually they'll have to find something they have in common.

You're doing awful well in this job Bay, unless Architecture is on the computer Tuesday, I think you're staying here until you've lifted Gamer.

Day 74 - Thursday (Winter)

Every morning without fail there is exercising.

Bella, don't you think you should take care of Chrysolite and clean the house before you play video games? I mean, I know I have no room to talk, but I don't have a demi-deity ordering me around. At least, I don't think I do.

"Can I have one?"
Not until Architecture is lifted and we have enough space for a landing pad.

"Honestly Bella, I love Chrysolite, I really do, but you have to learn to change your own daughter's diapers, I'll be gone soon you know."

"But by the time you move out she'll be out of diapers."
"What about when you have grandbabies?"
"Their parents will change them?"
"Just like you change Chrysolite's diapers?"

"I really wanted to give the family more room."
I'm still thinking about it.

It figures that Cedar would be the one that helps Chrysolite with her birthday toss. Everyone else just ignored the fact that it was her birthday, including her parents.

"Welcome to our home Nemo."

I've had people say that my sims where the most prosperous they'd ever seen. Well, Nemo has me beat about 200 fold.

"I thought they hated each other?"

Have you ever seen anyone turn down a snowball fight? Aren't you happy about your second promotion of the day?
"Not especially, I feel like each promotion makes my chances of getting a job in Architecture that much slimmer."

Can't argue with you there.

Happy Birthday Chrysolite! Yay! Another Virgo! (9,4,6,3,5).

Hmm, I guess that means that the heirship is between you and Cedar, but we won't rule out Chalcedony just yet. Looks like we may have another heir vote in the near future, although I suppose it can wait until college. Or at least till you're a teen and we can get a better idea of facial features, although so far this family hasn't thrown a single average looking sim, let alone ugly.

"We don't worship the Potty God like some families, but it's still polite to be respectful of other people's religions, so make a nice pooty in the potty, 'k Chrysolite?"

"Cedar funny!"

"Yes! I get to wear the first thinking cap!"
Yeah yeah, now go skill.

Thinking caps aren't quite as fast as smart milk, but they get the job done!

Day 75 - Friday (Winter)

Love the matching jammies ladies!

The natural world may have heard his call, but I'm doubting it'll ever hear from him again.

You know what this means don't you Cedar?
"I'm buff?"

No, it means a trip to the one and only community lot left standing in Eden, Safety Zone. Time to buy electronics for the family! Yeah, I know they can't use the cellphones except on Tuesdays, but at least now I can tell which sim the phone is ringing for before answering it, and at the rate Bay is going the phone lines will be open soon anyway. As far as I can tell the gameboys are ok too, although I thought they'd be restricted under gamer.

Welcome to Safety Zone. It's another of the safe houses I built, converted to a community lot. While the staircases are much more sim friendly, in order to place them a lot of interior room was sacrificed, which is why the family didn't get this home. Except for level one each of the floors only has 40 squares, whereas the LaFeuille home has 56 squares per level.

First things first, electronics. 3 cellphones please, we'll need you and at least one other person to come at least once more to get the rest of them.

"Cool! A train set! Grandpa told me about these!"
Well, you can't have one at home until Architecture is lifted, they're just too darn big!

"Should I be worried about the zombies?"

No, your father helped the military come up with a formula that makes them fairly harmless now. They're still a bit dimwitted still, but they won't try to attack you. Honestly I think the military exaggerated their hazard level quite a bit in the first place. Your family has been living in that house for three generations and a zombie's never even stolen your newspaper, much less attacked someone.

Time to go home Cedar, there are no teenage girls or simselves here, and you don't have any wants about any of the available entertainments.

I know it's not what you wanted Bay, but you're doing so well, and think of how much easier the job search will be for your neices and nephew.

"Yay! Sister play with me!"

Only because I made her. It's the truth too, Chrysolite is ready to be best friends with Chalce, but Chalce barely acknowledges that Chrys exists.

Cooks with less skill than you have cooked safely in this house, but you just had to go and start a fire didn't you?

Put it out and try not to catch fire while I try to keep the rest of the family upstairs.

"I think the cheesecake is still edible!"
*sweatdrop*

"You know Chrys, you should have been my daughter, not Bella's."

Day 76 - Saturday (Winter)

Sometimes it's easy to think that Cedar is Chalce and Chrys' father. He's much more concerned about them than their parents are and spends much more time with them.

"Where Cedar? Want Cedar, not Mommy!"

Cedar's busy working on scholarships pumpkin. He's got to earn as many as he can since Tuesday is the only day he can apply for scholarships and leave for college, unless Aunt Bay manages to top gamer. Just to be safe he'll be leaving Tuesday unless she tops it before then.

"YOU!!! Your family has broken a ton of rules! I oughta run you out of town!"

"They were all accidents Maxi! There are so many rules! And none of the rules we broke really gained us anything. The Mouse-Clicker Lady is even keeping track of all the rules she broke. She muttered something about posting them so people could see them all."

"I'll let it go this time Mrs. LaFeuille, but I'm watching you!"

At that point Maxi decided that poker was more interesting than Bella and the charlatan showed up, so it was decided it was best to go home.

Pay attention Generation B, you'll notice that Cedar has no issue with the table because he has every intention of putting the book in the BOOKCASE. On a side note, I'm beginning to wonder about him and Chalce. They constantly spin up wants to eat grill cheese. If Intelligence is still suppressed when Chalce becomes a teenager I think I'll give her Grilled Cheese for a secondary aspiration.

Bay? You look.... happy?

"Well, I thought about what you said, and since I've already reached my PLA it doesn't really matter if I get my LTW too, and this way I really will be helping the family out a lot."

In that case, you'll be happy to hear that you only have two promotions left to go.

"Awesome!"

"I hope this doesn't start another fire, but I just have to have some Baked Alaska."

Day 77 - Sunday (Winter)

It's a good thing that Cedar is studying for college, because this is the only time he spends with his father. Knowledge sims are good parents usually, put this pair is not the best. They just don't have that much of an interest in their own kids.

So which skill was that Gordon?
"Cooking."
How many more skills left to max?
"Two."
Hmm, not much for talking today are we?
"No."

It was a very quiet Sunday with everyone skill building until it was time for Chalce's birthday. Chalce was an incredible child, she managed to earn 9 1/2 body points just jumping rope.

So? What's the damage?

"If you're asking about my life choices as a teen, I'd like to become a Business Tycoon, and my husband should be a creative man with custom hair, and he'd better have a job."
Wow, even your attractions suit your new Fortune aspiration. Did I mention that I'll now be choosing your secondary aspiration and that it'll be Grilled Cheese?

"But I'll get fat!"

No, you'll just have to work out a lot. It's your own fault for wanting to eat grilled cheese all the time as a child.

Looks like we have another ballerina in the family. Oddly enough her first teenage want wasn't to earn money or get a job, it was to get fit. I guess she's watched her mother and her aunt's weight yo-yo too much.

And that's your final body point! Still need to work on reaching maximum fitness though.

I have no idea whether reading to the rugrats actually increases their intelligence or not, but since Chrys didn't get any smart milk, it's worth a shot.

Yet another hobby plaque for our walls. I think yoga looks so much cooler in the ballet outfits!

I'm happy you're fit now, but what's with the face?

Say Goodbye Gordon.
"You can't quit now! It's Chrys' birthday tomorrow!"

Yes, and yours too, but I have to quit now and upload this week for the readers, then I'll come back for the birthdays, now say goodbye.
"All right, 'Goodbye', now hurry up, upload the journal, and get back here so I can watch my daughter become a child."

Huh, you didn't even notice that Chalce became a teen because you were too busy playing chess.

"I was on my way upstairs to congratulate her when you stopped me and forced me to say goodbye, now go away so you can come back soon."

ARGHHH!!!!

Week 10

2009-03-08T08:00:00.000-04:00

Day 64 - Monday (Winter)

Not the best start to the week, but at least it's nothing catastrophic.

"I'm home without a promotion again!"
Gah, you really are going to be an old lady before you can leave.

"Thanks Aunt Bay! Dad's busy studying real hard so he can become a General and help Aunt Beryl be able to move out, Grandpa's sleeping, and Mommy's still at work."

Sometimes I wish that your life dream had been to be a Scientist Bella. Your sister is moving so slow it's unbelievable.

Does it really take all three of you to pick her up?

It's amazing how they all return to cheer for their bed. Hence the reason it was so important than Angelica start off with the most expensive comfortable bed available. This way, no angry ghosts when I upgrade things. In a few generations. On a side note, Angelica's got to be the most harmless ghost ever, she didn't frighten anyone at all, just wandered around the lot aimlessly.

"I am NOT changing her."

Good, eventually your going to be the grandmother stuck doing all the nitty gritty of baby raising.

Day 65 - Tuesday (Winter)

Yay yay yay! You both got promotions! And you brought Rowan for a visit! Good little simmies!

"Whose your Mommy?"
You so rock Bella! Zen hugs for you!

(I stole it from Anne McCaffrey, "the hugs that you would get, if we were there, if we could hug you, but we aren't, and we can't" from her book The Ship Who Searched)

Bella just unlocked high school (with body L10) and college (if Military is lifted). Sims can now 'pass-on' business perks and instruct others in hobbies. Best of all, I don't have to roll aspirations anymore, although I probably still will, and if adventure is ever lifted we have access to the most powerful career reward ever, the bookcase!

Great place to grow-up Chalcedony, argh!

Eek! Your mother's genes won out this time (2,2,10,3,10). A nice enough sim, but too playful to meditate and sloppy as sin.

Eventually Tuesday Madness ends, the guests go home and the LaFeuilles all go to bed with none of their wants for the day fulfilled. Tuesday sucks.

Day 66 - Wednesday (Winter)

"Wooo! Snow Day!"

You wouldn't be so excited about it if you knew you'd be skilling all day. We're not going to let your mother's hard work go to waste, so start jumping kid!

"Upsy-daisy Chalcedony! Can't let the last bottle of smart milk go to waste little dudette!"
I thought dudette was sexist?
"Not when it's my grandbaby.

"Hey Sis! Guess what! I reached my PLA sometime during the night! I'm sure I'll get promotions now."

Aunt Bay took over the toddler skilling when everyone else had to leave for work. Still no job openings in the paper. Good thing she won't mind being the old maiden aunt. Bay may be the best toddler skiller ever! She taught Chalce all four skills in one morning. Of course, it helped that Chalce's parents were at work, so Chalce actually spun up the wants. Yep, I'm nicknaming her Chalce because Chalcedony is a lot of typing, plus, it's an awful big name for such a little girl.

I hope you befriended Marina before inviting her in?
"Sure thing"

Marina is probably my second favorite writer. Who's my fav? If she ever wanders by I'll let you know. One of these days Rowan may end up stealing Marina's clothes though!

Goodbye Smart Milk, we'll miss you.

Well, that was rather pointless, he already has a membership at that club.

"I told you I felt much better now!"

Day 67 - Thursday (Winter)

Architecture is just not showing up, so Gamer will do for now. Really, either is fine with me.

"Slow and steady, that's the way."

The only reason you're not barreling up the ladder the way Bella did is that you seem to find it impossible to stay platinum for more than five seconds.

"Dad! Dad! An A+! Dad! Dad!"
"Hmm? That's nice son, now shoo, Daddy's studying."

Another great writer, Michelle Fobbs. Welcome to our version of hades.

Bella? Is that you? I'm not sure the readers are going to like this development Bella.

"Pah, all they care about is the pie, I'm sure of it. I'll keep eating my delicious pie and just do yoga when I'm bored. Or maybe I'll just eat the pie filling. It's gotta be the crust that's fattening, right?"

Day 68 - Friday (Winter)

NOOO!!!! Angelica built that cars! Get him Skylar!
"Can't Dude, there's a wolf in the way."

"Wah! I don't want to be best friends with Aunt Bay, I want to see the robber's ghost."

I hope you enjoy rebuilding cars as much as your mother did Bay.

Bay is fortunate though, she doesn't have to do all the work herself. This time it'll be a family project.

"Thanks Bella, this'll go a lot faster with you helping."

"I'm getting so close I can almost taste freedom!"
Don't get too cocky, you still have 3 more promotions to go.

Nice job Beryl! Your mother would be proud. I like the flame detailing.

"Why is this blasted table always in the way?"
It wouldn't be in your way if you didn't insist on leaving your book on the floor.

Day 69 - Saturday (Winter)

I know what you've been doing! You realise of course that you'll have to quit your job?

"I have to do this for HOW long?"
10 body skill points buddy, keep jumping.

"I taught her how to Button Mash you know!"
I'm sure Michelle.

"Yay, stinkies be gone soon!"

Hmm, taking after Mommy dear?

Gordon? I know it's hard to tell them apart when their eyes are closed, but that's not your wife in your bed. See? Bella's over there meditating. I think you guys may be taking this close family thing a little too far.

Day 70 - Sunday (Winter)

Who needs a gym when you've got the graveyard?

Looking good Beryl, Rodney's gonna be drooling next time he sees you!

Gamer was the original plan, you still sure you want Architecture instead?
"If it comes up soon."

"Come on little Dudes! Fitness is the way to go!"
"But Grandpa, it's hard..."
"Man Grandpa, Chalce is really bad at this!"
"Not cool Little Dude, your sister is just starting."

Congrats Gordon! You finally maximized mechanical!

Say Goodbye Bella.

"But I wasn't even around the last few days! I only waved you over here to let you know that my belly's about to pop again."

Chalce, will you say goodbye to the readers?
"For really? I get to say goodbye?"
If you hurry up and say it.
"Bye Everyone!"
Good girl.

Week 9

2009-03-06T18:35:00.000-05:00

Day 57 - Monday (Winter)

For all of his previous perviness, Gordon is turning out to be a decent father. He still thinks only of skilling, but he has no fear of changing diapers or being spit up on.

"If I can't have a child of my own, then I'll just have to make sure that I'm the best Aunt ever. Besides, with Bella and Gordon for parents he'll need me."
Hey! I'll have you know that Knowledge sims tend to be great parents!

Bribery, the best way to make friends. Not really, but hey they need people who will say they're friends. Who cares if they're leeches.

Really? You brough him home with you?

Angelica will be passing over soon and the family can't keep relying on her friends, so for the first time in their lives they're actually having to make their own friends.

Here we have one of the flaws of incredibly small bathrooms. Poor Skylar is now stuck in the shower until Angelica is finished her business.

Day 58 - Tuesday (Winter)

Go Beryl! I seriously can't wait for Gamer and Science to be lifted so that the computers are available again! At least if Beryl lifts Science we'll be able to have a better shot at jobs on Tuesdays.

"Gordon? Sweetheart? It's Tuesday, you should be upstairs socializing."
"I just gotta earn this last body point first baby, then I'll come up."

Good job Gordon, now get your butt upstairs and play nice with the townies.

So how's the pie Blue?
"Well, it's not blueberry, but other than that, it rocks!"

Welcome home Beryl! If you hurry you might be able to check some men out and socialize a bit.

"Beryl, you're squeezing all the air out of my lungs, loosen up a bit girl!"

"I'm all grown-up now Rodney, and I've been waiting for Tuesday so I could see you again. I know you thought it was just a teenage crush, but it's so much more than that."
"I never thought of you that way when you were a teenager, but suddenly I can't keep my hands off you."

Yup, here's a sim who is at least aware of the oddity of his universe.

SHEA!! How dare you make Angelica cry! That's it, you're never getting into this family now boyo!

Just a shot of the Tuesday madness for all of you. Sorry it's a bit distorted. It's a good thing I took it, because I then realized that Bay was hiding in the upstairs dorm. No way my dear, get down there and socialize your little butt off.

Day 59 - Wednesday (Winter)

"Does this job ever give me decent hours?"

Eventually. Besides, I wouldn't complain, while you were gone Angelica, Bay, and Beryl spent the morning cleaning and repairing all the toilets.

"How come I have to workout? You don't make Bella work out!"

Because Bella's everyday clothing covers more than yours and I'm sick of looking at your muffin top.

Uh oh! Looks like we have another stalker. Congrats on the promotion. How would you feel about having another baby?

"Really? You don't think the house is too full?"
Of course I think the house is too full, but I'm willing if you are.

Aww, how sweet! It's not really surprising though. Angelica spends most of the holding Cedar or stuffing a bottle in his face.

Time to grow up Bay!
"But everybody's watching me..."
Why don't you just enjoy the fact that you're the center of attention for once?
"Because I'm afraid something awful is about to happen."

"Oh my, it iz another Knowledge zim brought low by ze apocalypsy."

Cedar had a much happier birthday, which I almost missed because I was so engrossed with Bay's mental collapse. Cedar has an awesome personality, so I guess that little breeding experiment worked! He's a Cancer with 9 Neat points and 10 Active. Hurray!

As soon as you've eaten I'll put the computer upstairs for you and you can start working on that creativity point you've wanted for the last week dear. Although the fans seem to think that Bella is the prettiest, I've always considered Bay to be my favorite even if she didn't get as much screen time as her sisters initially.

"Who's Mommy's clever little boy?"
He is too! He learned to walk, talk, and most of potty training on his single bottle of smart milk.

"Sleep tight little Dude!"

Day 60 - Thursday (Winter)

Goopy, you better put that bird back in it's cage and close the door when you're done if you don't want to meet with an unfortunate boolprop "accident".

You see what I mean about Gordon being a decent father? Even though he'd love to skill build, he's also very interested in teaching his son things.

"He's definitely a stalker, but at least he's an easy family friend to keep!"

"Either the cafeteria food was worse than usual today, or I'm pregnant."

I think Cedar may be a little too popular for his own good. I had no idea the Wabbit could trap so many sims.

"Will this drudgery never end? I want to move out and get married."

There are only two things blocking your way Beryl. Gordon is doing his part, but you really have to start going to work in a better mood if you want to lift Science before you're an old lady.

For crying out loud, will you two take a break please?!

I have no idea why Angelica suddenly wanted to learn Couples Counseling, but who am I to argue?

Day 61 - Friday (Winter)

See Bay? You're just as talented as Bella.

Gordon, would a facial expression kill you?

I knew I could count on you Bella, I don't think you've ever come home without a promotion! Of course it helps that she's reached Platinum Lifetime Aspiration. Err, that's to say perma-plat without having achieved her lifetime want.

That's all your skills Bay, now what do you want to do?
"Buy a green energy source."
Okay, I'll go check my rules.

After checking my rules I didn't see anything about Green Energy being restricted, but I did notice that I've been breaking one rule for a long time. Hunt Bugs is restricted under Natural Science. Oops! Oh well. I'll delete their collections and stop making poor Beryl get stung by mutant bees. She may actually be happy about that part.

"Rodney, save me from the evil diety who makes my life so miserable and forbids us being together!"

"So Mom, I was thinking, all these strange people keep showing up and inviting us to these 'secret' lots, but we can't go anywhere because the Military has everyone under house arrest, so what's the point?"
"Darned if I know dear. Some people just refuse to acknowledge that the world has changed."

Day 62 - Saturday (Winter)

This is why you never hear anything about what goes on during the day. That's all that happens.

Gordon, please, just a little emotion?

Beryl needs a new hobby to generate wants. Honestly gaming is a better choice, but she still needs to get rid of that muffin top. Bay's just keeping her company, plus I get a giggle out of her leotard.

"Congratulations Angelica LaFeuille, you've just won an all expenses paid trip to the After Life!"
"But I haven't packed yet!"
"We've done it for you, now let's go."

Angelica's death hit the family pretty hard. Bella had a hard time helping Cedar cope with his grandmother's death when she couldn't really cope with it herself.

Her death seemed to have snapped something in Skylar's mind, whenever he wanted to mourn her he stood in front of the stairs blocking access to the house while he bawled his eyes out.

I think it may have affected Baryl's mind too. I'm not sure that the night your mother dies is the right time to propose to your boyfriend.

Bay was probably the worse. She just went around crying for days. She never inconvenienced any one with it, just found herself a corner and sobbed her heart out.

Four hours later, Bella went into labour.

I was tempted to name the baby Angelica, but that would mess up my naming system. Instead I named her Chalcedony. Traditionally it's a powerful healing stone, so I thought maybe Chalcedony could help her family heal from her grandmother's death.

Day 63 - Sunday (Winter)

So far Bay has had no luck in finding a job in Architecture. Bay likes to pull her weight though, so she's decided to help out those who do have jobs by making some friends now that we've lost all of Angelica's. Personally I've always loved Marylena anyway.

"I will escape this house and be free!"

"Look Mommy, I'm Elvis!"

Yay! Another simself to befriend! Everyone say hello to TiffanyK. I'll be adding links to all the simselves sim pages and story topics at boolprop to Nightrowan Sims shortly, so keep checking to see if that link page is active yet!

Nice duds little dude!

Say goodbye Bay.
"...zzz..."
Oh right, um, Bay says goodbye.

Week 8

2009-03-04T09:47:00.000-05:00

Day 50 - Monday (Winter)

Welcome back to Eden dear readers! I'd like to thank everyone who voted in the heiress poll. I was actually surprised that I got 15 votes. Didn't realise I had that many people reading! And the winner is....

Belladonna! She got 10/15 votes. Beryl got 3 votes (4 if you count my son Marc's vote) and poor Bay only got 2 votes. She really is overlooked.

"What? But I wanted to get married!"

Don't worry, as long as Gordon manages to lift Military, you'll be able to move out after lifting science and get married to some nice sim in your own home. In fact, I'll even be a little lenient and allow you some elixer of life so that you'll have more time with your chosen spouse.

"Wow I got two whole votes? That's awesome! And it's a snow day? Even cooler!"
Obviously the news that Bella was heiress didn't bother Bay half as much as it bother's Beryl.

"Dude, I totally maxed my creativity!"
Good, now why don't you go eat and stuff? Your needs are getting kinda low.

Beryl! Beryl! It's Gordon! Quick! Greet him!

Welcome to the family Gordon! Hopefully you and Bella will be happy together. Gordon is a Knowledge sim who wants to Max Out 7 Skills. As I mentioned before he's a Virgo with tons of neat points to fix this family's genes. (9,2,6,3,5)

"I can't marry her! She's just a teenager!"
Her birthday is tomorrow.
"Oh, well then I guess we'll see then."

The only opening today was in Dance so Gordon decided to keep his current job for now. In the meantime he'll start building up necessary skills like Body.

"Aaaahhhh! That's the third time today that those mutant bees have gotten me! Look at me! I'm covered in bee stings."

"Now about your cooking skills dear..."

"I already maxed those mother."

"Well, what do you need to work on?"

"Charisma, Cleaning and of course Creativity, but right now I'm more interested in earning a gaming hobby plaque."

"Really? Me too!"
Yeah, me three!

Might one ask why you developed a sudden interest in Couples Counseling?

"Well, you ARE forcing me into an arranged marriage. I thought it might come in handy if it turns out Gordon and I aren't really meant to be more than friends."

Day 51 - Tuesday (Winter)

It's visiting day once again, but most of our usual guests weren't home. Wonder where they all are?

"Heh heh, I'm gonna get lucky!"
Ewww! So gross. Don't make me regret letting you into this family.

For one blinding moment I thought everything was going to be ok...

and then she realized that she wasn't going to college...

"Frankly my dear, ze college, it iz, how you say, over rated. Look at me, I 'ave no degree and I iz doing fine."

"There is only one cure for something this crushing..."

"I like a little extra meat on my girl."
Excuse me, that is not the cure for crushing disappointments.

"Yes ladies, we all know that the cure for crushing disappointments is Cheesecake. Well really, it's any high calorie dessert."

Personally I love Stuffed French Toast from iHop or Hagendaaz Caramel Cone Explosion.

Well, at least her everyday outfit isn't too awful. Now we just have to figure out how to cheer her up.

Maxing out that final skill should help. A wolf sighting would be quicker, but this'll have to do.

At least Bay is having a better day than Bella.

Day 52 - Wednesday (Winter)

Poor Gordon, I forgot to take photos, but he had a chance card go bad and got demoted. To make matters worse he came home sick.

You know Bay, this thing of wanting to be like your big sister is getting a little out of hand. I don't think gaining weight just because your sister is overweight is very healthy.

I figure Gordon needs a pick-me-up and Bella is just the girl to give it to him. For an arranged marriage it looks promising. They've got a two bolt attraction and other than the fact that one of them is a neat freak and the other is a slob they seem to get along swimmingly.

With no jobs coming up in Education or Military yet, the happy couple has decided to get started with their married life, but in order to make room for possible children we need to say goodbye to Moonshine. I'm actually really sad about Moonshine leaving cause I love him, but nobody in the family ever plays with him. When they do roll up pet wants it's all about Kobe.

"They're getting married already? Aren't I kinda young to be an aunt?"
Not really. Especially not in an apocalypse.

Day 53 - Thursday (Winter)

Mmm, leftover cheesecake, the breakfast of champions!

Of course! Just because I'd given up on her finding the job quickly it was the first job in the paper when Gordon looked for Military this morning. Honestly, Military was a bit higher up on my list since Bella won't be able to lift education in time for it to do her sisters any good.

Finally! Poor Beryl has so few wants that do her any good that she was about to go into aspirational failure.

"Eew, this new job already sounds icky."
Yes, but since you didn't get to go to college you have to work your way up the food chain.
"You just have to rub that in, don't you?"
Um, sorry?

Sorry Bay, I was busy watching Bella build a snowman and I mixed your Maxed Cleaning.
"It's alright, I'm used to it."
Oh man, now I really feel bad.

Wow! Your first novel and it's a best seller? You haven't even maxed your creativity yet.
"And people wonder why I look up to Bella and am so used to being overlooked?"

"Are you sure that's how you make a baby?"
"Trust me baby, I've had practice."
"But you don't have any children so you must be doing it wrong."
"Well that's because it was just practice, I only want to have children with you."
Um, I'm not even going to touch that line.

Bay has one skill left that she can work on before she becomes an adult, her Charisma. After that, it all depends whether she spins up special skill wants.

"No cheesecake today Bella?"

"Nope, Mom told me it's dangerous to eat cheesecake if you're trying to have a baby. Besides, I'm not depressed anymore, so as long as it's got sugar I'm happy."

Day 54 - Friday (Winter)

Oh Bella I Love You!!! You're the first of my sims to ever show the Maxed All Skills doodad instead of just the single one for whatever skill you finished last!

Wow! This is a incredibly lucky week, I hope Beryl and Bay are this lucky with their jobs.

"Stupid school bus, taunting me with what I can't have. Can't that bus driver figure out that we're not young enough anymore for elementary school?"

Well, I'm glad that turned out well. It would suck to get fired on the first day of work.

Yay Bay!! What's even better for you is that I'm not going to make you meditate the rest of your teenhood away. It didn't prevent Bella from going into aspirational failure, so there's not much point to it.

Go Gordon! You the man!

"Gordon! How's family life treating you man?"
"Pretty good actually. It's a lot better than living in the community shelter, that's for sure."

"I did good right?"
Sure did buttercup!

Beryl doesn't have much left that she HAS to do during her teenhood, so I'm letting her see if she can accomplish something none of my sims ever has: a complete bug collection. Since she's not a Knowledge sim she really doesn't care about skilling and she's got most of what she needs for Science already.

Angelica now spends most of her time romancing Skylar, cleaning up after her sloppy children, and being paranoid about other sims reading her diary. Trust me dear, your life has not been interesting enough for them to snoop. No political scandals, no sexcapades, no shady dealings. If you're wondering why she and Skylar have a rising interest in music and dance when those things are banned it's because every time I think to go and check on them after ignoring them for awhile, I find them outside dancing together.

"I didn't realise that layer cake made you fatter than cheesecake!"
It doesn't Bella, maybe you should go talk to your mother.

"When your tummy gets bigger and not your bottom, it means you're having a baby dear. Didn't you hear the lullabye?"

"Yes, but what's that got to do with it?"
"That lullabye means that the Maxis gods have granted your desire for a child dear."
"Then where's the baby?"
"Inside of you. Three days after the lullabye a baby will pop out of your plumbbob dear."
"Oh! Well that's okay then, I can wait three days."

I love the education track, it makes planning her pregnancy easier, the baby should be born before Monday morning and there are lots of sims in the house to take care of it for her while she's at work.

Beryl, you'd think that by this point you'd know where all the nests are.
"They keep building new ones frammit!"

Day 55 - Saturday (Winter)

Time to get to work on that body Bay. You're way too pretty to be hiding in that soccer uniform and purposely gaining weight just to look more like Bella.

One more hobby plaque for Skylar. Who needs paintings? We're running out of wall space just for all the hobby plaques.

Oh oh, sneaky gypsy lady can only mean that she's about to deliver contraband to the house.

"Woohoo! I have brought you a lamp that you can not use! Maybe you should lift Paranormal!"

Unless someone dies in a really inconvenient spot it's just not that high up the list. Even if I lift Paranormal, my sims rarely call you, you batty old woman. Into the inventory it goes. Good thing I have a lot of sims to spread all this junk around.

At least I didn't get him fired.

"I still think pie is healthy, I'm sure this will help the baby be big and strong."

Outside, Beryl is working on her future romance with Rodney. Hopefully it'll all work out because she's not friends with many men.

"Dude! That totally means that I have like one skill point left to earn!"

"Oh my gosh! Bella was wrong about something! Being fit is awesome!"

"Oooh, those rings feel cool! And I never told Bay that being fit wasn't awesome, I said that pie is better!"

It's supposed to be a triple doodad, not a single Skylar.

Day 56 - Sunday (Winter)

Keep up the good work Gordon!

You know, I only sent you outside to make sure you didn't die inside, not so you'd freeze, although it would be interesting to see what the Reaper would do if he showed up and found you like that.

Darnit, I thought your birthday was tomorrow Beryl! Well happy birthday dear.

Of course, Skylar had to freeze too. Angelica thawed herself out enough to head inside for a shower, and Beryl had to give her father a hand.

Beryl! What in the world were you thinking to chose those clothes?

"Mommy!!! You didn't tell me it would hurt when the baby came!"

Oh my gosh! It's a boy! We've never had a boy before! Everybody say hello to Cedar LaFeuille.

"Hurray! I have a son!"

Say goodbye Belladonna.
"Goodbye Belladonna"
Argh, that is so over done and trite.
"All right, Goodbye everyone!"