The Sims 4: The Caliente Household - Week 2

For the first week with this household, click here or on the label "TS4: Caliente.

After years in real life, we are finally back with the Caliente-Lothario-Dubois household. For the Sims who live here, no time at all has passed, of course; it is the first minutes of Monday after we left them at midnight on the Sunday of their first week.

Their house is still the same, too:

Breakfast is not always like this, but on this Monday morning, Don Lothario, Dina, her mother Katrina and her sister Nina (left to right) gather round the table. Only Nico Dubois, Katrina's live-in lover, is still asleep.
One thing HAS changed - Nina has put on quite a bit of weight since I last saw her.

Dina wants to make progress in her career and towards her lifetime want (this is what I call it, even though the term "lifetime want" does not appear in TS4), and so I let her practise making drinks at the bar.

As before, Don does not need to be asked - he does his share of house work on his own initiative.

Later, he goes jogging, and trots past Bella Goth at a leisurely pace - without even acknowledging her. Has our Don truly settled for Nina as the one and only lady in his life?

He meets and greets Betty Larson. Larson? Name ring a bell? Yes, in TS2 we have the Maxis-made grown-up twins Jodie and Jason Larson. So far, I have not made many rules for my TS4 gameplay, but I think I'll try and have those with surnames I know from TS2 move in - Betty will be my first attempt.

Back home, Katrina struggles with a broken computer, but manages to repair it without being electrocuted.

On Tuesday, Nina and Katrina share a mother-daughter moment over breakfast.

Dina wakes up feeling uncomfortable.

I have Don invite Betty Larson over, and she and Nina retreat to Dina's bedroom for a chat.

Dina doesn't mind - she's been out for work anyway, and returns with a promotion to Caterer. Well done, Dina!

You've not seen Nico yet this week. Here he is, resting in the sun on the balcony. He and Katrina are as affectionate with each other as before.

He later makes dinner and is joined by Don and Dina in the back yard.

You already know how in TS4, our Sims' moods can influence what they are able to do (or not) at any given moment. On Wednesday, Dina feels flirty and manages to mix a cocktail called "Cupid".

 Nina has not been doing anything for her health yet this week, and so I send her jogging.

She rewards herself afterwards with a meal prepared by Nico.

The evening ends for Dina, Don and Nina watching TV together.

Katrina starts Thursday morning with breakfast in the garden.

Nina cleans the bar for her sister - she never mixes drinks, that's exclusively Dina's domain, so it is very kind of Nina, isn't it!

Nothing else remarkable happens that day. I have the Sims talk to their friends on the phone but mostly leave them to their own devices, with the exception of Dina, who needs to build up her mixing and cooking skills for her career.
It is already Friday morning when I take the next picture; Don taking out the garbage.

Meals are eaten whereever they want; here, the TV room seems to be the place of choice.

Betty Larson is invited over again, and gladly joins Nina at the bar to sample the drinks Dina makes.

I have Don repair a broken sink. All week, sinks, toilets and bathtubs break; sometimes I let the family call a repair service, but I prefer to have them work on their handiness skill. Besides, Don, Nico and Nina do not work and so have enough time on their hands.

Another example of what Sims can do when in a certain mood: Nina makes heart-shaped cookies when she feels flirtatious :-)

Dina has really learned a lot about mixing drinks!

By Saturday morning, she can make a "Sea on Fire".

 Katrina and Nico share a tender moment.

As adept as Dina is with her bartending equipment, as clumsy she is at the grill: She sets it on fire (maybe she took the drink's motto "Sea on Fire" too seriously!), but thankfully manages to put out the flames quickly.

Returning from work, she is promoted to Mixologist.

It is Sunday, and the young people gather in the back yard to eat the delicious chicken Nico has prepared.

In the early evening, Betty Larson moves in - that was easy! She and Nina are friends, but by no means very close or best friends. In TS2, making a friend move in is a lot harder.

Betty works as a professional painter. She is single and has brought some additional money to the household. Now I have a question for you and hope you can help: How do I make Betty move out and into a place of her own?
I have tried the computer, but it only shows the option to move the entire household.

It was fun playing this household, although I found it hard to focus on more than one Sim's aspirations and wishes at a time. Dina did well, but the others have not achieved any milestones. Also, I deliberately neglected Nina's wish to be disliked by a certain number of Sims. Let's see how they will do next time I play this household.

The Broke-Aspirs - Week 9

For week 8 with this couple, click here. 

In my game, the only member of the Aspir family left is Pauline - the same Pauline who was a toddler at the start of the game. Her parents and her grandfather have long gone to that Great Lot in the Sky.
Last round, Pauline married Benvenuto Broke, the younger brother of Beau Broke whom we just spent a week with.
Both Pauline and Benvenuto are on Permanent Platinum and will largely be left to their own devices.

On this Monday morning, being left to her own devices for Pauline means collecting yesterday's newspaper from the front porch, followed by a spot of gardening - all done in her nightie. No wonder is she suffering bouts of coughing and sneezing!

After she has finally had a bath and got dressed, her sister-in-law Desdemona Broke (wife of her brother-in-law Beau) comes visiting.

sJust as Pauline prepares a dish of salmon for her guest and herself, she turns into an Elder.

The two ladies share a chat and the salmon. You do know what will come next, don't you?

Yes, you guessed right (it didn't take much guesswork, did it!): The Broke-Aspirs have given up the old Aspir house and moved to the Senior Residence.
It is early Wednesday morning when they arrive.

Björn Summerdream is not only the oldest current resident here at 80, he is also the first the newcomers see, as he's doing some gardening on his own initiative.

At the poker table, they meet Guy and Zoe Zimmerman (in the blue and orange PJs) and Lance Landgraab, a guest. Guy is 60 and Zoe 67.

Still fast asleep at the time of their arrival is Francis Worthington. He is 65 and the only resident who is not yet on Permanent Platinum, but he will be soon, I suppose - it should not take long until he becomes Space Pirate.

Sunrise shows the Senior Residence covered in snow.

Sirius Swain walks by and is greeted by Zoe.

Francis has steadily been working on his body skill, and all those Yoga exercises have kept him very fit.

When Björn returns from work all happy...

...he is met by Mr. Reaper and his Hula Girls.
Björn does not mind - he has had a long and happy life and is looking forward to be reunited with his beloved wife, Bottom Summerdream, who preceeded him last round.

On Thursday, their second day at the Senior Residence, Benvenuto meets Zoe in the kitchen. I like it that usually, all new residents quickly become friends with the others, mostly helped along by spending hours at the poker table together. That is not yet the case for Ben and Pauline, but I am sure it is only a question of time.

The repair service is called nearly every day, and today is no exception. It's a shame the repair men and women do not carry surnames that would make them eligible as permanent residents here.

Zoe greets Demi Love, who has moved to New Max only a few days ago.

When Francis returns from work that evening, it is not only with colleague Stephen Riley, but also with his last promotion - he is now Space Pirate and has reached his lifetime want at the age of 67, rather late for my Sims. Well done, Francis - now you shall be left in peace most of the time!

On Friday morning, Kim is found at her usual favourite spot - observing everything that is going on outside from inside the warm house.

Benvenuto has been showing the wish to invite someone over - of course it has to be his brother with all the family. Therefore, although it is not Sunday, it turns into a proper Family Day with only a few hours' absence from Pauline due to work.

For the residents here, it makes a nice change to have some young folks about until it is time for the Broke-Capps to go home.

On Saturday, the seniors take a taxi to the Sky Arc Spire. When they arrive, there is still a light dusting of snow on the ground.

Indoors, the Sky Arc Spire has a spring-like atmosphere with tulips and other flowers in bloom, and the peaceful sound of tinkling water from a well.

Outdoors, the atmosphere begins to match the indoors when all of a sudden, golden sunrays appear over the place - thanks to the good witch who has just arrived.
When the first of our senior group get too tired to enjoy the outing any longer, I send the group home.

On Sunday morning, I find Benvenuto looking at the painting that shows the McGreggor farm where he and his brothers grew up after their widowed Mum - Brandi Broke - fell in love with Leod McGreggor and he welcomed the entire family with open arms and an open heart.

Pauline has steadily been working on her friendship with NPC tourist Kennedy Smith, and today he has come to stay as a house guest for three days.

Cameron Capp walks by and is greeted by Zoe.

Francis returns from work with Stephen Riley. He rolls the wish to influence someone to garden...

...but ends up doing some gardening himself, until other needs call him inside.

Kennedy enjoys the stuffed rainbow trout Pauline has prepared to honour their guest from far away.

It is Monday again - the Broke-Aspirs skipped Tuesday when they moved to the Senior Residence, therefore I am playing another day with them.
Guy Wrightley-Zimmerman missed last night's dinner as he was already asleep. By the time he gets up, the food has gone bad, but that does not stop him from eating it.

Meanwhile, his wife greets passers-by Callum Capp.

Kennedy has made coffee for himself, since nobody seems to bother making breakfast for their guest - or for themselves.

But at night, there is another festive dinner for him in the shape of turkey prepared by Francis on his own accord.
The week ends with Kennedy ALMOST ready to move in - just not yet!

Will there be any new residents from New Maximiliania's stock soon?