After what feels like a long time spent elsewhere in the SimWorld, we are back where it all began, in Pleasantview. The house you see here is at 95 Woodland Drive, and just across the road from Woodland Park.
Herb and Coral Oldie live here, and Maxis says that they "... are simply one of the nicest families around. Their years together through good and bad have made them into the wonderful parents, and grandparents, they are today."
While they do not have any biological children, they made wonderful parents for Mary-Sue, whom they adopted when she was a toddler. Mary-Sue went on to marry Daniel Pleasant, and their twin daughters Lilith and Angela are Herb and Coral's granddaughters.
For now, the most basic things will have to do, but Coral and Herb do not seem to mind - as long as they have each other, they can face anything!
Coral is a Family Sim who dreams of having six grandchildren. Right now she has two; I doubt she will ever have six. Her bio says: "As the picture of maternal perfection, Coral has raised a successful, beautiful daughter; but at what price?" - Now, what's that supposed to mean, I wonder?!
Herb is a Romance Sim who has never strayed. He and Coral were best friends as children, had their first kiss as teenagers and fell in love, got engaged and married as soon as they were adults. He wishes to become General, something that is not possible at his age. Instead of being retired, though, he is unemployed, which means no pension checks will be coming in; therefore, he may have to take up a job after all. His bio says: "If being a crafty businessman, loving father, and reasonably reliable husband takes a lot of energy, then Herb Oldie has led an exhausting life."
Mr Humble's computer has arrived, and is set up in the study. Herb immediately checks the Simternet for a position in the military, but there aren't any. (Also, his and Coral's skill profiles are surprisingly poor, considering that according to their biographies, these two are model citizens who have been working hard; Herb as a businessman and Coral as a homemaker.)
After Denise has left and the couple sit down for their tea, Herb asks Coral what she thinks of his latest idea to get at least some money in: Sell paintings! Coral is cautious; she knows Herb's creativity is not high enough for him to create anything that would sell well, but in the end they agree that they can afford to buy an easel and paints, and let Herb give it a try.
On Thursday, Coral discovers Yoga. For her exercises, she chooses a spot behind the house where nobody can see her from the street. With a bit of rope skipping at the start of the week, she has developed into something of a fitness enthusiast, constantly wishing about body skills, going jogging and becoming fit.
"You know, darling, I love you just the way you are... you don't need to become Superwoman or something," Herb smiles at his wife of so many years. Coral smiles back and explains that she's not doing this for him, but simply for herself, and that it feels really good to be fit and healthy. "You should try it..."
But Herb has tried something else, and not told his wife about it because he wasn't sure how it was going to turn out: He wrote a book about Pleasantview! As he has lived here all his life, he offers his take on the town and its people. That night, just when Coral has gone to bed, he receives a phonecall from his publisher. The book wasn't great, but he still receives 1,768 Simoleons for it.
And in spite of the less than enthusiastic reception in the world of literature, it DOES fell good to have your own book in print to put on your shelf! With the little money they have spent on furniture, and the twice-weekly bills going out, but the cheque for Herb's book coming in, the Oldies now have almost 5,900 Simoleons.
On Saturday morning, I find that Herb has a computer in his inventory. As I did not have him buy one, I guess one of his new friends at the literary circle must have given it to him. Anyway; the Oldies already have Mr. Humble's computer and don't need another one, and so it is sold. That boosts their bank account to over 8,600 Simoleons, and finally, some better furniture and appliances can be bought without having to worry about next week's bills. A new fridge and stove, new toilet and bath/shower as well as more comfortable dining chairs are purchased.
But over a breakfast of Coral's burnt pancakes (she was quite upset when she saw the girls fighting), the family does not exactly seem to be getting any closer. Lilith does not even look at her sister across the table, and Daniel wonders what to do, while Mary-Sue and Angela pretend all is well and concentrate on their food.
The Oldies have plenty of life experience combined with tons of love for their family, and set about a strategy to improve relationships by Herb starting a game of kick bag with his one granddaughter, and Coral sitting down for a good grandmotherly conversation with the other granddaughter. Meanwhile, Daniel and Mary-Sue also play kicky bag.
Before the family leave, they enjoy Coral's dinner - not burnt this time! She servs bass with squash, having caught the fish herself earlier in the week.
The week ends well for the family: Coral and Herb are as much in love as ever, and have managed to ward off the repo man by Herb's diligent writing (the easel was never bought). Coral is physically fitter than many much younger ladies, and loved having her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughters around.
There wasn't any progress towards their lifetime wants, but they had many wishes fulfilled nonetheless.
It's nice to see the Oldies once again even connecting their relationship with Mary-Sue and her family.
ReplyDeleteThis time around, I am trying to incorporate the Maxis-made backgrounds for each family, and for the Oldies, that involves their adoptive daughter Mary-Sue.
DeleteThis was a good round for the Oldie's, I like that Herb is making money writing and it's great that he and Coral are interfering in their Granddaughter's lives for a higher purpose. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was much more entertaining to play the Oldies than I thought, and I became more interested in their relationship and conservative role models they seemed to live by. Herb won't live long into their next week, and I wonder whether I should make Coral move in with Mary-Sue and her family.
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