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 :-)
