The Smiths' house is covered in a thick blanket of snow when we reach it for the second time this round. Why the second time? Because I play each household according to the surnames of the Sims living there, and there are two Sims by the surname "Indie" here and only one "Smith".
The only remaining Smith is Johnny. His sister Jill (who was younger than he when the game began, but is now a "year" older because he died from exposure to the sun while he was a Vampire, and was resurrected) is Mitch Indie's widow and carries his surname.
Johnny is on Permanent Platinum and gets little control from me. Jill is still working at her lifetime want of having 20 loves.
Isabella Indie, Jill's stepdaughter, still lives here, too. She has Jill's old room and is slowly but surely working her way up to becoming Professional Party Guest.
On Monday, Matthew Smith moves in - adding exactly 1 Simoleon to the (admitteldy rather impressive) family account.
Maybe you have seen Matthew in your own neighbourhood as part of the Garden Club; he is usually part of the judging committee assessing a Sim's garden.
Because his surname is Smith, and the population of playables has shrunk considerably over the past years in New Maximiliania, he is allowed to become part of the 'hood for good.
Matthew is 54 and a Knowledge Sim with the LTW of maxing out all skills. He works as a Drive Through Clerk (of course I have him quit that job immediately) and has three hobby medals: Bronze in Robotics and Sewing, Gold in Gardening.
It looks as it's been a while since Matthew had a proper home-cooked meal!
In the afternoon, friends of the Smith siblings gather outside. You know them all, don't you :-)
It's Johnny's birthday! As Mayor of New Max, he can't just become an Elder without the citizens of his town making a fuss of him. He dons a formal suit...
...and transitions into an Elder in the middle of his people.
Of course, no Mayor's birthday can go without a speech. "You know, I really didn't want to make a speech, but my little sister here insisted on it", he smiles. He then goes on to thank all New Maximilianians for having been so kind to him and his family, back in the day when his father, an Alien from a faraway planet, fell in love with a girl from New Max and decided to settle here and raise a family.
"My Dad would be so proud to see his son serving this wonderful town as Mayor!"
The speech ends with him officially welcoming Matthew, their long-lost relative, now a newcomer in New Max.
Isabella returns from work late at night with a promotion to Home Video Editor.
On Tuesday, something unusual (at least for me!) happens: Johnny wakes up, rolling the want to have a face lift.
There is nothing wrong with his face as it is, but I like anything unusual in my game, and so I comply with his wish.
Only his nose has been altered, and he seems to be really pleased with it :-)
(The machine was originally used for Isabella, who did not have a nose.)
Sally Riley is greeted by Matthew.
Jill and Isabella take a taxi to "Cover Me Clothing" for some new outfits.
Of course, Jill does not bypass the occasion to meet some nice men :-)
On Wednesday morning, Matthew repairs the computer in Johnny's room. From now on, Matthew will be doing most of the house work, as he wants to max out his skills anyway.
The sink is next.
Jill greets Gallagher Newson.
Charlie Cho is already here and becomes Jill's Love # 12 that afternoon.
Isabella still reacts with distress every time she witnesses Jill interacting romantically with a man. It seems as if she will never get over the fact that her father died and Jill, as a widow, is fully entitled to have a new man (or 20) in her life.
Johnny, determined not to let "old age" slow him down now that he is an Elder, has been working out so excessively that he collapses on the deck right next to the exercise bike. Several hours later he has recovered enough to drag himself up to bed.
On Thursday, Matthew is the first to be up and works on his logic skill at the chess board in the den.
Jill greets Jasmine Rai.
While I am not looking, Johnny goes and cleans the upstairs bathroom on his own accord.
On Friday morning, Johnny and Matthew are both in the kitchen. Johnny keeps his relative company while Matthew is repairing the sink.
Matthew greets Beatrice Monty.
Johnny discovers that he has 3 bolts for Bea! But all the can think of to talk about is food.
Jill now dates recently widowed Nervous Singles. "I miss my Erin so much," he confesses. "Were it not for my dear son Shaun, I'd be terribly lonely." Jill has an idea of what to do to combat loneliness.
Isabella has just returned from work with a promotion to Freelance Photographer when she spots Jill and Nervous bonding over a game of kicky bag. Again she reacts with distress.
Saturday morning sees Johnny serving burnt spaghetti bolognese on his own accord.
Jill Smith - yes, another Jill Smith, just like Jill Indie before she was married! - is a townie I've seen around many times in New Maximiliania. She is invited over today, and has Mercutio Ottomas in tow.
It's a lively meal with the Smith-Indies comparing notes about who is related how.
At night, Isabella comes home as a Freelance Web Designer.
On Sunday morning, I spot Johnny contemplating the portrait of his late mother, Jenny.
Isabella greets half-sister Fenya Hart.
Nervous is back, and becomes Jill's Love # 13 today, much to Isabella's dismay.
Sunday ends with another lively meal with friends and family. Orlando Ottomas has accepted happily the invitation to join the group for Johnny's hot dogs, as befits the first Sunday this summer.
Is Johnny going to do something about his 3 bolts for Beatrice Monty? Who will be Jill's next love? When will the other Jill Smith move in? Is Isabella going to find a love interest eventually, or is she too put off by Jill's romancing ways?
