NightRowan's Knowlton Prosperity

The Ubrupt End

2008-08-04T12:11:00.001-04:00

Well folks, sad to say, this is the end. Back around the beginning of July I had a very bad thing happen. You see, I had been contemplating back-up strategies, and had decided to go with Carbonite. Unfortunately when I went to download and install it I discovered that my internet was down (again). Two days (and still no internet) later, my H Drive, on which was stored my entire My Documents folder, crashed. I waited this long to tell you all about it because I was hoping to find a relatively cheap data recovery service. I did find one, but I'm looking at a minimum bill of $1000, which means I've put the hard drive aside for the moment and will have it restored after the next 4 VERY expensive months. I'm a mother of three, so let's see, school, halloween, halloween parties (2 because my two youngest can't go to the scary one I hold for the older kids), thanksgiving, christmas shopping, christmas parties... Do I really need to say more?

W6 - 6 Maple Square (Chalmers)

2008-06-12T23:59:00.010-04:00

A/N: Not much going on here right now, except the big prep for end of year and graduations. We did have a tornado that passed overhead the other day, but other than spending half an hour in the basement waiting for the all clear from my husband (he was on duty at the fire station) it was no major deal. It never even touched down, the most damage we had was a few larger than usual tree limbs on the ground. I'm so glad to live in a geographical area where our most frequent nature based problems are blizzards and ice storms. I know some people would term these natural disasters, but they're so much easier to deal with than earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes that I would feel horrible comparing them to the disasters that others have to deal with. So yeah, weather here is crazy, one day you're wearing your skimpiest clothes trying to cool down and then next you're wearing the big comfy sweater that you steal from your husband (who me?) but on the whole, we've got it good.

Previously at 6 Maple Square

Last week was fairly average at the Chalmers. Heath was mostly left alone with the Wabbit Head while he was a toddler so that his greedy mother could continue to paint. Phoenix made TOC in Paranormal and then switched to Education. Near the end of the round both boys had a birthday, which prompted the family to invite the headmaster over. Of course they got in, my sims always get in (barring glitches). More exciting, just before the round ended, Cadence managed to earn $100,000!!!

Tuesday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

First things first, hobbies...
Well, it seems that Cadence and Heath are into Sports...

Phoenix is into Tinkering...

and Chad is into ... SPORTS???

After having gotten rid of Karen, it's time for Chad to help Heath with his homework. This kid is way too serious for a teen, but I like it.

Way to go Phoenix, now hit the Robot bench please.

After many hours of tossing a football, Chad makes supper for Heath.
"Hey! I made spagetti, not hamburgers!"

I am still determined that someone from this house will be abducted, at least with Freetime I have a higher chance.

Wednesday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sorry Phoenix, I always take Veggies, and it's always wrong.

Wow, Pete sure gets around town! Why is that outerwear even available in the boys section? It just doesn't make sense, this isn't the 80's people.

Fine already, get a job, see if I care!

"Now he looks more like our kind of people!"

Not really, he's not even a good Knowledge sim, he never spins up wants to skill build, just sneak out and stuff like that.

Thursday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Sports Schmorts, I want to create marvelous beautiful pieces of art, not to mention sell them for outrageous amounts of money!"

One good, one bad, not too bad I guess.

Man Heath, you are one popular kid!

Well Hello to you too April, you lucky girl.

Friday (Spring)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Way to go Phoenix.

Sorry folks, this house is unbelievably boring this week, and possibly glitchy.

I hope you're happy now Chad.

Chad seriously fustrates me, he's as bad as Rowan. No Knowledge wants, but a lot of wants that seem more Fortune oriented. Get a job, earn a gold badge in Pottery/Florist, etc.

Saturday (Spring)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What is it with Fortune sims? They always let their spouses do all the hard work, and then claim Garden Club Membership for themselves.

I thought you two might get along!

Thanks very much Joe!

Cadence has FINALLY moved on to some rather ugly tea sets!

Phoenix has also moved on to bigger and better things. Don't forget about the garden Phoenix!

Sunday (Spring)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ouch, love denied.

Finally, Chad spent half the date crying because she wouldn't go steady with him.

Looks like she changed her mind though.

Yay Phoenix! You may now spend all the time you want on your hobbies.

I hate it when sims decide they want to work on more than one badge at a time, but since Cadence and Phoenix both have hobbies that are fairly hard on their needs, it wouldn't hurt if she could make snapdragons.

Cadence, I take back most of the nasty things I've said about you, you rock!

"I think I hurt myself working at the bench."
I don't think so Phoenix.

"Yay! I married Santa! Now I can get lots of expensive gifts!"
Err, ok, why not.

Phoenix Chalmers
Aspiration: Knowledge
LTW: Max Out 7 Skills
Personality: Neat-5, Outgoing-3, Active-7, Playful-3, Nice-7
Sign: Pisces
Turn-Ons: Makeup & Custom Hair, Turn-Off: Stink

End of Round Review

Cadence
Friends: 3 Family, 14 Non-family, 16 BFFs, 1 Love
Work: Icon
IW: $100,000 / $100,000
Skills: Cooking-6, Mech-10, Charisma-10, Body-10, Logic-6, Creativity-10, Cleaning-4
Badges: Gardening-Bronze, Pottery-Bronze
Hobbies: Arts&Crafts-10, Nature-2

Phoenix
Friends: 3 Family, 10 Non-family, 11 BFFs, 1 BF, 1 Love
Work: Education Minister
IW: 7 / 7 Skills Maxed
Badges: Gardening-Gold, Robotery-Bronze
Hobbies: Tinkering-9, Nature-4

Chad
Friends: 3 Family, 5 Non-family, 7 BFFs, 1 BF, 1 Crush
School: A+, Private
Work: Foreman
IW: 0 / 7 Skills Maxed
Skills: Cooking-8, Mech-8, Charisma-8, Body-8, Logic-10, Creativity-8, Cleaning-10
Hobbies: Games-1, Science-8, Sports-1, Nature-1

Heath
Friends: 3 Family, 3 Non-family, 3 BFF, 1 BF
School: A+, Private
Skills: Cooking-9, Mech-3, Charisma-8, Body-4, Logic-6, Creativity-10, Cleaning-2
Hobbies: Arts&Crafts-6, Sports-3, Music&Dance-5

Household Value: $147,028

W6 - 5 Maple Square

2008-06-08T23:59:00.000-04:00

A/N: Wew! Let me just say ahead of time that this entry was grueling. This is a huge family, in fact, I think it may the biggest I've ever handled. I'll apologize upfront, I know some of you really get a kick out of the scrapbook pages that accompany a birthday, but with so many birthdays in this family this week, I decided to use premade pages for all birthdays except the teens. Sorry folks, but those pages each take me about 3 or 4 hours to make. This is probably the only house where you will see me get that lazy, but the amount of birthdays this week was enough to kill a horse.

Previously at 5 Maple Square

Last time there were more nanny problems for the family and a lot of birthdays. Piper became a teen, and mere moments later Patricia and Benjamin became children. Good thing too since Aremis and Tina had been busy AGAIN. Piper studied all weekend and then was finally allowed some time to bond with her siblings right before Christmas arrived. The headmaster was invited but a glitch prevented the visit, after which, Piper left for Sim State University.

Tuesday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Is it so very wrong that I'd like to have some sims who are destined to be into Arts & Crafts?

Hmm, another tinkerer, it seems like my sims like to marry tinkerers.

"BFFs? That's awesome!"

Well, to me it's a bit of a childish thing, but I have no complaints because as it is my Popularity sims have very little time for their children since they're constantly trying to maintain their friendships.

"Mr, I really need my kids to get into Private School, so try not to get stuck like last time, ok?"

Good girl Patricia, show off for the Headmaster.

Of course, Amanda and Marcus decided to grow up right in the middle of the visit. I missed Amanda's grow-up all together.

Marcus at least had the courtesy to come downstairs to grow up.

RL-Marcus says there is absolutely no way a sim named after him is walking around dressed that way, so off they go for makeovers.

Amanda Rainseeker
Aspiration: Family
LTW: Have 6 Grandchildren
Neat-4, Outgoing-9, Active-4, Playful-4, Nice-6
Leo
Turn-Ons: Formal Wear & Makeup, Turn-Off: Stink

Marcus Rainseeker
Aspiration: Knowledge
LTW: Become Hand of Poseidon
Neat-4, Outgoing-10, Active-4, Playful-4, Nice-3
Leo
Turn-Ons: Fatness & Formal Wear, Turn-Off: Hats

Tina, I wish you wouldn't risk your life that way when you're carrying a child.

Wednesday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Snow Day!!!

FYI, Marcus is blue because when this house was built originally the upstairs bedrooms where built under the roof, which the game seems to read as outside. I went back and fixed it so that the roofs covering the bedrooms are actually made up of three parts and the outer wall is now a real wall not a roof wall.

I half think this family should start a band or a dance troupe or something. The only one currently living here who isn't into Music & Dance is Tina.

Ah Orlando, my old stand-by for Family sims, I'm so glad you wandered by.

Orlando is almost as easy as Meadow. He'd never even met Amanda before today.

Tina, your timing sucks big time!

"For crying out loud Mom! Not another baby!"

Welcome Elaine Rainseeker!
(named for my maternal grandmother)

Welcome Isabelle Rainseeker!
(named for one of my cousins)

For those of you counting along with me, that makes 7 out of 10 children, but time is running out for Tina, so she's turning to one of the strange glowing potions created by the Maxis gods. Yes, I know EA bought out Maxis, but this was created when Maxis was still in charge of the sims.

Now this is odd, Isabelle's shadow is floating above her instead of below her.

Not only does the family apparently have two nannies, which they can't afford, but they got the bad nannies, Kendal and Calista.

How in the world did you find time to earn a silver badge Tina?

Thursday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It seems a bit strange to me that little Miss Goth here turned out to be a family sim.

Thank the gods, you're home!!

Time to grow up those babies.

Then of course, the diaper glitch. It seems like most of the babies of Knowlton require two birthday cakes each.

Friday (Spring)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy Birthday Elaine!

Elaine Rainseeker
Neat-4, Outgoing-9, Active-4, Playful-4, Nice-6
Leo

The only good thing about the birthday glitch is that I can allow Tina to concentrate on Elaine for now, and do Isabelle after Elaine is down for a nap.

Cute, a toddler with a predestined hobby, not that I'm surprised.

Isabelle Rainseeker
Neat-4, Outgoing-10, Active-4, Playful-4, Nice-3
Leo

Yup, huge surprise there.

Isabelle actually required THREE birthday cakes. This is getting a little ridiculous. Tina should be very grateful to me, because she is the only family sim who will be getting to fulfill an impossible want.

Saturday (Spring)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ah, how sweet, they're going steady.

There's actually a lot more going on in this house than you, the readers, get to see. Most of the time I'm just too busy trying to keep everyone happy to take too many photos.

Time to go Marcus, this house is too full.

The one constant is that there is ALWAYS someone on the piano, and almost always someone using the barre. Tina on the other hand has spent the last few days toddler skilling and energizing.

Don't you two ever quit?

Why thank you very much Orlando! The family was getting fairly low on funds again!

Finally, a shot of the twins together.

Sunday (Spring)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Seeya later Alligator!
Your teen years were short but sweet, catch you in college.

Take a good look folks, because everyone in this shot is due for a birthday soon, plus Aremis who is currently sleeping.

"Hey! No fair! Why'd she get to grow-up first?"

"Hah! My hands are bigger than yours!"

Benjamin Rainseeker
Aspiration: Popularity
LTW: Become Media Magnate
Neat-4, Outgoing-9, Active-4, Playful-4, Nice-6
Leo
Turn-Ons: Great Cook & Good at Cleaning, Turn-Off: Red Hair

Patricia Rainseeker
Aspiration: Pleasure
LTW: Become Game Designer
Neat-4, Outgoing-10, Active-4, Playful-4, Nice-3
Leo
Turn-Ons: Swimwear & Great Cook, Turn-Off: Gray Hair

"College?!? But I just became a teen!"

Yes, and the house is still full, and your mother still needs to have 3 more babies. Off you go!

Guess, I should have let Patricia stay a bit longer, huh?

Elaine Rainseeker
Neat-4, Outgoing-9, Active-4, Playful-4, Nice-6
Leo

Isabelle Rainseeker
Neat-4, Outgoing-10, Active-4, Playful-4, Nice-3
Leo

Toodaloo Benjamin!

End of Round Review

Aremis
Friends: 10 Family, 24 Non-family, 32 BFFs, 5 BFs, 1 Love
Work: Ecological Guru
Skills: Cooking-5, Mech-10, Charisma-3, Body-10, Logic-10, Creativity-10, Cleaning-8
Badges: Gardening-Silver
Hobbies: Arts&Crafts-4, Nature-2, Music&Dance-5

Tina
Friends: 8 Family, 7 Non-family, 15 BFFs, 1 Love
Work: Conceptual Artist
IW: 7 / 10 Children
Skills: Cooking-8, Mech-10, Charisma-7, Body-5, Logic-2, Creativity-10, Cleaning-5, Parenting
Badges: Gardening-Silver
Hobbies: Tinkering-3, Nature-5

Amanda
Friends: 7 Family, 4 Non-family, 10 BFFs, 1 Crush
School: A+, Private
Skills: Cooking-8, Mech-8, Charisma-8, Body-8, Logic-8, Creativity-8, Cleaning-8
Hobbies: Nature-1, Fitness-1, Music&Dance-8

Marcus
Friends: 5 Family, 6 Non-family, 8 BFFs, 1 BF
School: A+, Private
Skills: Cooking-8, Mech-8, Charisma-8, Body-8, Logic-8, Creativity-8, Cleaning-8
Hobbies: Nature-1, Fitness-1, Music&Dance-7

Benjamin
Friends: 7 Family, 1 Non-family, 4 BFF, 2 BF
School: A+, Private
Skills: Cooking-8, Mech-8, Charisma-8, Body-8, Logic-8, Creativity-10, Cleaning-8
Hobbies: Arts&Crafts-4, Nature-2, Music&Dance-8

Patricia
Friends: 6 Family, 4 BFF, 2 BF
School: A+, Private
Skills: Cooking-8, Mech-8, Charisma-8, Body-8, Logic-8, Creativity-10, Cleaning-8
Hobbies: Arts&Crafts-4, Nature-2, Music&Dance-8

Elaine
Friends: 5 Family, 1 BFF, 2 BF
School: C, Public
Skills: Mech-10, Charisma-1, Creativity-1
Hobbies: Tinkering-6, Music&Dance-1

Isabelle
Friends: 4 Family, 1 BFF, 2 BF
School: C, Public
Skills: Mech-10, Charisma-1
Hobbies: Tinkering-6

Household Value: $105,685

W6 - Rainseeker Home

2008-06-04T23:59:00.015-04:00

A/N: Somebody save me, it's June! I'm sure a lot of you are going Yay! It's June! I on the other hand am besieged with things that I need to schedule into my plans. My two oldest sons both have graduation ceremonies this year (Kindergarten and Elementary, ie - Grade 6), Ben has a field trip, Marcus doesn't because the school refuses to allow him to go on field trips unless I can go along to supervise him. He's also got a dance and all the preteen angst that goes along with such things over getting the girl he likes to agree to go with him to the dance. Much as I'm the youngest Mom in his class, I really can't remember how 12 year old girls think, so I don't know what advice to give him on that front. I suggested that he talk to a 12 year old girl we know who he's not interested in for girl tips. At this rate, I'm actually looking forward to summer vacation, how insane is that?On a personal note, this is scheduled to go live on Martin's Birthday (RL-Grizou), so happy birthday honey!

Previously at the Rainseeker Home

Last week Billy returned to his ancestral home, which caused Neil, Sierra, Laura, Fraser, and Alegra to decide it was time to look for a new home. Daisy moved in and a wedding followed not long after. Apparently Daisy and Billy were rather busy at their wedding party, because shortly thereafter it became obvious that Daisy was pregnant. Bonkers had a rather depressing day and was given Pookie as a cheer up present. Of course, I'm sure that this means that the bear will attract every single visitor to the house.

Tuesday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, that was a no brainer.

It took awhile, but we finally found Daisy's predestined hobby. It's cool too, because this town doesn't have enough tinkerers. We need more artists too.

Ahh, you guys are so cute!

Wednesday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Ma'am? I think it's time!"

Heh, not bad, I was only off on my due date by half an hour.

Welcome Aliza Rainseeker!

Welcome Laurel Rainseeker!

"Hmm, so the tabs go at the front of the diaper?"

(This line is stolen from my step-father, who never had any children of his own, who reasoned that the pictures should go on the back since that's the part you can see when they're crawling around)

Karen here decided that she was still following Sierra's schedule, which meant that Billy had to reschedule her which of course meant he was late for work again!

Congrats Daisy! Karen wasn't too bad today other than being very late for work.

Uh HELLO? You're children can't even crawl yet, they're not going to come running out for hugs you ditz!

Thursday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wonder why this doesn't count towards tinkering, or was it just that even EA figured that it was just too uncool for fixing a toilet to be part of a hobby? From all the Sims 3 interviews lately, you'd think this would be right in with the potty humor they so proudly mention in practically EVERY SINGLE interview.

I have been dying to try this out. I'm so grateful to Daisy for being into tinkering!

Billy is actually amazingly easy going about it all. He does whatever I ask of him without whining and fussing and even seems to enjoy cleaning the house and caring for the babies.

Daisy, your taste in house guests leaves something to be desired.

For heaven's sake Mom! Give it a rest!

Friday (Spring)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You sure are a mean one Mom!

Go Bonkers! You've even managed to earn $10,000!

Happy Birthday Laurel!

Happy Birthday Aliza!

Aliza Rainseeker
Neat-10, Outgoing-3, Active-9, Playful-3, Nice-1
Scorpio

Laurel Rainseeker
Neat-10, Outgoing-3, Active-10, Playful-3, Nice-1
Scorpio

Let the toddler skilling begin!

I don't know what happened, but when I returned to the game Laurel had been given the same hair as Aliza. I think I'll change it back though since it looked cute before.

Saturday (Spring)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Karen is actually my favorite of the nannies, and even she'll let the kids practically pass out before she puts them to bed. It's so hard to find good help nowadays.

You're doing great Daisy! Keep it up! If you can top this career, then you can quit and stay home with the kids until they're older.

Now that's more like it!

Looks like Bonkers isn't too pleased about the new additions.

Sunday (Spring)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sorry folks, I just can't resist these shots, I love watching the twins play together.

Bonkers! Leave the poor kids alone, I'm warning you....

"Kitty! I want the kitty!"
Hah! I did warn you.

Coolness! The girls are best friends! We're not having any complications like a certain family in Pleasantville.

This works out rather well for Billy actually, since he's just a big kid himself.

End of Round Review

Billy
Friends: 8 Family, 17 Non-family, 26 BFs, 23 BFFs, 1 Pet, 1 Love
Work: Education Minister
IW: 53 / 100 Dream Dates
Skills: Cooking-10, Mech-8, Charisma-8, Body-9, Logic-10, Creativity-10, Cleaning-10
Badges: Fishing-Gold
Hobbies: Cuisine-1, Sports-5

Daisy
Friends: 3 Family, 12 Non-family, 15 Best Friends, 14 BFFs, 1 Pet, 1 Love
Work: Lieutenant
IW: 2 / 10 Children
Skills: Cooking-8, Mech-2, Charisma-5, Body-5, Logic-6, Creativity-6, Cleaning-9, Parenting

Aliza
Friends: 3 Family
Skills: Mech-1, Charisma-1, Logic-2, Creativity-7

Laurel
Friends: 3 Family
Skills: Charisma-2, Logic-2, Creativity-7

Household Value: $167,847

W6 - University - Part One

2008-05-31T00:00:00.003-04:00

A/N: You know, I tend to think that my sims' lives are pretty boring. Afterall, I never kill them in some sort of horrible accident, nobody gets amnesia, there are no mysterious characters planning who knows what. It seems I may be wrong though. Recently I had a friend over, who while she's very into the sims hasn't had much chance to play for various reasons. As I was trying to explain the Rainseeker family tree to her, it hit me! Knowlton really is a bit of a soap opera. I mean here you have sims marrying multiple times for various reasons, a woman with four children who never married, a romance couple that somehow remains monogamous, houses of all rainbow hues. Women who are so obsessed with a certain color that even their pets must match their household decor. A teenager forced to raise her younger brother and sacrifice her own wants for his good. And that's only the first four houses. I guess Knowlton isn't so boring after all.

Previously at Sim State University

Last year saw long time college students Loretta, Cora, and Lauren graduate, but not before inviting Piper Rainseeker to move into Whispering Winds. Piper's already managed to set her eyes on a guy she considers dreamy and fulfill all of her Uni scoring obligations, so now it's all about skill building, badge building and friendship building.

"What? I thought it was all about hanging out, making friends, and toga parties!?!"

We'll see.

"grumble, grumble, This is not partying, grumble, grumble"
Next time go to class when you're told to.

Ah hah! I was wondering what you're hobby would be. Couldn't figure this one out from her personality. Well, at least science is a nice change of pace, although it doesn't suit her airhead airs. Maybe it's all an act. I've met women like that. They're super intelligent but feel they need to hide it for some reason.

Hee hee, I love it when they make the ant face!

I refuse to take constant shots of Piper on the phone, so whenever she's not doing something else, you can assume she's on the phone.

As you can see, Piper's been moved. She'll start the Greek House here again which will be called Knowlton House. Whispering Winds was just getting too slow to play and half the time the students couldn't go to class. She did bring all the irreplaceable things with her. I also decided to give Piper a cheerleader's outfit like I threatened last time. Of course, as soon as she started Knowlton House it was Level 6, it's one of the benefits of having a Popularity sim as your founder, they've already got lots of friends (provided your helping them with their wants).

Ouch! That looks like it hurts.

"I just love your new outfit girl! It's cheerific!"

"I get to date HER?!!!"
Yes, provided you cheer her up.

Good lord you two are easy.

Poor Piper, as gorgeous as she is, she didn't have time as a teen for dating and this is her first kiss.

You know Jason, when Piper asked you to pledge and stay the night, I don't think this is quite what she had in mind.

Jason actually stayed after the date until noon the next day! Hoorah, now I can control him before they get married! Yeah, unlike in real life, my sims don't date much except my romance sims.

Jason Cameron
Aspiration: Popularity
LTW: Become Hall of Famer
Neat-4, Outgoing-10, Active-4, Playful-4, Nice-3
Leo
Turn-Ons: Underwear & Vampirism, Turn-Off: Fatness

Aww, they're so cute in their matching outfits.

Please, oh please, don't have ugly children after you get married. I'm taking a big chance on you Jason. It's not so much that he isn't good looking, I'm just wondering how his nose and mouth are going to turn out on Piper's children. Look at Neil. He's not bad looking, but his poor daughter, well, it's probably a good thing that she's a Knowledge sim. She's not ugly, she's just handsome. Her nose is just a bit too much on a girl.

Well, it's a couple of days later, and the bottom floor of the house has been renovated. Mostly, a lot of walls were taken down and the bathroom and the kitchen switched places. What is the obsession at EA with putting bathrooms in the center of the ground floor? Jason of course cares about none of this, he's just happy that the result gives him space for his barre.

I also finally got around to rebuilding the skilling room. Good thing too, because for some reason Jason and Piper keep spinning up wants to build their mechanical skills, despite the fact that it doesn't have anything to do with their hobbies or aspirations.

Piper's finally gotten enough enthusiasm to search for constellations. It's rather slow going because there just doesn't seem to be as much science type things to do during the day, not to mention she's still working on 30 Best Friends.

I think Nerissa has a hard time believing that this bombshell in a scanty nighty is a major science geek.

Good thing you discovered that planet Piper. See, the thing is, I kinda thought that moving her out of the WW would be the same thing as in the normal neighborhood where everything is sold off for you. Instead, she left with just the petty cash money was at about $22,000. That may sound like a lot till you realise that this house needed some BIG additions. We were down to about $49 before this. Jason and Piper just don't have the dedication of Cadence, Cora, and Tara towards harvesting money trees.

With two Popularity sims living here who both have the LAB benefit Hospitality, well, it's never an empty house.

Cool toy, where'd you get it?
"What this? No, it's not mine. It belongs to my older uglier sister."
You don't have an older uglier sister.
"You sure?"
Ah, yeah.

Go Jane! You show 'em that fat girls have moves too!

This was actually oddly coincidental since I'd just gotten around to watching Hairspray earlier in the day.

I guess Jason figures when you're as ugly as Lyndsay and you have as bad taste as Lyndsay, you need some special help.

Here's a sight I thought I'd never see. There's a party inside and a Popularity sim outside searching for alien life. Seriously though, this girl never wears clothes. I haven't seen her put on clothes except if it's really cold outside. Maybe she doesn't like her cheerleading outfit as much as I thought she did.

Way to go Piper!!

End of Round Review

Piper
Friends: 6 Family, 21 Non-family, 23 Best Friends, 21 BFFs, 1 Love
School: Biology GPA 4.0
IW: 23 / 30 Best Friends
Skills: Cooking-8, Mech-9, Charisma-8, Body-10, Logic-10, Creativity-8, Cleaning-8
Badges: Gardening-Silver
Hobbies: Games-2, Science-10

Jason
Friends: Non-family-8, 1 Best Friend, 1 BFF, 1 Love
School: Drama GPA 4.0
IW: 1 / 30 Best Friends
Skills: Cooking-4, Mech-4, Charisma-3, Body-6, Logic-1, Creativity-6, Cleaning-3
Hobbies: Cuisine-1, Film&Lit-1, Games-1, Science-1, Arts&Crafts-1, Sports-2, Nature-1, Music&Dance-9

Knowlton House Value: $14,845 Level 6

W6 - Belleosi Home

2008-05-27T00:00:00.001-04:00

A/N: Why it's OK to play sims when you're supposed to be playing with the kids. My two youngest sons (Ben-6 & Alex-3) just love to sit here and watch me play and make all the small decisions that I really don't care about, like what they should eat for supper, whether they should sleep in pajamas or underwear, what color that new sports car is going to be, etc. It's really adorable. Benjamin's actually worked out a menu for the Belleosi's for the entire week, although he only started planning on the Saturday of this sim week. Eventually they drag all of their Little People in here (we actually have almost all of the sets, it's ridiculous, but they're so cute and practically indestructible) and they play sims with them. Often enough their "sims" have the same name as mine and they act out cute little stories. Today was apparently Bethany's first day of school and she couldn't find her classroom, so a teacher came and helped her. Try explaining to my hubbie that playing sims actually is me playing with the kids, lol.

Previously at the Belleosi Home

Last week was family time at the Belleosis'. Sam finally spent some time with her daughter, and she and Jasmine decided to provide a little sibling for Bethany. While Jasmine was busy being sick all over the place and zapping her unborn child in the energizer Bethany grew-up into a lovely little girl and spent some time getting to know her relatives (I accidentally called Amber her Aunt, which she's not). Pete Belleosi made his appearance right before it was time to move on to the next house, so we'll definitely be getting to play with all the cool new toddler stuff!

Tuesday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You sure don't look like it's fun.

Sam may as well move into the greenhouse, she's always out here anyway.

More sports, hurrah.

Poor Bethany, she needs a nap now, because her mothers don't get home till 9pm, which means she can't learn to do her homework until then.

Welcome home ladies.

"Mommy! Homework Mommy! How do I do homework?"

Wednesday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Once more into the zapper for you Jas. Jasmine was up all night studying for new job.

Well, at least that means that Bethany will have someone to play sports with. It's not very often that Jasmine spends time with the kids nowadays, she's always busy skilling or painting. Enjoy this one brief shining moment Bethany.

Amazing, you spend more time with this one than the one you carried yourself.

Nobody says she has to stick to her predestined hobby, and she spins up much more Nature wants.

I love gardening, it's the only chore you can assign kids that they find fun.

Cross your fingers, this is the second birthday cake we've bought for Pete, the last one was botched by the dirty diaper glitch....

Happy Birthday Pete!

Pete Belleosi
Neat-5, Outgoing-8, Active-9, Playful-3, Nice-1
Gemini

Thursday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arghh! Pete has no wants, sometimes the FFS Debugger works, sometimes it doesn't. It's all very annoying. This happens to me almost every single expansion pack. Even after having updated all my hacks and even completely removing them, there are no wants for existing babies who become toddlers or existing toddlers. All the new ones will be fine, and it seems to fix itself when they become children, but there are an awful lot of toddlers in this town.

Basically, the plan here is that I get all of his toddler skills almost done, and then hope that when he wakes up from a nap he'll have rolled up some wants. In the meantime he can skill build.

At least my little slugger is doing well. She's spun up wants all afternoon and evening build up her body skills, and her energy level isn't going down very fast.

Friday (Spring)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Most of Thursday was lost to my struggle with Pete's lack of wants. It never was solved, but I'm resigned to just trudging through it now. As you can see, Friday is a bright new day.

Congratulations Jasmine. Doesn't she look stunning in this photo?

Samantha always amazes me. Life has dealt her some pretty tough knocks, and yet she's always happy and she never complains. Even now that she's an adult she still has to put the needs of everyone around her before herself, and she really doesn't seem to mind.

Neil, you're being creepy in a very Michael Jackson way, please exit the bathroom.

"Blocks go boom!"

It's very odd, but the only want I can count on from Pete is the want to build Mechanical skills. How strange.

Saturday (Spring)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Garden Club time. Jasmine, you ought to be ashamed of yourself taking advantage of all of Samantha's hard work like this.

You know that she's a zombie in sim clothing. I mean for heaven's sake, she just invited a toddler to hang out at a garage.

Ok, this whole Garden Club thing really had me intimidated at first, but it looks like it's not so hard afterall.

All together now: "Awwww"

My son Benjamin has decided that the Belleosis should always have hamburgers on Saturday, and since I really don't care, why not!

There you go folks! A toddler with maxed out Mechanical skills!

Sunday (Spring)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pete's now started spinning up only wants to build his Creativity, which should make Jasmine quite happy. The nursery already looks cheerier thanks to his efforts.

Where's Bethany? I'm sure you're wondering. Well, ever since Pete's birthday she's been obsessed with gaining body skills. Basically she's at this thing unless she's taking care of her needs, at school, or doing homework. At least she finally got smart and asked Samantha to help her reach her goal.

"Hug me people, I'm cute!"

You certainly are, and you got one of the new pajama sets from K&B.

Pete Belleosi
Neat-5, Outgoing-8, Active-9, Playful-3, Nice-1
Gemini

Yes, it's most definitely fun to have your sister wing that thing at you Pete. Why is it that you guys insist on playing football in the greenhouse. Seriously, they always play football in the greenhouse.

Something horrible must have happened, they're all eating supper together! You know, it's actually Maxis or EA's fault that my sim families rarely eat together. When they made that change in the programming that made the sims talk more at supper they made it too time wasting for everyone to eat together.

"Hmm, you know, this job is getting rather boring, let's see..... Dance! You know, I've always wanted to be a dancer, I've just never had the time."

Oops! Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt, I'll be leaving now.

End of Round Review

Jasmine
Friends: 3 Family, 12 Non-family, 2 BFs, 13 BFFs, 1 Love
Work: Acclaimed Muralist
IW: $62,329 / $100,000
Skills: Cooking-5, Mech-8, Charisma-8, Body-1, Logic-9, Creativity-10, Cleaning-3
Badges: Gardening-Bronze
Hobbies: Cuisine-1, Tinkering-1, Arts & Crafts-7, Nature-3

Samantha
Friends: 4 Family, 27 Non-family, 31 BFFs, 1 Love
Work: Flamenco Master
IW: 30 / 30 Best Friends
Skills: Cooking-8, Mech-8, Charisma-10, Body-10, Logic-9, Creativity-10, Cleaning-4
Badges: Gardening-Gold
Hobbies: Cuisine-1, Arts & Crafts-4, Sports-1, Nature-5

Bethany
Friends: 4 Family, 3 Non-family, 2 BFs, 3 BFFs
School: B+, Public
Skills: Cooking-2, Charisma-6, Body-10, Logic-6, Creativity-8, Cleaning-2
Hobbies: Cuisine-1, Sports-9

Pete
Friends: 3 Family, 2 BFFs
School: C, Public
Skills: Cooking-1, Mech-10, Charisma-1, Creativity-7
Hobbies: Tinkering-5, Arts & Crafts-4

Household Value: $122,321

W6 - Wetstein Home

2008-05-22T23:59:00.000-04:00

A/N: Gah, it snowed here, can you believe it? We're rapidly approaching the end of may and yet I still have to look at snow. There's a reason why Canadians have a reputation for being obsessed with the weather. To make it worse, my mother lives in BC and has been bragging since March about walking around in her tank top. I like to say that we have 7 months of winter, 2 weeks of spring, 2 months of summer, and some really odd weather that passes for fall. Usually this comment is accompanied by comments about body parts freezing off or burning off, but I'm trying to keep this fairly clean.

Previously at the Wetstein Home

Last week Serena was up to all of her usual tricks, and she finally made it all the way to 20 Loves and 30 Woohoos at the same time. I rather punished her though, because her final love was Komei. Meanwhile Cora and Lauren finished up their college experience. I refuse to summarize four years of college, but if you're really curious and you can't remember, or you skipped it the first time around here are the direct links to their college years. W5R9-College - Part One - Part Two, W5R10-College - Part One - Part Two.

Tuesday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Serena.... Serena..... Serena! Your daughter and her fiancée are home, aren't you going to go say hi?
"When I'm done in here. Tomatoes don't plant themselves you know."

Cora Wetstein
Aspiration: Fortune LTW: Become a Criminal Mastermind
Neat-2, Outgoing-10, Active-10, Playful-4, Nice-9
Gemini
Turn-Ons: Fitness & Swimwear, Turn-Off: Cologne

Lauren Knight
Aspiration: Popularity
LTW: Become Mayor
Neat-5, Outgoing-8, Active-6, Playful-3, Nice-3
Aries
Turn-Ons: Blonde Hair & Fitness, Turn-Off: Brown Hair

As you may have noticed by now, I'm rather obsessed with discovering my older sims predestined hobbies as soon as I get my hands on them. I did very well this time, I guessed everyone's hobby the first time out.

Lauren is into Music & Dance

Cora is into Fitness

Serena is into Sports

With that out of the way it's time to get our little Fortune sim a job. No Crime, so she took Art instead since it pays well and should help her get a lot closer to $100,000 in the meantime. Politics also wasn't an option and since Lauren really doesn't care if she has a job or not, I thought I'd wait.

Besides, she gets to play with the ballet bar! I love the ballet bar!

"I brought you a present Mrs. Wetstein. I hope you'll like it."
"I'm nobody's Mrs, young woman. Call me Serena. Oh, and thank you for the gift dear."
(Lauren gave Serena all the fruits, veggies, and fish of her labours at college)

Like a good daughter-in-law to be, Lauren decided to go to Woohoo Central with Serena and help her out. Unfortunately, she's a lousy cook.

The girls put in six hours and it was quite a successful day.

Looks like Cora put in a good day too!

Wednesday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey girls? Don't you think you're forgetting one little thing?
"What?"
You're not even engaged yet.

I don't think you needed to go quite so shiny with the ring, obviously she's going to say yes.

"Hush, don't ruin the moment."

"I want a real honeymoon!"

Rowan, don't you know it's rude to try to steal the brides' thunder? She just loves to irk me.

"I DO!!!"
"JINX!!!"

OHG! Look, almost all of the guest managed to actually watch the wedding for once!

"Yay! You cut that cake girls! We're hungry!"

I couldn't quite decide what to say about this photo. Do I comment on all the bridal dresses or on how happy the newly weds are? This was all totally spontaneous, but I just can't find the perfect phrase for it.

"To the airport James!"

The Honeymoon!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cora managed to find her dream job later that night when they had returned from a three day honeymoon that only took a few minutes. Sim world is strange.

Thursday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

While it's not a dream job, or a job in Dance, at least it will get a really good bookcase for the house, which in turn will leave more time for other things.

"Why is my violin silent?"
I don't know, but it's rather annoying.

"I love this new bookshelf. It only took me two hours to go from level 8 to level 10 in Mechanical."
Yeah, yeah, now go finish your stupid novel. I swear, after this, if you need a money fix, you can go back to painting.

Finally, Serena will be able to make perfect Cheesecakes!

Cora may never sleep again.

Cool! I got lucky, when I rolled for Serena's Secondary Aspiration (I am so sick of Romance) she rolled Romance again (man is she ever stuck on that), but we all know you can't be even more of a perv than a Romance sim already is, so Grilled Cheese it is!

Woohoo Central has had a renovation and it's working! I'm sorry there aren't more photos, but I'm too busy helping Lauren make sales!

Friday (Spring)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cora's novel is FINALLY done. It was title Harry Plopper, lol, thanks to my children's obsession with The Simpsons Movie.

Does anyone else think that EA is testing out their ideas for Sims 3 in the Sims 2 expansion packs? This whole bit about how the week went seems a bit more like the new system they're talking about. The LABs too seem somewhat similar.

Serena mostly just fishes or bakes when they're at the business now, but she's got a new uniform that I thought you guys would love!

Saturday (Spring)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Lauren, you've been such a help this week. I've built up this business for Cora, but she's too busy to put in the time required. I'd like to teach you all I've learned about running a business, I just hope we'll have have enough time before it's time for me to move along."

"Here's looking at me!"
Ego much?

"So, now that we're best friends, how about letting me join your club? My daughter-in-law and I have been working hard on the garden all day."

And Serena's in! I was worried for awhile. She over watered some of the flowers, and I forgot to get rid of the horrible flamingos before someone noticed them.

Sunday (Spring)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Can you guess what Cora's new Lifetime Want is?

"Mom, I want to know who my father is. I mean you DO know who my father is, don't you?"
"Well, I'm pretty sure I do....."
"Spit it out already! I want to know!"
"All right dear, it's Pao..."
"Pao? As in Pao our mailman?!?!!"
"Errr, yes, you see I needed an easy aspiration boost, and he was so convenient..."
And so the mystery was solved.

With that out of the way, it was time for Cora to bone up on the skills she would need to become a Space Pirate.

Finally! Lauren's been waiting for this opportunity for forever!

Sunday always seems to be home maintenance day around here. Cleaning, Gardening, Friendship maintenance, well, you get the picture.

And a date for Serena since it'll boost a failing relationship quickly.

Wow, one picture really can say a thousand words (or at least 59)! Let's see, Cora's topped her second career before Lauren's even gotten one. Whitney looks really funny in her powder blue suit with her mohawk and piercings, and Serena and Alvin are fast approaching the end of their date, *snicker*. Oh and Cora's reached the $100,000 mark. Once again, no want was spun for it, but I'm still giving myself the points.

Given the fact that Whitney loves anime she's probably loving this since it's the closest you're going to get in this world.

Hah! Time for Cora to finally put some time in towards the family business.

End of Round Review

Serena
Friends: 6 Family, 26 Non-Family, 30 BFs, 29 BFFs, 20 Loves
Work: Retired Hall of Famer
IW: 30 / 30 Woohoo, 20 / 30 Loves
Skills: Cooking-10, Mech-7, Charisma-10, Body-10, Logic-3, Creativity-4, Cleaning-5
Badges: Register-Silver, Restocking-Bronze, Sales-Gold, Gardening-Gold, Fishing-Silver
Hobbies: Cuisine-4, Sports-7, Nature-6

Cora
Friends: 5 Family, 12 Non-Family, 17 BFFs, 1 Love
Work: Space Pirate
IW: $100,000 / $100,000
Skills: Cooking-9, Mech-10, Charisma-10, Body-10, Logic-8, Creativity-10, Cleaning-8
Badges: Gardening-Bronze, Fishing-Bronze
Hobbies: Film & Literature-5, Arts & Crafts-4, Nature-5, Fitness-3

Lauren
Friends: 1 Family, 31 Non-Family, 30 BFFs, 1 Love
Work: Senator
IW: 30 / 30 Best Friends
Skills: Cooking-3, Mech-4, Charisma-10, Body-6, Logic-10, Creativity-10, Cleaning-5
Badges: Register-Silver, Restocking-Bronze, Sales-Gold, Gardening-Gold, Fishing-Bronze
Hobbies: Arts & Crafts-3, Nature-5, Music & Dance-8

Household Value: $143,013

Woohoo Central
Rank 8: Esteemed Establishment
Customer Loyalty Stars: 76
Business Value: $67,703

W6 - Luworld Home

2008-05-18T00:00:00.001-04:00

A/N: I'm hoping to start updating on a more regular basis, but don't hold me to it. Especially with summer vacation fast approaching. I realize that for a lot of my younger fellow simmers, summer means more simming time, but that's because you probably don't have kids yet. All of the simmers my age or older are probably looking at the approaching holidays with dread, and a touch of sadness for the loss of our sanity and our time with our sims, lol. Yeah, you can call me an ageist pig if you want to, but it's true. Once you have children, summer holidays aren't the same anymore. Instead they mean you have to play referee from 6am - 9 pm. Even if you go on outings or trips with the kids, you're still stuck being the stick in the mud. My husband keeps telling me we only have 15 more years to go. To me that sounds like an awful long time, and there's no guarantee that they won't try to move back in after college. Truthfully I love my kids, but they were little monsters today, and I'm feeling a bit frustrated with the whole parenting thing. On a happier note, I've brought back the more elaborate birthday scrapbook pages since everyone seemed to be loving them so much.

Previously at the Luworld Home

Last week at the Luworld Home, Monica and Grayson had the house to themselves for the first time in their lives, and spent most of the week doing things together. A lot of time was spent gardening and fishing, but they also made sure to keep the fire hot in their relationship. There's nothing like two elderly romance sims to show you how you don't have to lose the passion as you get older. Meanwhile, Loretta finished up her college years and headed home.

Monday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As you can see, Monica is extremely happy. You see, last time I played the Luworld Home (about 10 months ago) I promised Monica that I would find her some pink outerwear. Well I couldn't find any, so I made some (please don't laugh at my pathetic recoloring attempts, I'm better at objects, honest!). While I was looking for pink outerwear I did find her some new everyday clothing, complete with a wonderbra and control top panties! It's actually better than a nip and tuck since it's relatively painless.

Loretta Luworld
Aspiration: Popularity
LTW: Have 20 Best Friends
2nd LTW: Become Captain Hero
Neat-5, Outgoing-5, Active-9, Playful-8, Nice-1
Sagittarius
Turn-Ons: Cologne & Glasses, Turn-Off: Underwear

Monica wouldn't even let Loretta into the house until she'd changed out of the orange 'tutorial' sweater, so you don't really get to see her horrible clothing taste again. I'm sure everyone's eyes are grateful.

Hah! I had a bet going with myself that Loretta would be a sports sim! I'm dreadfully worried that most of the town is going to be into sports. The problem with that is that I'm not, so I'm not going to be able to make any good sports related comments. The only sports I'm into are horseback riding and hockey, neither of which is an option. Come on, I'm Canadian, you had to know that I was going to have at least a passing knowledge of it. I don't have a choice, most of my step-dads were into it, my brother is, and all of the guys I've ever dated have been. It's hard to ignore. Alas, once again the Canadians won't be going for the cup. They haven't won since I was a teenager, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

I'd have to agree with Monica, that's hilarious! It seems that I was rather lax in training Pinkie, and she was still missing Play Dead for a promotion. Hey! You try it, with so many sims, so many pets, so many houses, my poor binder just isn't up to keeping track. Especially since my two youngest children have a habit of coloring in it when I'm not looking.

Yes, it's winter, but Loretta was so excited about the pool makeover that she had to give it a shot. Good thing all the pools in Knowlton are heated.

Man, I'm really getting good at guessing which hobbies will appeal to my sims! I can't quite figure Grayson out though, so it'll have to be trial and error for him. He's mostly got a middle-of-the-road personality, except he's playful and somewhat lazy. Neither of those have an activity that combines both, so we'll just have to see.

Monica, didn't your mother ever tell you that running around waving your arms is the worst thing to do around bees?
"No, I don't have a mother, remember?"
Oops, ok, my bad.

Cool, now you can fulfill your 2nd Lifetime want!

Yes, Grayson has decided to help Monica out with her garden while he tries to find that one hobby that's perfect for him. After all, he's retired now, what better time to pick up a hobby.

Games, huh? Could be worse.

Tuesday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'd like to take a moment to thank prin6je for making these wonderful gardening signs. Monica and I love them, it's so much easier to keep track of her planting now.

"Why is it ALWAYS BEES!!!!"

I expect nothing less from you my dear!

Monica insisted we buy a tent (in the dead of winter) and then insisted that she and Grayson needed to 'break it in'. Romance sims, gotta love 'em, at least the ones who are capable of being monogamous.

I kind of feel bad for making Pinkie take a bath outside in the middle of winter, but they always get jammed up in the rather tiny bathrooms when they try to wash her inside.

Wednesday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I spent most of Wednesday trying to do something about the rather cluttered layout of the house. While it may suit Monica, it was driving me nuts. Just as I finished a chance card appeared.

Well, it was a foregone conclusion, but congratulations anyway. One question though, why is your new lifetime want to have 20 Best Friends when you already have 32 Best Friends?

Gee, I'm really glad to have such mature sims.....

"Do I know you? Oh wait, you're that girl that I got engaged to in college after only one date who never calls me, right?"

Well, I suppose I could move in anyway, after all, I did say I'd marry you didn't I?" Besides, this is a pretty sweet house. (She brought $14,000)

OMG!!! I'm gonna make you keep that outfit just for laughs, but we gotta do something about your hair and makeup honey.

Valerie Patch
Aspiration: Fortune
LTW: Become Business Tycoon
Neat-7, Outgoing-4, Active-1, Playful-8, Nice-5
Capricorn
Turn-Ons: Stink & Formal Wear, Turn-Off: Brown Hair
Predestined Hobby: Film & Literature

Many hours later, after a date, and some planning, it was decided that instead of having a big wedding, they'd do something small in the living room, although they both wore wedding dresses. No matter how huge a wedding they threw, there was no way they could invite all of Loretta's friends, and rather than offend those who couldn't come, they decided a private ceremony was the better way to go. I can't believe they didn't even invite Tara and her family though.

Here's another reason not to hold a Wedding Party. Fortune sims are more interested in their careers than their own weddings. At least she got lucky and found Business today. The chances of finding your dream career on the first day you look is becoming rather slim, especially if you're a college graduate which adds another possible four careers to the mix. It's madness I tell you, madness!

Thursday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Naturally, Valerie doesn't work today, and of course she spun up a fear of selling a pulp novel. She's only got 5 Creativity, so I thought it best to have her work with paint instead.

Truth be told, nobody works today, so Monica is off for a hike, while Grayson and Loretta toss around a football.

Oh great! I just found Pinkie's secret widdle spot. Look at all of those weeds! Why can't she pee on the sidewalk like most dogs. At least it just evaporates there if one of my sims doesn't spot it.

No Monica! Bad Sim! You may not have any kind of romantic interaction with him whatsoever, and your daughter already has too many friends.

"Yeesh!! I've only been back home for a few days, and yet I'm still stuck with all the cleaning!"

This just doesn't seem to be your day Loretta.

I hate to admit it, but this is a familiar site to my family. No! Not the ballerina outfit, the reading while doing anything and everything else.

Good Lord Grayson!!! Don't you even care that your daughter and her wife are making out practically in your lap????
"It's the closest I'll ever get to being with someone other than my wife, so let me get my kicks where I can!"
Ewww! Grayson, you are definitely getting even pervier as you get older.

"Again with the chores?"

Don't you whine at me Loretta Luworld, you broke it this time, so it's only fair you clean it up and fix it.

"Welcome to the family dear. With your love of pink you should fit in well here."

Hah hah! No more tricks for me!

Grayson, why do you continue to torment me by playing Sims 3 instead of SSX 3 which I don't care about?
"You make me live in a pink house. Even the bathroom is pink now! I thought you said I could have a white bathroom?"
I'll consider it.

Friday (Spring)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You know, this outfit actually really suits her!

One great thing about hobbies, Monica, one of the sloppiest sims I know, has suddenly decided that she must earn cleaning skills. Of course, she won't do it by cleaning, but at least she's interested.

Monica is really getting into the gardening, now if only she'd spin up the want to join the gardening club...

In fact, Monica's doing so well with the gardening that she's been given some fruit trees to take care of too!

I think Grayson likes Pinkie more than he lets on, he plays with her whenever I haven't asked him to do something else.

"One day I will have enough money to build the home theater of my dreams..."

Go Grayson! I almost forgot with all the hobbying that I wanted you to get a gold gardening badge too. Meanwhile, has anyone figured out where this 'read to sleep' option is?

Saturday (Spring)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's o'dark hour, but Loretta wanted to get some practice in before work. You know, you'll be quitting that job soon.

"Good day to you Mr. Graham, I was wondering about membership in your gardening club?"

And so the inspection began.... For some reason they seemed to have a hard time with the veggie plots. I wonder if it's the signs or the fencing?

Hah! Woohoo! That was much easier than I thought! Even if the trees and some of the veggies did decide to need tending in the middle of the inspection.

Maybe if I pretend I don't see her, she'll leave....

"I can't believe you walk around in public wearing that!"
Thank you Whitney, someone had to say something eventually.

"Now that's what I call a FISH!!!"

Sunday (Spring)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monica, it's 4 a.m., I think even the nocturnal bugs are sleeping now.

Woot! It's Zone time!!!

At least the daily newspaper is now good for something.

Good, now if only I could figure out which of my hacks is causing the glitch with novel writing. I suspect it's the novel progress one. I guess we'll find out at the next house since I'm not quitting and restarting just to test that theory.

End of Round Review

Monica
Friends: 3 Family, 13 Non-Family, 1 Pet Friend
Work: Retired
IW: 0/20 Woohoos
Skills: Cooking-4, Mech-7, Charisma-10, Body-10, Logic-3, Creativity-10, Cleaning-7
Badges: Gardening-Gold, Fishing-Bronze
Hobbies: Nature-10

Grayson
Friends: 2 Family, 14 Non-Family, 1 Pet Friend
Work: Retired
IW: 0/20 Woohoos
Skills: Cooking-7, Mech-7, Charisma-10, Body-10, Logic-10, Creativity-10, Cleaning-9
Badges: Fishing-Gold, Gardening-Silver
Hobbies: Games-9, Sports-2, Nature-6

Loretta
Friends: 4 Family, 28 Non-Family
Work: College Senior Professor
IW: 32/30 Best Friends
Skills: Cooking-8, Mech-9, Charisma-9, Body-10, Logic-9, Creativity-10, Cleaning-8
Badges: Gardening-Gold, Fishing-Silver
Hobbies: Sports-7, Fitness-1

Valerie
Friends: 1 Family, 4 Non-Family
Work: Executive
IW: ? (I forgot to check)
Skills: Cooking-4, Mech-4, Charisma-4, Body-1, Logic-3, Creativity-10, Cleaning-2
Badges: None
Hobbies: Cuisine-4, Film & Literature-5, Games-3, Science-1, Arts & Crafts-8, Nature-1

Pinkie
Work: Pet Corps
Behaviors: Calm, Yardbroken, Eat Pet Food, Playful, Clean, Respectful
Commands: Come Here, Stay, Play Dead, Speak

Household Value: $150,295

Round 10 Neighborhood Showcase

2008-05-17T01:00:00.000-04:00

A/N: Yes, I know, for the longest time I've been quite sporadic about updates. I imagine it's quite a disappointment for those of you who found the blog relatively early on when I was updating at least once a day. Unfortunately, I do have a real life, which includes 3 children who range from 3 - 12 years old. Life is busy and hectic. Not to mention, like most other players, I occasionally lose interest for awhile. The latest delay has been caused by Sims related things. I've been trying to find a better way to keep track of my sims than my 2" binder, and I was waiting for someone to upload a current Excel scoresheet since I lost most of my Excel talents through lack of use. With 5 years of 'homemaking' and 4 of line work under my belt, it's been a very long time since I used my office/accounting skills and they're extremely rusty. Anyone want to see the beta look of one of the sim profile pages I'm thinking about developing for a Knowlton website? If people are interested, I'll flatten the image and post it as a jpg (it's a photoshop document at the moment). To be truthful, if it weren't for those of you who leave comments, I would have abandoned Knowlton long ago. Thank you all so much for encouraging me. Special thanks to Taryn and Mao who leave comments on a regular basis and a big welcome to Pinkfiend1, our newest commenter. As a matter of fact, I am still looking for houses since Knowlton continues to grow rapidly (at least when I play, it does!). I'm glad everyone appreciates all the Photoshop projects I include, I spend a lot of time on them, and it's nice to hear that people like them.

Neighborhood Showcase Round 7

Neighborhood Family Tree

You really need to click this, it's huge!

Neighborhood Map

This one can also be clicked if you'd like a clearer view.

Homes

~~~~~~~Luworld Home~~~~~~~

Current Residents:
Monica Luworld-Nott, Grayson Nott,
Loretta Luworld, Pinkie

Luworld Backyard

Luworld 1st Floor

Luworld 2nd FloorLuworld Basement

~~~~~~~Wetstein Home~~~~~~~

Current Residents:
Serena Wetstein, Cora Wetstein, Lauren Knight

Wetstein Backyard

Wetstein 1st Floor

Wetstein 2nd Floor

~~~~~~~Belleosi Home~~~~~~~

Current Residents:
Samantha Belleosi, Jasmine Philippine-Belleosi,
Bethany Belleosi, Pete Belleosi

Belleosi Backyard

Belleosi Art Garden

Belleosi Graveyard

Belleosi 1st Floor

Belleosi 2nd Floor

Belleosi Basement/Garage

~~~~~~~Rainseeker Home~~~~~~~

Current Residents:
Billy Rainseeker, Daisy Garth-Rainseeker, Bonkers

Rainseeker Sideyard

Rainseeker Backyard

Rainseeker Chapel

Rainseeker 1st Floor

Rainseeker 2nd Floor

~~~~~~~5 Maple Square~~~~~~~

Current Residents:
Aremis Rainseeker, Tina Schehl-Rainseeker,
Piper Rainseeker (college), Amanda Rainseeker,
Marcus Rainseeker, Benjamin Rainseeker,
Patricia Rainseeker

5 Maple Square Backyard

5 Maple Square 1st Floor

5 Maple Square 2nd Floor

5 Maple Square Basement

~~~~~~~6 Maple Square~~~~~~~

Current Residents:
Cadence Jalowitz-Chalmers, Phoenix Chalmers,
Chad Chalmers, Heath Chalmers

6 Maple Square Backyard

6 Maple Square 1st Floor

6 Maple Square 2nd Floor

6 Maple Square 3rd Floor

6 Maple Square Garage

~~~~~~~7 Maple Square~~~~~~~

Current Residents:
Ricky Cormier, Kerie Copur-Cormier,
Garth Cormier, Eric Cormier,
Miller, Annie, Wiggins, Pigpen, Sheba, Wizard

7 Maple Square Backyard

7 Maple Square Dogyard

7 Maple Square 1st Floor

7 Maple Square 2nd Floor

7 Maple Square 3rd Floor

~~~~~~~8 Maple Square~~~~~~~

Current Residents:
Oliver Graham, Amber Wetstein-Graham,
Claire Graham, Kenneth Graham

8 Maple Square Backyard

8 Maple Square 1st Floor

8 Maple Square 2nd Floor

8 Maple Square 3rd Floor

~~~~~~~9 Oak Square~~~~~~~

Current Residents:
Weldon Collin, Kirsty Wetstein-Collin, Jessica Collin,
Jeffrey Collin, Paula Collin

9 Oak Square Backyard

9 Oak Square 1st Floor

9 Oak Square 2nd Floor

~~~~~~~10 Oak Square~~~~~~~

Current Residents:
Eddie Belleosi, April Wetstein-Belleosi,
Alannah Belleosi, Dana Belleosi, Dustin Belleosi

10 Oak Square Backyard

10 Oak Square Garden and Bandstand

10 Oak Square 1st Floor

10 Oak Square 2nd Floor

10 Oak Square Skill Shed

~~~~~~~11 Oak Square~~~~~~~

Current Residents:
Abhijeet Barrett, Tara Luworld-Barrett, Brian Barrett,
Green Puppy, Blue, Magenta, Purple Kangaroo

11 Oak Square 1st Floor

11 Oak Square 2nd Floor

11 Oak Square 3rd Floor

~~~~~~~12 Oak Square~~~~~~~

Current Residents:
Bobby Rainseeker, Brandi Mazza-Rainseeker

12 Oak Square Backyard

12 Oak Square 1st Floor

12 Oak Square 2nd Floor

12 Oak Square Basement

12 Oak Square Garage 1st Floor

12 Oak Square Garage 2nd Floor

~~~~~~~13 Ash Square~~~~~~~

Current Residents:
Grizou Night, Rowan Night, Willow Night

13 Ash Square Backyard

13 Ash Square 1st Floor

~~~~~~~14 Ash Square~~~~~~~

Current Residents:
Neil Pederson, Sierra Young-Rainseeker-Pederson,
Fraser Pederson, Laura Pederson

14 Ash Square Backyard

14 Ash Square 1st Floor

14 Ash Square 2nd Floor

14 Ash Square Basement

Businesses

~~~~~~~Woohoo Central~~~~~~~
Owner: Serena Wetstein
Rank 5: Proficient Purveyor

~~~~~~~Kirsty's Robots~~~~~~~
Owned by: Kirsty Wetstein-Collin

In the process of moving.

~~~~~~~Belleosi Toys~~~~~~~
Owned by: Eddie Belleosi
& April Wetstein-Belleosi
Rank 4: Burgeoning Bazaar

~~~~~~~Amber's Flowers~~~~~~~
Owned by: Amber Wetstein-Graham
Rank 8: Esteemed Establishment

May be moving, or may stay where it is since it's getting close to Level 10.

W5R10 - 14 Ash Square

2008-03-10T12:13:00.030-04:00

A/N: Yes, I said Knowlton Prosperity was on hold until after I finished my Apocalypse challenge, The Day After Tomorrow Sim Style. Well, with Freetime changing so much of the game play, I don't dare work on that until we here word from Mont Pinstar. Sorry, couldn't resist, but he's obtained the same demi-deity status in my mind as Will Wright. I mean, come on people, he came up with the two most popular challenges for the game ever. Prosperity challenges would probably be more popular, but they take forever, and get rather complicated to keep track of in the long run. I'm also toying with the idea of creating my own web site for Knowlton. Unfortunately, it's been a few years since I built my last web site and I can't seem to remember how to do the simplist things, plus I'm working with semi new-to-me software, the Adobe CS3 suite. I was familiar with CS2, but I've never used Dreamweaver before. Even if I build the site, I think that I'll still be writing the journal entries right here on blogger. The site I've built in my mind is more like a tour of Knowlton and more in depth information on all of the sims. The problem is, my brain tends to think in graphic based terms, and I don't want the site to take forever to load. Ah well, I'll let the idea keep brewing in the back of my head for now.

Previously at the Rainseeker Home

Last time I played the Pedersons for a full round Sierra had gone behind my back and bought a dog. Luckily for all involved, Alegra turned out to be quite a charming character. Neil managed to work his way to the top of the Medical field, before decided to turn to Education for a better salary (yeah right). In the meantime, Sierra managed to pull the family into something approaching normal family behavior before getting herself a job in Education. She also celebrated her Crustification day. At the very beginning of round 10 at the Rainseeker home, Neil decided it was time to buy his own castle and moved out with Sierra, Fraser, Laura, and Alegra. Billy didn't kick them out with a measly $20,000 however, he sent them an additional $35,000 to get started in their new home. As far as I'm concerned this is all legit since the money is just moving around the town instead of appearing out of thin air. I've also decided that I'm sick of trying to keep track of smaller rounds. Round 11 will be the last time that any of the families get played for less than 7 days. It's not exactly kosher, but I need my sanity. I'll be bringing everyone up to Monday morning at 7 am, which is when all of the rounds will begin and end from now on. For those of you who enjoyed my shorter entries, sorry, but I was going completely nuts!

Monday (Summer)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Welcome to 14 Ash Square. Once again I was too lazy to build my own house. This house is credit to Kristen408 of TSR. The house is called, simply enough, Traditional Brick House.

Almost as soon as we show up on the lot, Laura tells me she really loves Games. Big surprise there.

Not long after, Sierra has left to take Laura and Fraser to school, and Neil decides to watch some sports on TV. I guess this house will have to have a basketball net and a soccer net, huh?

"Mom? Dad? Where are you guys?"

Oops! My bad, I forgot that they wouldn't be home till after you guys, I guess it's time for some early birthdays!

"Stupid humans, leaving the pups by themselves, forcing them to grow up ahead of time!"
I decided to take advantage of some of the new options, so now Brittany Parker and Emmy Ternynck have both become teens as well. I am a bit concerned however. As one fellow simmer pointed out, what happens when we have a town full of elderly sims. We'll have to find a way to kill off some of the elders eventually, or the town is going to seem very unbalanced.

Fraser Pederson
Aspiration: Romance
LTW: Become Professional Party Guest
Neat-5, Outgoing-10, Active-9, Playful-5, Nice-1
Gemini
Turn-Ons: Stink & Fatness, Turn-Off: Logical

Laura Pederson
Aspiration: Knowledge
LTW: Become Chief of Staff
Neat-5, Outgoing-10, Active-4, Playful-5, Nice-0
Leo
Turn-Ons: Swim Wear & Glasses, Turn-Off: Hats

Congratulations Neil and Sierra, too bad you both missed your kids' birthday.

It figures Fraser would be into Sports. Oh well, at least he'll get to spend time with his father. Too bad that EA couldn't add scholarships with all the expansion packs after it, but I get that it would be difficult to add something that would only work if a player had that expansion pack.

"Dad!!! You practically took my head off!"

Neil's not exactly parenting material. I swear Fraser is really the only one in this family who gives as good as he gets. Oddly enough, despite the fact that Laura is even meaner, she never really shows it.

Hmm, it appears that I have my first glitch that I'm fairly sure isn't caused by any of my hacks. He kept asking Neil to join him, and then they'd both stop playing. Curious.

What exactly do you think you're doing young lady? You just made a Cup of Ramen, now go eat it instead of being a pig. I can't believe that someone like you wants to become a doctor.

Tuesday (Fall)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alegra! You are so gonna be in trouble when you're sims get home! I can't believe this, you're mostly house broken for crying out loud!

Well, it's still better than freezing your students!

Yeesh, not a good day for this family!

After all this time, Red Hands is still the preferred post-homework activity.

Double promotions again, how cute!

Time to train that dog. Speak Alegra, Speak!

Gee, I wonder what's on his mind? Emmy happens to be the only non-vacation female teen he knows, so it's a good thing they're friends.

Looks like things are going just fine so far...

Really Great in fact!

Sierra is still trying to get this family to act like, well, a family, but it's not that easy when you live with a bunch of vipers.

I've heard rumors that even without the "Summon Aliens" reward that it's much easier to be abducted by aliens now. Laura's on a mission to find out.

"Am I hot or what?!"

Yes, very nice Fraser, now go take a shower, you're all sweaty from playing hoops.

Wednesday (Fall)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is the reason I HAVE to move the bin families into houses. Samantha follows anybody in the Education field home at least two or three times a week.

Argh! Sports and Games! The whole bloody family! At least tv viewing will be easy.

I'm not really sure how often I'll bother taking my sims to the hobby lots, but it's nice to be welcome!

Neil's also received an invitation, although it's for Arts & Crafts instead of Sports. What can I say, he's a Fortune sim.

Congratulations Alegra! One more trick to go.

Thursday (Fall)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I think she's dead...."
Not quite yet.

I guess I should have realized that since it's Mean sims who are drawn to games that being a nice person was probably not the right choice.

Sorry, it was a 50/50 choice Sierra.

"Hmm, maybe this sports magazine will take my mind off my troubles."

Or not.

"Maybe a little b-ball with my son will help..."

"Whose the man! I am!"

Whatever you say Neil. I'm actually not that fond of Neil, can you tell?

Yay! No more required pet tricks!

Poor Alegra, her sims just don't have much time for her. She's reached the level of desperation that she'll now try to befriend wolves. Not nice wolves like Cassia's Hazel, but this mean one that's already growled at her and chased her.

Friday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As if!!!

I guess it doesn't pay to be honest with your boss.

Poor Neil, he get's demoted, and I make him garden, lol.

At least Sierra had a decent day!

You know Fraser, if you get abducted, you'll never have to get married...

Of course, that's kinda cool too!

"I maximized another skill!"

Good girl, now toddle off to bed, it's almost three in the morning.

Saturday (Fall)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sierra's actually doing a pretty good job of pulling the family together. Fraser and Neil spend time together because they both like to toss around a football, but Laura's always got her head stuck in a book, and Sierra spends most of her time juggling the phone, housework, and gardening.

This of course led me to realize that maybe it was time for Sierra to retire and concentrate on her friends.

Yay! Sports lot!

Hello Whitney! Whitney is my RL cousin. She actually has a buzz cut, but I haven't gone and downloaded one, and the freak of nature is her experiment in pet design, Mort. She also doesn't have quite that many piercings, but who knows, she might one day!

Laura spent all day with her nose stuck in a book, but it paid off, she's maximized her body skills.

Sunday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fraser tends to shot some hoops every morning and frequently in the evening as well, he's probably the only sim in the family who spends much time on his predestined hobby. Too bad he doesn't want to become a Pro Athlete.

Christopher Chun, why would you do that? Nobody in this family even knows you!

My bad...

Look at this way Neil, now you can try to become a Criminal Mastermind.

And then there was soccer. You guys are lucky it hasn't snowed yet.

By jove, she's done it!

End of Round Review

Sierra
Friends: 5 Family, 24 Non-Family, 2 Pet Friend
Work: Retired
IW: 28 / 30 Best Friends
Skills: Cooking-7, Mech-7, Charisma-10, Body-10, Logic-7, Creativity-10, Cleaning-10
Hobbies: Cuisine-1, Games-3, Sports-1, Nature-1

Neil
Friends: 3 Family, 14 Non-Family
Work: Unemployed
IW: $75,880 / $100,000
Skills: Cooking-3, Mech-9, Charisma-10, Body-10, Logic-10, Creativity-10, Cleaning-10
Hobbies: Cuisine-1, Arts&Crafts-5, Sports-3, Nature-2

Fraser
Friends: 5 Family, 10 Non-Family, 1 Pet Friend
School: A+, Private
Work: Unemployed
Skills: Cooking-7, Mechanical-7, Charimsa-8, Body-9, Logic-8, Creativity-9, Cleaning-4
Hobbies: Tinkering-1, Science-1, Sports-7

Laura
Friends: 4 Family, 5 Non-Family, 1 Pet Friend
School: A+, Private
Work: Unemployed
IW: 7 / 7 Skills Maxed
Hobbies: Cuisine-4, Games-5, Tinkering-2, Science-3, Arts&Crafts-4, Sports-1, Nature-1, Fitness-2

Alegra
Work: Pet Corps
Behaviors: Eats Pet Food, Respectful, Clean
Commands: Come Here, Stay, Play Dead, Speak

Household Value: $95,547

Week 5 - Round 10 - 13 Ash Square (Night)

2008-03-04T00:05:00.016-05:00

Previously at 13 Ash Square

Last week Rowan arrived from college in a truly horrendous (unless you're a Grilled Cheese sim) outfit, and promptly asked Grizou to move in with her to help with the bills. Rowan had fulfilled her second LTW by her second day and then did some career hopping to bring in some more career rewards. Really, once you have the Education bookcase you don't need any of the skill building ones, but they're kinda fun. After a few days to settle in, Grizou and Rowan through a huge wedding party with some of our favorite sims including the ever patient Abbie who's been waiting for a long time to join the challenge. Thereafter, Rowan spent all her time assuring me that she was puking because of some bad pizza and not because she was pregnant.

Friday (Fall)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yeah, I kinda had you pegged for a Science sim. It sounds awfully boring, but I could be wrong.

Oh man! My husband is never going to live this down!

"What do you mean your husband will never live it down? What happens when my friends find out?"
I don't know, but we absolutely have to buy you some man-tights! Hee hee!!!

Why, thank you very much Mr.Humble. This may get old after awhile, but at least everyone gets a really good computer out of it!

Gosh he looks happy! It's hilarious because RL Grizou can't dance at all!

Ha! Told ya so! :P

Some people are just never happy, still, imagine what might have happened if he'd served her tap water.

"Thanks for spending my LABs on Hospitality, but please don't tell Joe about the ballet bar"

"Don't tell Grizou that you caught me using his wife's dance bar, 'k?"
*snicker* Don't worry, your secret is safe with me, though you and Grizou should try talking more instead of just grunting and slapping each other on the back and other manly type stuff.

Saturday (Fall)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Despite the fact that Rowan's predestined hobby is Science, she's busy working on getting her talent badges, which means she's getting quite an interest in Arts & Crafts. Could be worse!

She's also getting quite interested in Nature since she seems to get stuck with all the yard work.

Good job Grizou! That promotion money will come in handy, the baby should arrive tomorrow, and there's still no nursery.

Sunday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rowan likes to pretend that she's learning to make toys for the baby, but if that were true, why did she start crafting toys before she ever admitted she was pregnant?

"What? Of course not, I certainly don't like to do ballet, where did you hear that?"
I forced Grizou to get out his man-tights and start maintaining his friendships, unfortunately, it appears the rumors are flying around Knowlton. (I actually don't have a problem at all with male ballet dancers, I know it's an extremely demanding (job/sport/skill?), but I grew up in small towns like Knowlton, and the men in those towns tend to be very macho and won't ever admit that they'd rather do something like dance than work on cars or go hunting.

Hah! Suffer evil sim-Rowan! This almost makes up for the hard time you gave me in college!

Welcome to the wonderful world of Knowlton Willow Night.

"I have to stick the thermometer where?!?"

With a new baby in the house it's time for Rowan to earn the one skill she doesn't possess, parenting. She still hasn't gotten the knack of parenting because it took much longer than I expected.

"Anything interesting happen while I was at work?"
As a matter of fact, your wife gave birth to your daughter.
"Not a son?"
Why, is that an issue?
"Nope, boys are difficult."

The baby's sleeping, quick, learn stuff!

Meanwhile, the baby is perfectly content in her new nursery. I'm so happy to see new nursery furniture that I haven't had to download meshes for!

Monday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Who's Daddy's little princess? Yes you are!"

Rowan's finally reached 'The Zone'!!! It's a good thing too, because she still has badges in Sewing and Pottery to earn before she moves on to Robotics.

Rowan's too busy to even bother paying attention to the nice man who just gave her an Arts & Crafts achievement plaque.

Grizou is getting rather annoying with his constant desires for new friends, best friends, and best friends forever, but I'll keep him happy anyway as long as he skill builds at the same time.

Happy Birthday Willow!

Willow Night Neat-4, Outgoing-9, Active-8, Playful-3, Nice-4 Gemini

This seems even more essential than before. Can't wait to try out the nursery rhyme and the activity table!

Grizou, you're a man of many unexpected talents, your daughter looks very pretty with that new haircut.

Awww, how sweet!

This is just too cute for words! I almost wish Rowan had had twins so I could watch them play together!

End of Round Review

Grizou
Friends: Family-2, Non-Family-11
Work: Executive Chef
IW: 9/30 Best Friends
Skills: Cooking-7, Mech-2, Charisma-4, Body-4, Logic-7, Creativity-8, Cleaning-6
Hobbies: Cuisine-3, Games-1, Science-1, Nature-1, Music & Dance-2

Rowan
Friends: Family-2, Non-Family-11, Pet Friends-1
Work: Acclaimed Muralist
IW: 7/7 Skills Maxed
Badges: Floral-Gold, Toys-Silver, Gardening-Gold, Fishing-Gold
Hobbies: Arts & Crafts-10, Nature-3

Willow
Friends: Family-2
Toddler Skills: Talk, Walk, Potty, Nursery Rhyme
Skills: Charisma-1, Creativity-1

Household Value: $51,909

Week 5 - Round 10 - 12 Oak Square (Rainseeker)

2008-03-03T09:12:00.017-05:00

A/N: Well, it looks like those of you who have been craving an update on Knowlton are in luck. I fully intended to play out my Apocalypse family first, but I installed Freetime. After playing for a couple of sim days I realized how all encompassing the new gameplay is, so I've decided to wait for official word from Mount Pinstar before I continue with The Day After Tomorrow Sim Style.

Previously at 12 Oak Square

Last round Bobby came home from college and but himself and his future wife a lovely home that I stole from Riverblossom Hills. Mr. Bear spent much of the week trying to take over the house, and the annoying Seasons' bin families continued to follow my sims home from work. Bobby managed to reach TOC in Education easily while Brandi got a start in the Adventure career track.

There should be lots of fun playing with Freetime, too bad I still haven't got my copy of the guide. The local (only one hour away by car) EB Games has suddenly decided not to stock the Sims 2 guides, even though up till now they've had every single one, which means I'm now waiting for it to arrive from Chapters in the mail.

Friday (Summer)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Awesome! I've been wanting to try restoring a car anyway! Bobby and Brandi both have such middle of the road personalities that I'm having a hard time guessing what their predestined hobbies will be.

Oh for the love of Cheese! They're Poptarts Brandi, how did you manage to burn Poptarts?

I'd like to say that Bobby's being insensitive, but honestly, it's just a little kitchen fire. I've yet to have a sim die from one of those.

It turns out that Brandi's really into tinkering too, which at least mean this car should get fixed up faster than usual, whatever is usual.

"Wew, restoring that beat up old car is a lot more exhausting than I thought it would be."

Brandi returns home with a promotion, but exhausted from her earlier stint with the car.

Saturday (Fall)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The wedding is tomorrow and they'll both have the day off, provided I don't allow Brandi to gain the Body skill points she needs for a promotion. In the meantime, I've used their default 5 LABs to fill their Needs columns and to choose secondary aspirations. Bobby got Family, and Brandi got Knowledge.

Too bad I can't rename the family to the Tinker family! Well, I could, but I don't want to, even if I kinda do want to, if that makes any sense at all.

Sunday (Fall)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's Wedding Day!

Half the guests are busy elsewhere, but that won't stop these two. Rowan's busy tossing her cookies, Grizou's hogging the piano, and for some reason Laura's just sitting on the sofa. Aremis is watching the wedding, but he decided to do it from the porch.

There are a lot of pregnant sims at this wedding. Well really, it's just Rowan and Daisy, but hopefully Brandi will be pregnant before the end of the reception too.

That's an awful grumpy expression for a family sim to wear on their wedding day. It might have something to do with the fact that people keep wandering through the bedroom to get to the second bathroom.

Bobby eventually succeeded in getting Brandi pregnant, so it was time for him to go take care of the plants. He's been neglecting them all and they were quite wilted. Poor Bobby and Brandi, I forgot to book their honeymoon before the nuptials.

Monday (Fall)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3 am Monday morning, and Bobby finally finds Culinary. He doesn't work until Thursday, which is fine, he has plans.

Lots of plans that involve wrenches and such things.

The energizer is totally an essential when it comes to tinkering or robotics.

More tinkering.

Brandi now has her own invitation to Will's Garage.

Promotions are good, Gembok would be better.

Yup, it's amazing all right, you managed to maximize your body skills without ever having to get sweaty. Meanwhile, Bobby's finally moved on to Hydrobots out in the garage. Who needs sleep or food when you have an energizer?

End of Round Review

Bobby
Friends: Family-6, Non-Family-19
Work: Restaurenteur
Skills: Cooking-10, Mech-10, Charisma-9, Body-8, Logic-10, Creativity-10, Cleaning-9
Badges: Gardening - Gold, Robotics - Bronze

Brandi
Friends: Family-1, Non-Family-5
Work: Deep Sea Excavator
Skills: Cooking-8, Mech-10, Charisma-4, Body-10, Logic-5, Creativity-6, Cleaning-4

Household Value: $62,574

Hiatus

2008-01-17T11:22:00.000-05:00

Hiatus: a break or interruption in the continuity of a work, series, action, etc.

Yes, I'm officially declaring a hiatus on Knowlton Prosperity. I will be getting back to it, but I've decided to concentrate on Day After Tomorrow Sim Style for now. DATS should be much faster to finish and then I can concentrate on Knowlton once again. At least for awhile until the sheer number of houses drives me to try another apocalypse just to give myself a break! In the meantime, pop over to DATS for more of my generally sarcastic sense of humor!

Week 5 - Round 10 - 11 Oak Square (Barrett)

2007-10-10T11:00:00.000-04:00

A/N: I always seem to be forgetting my round length, so please forgive that this round starts on a Monday instead of a Tuesday. It all evens out in the end, but it's still annoying.

On a much bigger and happier note, this makes the 100th episode of NR's Knowlton Prosperity!!!

Previously at 11 Oak Square

Last round we were surrounded by cute little unnaturally colored dogs everywhere we went. Don't expect that to change, after all, Tara wants to have 6 pets reach the top of their careers. All of the pets in this house are based off of characters from Blue's Clues. What can I say, I have 3 children, and they've all been addicted to that show at some point. In fact the two youngest still fight over one "Bluey" even though they both have one. Apparently Ben's is cuter or softer or something. Tara and Green Puppy both reached the top of their careers, while Abhijeet got fired, again. Of course Tara also spent a lot of time with her precious crop too. Abhijeet and Tara finally got around to getting married, and I have to say it was a lovely ceremony. A few days later Tara started putting on a few pounds, so I expect that we'll see the birth of their first child this round.

Monday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As is fitting when Tara's involved, let's start off the round with Tara and her greedy face! Nothing makes her happier than her plants!

Well, that's a better start than usual for you Abhijeet. A brand new best friend, congratulations!
Err, btw, what's up with the creepy face? I mean seriously, you look like a serial killer.

Originally Tara was sent to Pepe's Pets to buy a new pet, but a glitch caused her to abandon the newbie at the store, so the pet was recreated in Create-A-Family and added to the family while funds were subtracted for the "purchase". Just as Tara arrives home from her abortive trip to town we get to meet the new pet as it chews on the Evil Snowman.

Meet Purple Kangaroo. I didn't make the breed, that actually came from ModtheSims, I just tried my best to make it look fairly purple.

Purple Kangaroo
Genius, Friendly, Finicky
Aries

Try to keep your job this time Abhijeet. Err, I mean Congratulations!

Aww, they like each other.

Tuesday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I bet this is the first time you've ever seen a kangaroo roll over!

Oh no! Please don't spray Magenta! She's just too cute and too pink to be sprayed.

My mistake, it's Blue that will be sprayed. Don't get me wrong, I love Blue, I think she's adorable, but it's somehow fitting that's it's the only dog on the lot that is a Doofus, that will get sprayed.

Blue isn't that stupid however, if you look closely enough you'll see that underneath all the snow she's taking a little shower from the Water Wiggler. Good Girl Blue!

Time for Purple Kangaroo to have a job! Tara and I are choosing Service since "Come" is actually one of the commands needed for promotion. I swear, "Come" is the most important command to teach your pets (in game). Personally in RL I've always found "Sit" to be a great multi-purpose command.

Hey Abhijeet, how 'bout I just glue the phone to your ear? Would that make it easier?

Kelly seems impressed with Abhijeet's conspiracy theory about unknown forces trying to prevent him from reaching the top of his chosen career track. Honestly, I think he's been watching late night reruns of the X-Files too much. Oh wait, that's me, lol!

The last command that Purple Kangaroo needs to zoom his way to the top of his career! He doesn't even start work till tomorrow, but he'll be well prepared! Just in time too because.....

"I swear Abhijeet is NEVER touching me again!!!!"

Welcome to the world Brian Barrett!!

It appears that Abhijeet dyes his hair. Dark skin, blue eyes, and blond. Interesting combination.

Good Lord, it really does seem like there's a conspiracy to get Abhijeet and Blue! I'm really sorry Blue.

Wednesday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blue considers Abhijeet her master, so we'll let him find her a job. I've given up on Security, so we'll see how she does in Service.

Oh, how sweet, Green Puppy is jealous that Abhijeet is teaching Blue a new trick. It took Blue all night, but she finally learned to "Shake".

Poor Tara, she's sunk down to green, which means the only aspiration building activity she has left open to her is painting. Too bad it takes so long.

This was bound to be the wrong answer eventually. At least she still has her job.

"I almost feel like there's been a mistake. I wasn't fired today. Did they forget to tell me or are they waiting to tell me in the morning?"

"Why am I even bothering getting in shape, they're just going to fire me anyway!"

Someone's a little grumpy.

Thursday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The pets in this family are just too cute! I just want to eat them all up!

Blue got promoted too! Maybe this is the right career for her. *crosses fingers*

Here's an interesting shot. Apparently Purple Kangaroo would rather sleep on cold semi-snowy cement, than in the nice dog house right in front of him. Just in case I get the sexes of the pets mixed up, Blue and Magenta are female, Green Puppy and Purple Kangaroo are male.

Oh no! Tara hired Karen Gast to watch Brian. This poor family will now have to suffer through Karen for lord knows how long.

It's the daily pet meeting to watch Dagmar and ensure that she doesn't steal their beloved Water Wiggler. Yes, I know the mail doesn't come everyday in Knowlton, but it does in RL, so get over it!

Karen must be planning something devious, she's cuddling the baby. She never shows affection for her charges, therefore, she's up to something...

It must be something really evil because she's actually taking out the trash, and she's left the guitar alone. I just keep waiting for her to do something evil, I can't take the waiting, it's driving me insane wondering what she's going to do to this poor family.

One of the true mysteries of Knowlton, why won't nannies use changing tables?

Promotions for Abhijeet and Purple Kangaroo, but not Blue. Is Blue backsliding again?

"Here you go Karen, the Plumbbob Deity said that you did a great job today!"

*whispers to P.D.* "I think she's been body-snatched"

His faith in his ability to reach the top once more renewed, Abhijeet sets out to finish maximizing his body skills.

Tara! Darnit, I should have known that having her finish cooking Karen's Lobster Thermidor was a mistake!

All the pets quiver and shake and make a ruckus as Tara tries to put the fire out since the Fire Department is taking a long time to get in the house.

ewwww... I don't think you should eat that Tara, it's gross.

It's birthday time for little Brian. Here's hoping you turn out cute kiddo!

Brian Barrett
Neat-4, Outgoing-9, Active-4, Playful-4, Nice-7
Libra

Abhijeet worked all through the night, but he finally managed to finish his physical training at 4am Friday morning. Off to bed with you for a few hours. If you really need it I'll let you energize before work.

End of Round Review

Tara
Friends: Family-4, Non-Family-14, Pet-4
Work: The Law
LTW: 2 / 6 Pets TOC
IW: $96,095 / $100,000
Skills: Cooking-8, Mech-8, Charisma-10, Body-10, Logic-9, Creativity-10, Cleaning-8

Abhijeet
Friends: Family-1, Non-Family-10, Pet-3
Work: MVP
IW: 8 / 30 Best Friends
Skills: Cooking-5, Mech-4, Charisma-8, Body-10, Logic-1, Creativity-10, Cleaning-5

Brian
Friends: Family-1

Magenta
Work: Star
Behaviors: Clean, Eats Pet Food, Housebroken, Playful, Respectful, Stays Off Beds
Commands: Come Here, Play Dead, Roll Over, Speak

Blue
Work: Therapy Pet
Behaviors: Clean, Eats Pet Food, Respectful
Commands: Come Here, Play Dead, Shake, Stay, Speak

Green Puppy
Work: Rescue Pet
Behaviors: Clean, Eats Pet Food, Housebroken, Playful, Respectful, Stays Off Beds
Commands: Come Here, Roll Over, Shake

Purple Kangaroo
Work: Seeing Eye Pet
Behaviors: Eats Pet Food, Respectful
Commands: Come Here, Roll Over, Shake

Household Value: $61,940

Week 5 - Round 10 - 10 Oak Square (Belleosi)

2007-10-05T09:11:00.000-04:00

A/N: In case I don't get another entry up this weekend, Happy Thanksgiving to all of my fellow Canadians. If you're American you'll have to wait another month, and if you're anything else, well, I actually don't know what harvest holiday you have, but I wish you a happy one anyway!

Previously at 10 Oak Square

Last round April actually managed to not get her daughters killed or taken away by social services, which is a minor miracle since she's got to be the worst Family sim ever. Eddie made up for April's short comings by running himself into the ground taking care of the girls, the business, and the garden. Both of the girls grew into beautiful toddlers and we got to see a softer side of Serena. Finally, early Friday morning little Dustin Belleosi made his first appearance. Here's looking at you kid!

Friday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Eddie and April opened the business for a couple of hours in the morning, but then April had to leave for work, which leaves the children at the mercy of Karen. Eddie and I were a little too busy after that for many photo ops.

I don't believe it! April's home and she actually wants to interact with her daughters. The sky is falling, I'm sure of it.

"Must caffeinate self, must stay awake and watch the children..."

Well I never, that's not a very nice thing to think about your mother Dustin.

I swear she's been reading the blogs, she must have heard about Weldon and his little visit with the Mighty Monkey Gods. There is absolutely no other explanation for April suddenly taking an interest in her children. To be fair, Serena wasn't exactly a good example of how to be a Super Mom.

Now that's a bit more April like. Give the kid another bottle while his diaper is stinking up the whole first floor.

Saturday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As I said at the Collin house, at home businesses are a pain in the pootookie, so Belleosi Toys will be moving off site. The property is all ready to go, but first Eddie needs to build up his stock a little bit.

Now that the nanny is here, it's time for Eddie to go check out the business' new location.

So here it is, Belleosi Toys. It's pretty much the same as what they had at home, just a little bigger, and they'll be offering some catalog objects now too.

Hmm, is this a new glitch? For some reason a cab showed up to take Eddie home. Odd. Okay, I canceled the cab and everything and Eddie was still forced to go home. Very odd.

So home and then back to Belleosi Toys again, and who should one of Eddie's first customers be but Rowan. Whatever are you doing here Rowan? You and Grizou don't even have kids yet, and you're not pregnant, remember? *snicker* Rowan insists on believing that she's constantly sick because of bad pizza. Honestly I think she's here to check out Eddie's butt. They have a three bolt chemistry after all, which is why I try to keep them separated, I don't want them to break April and Grizou's hearts.

"Trisha, I'm telling you, you've got to have this kite! Your daughter will love it!"

Blast it! Again with being kicked off the lot! I think I've figured out what may be the problem though. It seems to do this whenever I go into Photo Mode. Arghh!!! My fustration is peaking.

So once I stopped trying to take pictures in Camera Mode the lot ran as it's supposed to, but it means that future pictures taken at Belleosi Toys may not be up to my normal standards. Eddie managed to get the business back up to Rank 3 in one afternoon.

Then it was time to build some more stock. Eddie actually managed to sell all 13 firetrucks that he had in stock. Those things were just flying off the shelf.

Eddie's dirty little secret, he's an Energizer addict. Really it only makes sense with the strange time warping involved in traveling to community lots.

Back home, Eddie's just in time for a little quality time with the girls before their naps.

Stupid Karen! Eddie just put her down for a nap.

Man is she ever awful. I'll be so glad when the girls are teens.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! April's home which means Karen will leave!

"Oh Miss Plumbbob Diety, when will we get to fire Karen? She left Dustin to sleep on the cold tile floor of the bathroom again."
Well technically he's on the carpet, and we'll fire her as soon as the girl's are teenagers so that there is guaranteed to be someone here to watch little Dustin while Eddie's at the toy store.

Goodbye magical glowing bear...

Hello Alannah Belleosi, Child
Neat-3, Outgoing-4, Active-10, Playful-10, Nice-7
Sagittarius

Goodbye little princess

Hello Dana Belleosi, Pirate Girl
Neat-2, Outgoing-8, Active-9, Playful-6, Nice-4
Gemini

The great thing about twins is that all sim children want to make a friend as soon as the become children. With twins you can kill two birds with one stone. For those of you wondering about Dana's hair, her natural color is brown, it's just that the toddler hair she had was binned as brown even though it looks more like blond.

"Happy Birthday Dear Dustin..."

Sunday (Winter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dustin Belleosi
Neat-3, Outgoing-4, Active-10, Playful-10, Nice-7
Sagittarius

For some reason little Dustin grew-up with empty want slots. Stupid bugs!

AGGGGHHHHH!!!!! All right, Dustin still has empty want slots. I've even updated my Insimenator (how do you think the same-sex couples get pregnant?). I'm just going to let him play with his toys and hope that after a nap he'll wake up with some wants.

"Kirsty, it's quarter to five in the morning, why in boolprop are you calling?"
"I heard something was wrong with Dustin and wanted to see if you needed any help."
"Something's wrong with Dustin? I just got home, what's going on?"
"Oops! I guess I'll let the Plumbbob Diety and April explain it to you, bye!"

While we wait to see if a nap can cure Dustin, Eddie and April are going to build up some stock while the girls study. I love the Education bookcase! Not as fun to watch as some of the other rewards, but still, very handy.

Yes!!!!! It worked!!!! Hooray! I was worried I was going to have to put Knowlton on the back burner until the bug got fixed.

Now that we have Dustin's attention, it's time to start toddler skilling him. He's a good kid, he wants to learn it all. April? Well, let's just say she's reverting to her old ways. Hasn't spun up one single want in regards to Dustin.

So, Eddie went and ran the business for a few hours and when we got back, Dustin was once again inflicted with disappearing wants. So aggravating!

In the normal course of things I won't direct my sims to toss the toddlers, because it generally leads to tossing their cookies as well, but I'm miffed with April, so if she gets puked on, it serves her right. Who would have guessed that Monica (she's a Romance sim who lives in the first house, remember?) would be a better mother than April, who's a Family sim supposedly?

"I'm so gonna get you Dana! That was MY muffin you ate!"

You will play with your baby brother or I will find you ugly husbands when you grow-up. Even worse, ugly Romance husbands.

Monday (Spring)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nothing like a game of catch first thing in the morning to celebrate the arrival of spring!
Dustin still has his glitch even though I completely removed insimenator this time. I do have other hacks, but most of them are to fix things that Maxis should have fixed a long time ago (bird death through buy mode anyone?). On a more interesting note, Family Kiss will earn you a whopping 1000 aspiration points. Apparently to earn the kiss want points it doesn't need to be a romantic kiss, pretty cool!

Ah, Ericka, someday you will join one of my families. I personally think she's one of the better looking NPCs. Maybe she should marry into Aremis' family. Gotta keep the red!

I was so excited when these flag lights came out. The I realized that they don't automatically change to match the season. Total bummer. Anyone know if anyone's made a version that does switch on it's own? It seems a shame to waste $30 every five days to change them.

Belleosi Toys is quite popular with the playable sims of Knowlton. Currently we have Collin Weldon, Billy Rainseeker, and Daisy Rainseeker all browsing the toys. At least they all have kids or are expecting! A/N: Lord I hate having to take pictures without camera mode, this photo sucks!

Yay! It's Monica, my all time favorite Romance sim, not to mention she's famous for her love of pink! She must be anticipating the birth of grandchildren in her home!

Business was so good today that Eddie and I have decided to raise the cost of everything to "Cheap".

"In some towns they even have sims who worship the potty god."

Eddie's a great father, making up for April's lack of interest, and he insures that his children have open minds about all cultures.

Yup, Karen's a great nanny.
*sarcasm for those who can't tell it when they hear it*

This was so Eddie's idea. I would have thought the poor guy had his hands full already, but he kept asking for it, and since I absolutely adore Eddie I caved.

How was your first day of school Alannah?
"I just don't get it"
What part?
"Any of it, sob."

Dana! How could you bring Nery home?!? He's one of the blasted new townies who don't have phones!

Dustin! That is so gross! Put it back for heaven's sake, or find a tissue or something. Just please don't put it where I think you're going to put it!

My gosh! Eddie showed a badge! It's amazing, quick get me a calendar so I can mark it down!

No more bad days at school for you two!

Ah, the family that grows together stays together, lol!

Dustin hasn't been forgotten, he's just keeping Neil occupied.

Gosh! Two badges in a row Eddie? Are you started to feel sorry for me or something?

End of Round Review

Eddie
Friends: Family-6, Non-Family-12
Work: Cult Leader
IW: 7 / 7 Skills Maxed
Badges: Floral-Gold, Register-Gold, Restocking-Gold, Robotery-Gold, Sales-Gold, Toy Making-Gold, Gardening-Silver

April
Friends: Family-8, Non-Family-15
Work: Education Minister
IW: 3 / 10 Children
Skills: Cooking-8, Mech-10, Charisma-8, Body-10, Logic-10, Creativity-10, Cleaning-9
Badges: Sales - Bronze, Toy Making - Gold

Alannah
Friends: Family-3
School: B+, Public
Skills: Cooking-7, Charisma-8, Body-7, Logic-5, Creativity-4

Dana
Friends: Family-3, Non-Family-1
School: B+, Public
Skills: Cooking-7, Charisma-8, Body-7, Logic-3, Creativity-7

Dustin
Friends: Family-2, Non-Family-1
Skills: Charisma-4, Creativity-5

Household Value: $84,872

Belleosi Toys
Rank 4 - Burgeoning Bazaar
Business Value: $25,000
Customer Loyalty Stars: ? (forgot to have Eddie check)