The Gavigan Family: Week 2

Click here for the first week with the Gavigans.

This house at No. 1051 West Leisure Lane in Desiderata Valley is our next stop. It is the home of the Gavigans, where I last played in November 2023 - almost two years ago!

We arrive just in time on this Monday morning to witness little Joseph growing up to a toddler, helped by his Dad.

Mary gets up, feeling as if she's only gone to bed a minute ago - well, the joys of parenthood... But she, the Family Sim, loves her children dearly, even if it means to lose a few hours of sleep and not getting much time to herself, or with her husband. She dreams of six grandchildren, which was the reason for the Gavigans to have a second child - it seemed a bit unfair to leave all the responsibility for his Mum's lifetime want on their firstborn.

Here he is, Isaiah, on his way to the school bus. He used to have a different bed and bedside table, but everything from the IKEA pack has vanished from the house. This meant I had to start the week by replacing the most important items without spending too much, leaving the Gavigans with about 3,000 Simoleons in cash.

But not to worry: Nathan, who aspires to become General one day, returns from work that afternoon with a promotion to Counter Intelligence. His wage and the bonus just about make up for the money the family had to spend to replace the missing furniture.

Upstairs, the second birthday of today saw Isaiah growing up into a handsome teenager. He can now finally play with his little brother! My dice landed on Pleasure, although the young man was probably meant to be a Romance Sim - he wishes to have 50 Dream Dates, and I'll have him starting on that as soon as possible.

With her husband at work and Isaiah at school, Mary takes care of houshold matters such as paying the bills. By now, little Joseph has learned all his toddler skills and can be trusted to use the potty when he needs it, giving her a bit more time to do other things. She even manages to make phonecalls to her friends now.

Isaiah returns from school in an outfit that looks as if he's been the lead in the school's play, but this is apparently his outdoor wear now! I really must send the family to a clothes shop very soon.

Meet Flight Officer Gavigan! Another bonus means there is now a healthy 9,000 Simoleons in the bank, and Fortune Sim Nathan instantly starts rolling wants for better furniture. I still believe clothes should come first; it won't be long until the next promotion, I hope, and then some improvements can be made to the home.

First, though, Nathan needs to acquire another body point. He puts the obstacle course to good use and is later joined there by his wife, who has been wishing to get fit.

Nathan is up early on Wednesday morning and lets his wife sleep when Joseph wakes up. Finally, he can spend a bit of time with his younger son before he needs to go to work. He gives him a bath and even manages to teach him a nursery rhyme before his car pool arrives.

Mary feels much refreshed when she gets up later that morning. She potters about the house and plays with Joseph when the doorbell rings - the Travellers are here! Trisha and Trent have been friends with the Gavigans almost from the moment both families moved to The Valley, and now they have come for a surprise visit.

Trent heads straight upstairs where Joseph has just woken up from his afternoon nap. "Hello little man!" (I found that rather sweet - and it was not to give him a bath or a bottle, really just to talk!)

Shortly afterwards, Nathan returns from work. He smiles not only because he is happy to see Trisha and Trent, but also because... "Y'all can help me celebrate my promotion to Senior Officer!" he announces.

As is so often the case in my game, Thursday is one of the busiest days of the week for the family. Nathan is promoted yet again! Now Commander, he needs three more skill points for the next step on the career ladder.

Joseph's toddler days are over, and his Mum is not the only one to sigh with relief! Even though he was a good little kid, learning fast and being looked after by his Dad and big brother whenever they could, Mary will now have more time to pursue her own interests and friendships.

Isaiah makes a start on his lifetime want and asks classmate Veronica Long on a date. In his outfit, where else would he chose but Rod's Famous 50's Diner :-)

He and Veronica get along very well in spite of there not being any chemistry bolts between them, and it does not take long for Isaiah to get his first ever kiss from someone other than his parents or baby brother. Needless to say, the evening turns out a Dream Date. One down, 49 to go!

Several other playables appear at the Diner, among them Pauline Aspir, but she's on her own.

Back home, Isaiah places the roses Veronica has left for him on his new bedside table. The room has received a little makeover; gone is the deep red carpet, and at the other end of the room a second bed is set up for Joseph. (Some hours later, Veronica appears a second time and leaves a 12th Century Song Dynasty Sculped Vase, worth 4,000 Simoleons, on the porch for her Dream Date! It is put into Isaiah's backpack; it might come in useful some day when he needs money.)

After her sons have left for school and her husband for work, Mary walks to The Frippery Frock to finally do something about the family's wardrobe. She is happy to spot her best friend Sam Thomas just reaching the front door as she approaches the shop.

Mary buys outfits for everyone and changes into a cosy jumper and pair of jeans, much better suited for the chilly spring weather than her summerly dress, and then catches up with Sam. The two ladies enjoy their chat until it is time for Mary to head home; she wants to be there when her little boy returns from his first day at school.

Much earlier than expected, Nathan returns from work at the same time as Mary is back from the shop. He has a colleague in an Astronaut suit accompanying him home, and is happy to tell his wife that he has just been promoted to Astronaut - thanks to a chance card, but also because he had all the skills. After the colleague has shown Nathan how to suit up for his first mission in space, he is sent on his way.

Once the boys are both home from school, the family sit down for their first meal when all four of them can be at the table at the same time. "This calls for a celebration!" It certainly does, and all except for Joseph raise their glasses of sparkling wine.

It is already dark outside by the time Mary gets around to helping Joseph with his first homework. But he is a clever lad, and all that smart milk when he was a toddler pays off.

Nathan has the entire weekend off, and of course there is no school, either, and so the family head to Greaves Greener Gardens on Saturday. I am sure all four were included when I told them to walk there, but Mary must have decided to stay home on the last minute.

Joseph asks his big brother to swing him around.

Then Isaiah spots a girl his age by the chess tables and greets her. The crossed-out bolt stops him pursuing her any further as a potential candidate for a dream date.

Back home, Joseph "shows off" to his Dad on his own accord.

Isaiah invites class mate Lainey over and has a Dream Date with her right there and then, not for a minute bothered by his parents as well as his little brother being around. Only 48 more, and he'll be on Permanent Platinum :-D

By Sunday, Nathan has all the skills required for his next promotion and can dedicate some time to make phonecalls to his friends - as we all know, friends are just as important for our Sims' careers as skills and going to work in a good enough mood. Isaiah and Lainey are at it again while Nathan politely looks away, and before the afternoon ends, the boy has 3 Dream Dates under his belt. (By the way, while Lainey leaves roses after both dream dates, unlike Veronica, she doesn't bring anything else.)

Joseph knows few people outside his family and has been wishing to make a friend from the moment he grew up from toddler to child. When he spots Georgia Newson walking by, he runs out to greet her, and they get along fine. But she has to go home before they reach friendship status.

The week ends with Nathan making sure his younger son sleeps well. This was a great week for the family, especially once the initial financial struggle was over (not that it really was a struggle, but they had to be careful with their money).

I have a bit of a soft spot for Isaiah, and hope that Joseph will make a friend in Georgia next time I play this household (which will hopefully not take another two years in real life!).

Mary seems to have been a bit neglected this week, but now that her children don't need her all the time, she will be able to focus on her friendships and hobbies. Also, she and her husband have been rolling many romantic wishes about each other, which means I won't be worried even though I have found out that she has 3 bolts for her friend Trisha's husband, Trent Traveller.

Phineaus Furley - Week 1

Phineaus' Senior Year is here.

We're still in Veronaville and are going to spend a week with Phineaus Furley, who has just graduated from uni.

This small house at #104, Via Veronaville is now his.
Because he has always gotten the full student grants for his good grades, he was able to save money and has 17,000 Simoleons to furnish and decorate his new home.

And it certainly needs furnishing and decorating! As you can see, there are only the cheapest things in the shower room and the kitchen; not even a fridge, and the tiny bedroom only contains a narrow single bed. This won't do - Phineaus dreams of graduating 3 children from college, and he wants the (as yet unknown) mother of these children share a nice comfortable double bed with him.

Therefore, the mini bedroom is enlarged a bit, a fridge is bought as well as a dining table with chairs, a book case, settee and some lamps.

It's still not much and won't be enough once he starts a family, but for now it'll do.

The only outfit Phineaus has brought from uni is somewhat ill-fitting, and so the next thing on his to-do list is to get new clothes.

He buys what he needs and then greets some neighbours. I have him "scope room", and unfortunately, he finds Antonio Monty hot - not the person who will be able to help him fulfill his lifetime want, and so he returns home. 

'Here I am, all on my own... I wonder how long for...' he thinks when he sits down for a lone bowl of cereals. I wonder the same, Phin.

Only Kent Monty turns up to welcome him to the neighbourhood, and wants to talk about love of all things. Phin pretends to be more interested in his cook book.

The phone rings, and former fellow student, dorm mate and close friend Ellen Frost asks him to meet her and a bunch of others at Games of Glory.

Quite a few of the former students are there, among them Tybalt Capp, Ellen of course, Chaz Whippler, Chris Cho and (behind Phineaus) Roxie Sharpe. I have him "scope room" again, but nobody shows more than 2 bolts.

Still, it's a fun evening out with friends, and everybody likes the hot dogs he produces before he returns home.

On Tuesday, I send Phin to greet the mail carrier and then check her for attraction. Although he seems to find her very attractive, there really is just one bolt for her.

Townie Christy Inada shows two bolts, but that's not enough for me to have Phineaus pursue a relationship. It is odd that no matter who I tell him to check out, he finds anyone attractive, even when there is a crossed-out bolt! The poor man must be really desperate to get started on his dream family.

He spends the afternoon fishing, interrupting it every time someone walks by so that he can greet them and check them out.

Wednesday starts with a bit of cleaning. Then Phineaus makes up his mind and calls the Matchmaker to help him find a 3-bolt-lady who will be a good mother to the three children he dreams of.

He digs deep into his savings, paying the Matchmaker the full 5,000 Simoleons, and soon, a lady falls from the sky and the Matchmaker introduces her: "This is Sharlene Walton!"

- "Umm... thanks... I guess..." Phineaus mumbles. Sharlene is obviously past child-bearing age, but before he politely asks her to leave, he takes a closer look... 

...and to his (and my!) surprise, she is indeed his 3-bolt-lady!

The decision is made on the spot: Phineaus will do what he can to win Sharlene's heart, and for his lifetime want, he will adopt.

The first call for adoption he places that same afternoon, and then eagerly awaits the next morning.

Thursday is an eventful day for Phineaus. It starts off with him catching his first ever fish from the pond by his house.

Then, at 10:00 sharply, the Social Worker's car pulls up in front of the house.

Young Alan is now Alan Furley and officially Phineaus's son.

(Another Alan? Lately, all adopted boys in my game seem to be called Alan!) 

When Phineaus invites Sharlene over to meet Alan before the boy heads off to school, it almost feels like a family already.

They sit down for a serious chat about their future together. "You really are serious about wanting to graduate three children from college, aren't you?" Sharlene asks. She has been working as a Nanny long enough to know that looking after children can present its own challenges, but she is willing to help her 3-bolt-man to fulfill this big dream of his.

While Phin makes dinner, the last of a thunderstorm passes across Veronaville, and lightning strikes the fir tree at the side of the house. Sharlene is shocked into helplessness and doesn't know what to do.

Two passing townies join her in the "fire dance" as the tree burns down to the ground.

Only when Phin comes running out with a fire extinguisher in hand are the flames brought under control. Thankfully, nobody but the fir was hurt. 

On Friday morning, the Social Worker is here for another visit - this time, a girl named Jessica was chosen for the Furley family. 

After school, Phineaus supervises both his children's homework. He is a truly devoted Dad but needs to find a solution to their living arrangements - the house is really too small for any more children, or Sharlene should she accept Phineaus' invitation to move in.

Gone are the days of Phineaus' lonely meals!

"I found today's maths homework really easy," Alan boasts.

"And I can name ALL the countries on the globe," his sister adds. It's all cheerful banter and no serious attempt at competition among them.

For now, Jessica's bed is put up in the one large room, while Alan shares the big bed with Phineaus until another house is found.

But what's that?! Surely the burglar doesn't expect to find anything valuable in this modest little house? 

I wake Phin to call the police, but Officer Pons arrives too late at the scene - the burglar has gone, and with her the settee and the book case.

After the unwelcome visit by the burglar nobody has slept well. It is therefore well before sunrise that Jessica and Alan are up and out fishing behind the house. They bond over this and become real friends. 

Phineaus has been doing a lot of digging for treasure, but so far all he's found were several rocks and an old bone.

In the afternoon, he relaxes chatting with his daughter. She knows what is expected of her when she gets older, but that's fine by her - it's her own wish to do well at school, too, just like her brother's.

Sharlene is asked over, and that evening Phineaus thinks he can hardly be any happier than right now, with the lady who owns his heart and the children he loves around the table, enjoying the food he has lovingly prepared.

Sunday morning is rather chilly, but that doesn't stop Alan and Jessica from having a pillow fight outside. 

They don't want to miss the arrival of their youngest adoptive sister, and at 10:00 am, Nikki arrives!

Now there's only one person missing to make the family complete... but not for long: Sharlene Walton moves in that same morning, adding a VERY welcome 12,000 Simoleons to the family's funds. Hardly surprising for a former Nanny, she is a Family Sim and dreams of having six grandchildren. Whether she will be around long enough to see that dream come true remains to be seen.

The tiny house can't hold a family of five, and so the Furley-Waltons move to No. 26 Via Veronaville. The house, although not overly expensive, stretches their funds almost to the limit, and only around 2.600 Simoleons are left to furnish it.

The ground floor is empty apart from a bathroom and an incomplete kitchen. Everything is of the cheapest quality, except for doors, windows and the fireplace. I could of course sell that but first want to see if the family can not make money in other ways.

Only the bathroom is furnished upstairs. It is still a small house for two adults and three children, but it'll have to make do, at least for now.

The children all walk to school (moving house means we have shifted instantly from Sunday to Monday), and Phineaus and Sharlene get busy with their spades, hoping to unearth a treasure chest. But all they dig up are rocks, bones, old boots and an antique map. (The boots are of course from the pond by the old house, but let's pretend they were buried in the garden.)

Selling all these things gives the bank account a boost to 3.850 Simoleons, and the essentials are bought right away.

The ground floor has a desk and chair for Mr. Humble's computer. A fridge is added to the kitchen, and a dining table and chairs set up. 

Upstairs, everyone will have to sleep in the cheapest beds available - at least during their first night here. I do miss the IKEA pack! As soon as I can dedicate a bit more time to it, I want to sort out this issue.

Anyway, there are just about 500 Simoleons left, and no more money is spent today.

Phineaus doesn't need a job for his lifetime want, but he certainly needs one now to provide for his family's needs. Luckily, he has a set of skills good enough to accept a job as Broadway Star, which will yield over 1,000 Simoleons per working day, and he'll start tomorrow. 

In the meantime, Sharlene gave the spade a good work-out one more time and has finally struck gold - literally! The treasure is immediately sold for 5,000 Simoleons. That will allow for some first cautious improvements.

First, though, there is homework to be done. Nikki is helped by her new Dad while the other two have already learned to do their homework alone.

The evening is spent with the children playing with each other and talking to their parents; especially Sharlene is not yet friends with any of the children, and I want them to have a good home life together.

The week ends here, as I have now played Phineaus for seven days. We'll see the household again when W as in Walton appears on the list.

Things have certainly turned out rather different for Phineaus than expected - but his lifetime want is much more important to him than money, and he has found a 3-bolt-love who fully supports him.

It'll be good to see the family on more stable grounds financially, though! Also, I am looking forward to seeing the kids together in their new family, and of course there will be a wedding - both Phineaus and Sharlene wish for it.