May 2008 Archives

Gladys hasn't stopped talking about Karl Morrison. Ronald knew his daughter was obsessed with boys, something not uncommon for girls her age, but now he wonders if this is his future son-in-law.

Well, as long as she can keep her mind off Karl long enough to do well in school. Both Ronald and Susan are pleased that Gladys wants to attend the Royal Shakespeare Academy in the Fall.

Susan was promoted to Party DJ. She loves her job and that the hours allow her to spend time with her children. She's even home to meet them when they get off the bus.

Gladys and Karl are getting really close.

But they are not the next SimCity idols.

Gladys seems to take after her mother. Ronald wouldn't be too pleased if he'd witnessed her antics in the photo booth with Karl.

Gladys and Karl decided to go steady. Karl is still undecided on whether or not he wants to go to university. He hates school. But Gladys is trying to talk him into attending with her in the Fall.

Susan, desperate for affection, agreed to go on a blind date. John Cross didn't have Susan seeing hearts right off, but they had a fun time.

Susan thought he was very pleasant to spend time with. John certainly paid her more attention than her husband Ronald had in quite a long time.

Ronald and his mother Shirley have been obsessed with the home business, Lures 'n Mates. The boys, when not helping with the business, looked after and trained Spot. James appears to be Spot's favorite.

Both boys do extremely well in school, although Jeffrey was the first to come home with top grades.

The family celebrated Jeffrey's birthday.

Jeffrey Duncan
Fortune
LTW: Own 5 Top Level Businesses
Turn Ons: Glasses, Mechanical
Turn Off: Custom Hair

James insisted on his own cake. He hated that he was born just a few minutes after Jeffrey, and still resented not getting any cake on their last birthday.

James Duncan
Family
LTW: Marry Off 6 Children
Turn Ons: Vampirism, Hats
Turn Off: Charismatic

Round 2 Summary:
Gladys went on her first dream date with Karl, which also included her first woohoo. She and Karl went steady. Susan was promoted to Party DJ and went on a blind date with John Cross. Shirley was ecstatic when their business Lures 'N Mates received a good review. The business is 3 customer loyalty stars shy of rank 6. Ronald earned a bronze badge in Sales.

Maria woke up with a little surprise. She'd better call Jerald.

She invited Jerald for dinner and gave him the news.

"I want to get married."

Jerald is not opposed to the idea, but this is all such a shock to him.He wants to continue the conversation over dinner.

"I'm going to need help raising our child. Not just financial help, but help with the day to day things like potty training."

Jerald tells Maria he wants to be a part of their child's life. Maria would have preferred a ring, but she settles for his promise to help raise their child.

Saxon is not the only dog with glowing eyes. It seems he has a brother, Abel.

Jerald wanted to prove to Maria he was serious so he brought over his hot tub, but Maria was already asleep.

Maria wondered if Jerald really means to marry her.

She went into labor while Jerald was asleep.

Twins! Jerald was quite happy about the girls.

He moved in to help out with them, just like he promised.

Both girls have green eyes like their parents.

Jerald Miles
Cancer (6 Neat, 3 Shy, 6 Active, 4 Serious, 6 Nice)
Family
LTW: Become a Captain Hero
Turn Ons: Blonde Hair, Unemployed
Turn Off: Stink

Money may be tight for a while. Jerald lost his job when some wedding guests got sick off the seafood gumbo.

The girls are more important than money or career.

Jerald has something he wants to ask Maria.

He proposed to Maria, who is happy the girls will have their father in their lives. They decide to wait to get married until Jerald gets accepted into the Police Academy.

Maria baked the girls a cake for their birthday.

Alyssa Macbeth
Cancer (6 Neat, 3 Shy, 6 Active, 4 Serious, 6 Nice)

Ariel Macbeth
Scorpio (10 Neat, 3 Shy, 9 Active, 9 Playful, 1 Grouchy)

Round 2 Summary:
Maria was promoted to Platform Jumper. Buster was reached the top of the Showbiz career. Jerald was fired (chance card) from the culinary career. Twins Alyssa (Cancer) and Ariel (Scorpio) were born. Jerald moved in and proposed to Maria.

Things were relatively quiet for the Wallace household during the winter. Mary was promoted to Fact Checker.

The children both excelled at school, each coming home with an A+. Perhaps if Mary gets another promotion she can afford private school for the children.

David Wallace star student.

Jennifer also received an A+.

Mary and Jennifer helped David celebrate his birthday. David was anxious to start high school and didn't want to have a party. Mary baked him his favorite cake anyway.

He's already asked Mary for a weight bench and a cell phone. Mary knows dating is just around the corner.

David practices flexing his biceps.

David Wallace
Pleasure
LTW: 50 1st Dates
Turn Ons: Custom Hair, Cleaning
Turn Off: Full Face Makeup

Jennifer didn't want a cake either. What is with kids today? Mary baked her a cake too.

Funny how there were never any leftovers even though everyone professed not to want any.

Jennifer Wallace
Fortune
LTW: Become a Space Pirate
Turn Ons: Jewelry, Brown Hair
Turn Off: Hats

Round 2 Summary:
Mary Wallace received 1 promotion and then was demoted back to Blog Writer.
David Wallace received A+ grades and aged up to teen. Aspiration Pleasure, LTW: 50 1st Dates
Jennifer Wallace received A+ grades and aged up to teen. Aspiration Fortune, LTW: Space Pirate
Snoopy was promoted to Stunt Double.

Ross and his wife Marion had bought this house at 4 Bridge St. because it was the perfect size for a family of four. There was even a spare room for when the grandparents came to visit. Little did Ross know, how useful that spare room would be, for when Marion died under mysterious circumstances, his parents Richard and Helen moved in to help with the girls.

Helen went straight to work in the garden. She was retired from her job as a scientist, but she was determined to find a better pesticide.

Ross spent many nights looking to the stars. Marion?

Helen enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She hoped they would share her love of knowledge.

Ross doted on his daughters too.

Helen taught Patricia how to walk.

Ross helps Sarah with her Math homework. She's a good student and loves to paint. Maybe she will grow up to be an artist like her mother.

The family threw a small party for Patricia's birthday.

Big girls blow out their candles.

Patricia learned all her toddler skills.

And is a big girl now.

Watch out Richard! There's a vampire sneaking up behind you.

Oh. Um. I guess he's not surprised. Richard steps out on Helen with Contessa Alberta Alexander.

He must have really swept her off her feet as she left him a piano as a present. Richard hid the piano and got a job as a law clerk. He'll "come home" with the piano as a surprise for the girls once he's earned a few promotions.

Poor Helen. She has no clue Richard is having an affair. She teaches Patricia how to study.

And she is thrilled when Sarah came home with an A+. Maybe she should talk to Ross about getting the girls into private school. It would provide them so many more opportunities.

Ross was promoted to drill sergeant.

And decided it was time to finally part with his long locks.Marion had always loved his hair styled that way, but Marion was gone and his CO was losing patience. After all, how can he whip young recruits into shape if he doesn't look the part himself?

April finds a curious new playmate. Careful April, this one's bite is much worse than his bark.

Round 1 Summary:
Patricia learned all her toddler skills and grew up well. Sarah gets A+ grades and Helen received a bronze gardening badge. Richard begins an affair with Contessa Alberta Alexander and Ross received 2 promotions to drill sergeant.

Shirley Duncan loves business. Her husband Oliver gave her a business to run as a wedding present. It turned out Shirley loved the business more than she loved Oliver. When a big microchip company offered her a fortune for her controlling shares, Shirley decided to buy a house in Stratfordshire and start fresh. When her son Ronald lost his job, she offered to have his family move in with her.They could start a string of businesses together, like a real family. Ronald jumped at the chance, but his wife Susan who already felt trapped, was not happy about leaving Sim City. She wanted excitement, and from what she'd heard, the sidewalks in Stratfordshire rolled up pretty early.

They had a man-made pond added to the property Shirley had purchased and started their first business, Lures 'n Mates, right at home.

While Shirley and Ronald worked on the home business, the rest of the Duncan family settled in. Gladys, when not attending Stratfordshire High, helped out with the twins. She tried to teach James to talk, but he could be quite stubborn sometimes.

Ronald didn't ignore his family completely though. He would take time to teach the boys while Shirley minded the business. After all, what kind of father would he be if he didn't help his son Jeffrey learn to walk?


Meanwhile, Susan made sure Gladys kept up with her studies. She didn't want Gladys to be trapped in a loveless marriage because she'd neglected her studies.


Potty training was at the top of everyone's agenda. How could two little boys dirty so many diapers? Ronald gave Jeffrey some pointers ...


... while Shirley cheered for James.


As they were still new and without many friends, they decided to have a family only party for the twins birthday.

Yar! Susan knew Jeffrey would love the pirate costume when she'd spotted it in the window display.He was always asking Ronald to read him the pirate book when he was a toddler.


James, who had been outside playing with Spot, almost missed a piece of his own cake. He had a real independent streak as a toddler, even resisting help learning to walk. "I can do it myself!" seems to be his motto.

On the weekends, Gladys would help out at Lures 'n Mates. She may find a mate of her own from the looks of it.

Shirley is very adamant that all the children study hard. After all, how will they ever be able to take over the family business without an education? Their mother never got an education and where did that get her?


Susan gets promoted to Convenience Store Clerk. No more gas fumes for her. At least she gets a few hours out of the house on the nights she works. And she's meeting people. People that her nosy mother-in-law would not approve of.

Gladys babysits the twins on the nights her mother works. She doesn't mind because she loves her little brothers. She even helps James with his English homework.

On Friday, Karl Morrison called and asked Gladys out on a date.They hung out down at The Corner Shops where Gladys discovers a secret about Karl. He's really ticklish.

He's also a great kisser. Gladys and Karl share their first kiss. Ah, young love.

Round 1 Summary:
Shirley started the home business Lures 'n Mates, which reached level 4. Susan received 3 promotions in the Slacker career and is now working as a Convenience Store Clerk. Gladys has B+ grades and experienced her first kiss. The twins aged up well after learning almost all of their skills (James never did learn to walk as a toddler).

Maria Macbeth moved with her dog Buster to this one bedroom house at 2 Bridge St. Buster had the run of the yard and Maria didn't think she'd need much space.

Her new neighbor, Susan Duncan, wanted to hear all about Maria's adventures in Sim City.

She was glad to make a new friend, particularly since Susan seemed more than willing to accompany her to check out the hotspots downtown.

Maria had a difficult time with Buster during their first few days in Stratfordshire. The vet assured her that this would pass as Buster was merely marking his territory.

In attempt to distract him from his unfamiliar surroundings, Maria found Buster a job as an extra. It seems that in addition to all the theatrical productions, the film and television industries are also thriving in Stratfordshire.

Although Maria made quite a few new friends, there seemed to be a serious lack of eligible bachelors in town. Her friend Susan told her about the local matchmaker, Gertrude Jackson. So one Saturday, Maria gave Gertrude a call and asked to be set up on a blind date.

Gertrude may need a little more practice at matchmaking. Maria paid 1000 simoleans and all she got was a pretty dull date with Craig Rowe, local handyman and crank.

Maria kept in contact with her friends in Sim City. She reports that she still hasn't seen Stewart McPatrick yet, but that she is doing very well in her job as a Gold Farmer. Oh. And like, there are no eligible men in Stratfordshire.

Some of the dogs in Stratfordshire are a little unusual. Maria is not quite sure what to make of Saxon and his glowing yellow eyes. He seems like an ok dog though, so she doesn't run him off.

Maria met Jerald Miles at her neighbor Mary's house. She wasn't sure what to make of him at first. He's the president of the local Garden Club and Maria's never had much of a green thumb. But she didn't see a wedding band and she had grown tired of sitting at home or going out with the girls on a Friday night. So, she decided to ask him out. Who would have guessed that he would take her on her first dream date? Maria finds Jerald attractive but she's not sure if he's "the One". She always figured "the One" would make her heart flutter.

As Maria wonders if her true love is out there somewhere, she takes a moment to reward Buster. He's been promoted to understudy based on his mastery of Roll Over and Speak.

Round 1 Summary:
Maria received 3 promotions in the gamer career track. She went on 2 dream dates with Jerald Miles, president of the Garden Club. Buster received on promotion in the Showbiz career.

Mary Wallace found this small 3 bedroom house on Bridge St. It had a modest yard for Snoopy and was close to the park.

Although very fond of Snoopy, she was concerned about him living in the house with the twins. The clerk at Banquo's Pets assured Mary this house was just right for a beagle.

It seems Mary's concerns about his having the run of the house were not unwarranted.

Bad Snoopy!

Snoopy acts out whenever he wants attention.

Snoopy acts out a lot.

Some of Mary's neighbors dropped by to welcome them to the neighborhood. Seated next to Mary, in the leather bomber jacket, is Ronald Duncan. Next to Ronald, is Maria Macbeth, who lives across the street. And to Mary's right, in the white and red shirt, is Jerald Miles head of the Stratfordshire Garden Club.

They are pleased to have a movie reviewer again as the town hasn't had a movie reviewer since Mrs. Gates retired last Summer.

Snoopy was hired as an extra in the next Adventures of Spot movie.

Snoopy in a rare quiet moment.

Even though he can be a handful, he's a wonderful playmate for the twins.

Snoopy and Jennifer always seem to be playing together.

Mary had a very busy Fall. Feeding, entertaining, and potty training the twins was more than she could handle alone.

So, on the advice of her boss, she hired a Nanny for the children. Elaine Bridges took care of David and Jennifer while Mary went to work. She even did some light chores around the house.

Mary with David, age 3.

In late Fall, the twins celebrated their birthday. With Elaine's help, Mary baked them each a chocolate cake. Needless to say, there wasn't much sleeping at the Wallace house that night.

David on his birthday.

Mary and Jennifer, age 3.

The birthday girl blows out her candles.

Jennifer has her mother's red hair and her father's grey eyes.

Mary worked hard in her journalism career. First she was promoted to Blog Writer. And later that Fall, she received another promotion, to Internet Movie Critic.

She was never too tired from work to help the twins with their studies.

She wants both her children to study hard and maybe one day attend the Royal Shakespeare College on scholarship.

David tells his mother he wants to be a Natural Scientist. Mary tells him deciding his life's ambition is still a little ways off.

Round 1: Summary
Mary received 2 promotions in the journalism career track. David and Jennifer learned potty training. Snoopy took a job as an extra in the Showbiz career. David and Jennifer transitioned well into childhood.

When Marion Duncan died under unexplained circumstances, Richard and Helen moved in to help take care of the girls. If Ross knows any of the particulars of his wife's death, he isn't telling, and keeps soldiering on at work. Helen, forced to retire from her position at the top secret lab in Sim City, has become obsessed with finding a better pesticide. This leaves plenty of opportunity for Richard's roaming eye. Will the girls stay on the straight and narrow, like their father and grandmother, or will they go astray like Grandpa Rick?

Richard Morgan: Elder: Aries: Romance: LTW: 20 Simultaneous Loves: Turn Ons: Jewelry/Brown Hair Turn Off: Athletic
Helen Morgan: Elder: Aries: Knowledge: LTW: Mad Scientist: Turn Ons: Glasses/Red Hair Turn Off: Custom Hair
Ross Morgan: Adult: Capricorn: Popularity: LTW: Become General: Turn Ons: Glasses/Unemployed Turn Off: Make-Up
Sarah Morgan: Child: Aries: Grow Up
Patricia Morgan: Toddler: Pisces: Grow Up
April Morgan: British Short-hair

Susan is bored. Really bored. What could be worse for a woman who is driven by passion than to be trapped in a home with a man who ignores her for his business? Being trapped in a home with a man who ignores her for his business ... and his mother. Susan is a woman on the prowl. Is Stratfordshire ready for her?

Shirley Duncan: Elder: Aquarius: Fortune: LTW: 5 Top Level Businesses: Turn Ons: Glasses/Lycanthropy Turn Off: Black Hair
Ronald Duncan: Adult: Pisces: Popularity: LTW: 5 Top Level Businesses: Turn Ons: Vampirism/Fatness Turn Off: Lycanthropy
Susan Duncan: Adult: Capricorn: Romance: LTW: 20 Simultaneous Loves: Turn Ons: Mechanical/Cologne Turn Off: Black Hair
Gladys Duncan: Teen: Taurus: Pleasure: LTW: 50 Dream Dates: Turn Ons: Vampirism/Underwear Turn Off: Unemployed
James Duncan: Toddler: Sagittarius: Grow Up
Jeffrey Duncan: Toddler: Scorpio: Grow Up
Spot Duncan: Mau

Moving to Stratfordshire to be close to her favorite thespian, the charismatic Stewart McPatrick, Maria looks forward to exploring the club scene. Her penchant for staying out until dawn may just bring her into contact with some of Stratfordshire's unique night dwellers.

Maria Macbeth: Adult: Scorpio: Pleasure: LTW: 50 Dream Dates Turn Ons: Vampirism/Grey Hair Turn Off: Plantism
Buster Macbeth: Airedale Terrier

Mary needed a serious change of scenery after her husband George ran off with his much younger secretary. With her new job as theatre reviewer for the Stratfordshire Times, Mary hopes to jumpstart her career and pen a happier ending to her family's saga.

Mary Wallace: Adult: Aries: Knowledge: LTW: Become a Media Magnate Turn Ons: Mechanical/Great Cook: Turn Off:Make-Up
Jennifer Wallace: Toddler: Capricorn: Grow Up
David Wallace: Toddler: Virgo: Grow Up
Snoopy Wallace: Beagle

Welcome to Stratfordshire, a small suburb of Sim City, renowned for its theater district and home of a Sims 2 Prosperity Challenge.

A place where some, like the Morgan family, have come to find answers.

While others like Maria Macbeth and Susan Duncan, have come in search of romance and the perfect sandwich.

A place to face their fears ...

and make new friends.

Blogger's Note: Rounds coincide with the seasons, so each family is played for 5 days, before going onto the next. My challenge starts with 4 families, the Wallaces, the Macbeths, the Duncans and the Morgans. I'll add an index page for easy navigation as soon as I get the chance.