The Burb Family: Week 2

The first week with the Burbs is here.

After more than two years in real life, we're back at No. 225 Main Street in Pleasantview, where the Burbs live.

Lucy turned into a teenager at the end of last round. Strangely, even as a child she knew she wanted to become a Professional Party Guest one day, and that has not changed. It is a somewhat unusual lifetime want for a Family Sim, but she comes after her Dad in that way.

Her Mum, Jennifer, has the Fortune aspiration and is working her way up the Business career ladder with the ultimate goal of becoming a Business Tycoon. Her current job is that of a Junior Executive.

And here is John, who on this Monday has finally taken the first step towards his dream of raising 20 puppies and kittens: A black puppy named Leroy has just been brought to his door by the Pet Adoption Service. Look how happy John is! 

The Burbs do not have much money, but after having paid the adoption fee and investing in a dog house and other pet things, there are still over 2,100 Simoleons in their account, and Jennifer will no doubt not just receive her regular pay this week, but also a promotion bonus or three :-) 

A nice aside: On checking everyone's wishes, Lucy wanted to play with her uncle Daniel Pleasant (he is Jennifer's brother), and John also wanted that, even though they aren't friends yet. Less ideal is Jennifer's 3-bolt-attraction for Jason Larson, but so far the two of them don't even know each other properly, and I hope it stays that way.

On Tuesday, John learns what it means to have a puppy in the house. When he is not playing with little Leroy or teaching him to stay off the beds and other important lessons, he feeds him and of course has to deal with dog puddles. Leroy is a good dog, though, and so far has only peed outside.

A visiting skunk seems to be most interested in this four-legged newcomer in the neighbourhood, but the two do not more than look at each other.

And much to my surprise, late that same morning Leroy grows up! Only 19 more to go... ;-D

Jennifer returns from work with a promotion to Executive, and with her bonus, the Burb's family account reaches the dizzying heights of 4,600 Simoleons. Creativity and logic skills is needed now, which means some of the bonus is invested straight away in an easel and a telescope (the cheap version - I don't plan on John having an Alien baby). 

Both the toilet AND the shower need repairing - not the way Jennifer imagined to celebrate her promotion, but she will probably be glad to have acquired a mechanical skill point at some stage AND saved the money for the Repair Service. 

Lucy does her bit, too, and mops up a Leroy-puddle before school. 

All so that her Dad can repair the computer - an essential item for Lucy, who like most teenagers loves to play computer games.

Jennifer returns from work as her company's latest Senior Manager! With her salary and bonus, the family account is at almost 7,000 Simoleons. Time to make some improvements!

The skunk comes visiting again, and seems to watch intently as John cleans the dog house. Leroy doesn't interact with the unbidden visitor, but apparently he sees it as a cat - at least that's what his thought bubble suggests when the skunk is around.

Apart from a much better kitchen stove, one of the important improvements paid for with Jennifer's bonus is better bathroom equipment. The old shower is gone; the bathtub is necessary so that John can give Leroy a bath. 

When the postwoman delivers the bills on Thursday morning, Leroy is out to greet her. While he is friendly with Dagmar Bertino, there is at least one townie he usually chases after when he passes by. 

It's yet another promotion for Jennifer: She is now Vice President of the company! Nice for her to see John hasn't been idle, either; he keeps the house and grounds in order while she is the breadwinner.

With their financial situation so much improved, John can afford to go to the newly opened Pepe's Pets, where he hopes to find a female companion for Leroy so that the two dogs can start producing puppies to help with his lifetime want.

First, he buys a collar for Leroy and one for the yet-to-be-found new family member.

He goes for a beautiful Australian Shepherd by the name of Mellow, and while the dog is friendly enough with him and they bond quickly over some treats and belly-rubbing, the name doesn't quite go with her character; Mellow needs to learn not to be hostile towards other dogs and people.

Daniel Pleasant happens to be at the shop, too, and of course John and his brother-in-law have a little chat before he walks home with Mellow. Next time I'll play the Pleasant family, it will be interesting to see whether Daniel purchased a pet! 

Back home, Lucy has finished her homework and then went out to build a snowman.

As Thursday slips into Friday, we have not just Leroy and Mellow outside the house, but FOUR dogs - and the two stray ones are both called Webster! So far, Leroy and Mellow have not yet interacted. 

Then, the first interaction between Leroy and Mellow... uh-oh, this does not bode well for their future together, does it? However, minutes after this picture was taken, they calmly sniffed each other. Throughout the day, they were mostly going their separate way with one more hostile moment from Mellow towards Leory; I don't dare have John asking them to "try for puppy" just yet.

Mellow has chosen to relax on the floor next to Jennifer's side of the bed. Eventually, she retreats to the doghouse to sleep.

For the first time this week, the family are having breakfast together on Saturday morning, with Lucy still in her PJs. John is optimistic about there soon being puppies from Leroy and Mellow, even though they are not really friendly with each other just yet.

But things are definitely improving!

Jennifer enjoys having the weekend off after five days of hard work and several promotions. She has all the necessary skills and friends needed for her next promotion and now spends a couple of hours getting a bit of extra money in by giving financial consulting.

Meanwhile, Lucy walks to H&M to get some new clothes better suited for spring and summer.

When she goes to pay at the counter, she has the distinct impression that the young man at the till flirts with her. He is about her age, and it's spring... so, why not? 

She hides between the racks of clothes and observes him for a bit. He definitely is attractive... and has he just been looking her way? 

Unfortunately, when she approaches him again to strike up a conversation, he is very obviously NOT interested... and a slightly disappointed Lucy goes home with only her new clothes in the bag and no love interest. It's not too bad, though; she only has one bolt for the young NPC, while she has two bolts for both Dirk Dreamer and Alexander Goth, but has not rolled any wants about either of the boys. 

Back home, Mellow and Leroy are still not friends, but have followed John's instruction to try for puppies. (I was half expecting them to refuse, but it was a relief to see them disappear into the doghouse together!) 

John is in a celebratory mood after the good week the family have been having, and makes salmon for dinner.

The celebration continues upstairs - at least for John and Jennifer ;-)

Sunday is off to an unpleasant start when burglar Russ Bear appears on the lot. Maybe you remember that the Burbs were burgled already during their first week here, when money really was tight - they never forgot that, and installed a burglar alarm.

And good job they did! "Oh hello Officer Kauker... fancy seeing you here... I was only checking that everything was secure here at the Burbs, you know..." Yeah, sure!! Officer Kauker has heard better stories, and after a short fight, Russ gives up and is lead in handcuffs to the waiting police car. The family are given 500 Simoleons for their role in catching the burglar. 

The next morning, Mellow gives birth to three puppies, one male and two females. They are not going to stay with the family once they are grown up, but will be given to the pet adoption service; their names are Billy, Bella and Brenda Burb. (That way I will know when they appear as strays or with the adoption service.) A third doghouse and an additional dogbed in Lucy's room plus more food bowls are bought. 

And of course, Sunday means the family are invited over.

Jennifer's brother Daniel and his daughters Angela and Lilith come over, but Mary-Sue has to work. Actually, the house is full enough now as it is, with five dogs, three family members and three visitors! 

So that there isn't a constant traffic jam at the doors leading into the house, I resort to the option to "disallow pets" - something I've not done before and must remember to take off next time one of the dogs needs a bath. 

Everyone tucks into John's vegetable soup. 

And inspite of a mild spring rain falling later that afternoon, much fun is had by all. The twins are now getting along much better, and the puppies are of course never short of attention with so many people about. 

The Burbs had a good week; being cautious about spending money allowed them in the end to buy everything they needed for themselves and the dogs. Jennifer has had several promotions and is well on her way to reaching her lifetime want. John has so far only raised one puppy, but three more are there now - it's a long way to fulfilling his dream, but he'll get there eventually. Lucy is looking for love, and maybe something will happen when I play the Dreamers or the Goths, as she is friends with both boys.

By the way, Mellow is based on a real Australian Shepherd owned by a couple of friends at O.K.'s village - only their Mellow is male, and one of the friendliest dogs you can imagine :-)

Ty Bubbler - Week 1

Ty's Senior Year at college is here.

After graduating from uni, Ty Bubbler bought this very small house at No. 28 Mendoza Lane in Downtown Desiderata Valley.

He saved most of his student grants and therefore can afford to get rid of the cheap furniture and appliances in the house as well as having the bedroom enlarged so that a double bed will fit.

This is what the house looks like after the makeover. Much better, I think! Since Ty does not plan on having children, he is fine with the limited space. 

On this Monday, not just one, but TWO move-ins happen: Ty first asks his former professor from uni over; her name is Heather Smith and she is happy to join The Valley's playable population. She moves out instantly in search of her own place, and we'll catch up with her many months from now when "Smith" is reached on my alphabetical list. 

Next is Sam Thomas, Ty's girlfriend from uni. The two of them were an item practically from Day One, and it is only natural that they now live together. 

They share the Popularity aspiration and both have career-focused lifetime wants, starting on the job search right away: Sam wishes to become The Law, while Ty fancies himself as future Celebrity Chef. Neither of them is lucky on this first day, though.

That means they are home to meet the Welcome Wagon, Herbert Goodie and the Bells (sounds like some 60s band name, doesn't it!). Ty grills a batch of hamburgers, which everyone appreciates.

After the meal, the guests are politely sent on their way so that Ty and Sam can shop for clothes - both their wardrobes leave a lot to be desired, especially in view of the colder season fast approaching. "Cold Issue Clothing" is very apt :-)

They buy what they want, not really needing to be very careful about spending, and meet a few fellow citizens, such as Tara Kat here. Then they walk back home, and I am relieved to say that the game did not crash; I had them walk both ways and kept game speed on "normal", not fast as I often do.

Getting up on Tuesday morning, Ty and Sam hope that they'll find jobs today, but nothing is available in Law or Culinary.

Mary Gavigan walks by and is greeted by Sam. The two ladies instantly hit it off, and Mary stays for lunch. The rest of the day passes by unremarkably; bills are paid, phone calls made and skills gained to take advantage of it being autumn. 

Sam has been lucky on Wednesday morning and found a job as Personal Injury Attorney; she can start right away. 

Before Ty can go about the daily job search, though, the computer needs repairing. By the time he has completed that task, if there was anything available in Culinary, it is gone.

With Sam at work, he has the day to himself and decides to make use of the beck hugging the house on three sides for some fishing.

A thunderstorm rages across Downtown at about lunch time, and lightning hits the large fir tree in front of the house. With the rain having stopped, I make sure to keep Ty busy indoors while two townies panic outside. 

Unfortunately, the tree is still burning brightly when Sam returns from work, and because I do not want her or Ty to come to any harm, I have him call the fire brigade, who of course saves the day. Then... my game crashes, and when I next enter the lot, the fire has never happened. Just as well! 

Thursday starts more or less the same as Wednesday: Sam is off to work, and Ty deals with household matters, makes the odd phone call and does some skilling while he has the time AND it is autumn. 

He also looks after the flowerbeds in front of the house.

He is still there with the watering can when Sam returns from work with a smile - and a promotion to Family Law Attorney. 

Ty spends Friday once more on his own, most of the time working on his cooking skill. He interrupts studying his cook book just long enough to greet Faith Goodie.

Sam is promoted yet again and now works as an International Corporate Lawyer. There goes the free weekend she was looking forward to, maybe throwing a party of their old friends from uni or going clubbing. But lifetime want is lifetime want, and Sam is grateful that she has been advancing so fast in her career. 

It is Saturday, and actually Sam wasn't due a promotion today, lacking a skill point. But she did well with a chance card and is home as early as lunch time, starting in her new position as Entertainment Attorney on Monday. 

She now has that free weekend, after all! (Although she should use it for skilling, since she now needs six skill points before she can realistically expect to be promoted again.)

Sam really wants to throw a party for her old and new friends alike, and the two set about preparing everything. A new, expensive grill (as per Ty's wish) is now on the back porch, and additional seating provided outdoors.

The guests are here: Brittany Upsnott, Jimmy Phoenix, Alegra Gorey, Heather Huffington and Tiffany Simpson all went to uni with Ty and Sam, while they met Mary Gavigan and Elizabeth Aspir only after moving to The Valley. 

Ty (in his party outfit) loves his new grill and produces some very nice bass with squash, having caught the bass in the beck by the house earlier this week.

Sam, also in her party outfit, enjoys the food as much as the company. Heather tells a funny story from when they were all at art class together, with Elizabeth (who didn't go to college herself) listening politely.

Sam is happy when the party ends with everyone in a great mood. Whether she'll use Sunday for skilling remains to be seen. 

Ty has finally found an opening in Culinary and starts as an Executive Chef right away on Sunday morning.

However, a bad decision with a chance card leads to him being demoted to Sous Chef, something he is really upset about. At least he wasn't fired and had to start the job search all over again! Also, he can prove himself by returning the same afternoon for his first shift as Sous Chef.

Sam has indeed been skilling most of the day, but she also has found the time for some phone calls to friends, and a meal of leftover spaghetti. 

Ty returns at 9:00 pm, and Sunday evening sees him and Sam enjoying each other's company - that's what moving in together was all about anyway, wasn't it ;-) 

(Seriously - they've been an item all through college, but shared their first kiss only after Sam moved here!) 

It was nice playing these two. Their small house is just about holding what they need, but I'll have to place an easel somewhere next round since they both need creativity for their careers. For logic, a chessboard and chairs have already been set up on the front porch; not ideal in winter. Maybe when I play them next (when it's Sam's turn on the list) they should move somewhere bigger - they can certainly afford it now.