Jared Starchild: Week 6

Week 5 with Jared can be read here. 

The week at this modest house near to where Perseida Powers lives (and where, until recently, her father Jonathan lived together with Roxie and her brother Edwin Sharpe) begins on a Sunday.

It is the place Jared Starchild bought when he finally decided he'd had enough of paying rent.
Jared is now 60, and is one of the very few Sims in my game this round who have suddenly had a change of mind where their lifetime want is concerned: Instead of wanting to raise 20 puppies or kittens, he now dreams of becoming Chief of Staff!
He was doing so well, having already raised 16 puppies - and he is too old now to reach his new lifetime want. Sorry, Jared - but it wasn't my idea!

Here are the three dogs currently living with Jared, from left to right: Tessa, Maxx and Suzy. Suzy is an elderly dog, Tessa is an adult and Maxx was adopted last round (along with his name - that wasn't my idea, either) so that he could be # 17 on Jared's list of puppies raised.

Jared has never had a job in his life, as he has always been busy looking after his dogs. He has managed getting by on the money he saved from his student grants and by living very modestly. He starts the week with 2,888 Simoleons in the bank; then, inheritances from various deceased friends kick in, bringing his account up to 5,720 - that should be enough for a few more years!
Life at the new house is not much different from before; most of what he does during the day has something or other to do with the dogs.

For Jared, Monday starts with a round of (partly) dog-related cleaning.

The same day, puppy Maxx grows up to a handsome dog.

Sharla Ottomas comes visiting on her own accord - and so does the skunk!

The skunk is back early on Tuesday morning.

Then the bathtub breaks, and with his modest financial means in mind, Jared repairs it himself.

He went to bed last night with the wish to invite Ophelia Nigmos over, a lady he's had a crush on for quite some time (see Ophelia's last week). She arrives at the same time as the postie, who is good friends with Jared's dogs.

You can tell what is on Jared's mind!

And things do not stop at the one kiss that evening!

While Jared and his guest are fast asleep, a dog fight breaks out.

One of the leading wolves from the pack roaming the neighbourhood shows young Maxx his place.

Maxx has his first bath on Wednesday morning. He behaves well from the start.

Just as Jared is mopping up the latest dog-caused puddles on the pavement in front of his house, Desdemona and Beau Broke come along. Beau looks like he is suffering from severe freezing symptoms.

After a delicious home-cooked meal from Jared, he looks a lot better! It is nice for Jared to have human company at the dining table, but he keeps thinking of Ophelia.

On Thursday morning, Maxx meets Balin, a stray cat. They get along well, and even Suzy - who is not the friendliest of dogs - allows Balin to eat from their food bowl.

Jared reads the food column in the paper to find inspiration for what to cook today.

Maybe Suzy was so friendly towards the stray cat because she felt her time in this world was coming to an end. She is about 37 when the Grim Reaper appears to play that last game of fetch with her.

Before Jared has time to move Suzy's tombstone to the pets section of the cemetery at Gamesend Grounds, Cameron Capp walks by.

Jared has rolled the wish to invite Ophelia over, and so there are once again three Sims around Jared's lunch table. Cameron tells his host how sorry he is for the death of a beloved pet, and Ophelia thinks what a polite and considerate young man this is.

Jared changes the topic - I am not sure it is the most appropriate one with Cameron there as well!

Apparently, he realises his faux pas and talks about puppies instead.

This innocent topic is one Ophelia can also relate to very well. Cameron just continues eating :-)

Friday sees Jared on the phone to several of his friends throughout the day. He is still upset about Suzy's death and tells everyone about it.

Winter has begun, and Jared does not only change into the only other (and warmer) outfit he owns; he also moves the dogs' food bowl into the kitchen so that it does not get covered in snow.
(I know the game is programmed so that pets do not mind snow and rain at all, but I don't like to see them having to eat outdoors in this kind of weather!

Saturday is the last day of this week with Jared, and the last chance I can send him to a community lot. As his wardrobe really is very meagre, going to "Cover Me Clothing" for a new outfit seems like a good idea.

Stephen Riley obviously thinks the same, and I have to agree, looking at his summery clothes in this snowy weather!

Back home, Desdemona Broke comes visiting again on her own initiative, this time without Beau. The friends spend a pleasant afternoon and evening together.

Jared ends the week just like he began it - alone, just he and his dogs.
All during Saturday, he has not rolled any wishes about Ophelia. Will that change when winter is over and spring comes round?