Dear Emmy

[Lynet]

Dear Emmy,

I miss you so much. Please come home for a visit. I understand why you were so eager to get away from this house and go to college. Aunt Kiara's ghost wouldn't leave you alone! How could she be so mean? Chasing you out of bed and scaring you so you couldn't get any sleep, all night long. She doesn't bother me very much, just once in a while. She wouldn't bother us at all if Mom and Dad would just get rid of her urn. It's still in the bathroom, where she died. It's floating. I took a picture. Do all urns float like that? Or is it just Aunt Kiara?

Uncle Drake misses her. I see him staring at her picture all the time. He just stares. It's creepy. And Dad is really weird these days. He's always jumping into the tub and playing pirates. Mom has a job now--art forger. What do art forger's do, Emmy? Mom says they copy art so everyone can share but can't you just take a picture?

We never spend any money around here except for the repair man, the maid (Remington is creepy, always talking to himself and mumbling) and the gardener who is very bad at his job. The flowers keep dying and we don't buy more.

What's the matter with the money, Emmy? Mom won't tell me. I hear them whisper about Grandpa Wynter. I never met Grandpa, but they say I should be careful because he's still around somewhere. I haven't seen his ghost, though.

Anyway, I gotta get ready for school. I'm being good and doing all my homework. Come and visit soon.

Love,
Dalila
(Your sister, don't forget)

ps. Emmy, I'm sending a picture of me, too. Send me one of you, please.

[Lynet]

Dear Dalila,

College is great. I've made a couple of friends--Juan Sartor and Karen Gast. Can't decide how to wear my hair yet. Look at my pictures and let me know what you think :p . Juan's OK but isn't the tall, dark and handsome one of my dreams. I'll let you know later about that.

Miss you too, little sister. I'll invite you over as soon as I get settled better. Registration, term papers, a lot of stuff to take care of first.

Hey, they have a set of drums here! Got a picture me playing the drums! Maybe I'll join a band.

Going to miss class. Gotta run.

Bye,
Emmeline

[babewithbrains_14]

Aww! :(

[surprised_by_witches]

More, please! I love this kind of sim story! Nice job.

[Lynet]

Dear Emmy,

We've moved! We've moved! I'm so happy with my new room. It has four windows with lace curtains. And yellow carpet. And a new lamp.

And Aunt Kiara's ghost doesn't bother us anymore. She was so bad, keeping all of us awake at night. I was so, so tired, Emmy. Three times she scared me in my bed one night, so I crawed into bed with Mom while Dad was downstairs watching TV. Aunt Kiara woke us both up. That was the last straw for Mom. She was so mad. She wanted to get rid of Aunt Kiara's urn but we couldn't figure out how to move it outside. She decided that moving us out instead would take care of the problem. It did. Aunt Kiara's urn and ghost are gone. I think she's still in the old country house, all alone. It's sad. But she really wasn't being very nice.

Uncle Drake isn't happy. The movers lost his painting of Aunt Kiara, but I can tell that he thinks about her alot. Also Emmy, he got out a funny costume of a Llama and put it on the day we moved. He looked so goofy walking around the new house like that. Mom was annoyed. She told him to go change his clothes.

I also heard Mom and Dad talking about Grandpa Wynter when they thought I was just watching TV. He moved with us. How can that be, Emmy? What are they talking about? There's no urn or ghost for him.

Can I come and visit Emmy? Please? Call me on the telephone.

Love, Dalila
(I'm getting bigger every day. Soon I'll be almost as big as you.)

[Lynet]

Hi, Sis!

Did you have fun yesterday, visiting me at the dorm? Isn't it the just the greatest place? There's always something happening, people coming and going. I went to the gym this morning and worked out for a while, then jumped into the pool there. Then I worked on my term paper and did homework and went to class. I'm exhausted!

One of my professors is named Robin King (neat name.) She's a great teacher. You know, I bet Uncle Drake would like her. What do you think? Should I bring her home for a visit?

I also met a guy down at the coffee shop who was sort of cute. Nice tan. Red hair. When he smiled I felt mushy inside. I've never felt like this before. We're going to meet at the library tomorrow and do some research together. His name is Alon Livingston and he said he used to deliver newspapers in the city.

Hey, Sis. Send me some pictures of the new house. I won't be able to come home for a little while because I'm studying for exams. Here's a picture of my friend Karen and the one of you and me talking that Karen snapped on the porch.

Hugs,
Emmeline

[slimsim]

Hmm, I am moving this to Forum Games. Why? Because It has the potential of other people being able to join in on it.

[Lynet]

Hmm, I am moving this to Forum Games. Why? Because It has the potential of other people being able to join in on it. Most curious :) but as you wish. Meanwhile,

Dear Emmy,

Today we went to church and Uncle Drake is getting more and more strange. We all got in the taxi OK as you can see because I snapped a picture of Uncle Drake in his church suit. We were all dressed up. When we got out of the taxi at church, Uncle Drake was dressed in his Llama costume! I snapped another picture. Mom was really upset. I asked her why Uncle Drake was behaving that way and she just tapped a finger to the side of her head.

Poor Uncle Drake. He really misses Aunt Kiara. I'm afraid he's going to go away soon to be with Aunt Kiara in heaven. That's what Dad thinks, too. I will miss him because he is funny. And he reads to me all the time. I really don't need anyone to read to me because I can read books myself, but he makes his voice squeaky or deep for the characters in the book and it's very fun, almost as good as television.

Tell me more about this guy Alon that you met. Did you meet him at the library and find out more about him?

Oh, I've also enclosed a picture postcard of Baltimore that I bought at Epstein's on Saturday. You can put it on the wall in your room.

Love,
Dalila

[suitemichelle]

more! more! I'm loving it...

[Lynet]

Dear Dalila,

He's just GREAT! Yes, we met at the library and he's so SMART. He helped me with my math homework. So CUTE. I am just melting. When we finished our homework we just hung out together, talking about city life and school, drinking coffee. He's living in one of the big dorms--16 rooms! It's known around here as The Beast because it's so big and ugly. He hates it there. The other residents leave the bathrooms cruddy and the student lounge a mess. A couple of them almost never take showers and walk around stinking up the halls. His friend, Ivy (I'm going to have to meet her and see what kind of friends they are--I mean, are they, like, really close?). Anyway, his friend Ivy likes cleaning things. She's always doing it, he says, and she keeps the bathroom near their rooms pretty clean.

He wants to move out of that dorm but doesn't have enough money to rent a house yet. I mentioned, carefully casual and as if it didn't matter to me one way or another, that my dorm was small and that I knew a couple of the students were moving out.

I'm crossing my fingers. By the way, please don't bother Mom with any of this. She'd just worry and there's NOTHING to worry about. OK, Sis? You're on my side, aren't you.

By the way, isn't your birthday coming up. What does the family have planned? Let me know.

Love
Emmy

[Lynet]

Dear Emmy,

We're having a party next Saturday. This is your official invitation. I expect you. Can you find Sheila Mae and Griffin. Mom wants them to come to. She hasn't seen them in ages although she talks to them on the phone all the time. I don't care whether they come or not, even if they are our big brother and sister. They never call me or write me the way you do. Mom says it because they are so much older and moved away to college before we moved to the country house. That was before I was born. What are they doing in college so long? How long does college take? I'm tired of going to school all the time. I don't think I want to bother with college.

I'll see you next Saturday.

Love,
Dalila

*******
Hi, Sis,

I'll be there Saturday and so will Sheila Mae and Griffin. They're nice, really, just kind of ... well ... serious people. They knew Grandpa Wynter before he died, and Aunt Kiara, too. They grew up in the mansion when family times were happier. I think, maybe, they were spoiled by it all, so if they seem a little unfriendly it's only because they're sad about losing all of that. As for what they're doing so long at college, I'm not sure. I guess they're just avoiding the rest of the world for now. We'll have fun, Saturday.

Also, BIG news. Alon and his friends moved into my dorm. We flirted a little yesterday. I've got exams coming up and it's so hard to concentrate with him nearby. I still don't know how he feels about Ivy. I'm going to make friends with her and see what she thinks of him.

I took a picture of him and also of his friend Randy. Alon is the guy with red hair, of course. Isn't he fabulous?

See you soon,
Emmy

[Lynet]

email
to: Emmeline@*****.***
from: DalilaSparrow@ *****.***

Emmy, I think you should try to make Randy your boyfriend and not Alon. I think Randy looks better. Are you bringing them to the party?

[surprised_by_witches]

Ooh, I disagree. Alon is quite handsome.

This is so much fun! Keep writing ...

[Lynet]

(thanks for the encouragement, SBW and Michelle. I'm having fun, except when "Uncle Drake" cries. It actually brings tears to my eyes *sniff*)


Dear Emmy,

I had so much fun at the party. I was hoping you'd bring Alon and Randy. Since they couldn't come I want to come over to Le Tour for a visit and meet them. I want to meet Randy. In the meantime tell me about him.

I've included a picture of you, Griffin and Sheila Mae all together, talking in the back yard after the party. Sure, Griffin and Sheila are OK. Sheila has called me a couple of times since Saturday, to see how I'm doing, she says.

Mom wanted me to put in the picture of me in the dress she bought me for my birthday. I don't much like it. Too pink! I wanted jeans.

Also, Emmy, I don't understand why Mom seems especially nice to Uncle Drake these days. She used to just roll her eyes and act annoyed with him all the time. She's changed. I was playing with my camera and came up behind her talking to him in the living room after they came in from swimming. Uncle Drake was crying, Emmy! They talked for a while, very quietly. I didn't hear what they said because I was cleaning up for supper.

I don't suppose you know what's going on. I don't like to see Uncle Drake so unhappy. I think I'll go and watch TV with him now.

Love,
Dalila

[Lynet]

Dear Dalila,

Griffin and I were real glad to see you Saturday. What a surprise at how beautiful you've become. I know you don't remember our visits from when you were very small but we did come by the country house sometimes to visit with all of you. It was before Aunt Kiara died.

Griffin and I and your cousin Egan have rented a house next to the college. We thought you might want to come over for the weekend for a visit. You may want to go to school here someday, after you've taken care of the terms of Grandpa Wynter's will, that is. The estate is in your hands, Dalila, and we're counting on you.

But that's nothing to worry about now. So how do you like Dad's car? How long has he had it? Since he got into the Hall of Fame, maybe? Send me a picture. I'd like to show it to my friend Marcel. He talks about cars alot.

Oops. Egan has dinner ready and no patience for cousins who come to the table late. Might not be any left for me.

Love,
Sheila

[Lynet]

Dear Sheila,

Here's the picture of Dad's car. Now you have to tell me about this will of Grandpa Wynter. I don't know anything about it. I'm not going to ask Mom and Dad because now I'm mad at them for never telling me about this. Please explain it to me. Soon!

Waiting,
Dalila

[surprised_by_witches]

Oooh ... the plot thickens. :D

[Lynet]

Oooh ... the plot thickens. We hope :p
* * * * * * *
Dear Dalila,

Sorry I've been so long in getting back to you. I've just started seeing a lot of a guy who's quite sweet and very shy. His name is Marcel. I remember him from the dorm we lived in for a while. I was always tripping over him just outside my door there. Now he's calling and showing up at the house. The more I get to know him, the more I like him. But you never really know someone until you live with them, isn't that right? Anyway, we'll see.

As to your question about the will-- Mom and Dad have a handle on the details but the gist of it is, the entire estate goes to charity unless you remain with Mom and Dad. You can't move out, even to go to college, as long as they are alive. You can get married, but your husband has to move in with you and Mom and Dad. If you abide by the terms of the will then all four of his grandchildren inherit a share of the estate. You get the greatest share, of course.

Why you? Because you are Mom's last born child. Grandpa Wynter didn't know you. He didn't know Emmeline, either. He thought Griffin would be her last child because it was such a difficult birth for her. But in his will he didn't say Griffin, he just referred to the last grandchild born.

It's because of Elizabeth, of course. He could never understand why she would run away, why any child so loved would walk away from her family. He didn't want his other daughter, our Mom, to be abandoned in that way by any of her kids.

I don't remember much of Elizabeth, Mom's younger sister. Here's a picture I saved. Elizabeth would be much older now. I'll always wonder if she's still with that guy she ran away with. Hide this from Mom, please. It might upset her.

Talk to you later. In fact, I'll call you in a day or two, OK?

Love,
Sheila

P.S. Wouldn't it be interesting if Elizabeth had a child younger than you are. I don't think we want to know the answer to that. What a mess that would be.

[Lynet]

Dear Emmy,

A letter is so much slower than email but Mom uses the computer all the time and I don't want her to know what I've been talking to you and Sheila Mae about.

I've been talking to Sheila about Grandpa Wynter's will. I've always wondered what the big secret with Grandpa Wynter was all about and now Sheila has told me that it has to do with his will and that I'm obligated, because of it, to stay here with Mom and Dad forever. FOREVER, Emmy! I love them and all that, but Leila Cox and I have been talking about sharing an apartment together after we finish school and get jobs.

And now I've heard about an Aunt Elizabeth that no one ever mentioned before, EVER. And it's all her fault.

Well, Emmy, I don't care about Grandpa's money and estate. I can take care of myself and so can you, Sheila Mae and Griffin. Charities are good things to give money to, right?

Anyway, I'm still trying to figure out what's going on with Mom and Uncle Drake. I saw another strange thing the day before yesterday. I was in Patterson Park with Leila, snapping pictures of flowers, when I saw this. Take a look. What would Uncle Drake--in his Llama suit--and Mom be doing there lying on the grass? Tell me what you think, Emmy.

Also, tell me how you like my new hair style. Leila and I did it, streaks and all. Leila says it makes me look a lot older and more sophisticated. It would be better if I could get contact lenses instead of glasses but Mom's not going to go for that yet.

Love from you very confused little sister,
Dalila

[Lynet]

Hi, Sis!

Things are good here.

Sheila Mae is an idiot. And you can tell her I said so. Never mind. I'm going to tell her so myself!

In the meantime, after final exams which are in a couple of days, I'm going to come home for a visit. We'll bake a layer cake. We'll hang out. We'll check out your new hairdo (looks real cute in your picture), we'll talk about boys, I'll meet Leila, we'll have fun.

And we'll see what we can figure out about Grandpa Wynter AND Uncle Drake, that old rascal, who's worrying you so much these days. He's old enough to know better.

Stop worrying, Sis.

Love, Emmy

[Kristalrose]

I like Dailia's new hair. :) Great story so far, Lynet! :)

[babewithbrains_14]

Gosh, Lynet - you're really creative!

[Lynet]

Thanks, Kristalrose and Babe. I haven't had much time in the past day or so to find out what all the Sparrows are up to. I'm anxious. :rolleyes: It's so time consuming to visit all these households -- Sheila Mae and Griffin's house on campus, Emmeline's dorm, Dalila's home in Baltimore, and, of course, Elizabeth and that guy she ran off with--Phinneas Furley? The last time I visited the campus I got all caught up in what was going on between Sheila and Marcel. But I have more pictures and goings on to post this weekend. :shocked:

Yikes, I'm at work and had better get back to it. :o

[Lynet]

Emmeline receives an envelope. There's a picture inside and the following scribbled on the back--


Uncle Drake and Mom are bad people. I'm going over to Leila's house to stay!

[Lynet]

A telephone call from the campus of Le Tour to a house in Baltimore:

"Uncle Drake, is that you?"
"Who's this? Sheila?"
"No, Uncle Drake, it's Emmeline."
"Emmeline! How are you, Emmy? You haven't written or called in a whole week. How are your classes? Studies going well? Getting along with your teachers? Got a boyfriend yet?" chuckling
"Where's Dalila, Uncle Drake?"
"In school, I expect."
"It's 6 o'clock, Uncle Drake. Where is she?"
"6 o'clock already? My, my, where does the time go? She must be with her friend Leila. Do you want to talk to her. I'll let her know to call you when she gets home for dinner."
"I don't think she's coming home for dinner, Uncle Drake. I think she's run away."
"She's always home for dinner. She's a good girl. Doesn't worry her mother. Always calls."
"When did you last see her?
"Uh...umm...this morning, I think. No, maybe not. I slept late...haven't been feeling 100% but that's not for anyone to worry about..just the usual foolishness that comes with old age."
"She sent me a picture, Uncle Drake."
"Oh, my sweet Dalila. She's always taking pictures. I think she has a gift."
"It's a picture of you and Mom...on Mom's bed. I think it would be a good idea if you found an apartment of your own...away from Mom and Dad."
silence
"Uncle Drake...Uncle Drake? I'm concerned about Dalila. I suggest you tell Dad that she might be over at Leila's house and that he should not worry. She'll be fine there for a couple of days. I'm going over there tomorrow. Uncle Drake? Are you listening?"
"Bye, Emmy."

[Lynet]

email
to: DalilaSparrow@*****.***
from: EmmelineSparrow@*****.***

Hi, Sis. I'm coming back to town, tomorrow. I'll meet you for lunch at Gary's Grill. We haven't been there for awhile. Has it changed any? Still greasy? Just you and me, OK? Leila can do without your company for a couple of hours. I've been talking to Sheila and Griffin about Mom and her mother Dagmar. Your grandmother Dagmar was quite a character. Anway, lunch for sure. Noon. See you then, kid.

:) Emmy

[Lynet]

Whoa--I'm back in General Discussion!

But the story is getting to be entirely too depressing. :rolleyes: Uncle Drake used to fun and now he's a cad. Dalila is moping around her friend's house and can't go to college. Yuck. Where's Elizabeth? Maybe she can lighten things up.

[babewithbrains_14]

No fair Lynet. I want to do a thred like this!

[Lynet]

OK, friend Babe. I say, do it! Did you see Kristalrose' new thread that reads like newpaper articles? Truly neat stuff. Anyway, I'm not going to abandon my Sparrows yet...;)

Meanwhile, back in Baltimore's Le Tour University campus, a letter arrives for Emmeline.

Dear Emmy,

Oh, it was SO great to see you and have lunch downtown. And I actually BEAT you at darts. Gary, the greaseman himself, sent me this picture someone snapped of us. He also sent another picture from the day Dad and I went down to the grill for a hamburger. Dad and I had a good time, too. I think he knew everyone in the grill since he's been a regular for so many years. I've also tossed in a picture of you that you might want to give to Alon, now that you and he are engaged. He should have a picture of you to carry around with him everywhere. I know you said that Alon wants a small wedding with just family but I think a wedding in the church downtown would be awesome.

And Sheila's engaged, too! To Marcel! It's hard to imagine, Emmy, that there are two guys out there that I hardly know who are going to be members of my family for years to come.

Thanks for telling me all about Grandma Dagmar. I've never even seen a picture of her. I agree with you that the family should have forgiven her for kissing the cleaning man, if that's all she did. And if Grandpa Wynter spent days and nights working in his labs, I can kind of see how she just might be trying to make him jealous so he'd spend time with her. It was still a stupid thing to do, but poor Grandma Dagmar. And her tombstone disappeared? So weird.

I know you believe Mom was kissing Uncle Drake to make Dad jealous and maybe you're right. But I've been watching Mom since Uncle Drake moved out of our house and in with Cleve and Meadow Cox. She certainly acts like she loves Dad as much as always, flirting and giggling and smooching like a teenager, but I also found her lying on Uncle Drake's bed, just staring into space, looking sad.

Is it possible, Emmy, for a woman to love two men at the same time? Could it happen to us?

Love,
Dalila

[Lynet]

Dear Dalila,

Loving someone comes easy but it doesn't stay easy. When you find the right guy, work at loving him and look no further. You should not be worrying about this stuff yet anyway. Just have fun. Meet people. Be friends first.

I'm enclosing a picture of Sheila and the love of her life, Marcel. Also, here's a copy of one of my favorite pictures of you, just being happy, which is nice to see.

I hear you got into private school. Way to go, girl! And a part time job? I wasn't clear from what Mom said, when she telephoned, what that job was all about. Write and let me know.

Meanwhile, studies here move tediously forward. I'll be a senior, soon.

Love,
Emmy

[Lynet]

Dear Emmy,

Remember that creepy little house across the street, the one that's been empty for several years, since old Mr. Murphy died?

Someone has bought it. Dad went over and introduced himself. He thinks the people are quite nice. Their names are Candida and Mercedes Menendez. Candida is the daughter of Mercedes. Dad invited them over for supper last night but only Candida accepted the invitation.

Emmy, I didn't like her. She seemed too interested in Dad. They got in the hot tub together while Mom was talking to Griffin on the phone. I think I've seen Candida's mother from a distance, looking out a window of their house. She looks like a witch! Long stringy white hair, a black dress and a nasty expression on her face!

I wish Dad weren't such a friendly, outgoing guy. I think he's too trusting. Mom says not to worry. They're just people like anyone else. We'll see.

Love,
Dalila

[Lynet]

Dear Emmy,

I snuck this picture. It's kind of dark like the other one but that woman is always looking out the window and across the street at our house.

Miss you,
Dalila

[suitemichelle]

oHhhhh! I've got shivers.

[babewithbrains_14]

Eeeks! :eek: :eek: :eek:

[Kristalrose]

I hope Mercedes doesn't have a cowplant!!! :eek:

[surprised_by_witches]

Oh! I love dark twists to stories. That woman looks like a ghost!! :eek:

[Lynet]

Dear Emmy,

Dad disappeared for a few days! I told Mom to call the police and the hospitals but she wouldn't. She said she suspected she knew where he was anyway, and that I shouldn't worry. Now's he back, thank goodness, but he seems so tired and worn out. You know, Emmy, he's 77. That is so OLD, Emmy. Mom hugged and kissed him and made him dinner and sent him straight to bed. He stayed home from work the next day, just resting, watching TV and creeking stiffly around the house.

I saw our neighbor, Candida, when I was out playing with my camera this morning. I caught her by surprise and snapped a picture. She didn't like that. She yelled at me. But guess what? She's pregnant! Mom saw the picture, called Candida and went over to see how she was doing (so she said.) When she came back, I asked her what Candida's scary mother is like and she just shurgged and said she was very chatty.

When I asked her who is the father of Candida's baby, Mom's face started getting red and she left the room. I guess she finds such blunt talk from me embarressing.

Emmy, I haven't heard from you in a little while. Whats up? Call me or something. When I call over there you're never home, always at the library or coffee shop or something. Get a cell phone, will ya?

Love,
Dalila

P.S. The picture of the house is the one where Uncle Drake is staying. That's Cleve Cox and his bride, Meadow, in front.

[Kristalrose]

Candidia is a very pretty sim. I like her, Lynett.

So, who's the baby's daddy? I demand a DNA test! :p :D

[babewithbrains_14]

I dunno. Dalila's dad might be dead before the results get back, if it's him...

[Lynet]

Dear Dalila,

I'm dropping you this quick note from somewhere way up north. I took the month between semesters to hunt down Mom's sister, Elizabeth. Alison Hogan (Uncle Drake's daughter, if you remember) said she had a telephone call out of the blue, from Elizabeth, just asking how the family was doing. She didn't talk long--bad connection--but said something about the farm doing well and they were comfortable, getting by.

Anyway, I've got Alon with me and we're trekking around through a couple of the small towns, looking for her.

I'll let you know as soon as I find her.

Love,
Emmy.

[Lynet]

Dear Emmy,

I don't know when you'll get this but just to keep you up on things, I don't think Dad is too well (like singing "what do you do with a drunken sailor?" while dancing around in the tub!) I think those two ladies across the street put a spell on him.

And Candida had a baby boy. I don't know its name yet. Of all things, I saw Uncle Drake over there, talking to Candida's mother. Why would he be there? Of course, you couldn't know. I did run up and snap a picture of the two of them talking on the street. Uncle Drake turned and smiled at me but the cross old lady just went inside her house. Uncle Drake went in, too. Mom said he's probably there to get his fortune told. I don't know about that, Emmy.

Anyway, I'm going to try to find out more about that baby. What a dreadful household for him to find himself born into.

Love,
Dalila


***Thanks, Kristalrose and Babe, for reminding me that I'd better add to the adventure before the thread fell off the page. I've been playing with these families for hours and HOURS :knockedout: trying to move them forward enough to continue the story (college is SO slow, even with JMPs clock.) And now, my husband and I will be away for this three day weekend! Aaargh! Anyway, Kristal, I came upon Candida by accident, with the randomizer. I wouldn't be able to duplicate her or find her again :( , and I agree that she's very pretty.

Also, I had the same problem with Candida's baby that I had with the last two babies born to the Sparrow family (Emmy and Dalila). The controls lock up, the screen to name the baby never appears, and the mother puts it on the floor and abandons it. In this case I had the household set up with the fixes (JMPs debugger box,) just in case, and I called the nanny, who stood around puzzled for a llittle while (obviously wondering why she was there) but then found the baby on the floor and took care of it.

You were asking in another thread how long neighborhoods last and I'm thinking mine is showing signs of being near the end of its life. If the villagers can't reproduce ... *sigh*:cry:

[Kristalrose]

Oh, Lynet, I hope that's not so. But it certainly sounds like something is courpted. :confused: But, please, do not take my word for it!!

[Lynet]

Dear Dalila,

I'm still on the trail of our Aunt Elizabeth. Cousin Alison sent me a picture for showing around (which I copied for you,) and also, Alon and I have found an old newspaper article in a local town archive about couples buying farmland at auction. A picture in the article looks like Elizabeth! Have a look at these pictures! She looks a lot like Mom did once, except Mom had blond hair.

How is Dad doing. Has Mom taken him to the doctor for a checkup?

Love,
Emmy

------------------------------------

Dear Emmy,

Dad's doing much better. He's gone back to work. Being a Hall of Famer he mostly just gets invited to talk on radio and TV shows but he was always so outgoing he enjoys doing things like that. He seems more himself these days.

Mom has gone over to visit Mercedes and Candida a couple of more times. I asked her about the baby. She said the baby is just fine, and his name is George.

George! Emmy, that's Dad's name! I got upset when Mom told me. She said I should calm down. How can I calm down? Tell me, Emmy, what should I do about all of this? Help me figure it out.

Your desperate sister,
Dalila

----------------------------------------

email
from: Emmeline@*****.***
to: DalilaSparrow@*****.***

Don't confront anyone, Sis. Keep cool. I'll be back soon.

[Kristalrose]

LOL!!!! I love it!!!! Can just see it now, they end up on Jerry Springer. . . "Jerry! Jerry!" :D

[surprised_by_witches]

I agree that Candida is very pretty. I've got some extremely pretty sims, too ... maybe we should all post pictures? The Rostanov clan is very nice looking, as are the Alighieris. The du Bellevilles, not so much, but that's on purpose. Got tired of having all pretty sims ...

What I want to know is why Emmy and Dalilah's mom is so calm about the whole illegitimate baby thing. Is she through with her husband, so she doesn't care what he gets up to in his spare time? Or is she secretly plotting revenge? Jerry Springer, indeed.

I had a sim who had a child with her best friend/lover's dad. Is that Jerry Springer enough for y'all? The kid is gorgeous, which all the college guys are already noticing now that she's in highschool. She visited her uncle Ricardo at his frat house a couple of times, and her mom's college boyfriend likes her ... Jerry! Jerry!

Ricardo finally graduated from college (have GOT to get that clock) and then my computer crashed so that's as far as I got. I had big plans, too ... pout, pout. Let's hope a new power supply will do the trick.

[Lynet]

(I guess I should answer the question about Sybil, George, Drake and Candida)

Dear Emmy,

Mom sat me down today and we talked a little while. She told me not to worry about her and Dad. "We're not breaking up, Dear. I think you were a little concerned about that." (Understatement, Emmy!) She said that a long time ago, before she met Dad, she was madly in love with Uncle Drake, (Did you know about this, Emmy?) But as far as Uncle Drake was concerned, she was invisible. The only woman for him was Mom's cousin, Kiara. "Kiara was a very beautiful woman. All the boys at college wanted to date her. Except your father. Your father had his nose in the books all the time. He was brilliant, you know, at everything he did, but he had no apparent interest in dating anyone, not even Kiara. So," Mom smiled, "I decided that since I had no chance with Uncle Drake, I'd try to win your father. I was lonely, after all. He turned out to be a really good guy."

But did she still love Uncle Drake? "I didn't think so, but he started teasing me, making me laugh, then I'd find him crying because he missed Kiara so much. My poor, sad Drake. And your father was so busy, never home." I asked her if Dad found out about her and Uncle Drake? Is that why he left for a few days? "He was mad at me, but now we've made up." Yeah, Emmy, I've noticed they're always holding hands and kissing like teenagers. Yuck. Though I guess I'd rather see this then have them break up.

And the baby across the street named George? Mom's face got a little stiff and pink when I asked about him. "Candida Menendez is very young and pretty and, I think, a silly girl. She thought your Dad and I were going to get divorced. (So did I, Emmy.) She was wrong and now she needs help. We're still discussing it. But you are not to discuss it. Not with anyone, not even Emmeline."

How can I not even tell you? I'd explode into a million pieces. We have a baby brother!

Love,
Dalila

[Lynet]

:rolleyes: After I finally went to bed last night I realized that I knew of a real life family that got caught in a situation along the lines of Dalila's family. A man in his 60's got involved with another woman. It was a big family scandal, with telephone wires heating up across the country as word spread to relatives about this guy's infidelity. So far this man and his wife are still together. I doubt they feel much love (unlike Dalila's parents) but I suspect they hadn't felt much love for each other for a long time, anyway. But they're still together, to everyone's surprise. I believe it's because of their age. His wife is in her seventies (15 years older than her husband.) I do accounting work on occasion for their daughter (I've known her since she was 9) and she was extremely angry with her father. All is not forgiven but family get togethers still occur as if nothing had happened. As for the other woman? She is his brother's widow (and there were no surprise babies.)

As far as Emmy and Dalila's family is concerned I moved the Menendez family in across the street to stir things up with George. It took no effort whatsoever on my part to get him hot for Candida. When Candida asked him to move in with her, I thought he'd refuse. He didn't! He's a lazy guy (not a single active point in his personality) but he had enough energy for woohoo. However, all his wants were to be with Sybil :rolleyes: , without a thought to spare for silly Candida. So I had Sybil invite him to visit her. After some hesitation (alarms sounding) there was hugging and kissing. She invited him to move back in with her and Dalila. He agreed! All is forgiven--because they're in their 70's and have 4 kids, one still at home.

In the meantime, Candida was being sick in the toilet :p .

And talk about keeping sims in sync. I've been playing Sybil's sister Elisabeth like crazy trying to catch her up to the others. She's pregnant with her second child and throws up constantly, even 3 times in a row, poor thing. Baby number one, Grace, was born without incident. There was no need for JMPs lot debugger or Merola's painting. Grandpa Wynter's Curse is only in Candida's house now (moved there with George and George left it there.)

Editing --
P.S. Elizabeth and Phineaus Furley just had twins !! Loreli and Benjamin (I was caught by surprise without any baby names read and had to think fast.)

[surprised_by_witches]

Those are nice names! I used to name my children alphabetically, so when R and S turned out to be twins, I happened to have already picked two unisex names (Riley and Skylar) so that turned out OK.

Whew. :D

[Lynet]

I've often done alphabetical within households when I create more than two people at once, 'cause unless I've watched them grow up from birth I can't keep track of who's who. And I used to go for really unusual and exotic names but lately I've found that it's easier for me to remember names that aren't too weird.

Boy, I sound as if I'm drooling and doddering :o . Nah! I've just got way to many families and neighborhoods. :D

[Kristalrose]

In my new neighborhood, I started off with "Old" sounding names (One guy is even named Methusela Elders! LOL) I have girls named Rebeckah, Sallie, Ida Mae, Rose, Rose, Harriett, etc. and guys with names like Thad, James, John, Elijah, and the before-mentioned Methusela. I am hoping that these name will be more realistic when I look back through their family trees after a couple of generations, since we all have ancesters with names like that.

I don't know, just a touch of history, and y'all know how I love history. LOL

[surprised_by_witches]

My names are all over the board, though I admit I like the weird and unusual. (See East Simders for examples ...) I've had Carlos, Isabella and Jane, but also Hermione, Saffron and Wolf. Depends on my mood. My current neighborhood definitely leans toward the offbeat, namewise.

[HelloKit]

LOL, I remember a while back I had an expecting Sim couple, and one day my neighbor was over visiting while I was playing, and I was trying to come up with possible names for the baby. My neighbor was in the process of shopping for her first computer (she's older, like my second mom), so in that mindset, she suggested Dell for a boy and Apple for a girl. LOL! A boy was born, so Dell it was. But I liked the idea of Apple for a girl's name so much that later on when Dell's first niece was born, I named her Apple. :)

[surprised_by_witches]

So I suppose the next kid would have to be Atari, or Ipod?

Hee hee ...

[suitemichelle]

I've been toying with the idea of creating a Lee family. you know... Sara, Merril, Eventual, Crazil, General, Patient, Strong etc...

[Lynet]

I've been toying with the idea of creating a Lee family. you know... Sara, Merril, Eventual, Crazil, General, Patient, Strong etc...

LMAO I'll giggling in the dark when I go to bed tonight, trying to match the Lee family.

[Chee-Z]

I must be awful, but I've named the majority of my Sims after videogame characters or anime characters...:o

[surprised_by_witches]

So, like, Pokemon, Donkey Kong and Pac Man? :D

[kuponutty]

I must be awful, but I've named the majority of my Sims after videogame characters or anime characters...:o

I do that all the time. I use japanese words like Ichigo (strawberry) and Mamoru (protect). You must think they're corny, right? I used the fake name off Pokemon, Tom Ato and Ann Chovy. Caesar Salad just isn't good enough for me...

[surprised_by_witches]

No, Ichigo is a cool name. I wouldn't know what it meant, not knowing Japanese.

Just noticed this thread is called Dear Emmy and not Strange Things We've Named our Sims. Perhaps we should start a new thread?

Lynet, have any new episodes for us?

[babewithbrains_14]

Yeah, there is a lot of off topic going on here...

[suitemichelle]

Those are just the commercials between the soap's episodes.

[Lynet]

Dear Dalila,

I'm not sure how to react to your last letter. I'm still thinking about it. But exciting news. I've found Elizabeth and her husband Phineaus Furley! They have a farm and SIX children. SIX cousins we never new about, Dalila. And the oldest one, Grace, is here at college. I've just met her. I'm enclosing a picture. Also, she gave me a picture of her family back home, except it only shows three of your cousins--the twins Loreli and Benjamin, and the baby Ruth Ann. Elizabeth was pregnant with the twins Georgia and Montana but didn't know it yet. The man in overalls is, of course, Uncle Phineaus.

What do you think of all that? Our family is huge! We'll have to have a reunion--maybe a big party when I finally graduate.

Write soon, Sis. Love,
Emmy

[Lynet]

Dear Emmy,

I'm scared of those people across the street. Better sit down before you read this because it is CREEPY. I was just sitting on our porch playing around with my camera when I saw the old woman Mercedes arguing with a strange, hooded creature. She wrestled with it and then they faded from view! Right in front of my EYES, Emmy. The man who lives with them was nearby and just stood weeping and hiding his eyes. But it gets WORSE, Emmy. Later that night I saw that man out in his yard working with some sort of machine. Then there were flashes of light and green smoke and the old woman was BACK. She was right there! I know it was her even though I was peeking out my bedroom window. They all went in the house. And soon, Uncle Drake showed up. He went in the house for a while. Then he came out, all alone, and walked over to that strange machine. Lights flashed and there was green smoke and ANOTHER OLD WOMAN appeared. They went inside the house. I sneaked out and across the street and up to a window over there. I took a picture and ran home and climbed under the covers just shivering with cold even though the night was warm. Then I looked at the picture. Then I recognized the woman because of pictures Uncle Drake showed me once. It was AUNT KIARA, Emmy. He raised her from the DEAD.

And that poor baby George is in that house with those people. (Mom gave me a picture of him, too, so I'm sending a copy to you. He's so cute and innocent.) I want to rescue him. You've got to help me, Emmy!

Dalila

[kuponutty]

George is the on the very right, right? If so, he's got a big head!

[babewithbrains_14]

That's evil! George is soo cute. Leave him alone, Kupo! :D :D :D

[Kristalrose]

George is really cute, big head and all. ;) Lynet, I think that outfit and the osh-kosh style bibs are my two favorite default ones. (Of course, I have wayyy too many that are not default. LOL I'm a Simmie Clothes Horse!)

[suitemichelle]

kids often seem to have large heads, because of their small bodies. Usually they grow into them.

[Lynet]

Dear Emmy,

It's me again and everything is better. Well, sort of. the good news is that Baby George has moved in with us. The bad news is that his mom came with him. It's obvious to me that she doesn't really care about the baby. I think she's just using him to get to Dad. But Mom and Dad are taking care of him as if he were their very own, teaching him to walk and talk and all that. He's so adorable. I'd send pictures but something happened to my camera. I think Candida was giving it the evil eye. Thank goodness her mother didn't move in with us, too. She's still across the street, watching us from behind her curtains. Waiting for I don't know what, like a black widow spider.

Mom says that she's been talking to the lawyer about Grandpa Wynter's will. The lawyer said that now that baby George is here, even though he's not a direct descendent, he might satisfy the terms of the will enough for me to be able to leave and go to college. I'm holding my breath. I've applied for scholarships, too. I've been awarded $1,750 for good grades and for my after school job.

Mom has asked me to be patient for a couple of more days. Baby George is almost ready to start school.

What's up with our cousins, Emmy. I haven't heard from you in SO long. Please write.

Love from your hopeful sister,
Dalila

[kuponutty]

The big head is why I like him! Children always have large heads when they're young, in proportion to their body. I've made a kid like that, and called him Carl Carlson, after The Simpsons character.

Can you ask children to move in? I assumed that if you can't invite teens to live with you, you couldn't invite children either. Or am I just thick headed?

[Lynet]

Oh, stop. Thickheaded? Hardly. How Dalila tells it and how the family manages it is a little different. You've probably figured out that once you've made friends (lots of friendship points) with a neighbor or NPC you can invite them to move in (except kids and teens.) They usually, not always, accept the invitation (assuming you've got room in your household for another sim.)

Do you have the Uni expansion? Others may correct me but I think the following requires the Uni expansion. It may not, but I don't remember back to the dark ages of pre-Uni. Dalila's father was good friends with Candida (the baby's mother). Too good, as a matter of fact. He invited her over to his house and proposed that she move in. A screen appeared asking me who else from her household would be coming with her. I chose the baby only. I could have added Candida's mom and the other resident, Alvin Futa, but did not.

Candida is a romance sim. She now hates both of Dalila's parents because of their public displays of affection for each other, but she's getting over it and has set her sights on other married men she knows. Not a very nice person :( inspite of how pretty she is.

[surprised_by_witches]

Kupo, Lynet could then have Candida move back out and leave the baby behind. That's the only way you can invite teens and younger to live with you. I had to go through all sorts of convolutions to get a teenager to move in with her dad. Her stepuncle had to help by moving with her. By the time he got back to his own house he'd lost his job. Oopsie.

[kuponutty]

What would happen if Candida and George were the only ones who live in the household? Would that mean George would have to move in? Or would he be sent to the adoption center?

[surprised_by_witches]

If you abandon a child or younger (that is, if they're the only ones left in the house) they're taken by the social worker, and would have to be adopted by someone else. The game will probably send you a scolding message if you try to invite someone to move in without their kids. Not sure you can do it ... might be interesting to find out.

To adopt a "lost" child just choose that age group. The first child to get taken from that age group will show up in the new household, followed by the second, etc. I know this because it's happened to me a couple of times. Weirdly, the first kid to get taken later had to adopt back his adopted brothers and sisters because his second pair of parents also lost their kids, but he was an adult by then.

Some people lead interesting lives. :p

[Lynet]

My Dear Emmy soap opera has slowed down and may slow down further because I'm due to get the Nightlife EP any day now. I imagine I'll be sending Emmy and Dalila downtown for some exciting dates !! Maybe with a vampire :eek: . (Emmy's engaged to Alon, but she should have a little fun before settling down to married life, don't ya think?)

Also, the Sparrow family that started out with Duke and Andrea Sparrow (long deceased) has more than 20 sims still living spread out all over the place. 8 grandchildren. 12 great grandchildren. 1 elderly daughter (who's still around because I haven't played her in ages although her kids still telephone her from college.) I haven't even counted the spouses and girlfriends and boyfriends. And I feel like I should make some sort of attempt to keep the family in sync.

Meanwhile ...

Dear Emmy,

Still haven't heard from you. Is everything OK there at college? Are you and Alon still engaged?

But wow, you'll never guess now. Mom and Dad have adopted a little girl named Esther. Mom said that with all of us going away to college, little George needed company around the house and besides, she said, we've so much room in this big house, we should share it.

I wish we weren't sharing it with Candida. Meanwhile, I really, REALLY want to come to Le Tour. I'm trying to think of what to major in. Science, do you think? I'm good with science and math.

Love and still waiting,
Dalila

[Lynet]

Dear Dalila,

It was great having you visit me here at the house with Marcel (isn't he so cute) and Griffin and his girlfriend Felicia. What do you think of Doreen? Kind of a strange girl. She wants to be friends but needs some social skills. I think she should get rid of the sunglasses. Talking to someone when you can't see their eyes is uncomfortable. I understand she's good friends with Mercedes Menendez who lives across the street from you. Strange coincidence.

Anyway, I've been so preoccupied with college and Marcel and, well, having so much FUN here, that I've neglected keeping up with Mom, Dad and all the events at home. I've talked to Dad. He's almost 80. Spend as much time with him as you can, won't you. Be kind, even if you're upset with him now. I mean it, Dalila.

Here's a picture that Griffin took of us during your visit. It was fun. I hope to see you again soon. I expect you next semester, right?

Love,
Sheila Mae

P.S. The next time we get together let's go shopping for some clothes for you. We should find some cute stuff here at Le Tour.

[Lynet]

Dear Dalila,

I just found out that Uncle Phineaus is really a Broadway star. We're so SO isolated in Baltimore. Here's a picture of him. He was playing the role of Dirk Smirk, the secret agent Double Eleven!

Also, your cousin sent me a picture she snapped earlier this year after a ruckus at her home. It seems that one of the kids persuaded Remington, the housekeeper, to kiss her Mom. Oh! she said, everyone was so mad. Remington and Uncle Phineaus slapped each other silly while Aunt Elizabeth was too shocked at the whole episode to do anything. I think Remington might not have been so easily persuaded if Aunt Elizabeth would put some clothes on before coming down to breakfast. I mean, REALLY.

In the end they didn't fire Remington. It's too hard to get another housekeeper and with all the kids (5) still at home they have got to have some help.

Gotta run,
Emmy

[suitemichelle]

Lynet... you are just too funny for words.... It's actually kind of funny that other sims don't really react to those in their underwear, or even those streakers at uni... you'd think they would at least get a woo woo or something.

[surprised_by_witches]

I know. It's like the sims are saying, "she's just trying to get attention so let's ignore the fact that she's starkers ... "

[suitemichelle]

I had a girl streaking when it was time to go to class.... and that's the way she went to class, came back and got lunch. not sure she would have ever gotten dressed if she hadn't taken a shower... but maybe this comment needs to be in the bloopers thread.

[babewithbrains_14]

Don't think so. One of my sims went to class in her undies after woo-hooing. Actually, that seems to happen a lot... :D

[surprised_by_witches]

I had a sim who spent nearly her entire college career in her jammies. She only changed into everyday after a shower, and then immediately went to bed ... she even went to her exams that way.

But, major digression. What's happening with Emmy?

[Kristalrose]

I have just downloaded some pretty shortie nighties for YA's, and put one on my female Romance Sim, Suki. She pretty much spent the rest of her college in her purple nightie!! Except when she got in the hot tub, then she was naked!!! ;)

[Lynet]

But, major digression. What's happening with Emmy?

:o Dalila and Emmy are awaiting while families get organized so that Nightlife can be installed. Also real life gets in the way of sim life (mother-in-law had surgery--she's OK--son's plans for trip to Netherlands for job and his flight out to California yesterday to visit Aunt and sister).

Also, hubby expects me outside with him right NOW doing yard work. :rolleyes:

Emmy is looking forward to taking Alon on a date Downtown. Dalila is old enough now, too. I'm wondering what designs Candida and Mercedes have on the Sparrow family--probably the money. And does Phineaus need to worry about Remington?

There's college football on TV this afternoon. Hubby will be in front of it. I'll be in front of Nightlife (I hope.)

[surprised_by_witches]

I have just downloaded some pretty shortie nighties for YA's, and put one on my female Romance Sim, Suki. She pretty much spent the rest of her college in her purple nightie!! Except when she got in the hot tub, then she was naked!!! ;)

Leo's tend to get into the hot tub naked, which was annoying when I first started playing. My computer was just barely up to the task of running the sims, so instead of pixellated blockers I got a solid block of color. I could barely see the sim in question, let alone interact with them very easily.

Kristal, you are a tease. Where did you download those nighties, exactly?

I have mentioned this before, but I can't wait until I get NL! I have a romance sim who lives with her sisters and she's always up at night when they're asleep. She's bored, so am I! She needs to hit the town!

Lynet, I understand completely about real life interfering. Funny how husbands actually want you to DO things LOL. We spent this weekend replastering our kitchen. Not much sims action to be found, though I did manage to squeeze some in. ;)

One of my sims reached her lifetime ambition, almost accidentally. She's a money sim who wanted to be a business tycoon ... she got out of college with so many skill points her very first job was CEO. So becoming a tycoon wasn't that hard to do ... and she gets to go to work in a helicopter. If her sisters leave at the same time they get to ride along.

[Lynet]

Dear Dalila,

Hope you're doing OK, now. I know that Dad's sudden death was a shock to you, but he lived a long, good life. Mom seems to be OK, too, even though Dad died right in front of her and there was nothing she could do. They were watching TV, I understand, and he said he was hungry, got up to get a snack, and then the spirits appeared and took him away.

The funeral was nice and I was glad to see all the friends that gathered to say goodbye.

You're still planning to be at college this coming semester, right? I'm looking forward to showing you around. (You've grown so tall! Can't call you little sister anymore, can I!)

Love,
Emmy

[Lynet]

Dear Emmy,

Yes, I'll be there. Still trying to decide what to major in. Mom's OK, but so much more tired then she used to be. I'm afraid we're going to lose her soon, too. I'm even thinking of asking that crazy lady across the street if she has any potions to give Mom more strength.

I asked Mom if we could get that witch to bring Dad back like she did Aunt Kiara, but Mom said absolutely not. What will be, will be, she said, and it is not a good idea to mess around with the mysteries of life and death. Terrible things might happen. Uncle Drake was lucky.

Little George and Esther are the best of friends. They do everything together. I like them both a lot, too.

I have a couple pictures for you here. My camera is working again. One of them shows you, me and Great Aunt Sadie. That really is Aunt Elizabeth sitting with Griffin at the reception after the funeral. I didn't even recognize her at first. She's aged overnight, looks older even then Mom (though she's Mom's younger sister.) Mom says that's what having six kids and a farm can do to a woman. They take a severe toll. And all this time I thought living on a farm would be healthier then living in the city. Maybe it's the combination of kids plus farm. Do you think?

The last picture is of Mom. She was hardly aware I'd come into her bedroom last night. Just indulging herself in memories, she told me. She also said to get rid of the picture. A picture of a lady in her nightgown was not appropriate. But here it is anyway. I think she's beautiful even when sad.

I'm doing OK, too, Emmy.

Love,
Dalila

[surprised_by_witches]

Who's Esther, again?

Their mom is beautiful! Very nice pix, Lynet.

[Lynet]

(Thanks, SBW. I'm a nut with the in-game camera. I've got so many pictures for that neighborhood it takes me forever to sort through them to find the ones I want to post.)

Hi, Georgie and Esther,

Are you taking care of Mom? Now that I'm at college she needs you two to keep her company. I know she'd like to play chess and read to you (even if you are old enough to read by yourself.) You already do a good job cleaning up after dinner and keeping your rooms straight. She likes that a lot so keep it up.

I'm not in Emmy's dorm because there wasn't enough room, but my friends Leila and Anna Cox are in my dorm and so is our cousin Grace Furley. I've decided to major in Psychology. Grace was going to stay in Emmy's dorm but at the last minute decided to come here. Our two dorms are right next to each other anyway, so I'll see Emmy all the time.

Sheila Mae and Griffin are in a house down the road. They're seniors now and will be graduating in another semester. Griffin plans to move back in with Mom. That's so exciting. We talk alot now and are good friends.

Here's some pictures of my friends Leila and Anna. Leila was going to shave her head and be completely bald to protest the College here supporting research into food chemicals but I talked her out of it. So she did her hair in painful looking knots. Her sister Anna is really, really cute. Well, so is Leila, but in a more exotic way. I also got a picture of a girl who lives here named Wendy who can't stand Carl, the cafeteria cook. Those two are always fighting and slapping each other. I don't know Wendy or Carl very well so I don't know what started this quarrel but they do it all the time. Sometimes we call Wendy over to join our group just to get her to leave old Carl alone. I don't like her so I don't ask what the problem is.

Anyhoo, gotta go to class.

Write to me, too, guys.

Love,
Dalila

[Lynet]

Who's Esther, again?

Oops, I didn't notice that question earlier. :) Post #74. She's a little girl that Dalila's Mom and Dad adopted just after bringing little George and his mother Candida in to live with them.

By the way. I loaded JMP's clock in order to speed up college life a little and it seems to be working fine.

[surprised_by_witches]

I plan to get some of his hacks as they have been tested, after I get NL. No sense in getting them now! But the college clock is one I definitely want, so that's good to know!

Love the story! Keep writing, please!

[Double DZ]

Oh, I have no idea where story is going:surprised:

() ()
( ) ( )
( < > )
( * )

[babewithbrains_14]

Hehe, your first post - and you're confused!

[Lynet]

Oh, I have no idea where story is going:surprised:

Neither do I :D

[Lynet]

Dear Emmeline,

Are you watching out for your sister Dalila for me, Sweetheart? She's so impressionable. Of all my girls, Emmeline, you were always the most focussed and responsible, even at a very early age, and that's why I depend on you to keep an eye on Dalila. I'm sorry that you couldn't be together in the same dormitory but since you're next door I will try not to worry.

George, Esther and I are all looking forward to Griffin and Sheila Mae's graduation this spring. Then Griffin will be moving home with us. I have met Felicia, his intended, and I'm afraid I find her a little flighty, but perhaps that's because I do not know her very well. Griffin is an intelligent young man and would not fall in love with someone not suited to him. Don't you agree?

I have some amusing news about your Uncle Drake and Aunt Kiara. They had been living, you may recall, with Cleve and Meadow Cox. However, that was only temporary until Drake and Kiara had adjusted to her...well...return. The Cox house is very small so Drake and Kiara finally moved out and went to an apartment Downtown, They're in the same buidling that your Great Aunt Sadie and her husband Mitch moved to recently. All four of them went out on the town the other night and had an absolutely wonderful time. I'm thinking about joining them the next time they go. Anyway, Uncle Drake wore that dreadful mascot costume of his and talked the DJ into letting him handle the records. Sadie sent me the picture of him, and also of the snapshots she had taken of herself in some strange little photobooth she told me about. Your Great Aunt Sadie always liked to have fun. I guess that's why she's lived so long. She also enclosed a picture of her kitchen in the new apartment and what a grand kitchen it is. I am envious.

I must go now, Emmeline. Please write and tell me how all of you are doing.

Love,
Mom

[Double DZ]

Hehe, your first post - and you're confused!

Maybe just a little.

[Lynet]

Maybe just a little.

This is a soap opera thread following the lives of one of my sim families, the Sparrows. Check out the East Simders and River Valley Daily Herald threads (also under the Sims 2 General Discussion.) Several members tell stories about their sim families--very entertaining, often quite funny.

Starring in this thread, so far: Sybil Sparrow, Mom to 5 children. Sheila Mae, Griffin and Emmeline are now at college (Le Tour). George (actually a child born to Sybil's husband by another woman named Candida) and Esther (adopted by Sybil) are still at home with Sybil. Candida has also moved in with Sybil (she arrived with little George and Sybil is a very practical and forgiving woman.) George Senior died recently of old age. Sybil is also elderly. The family is fairly wealthy--more than 400,000 simoleans earned the hard way through 3 generations. Sheila Mae, Griffin and Emmeline, etc are the 4th generation and all still in school.

Do you have the University EP? Anyone at college yet? Have you got Nightlife yet? Whether you've gotten to the expansions or not, have you got sim family adventures to talk about? You can start here. :)

[Double DZ]

Do you have the University EP? Anyone at college yet? Have you got Nightlife yet? Whether you've gotten to the expansions or not, have you got sim family adventures to talk about? You can start here. :)

I have Uni and NL. Some pretty interesting things have happened to my sims also.:D

[Double DZ]

I have been hanging around this site among others for quite some time, maybe even a year, and I just couldnt decide which site I wanted to join. In the end it was this site.:)

[Lynet]

A year! Goodness gracious. I couldn't keep my mouth shut that long. And that's a lot longer, anyway, then I've been reading it, so you probably know more about what's going on and who the moderators and regular participants are much better than I do. So I say, "howdy." :)

By the way, the bunny is more recognizable with whiskers.

[Double DZ]

By the way, the bunny is more recognizable with whiskers.
Yes, thank you. I fixed him.:)

[Double DZ]

Also, I read the first part of your story. So far it is very good.:D

[Lynet]

Thanks

[Lynet]

Dear Emmeline,

I very much enjoyed our little talk at Sheila Mae's graduation party. I am comforted by your attention to Dalila. She is obviously happy at college and I am glad for that although I miss her and you and Sheila Mae very much. Esther is a charming little girl and I love her, of course, but I'm feeling my age and she has more interests and energy then I can keep up with. George, though, is a solemn little boy and very helpful around the house. I do not regret my decision to have him and his mother live here. He is not responsible for the mistakes of his parents and I want him to have every opportunity to make something of himself.

Your Aunt Kiara sent me a picture I'm passing along to you for your amusement. It is Candida's mother having a good time at one of the clubs downtown (I'm afraid I forget which one). Mercedes is certainly an interesting woman. I have invited her over for dinner many times but she's only been here twice. I often see her leaving her house by taxi. Won't have a car, she said, because they cost too much money in every way. I have no idea where she goes, although I'm curious. I will not, however, meddle.

I've also included a picture of Candida. She has so much hair that I think she has given up trying to control it. I have suggested, as diplomatically as possible, that she try a new hairdo, but she just smiles at me and shrugs.

So I must get up and get some work done. Write to me, Emmeline.

Love,
Mom

[Lynet]

Dear Mom, George and Esther,

Griffin will be showing up at your door before my letter does and he could have brought these pictures but I was so afraid they'd be destroyed if packed in all of that luggage and junk that's going with him. One of the pictures is one I took of you not so long ago. You were painting and happy. The other is one of Dad that I found and thought you might like to have. The pillow fight is me and Griffin at his party. You can see Dalila (with her bright gold hair) in the background.

Griffin's graduation party was great, like Sheila Mae's party. I can't wait to have one of my own. I want the whole neighborhood to be there!

Wow, but Griffin and Sheila Mae had a jazzy rental house. Curtains and pictures and a dishwasher! Mom, I have an idea! I think that Dalila and I should move there. Sheila's boyfriend and Griffin's girlfriend are about ready to graduate themselves. There will only be Doreen and she's anxious to get roommates to help pay the rent. Think about it, Mom. Please!

George and Esther, you are both getting so tall. Any day now you'll have another birthday and be officially teenagers. It's a fun time, inspite of the homework.

Mom, I hope you're getting all the rest you need. I think you're working too hard. With Griffin there now, maybe you should retire from that job. We could spend more time together.

Love,
Emmy

[Lynet]

Phone call from Sheila Mae to Marcel ...

Hi, Marcel. Just wanted you to know that I had a wonderful, wonderful time last night. Dinner at Londeste was fabulous. The lobster was perfect. You were perfect.

And you were beautiful, Honey. I don't even remember what I ate.

You silly man! Do you remember dancing with me?

Oh, yessss. That's all I remember. I wish I had my arms around you right now.

Oh, Marcel. We weren't supposed to dance in that restaurant. It's not a dancing place. But that was so romantic, slow dancing to the classical music, in front of all those other diners. They were smiling. They were happy for us. *sighs* Except for that annoying little old woman who pestered us.

What little old woman?

The one that beat you over the head with her pocketbook. Don't you remember that?

I only remember kissing you. Why don't you come over here now. I want to kiss you.

Did you get the rose I left for you.

Yes, my Love. And the chess table, too. You didn't need to do that. We're engaged.

I know, but I like giving you things. So, do you want to take me out again this Friday? Hmmm?

You bet. Guess I'd better get to class. The sooner I finish all this and graduate, the sooner we can spend every night together. We'll get our own place.

We can both stay with Aunt Alison and Aunt Neala. There's plenty of room here and it will save money.

I could tell. And they're nice ladies. But we need our own place, and we'll manage just fine. I love you, Sheila Mae.

I love you, Marcel. Bye for now, my Darling.

[surprised_by_witches]

I love reading this story. Thanks for continuing to write!

That Mercedes is one scary looking woman. No wonder Dalilah was afraid of her. Brrrrr ... I'd hate to have her spying on me!

Great pictures. I'm terrible about taking them. How do you do it? Do you do a screen capture into another program, or were those taken with the in-game camera?

[Lynet]

That Mercedes is one scary looking woman. No wonder Dalilah was afraid of her. Brrrrr ... I'd hate to have her spying on me!?
The dance floor scene was hysterical. The other dancers were applauding her, or making faces at her. Several had thought bubbles over their heads with her picture. She was making all kinds of weird faces while she danced.

Great pictures. I'm terrible about taking them. How do you do it? Do you do a screen capture into another program, or were those taken with the in-game camera?
Thanks:D
It's in the game and I think it's called free camera mode. Hit the tab key and you can get in much closer, using the Q to lower the camera, E to raise the camera, and the arrow keys to move left, right, back and forth. Moving in a circle to get around from different angles is trickier, involving using the mouse and left click and hold--I think :rolleyes: --I do it so automatically now. What I usually try to do, although not always, is to pretend I'm sim-sized and right there in the scene with a camera, getting up close and sort of eye level. I also try to get action scenes. That means hitting the pause button a LOT, hoping to get them to do something interesting, like in Mercedes dancing.

There's a cheat, now, that allows a character to have access to all career reward items, including the antique camera (cheats Help window lists it.) So I got the antique camera for one of the houses at college. The big advantage to that is that it gives a lot of options for posing. Sims assume different positions, like cross arms, and smile for the camera. They do it no matter where you have them standing and even if no one is actually trying to take a picture with the antique camera. It's great, because then I can get them to pose, pause the action and use the free camera mode to take my own picture.

I do, however, have a couple of really nice pictures taken with the antique camera that are hanging on the wall at the family home in Baltimore. Strangely, those pictures are not in the 'storytelling' list anywhere available for upload.

I really have fun with the picture taking. And I don't care if I use up all my allowance here for uploading. I can always go back and delete some of the stuff in the older threads. It does, I suspect, use up a lot of my hard drive space and pretty soon I'll have to organize. My neighborhood 007 'storytelling' properties lists almost 600 files :p .

[surprised_by_witches]

Thanks! This is really useful stuff. Maybe we should sticky it. :D

[Lynet]

Post script to above -- My camera setting in the game is 'large' and 'high quality.' Which means, bigger pictures and more hard drive space required. But my eyes aren't so good any more so I NEED big, high quality pictures. :p

[Lynet]

Post post script -- move the camera around with the mouse but left or right clicking isn't necessary. It's awkward. I wish there were some other way to circle around the subject but I haven't found it yet.

[Lynet]

Mrs. Sybil Sparrow
requests the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of her daughter
Miss Sheila Mae
to
Mr. Marcel Mace
at the Baltimore Chapel
on Saturday, October 1, 2005
at 2:30 p.m.
followed by a reception

[Lynet]

Dear Emmy,

Thank you, dear Emmy, for your gift. The food processor is already in heavy use. Our honeymoon at the beach was wonderful and so relaxing. Both Marcel and I came back very much refreshed.

In case you haven't heard, being so busy at Le Tour as you are, we've bought the old country house next to Mom's place. It is quite dusty and smells of mildew but we can fix that. We have only a few sticks of furniture, just a card table for meals and no TV. The refrigerator was left in the house by the previous owners and it's quite a banged up mess. Our bed is the cheapest we could find and there's no room for overnight guests but I want you to come for dinner real soon.

Marcel has taken a job with the police department. He's a patrol officer at the moment but I know he'll move up the promotion ladder quickly. My goal is to be a general someday. What do you think of that, Emmy? General Mace. General Sheila Mace!

As soon as we start to get this place fixed up I'll send you some before and after pictures.

Love and hugs,
Sheila Mae

P.S. Hey, Sis, when I saw the wedding pictures I was a little surprised to see you and Dalila hanging out in the middle of the isle. There were plenty of seats available. Griffin's wedding is in a couple of days and I'd like to see you and Dalila there--sitting appropriately in one of the pews.

[suitemichelle]

lol just too funny for words. I'm waiting for more with bated breathe...

[Lynet]

Mrs. Sybil Sparrow
requests the honor of your presence
at the marriage of
Felicia Schehl
to
Griffin Sparrow
at the Baltimore Chapel
on Saturday, October 8, 2005
at 3:00 p.m.
followed by a reception

[Lynet]

Dear Dalila,

Griffin and I thank you and Emmeline for the lovely candle holders for our dining room table. We will think of both of you every time we have dinner by their light.

We were glad that you could share in the celebration of our wedding on Saturday. As you know, I have no living parents, nor brothers and sisters, and am grateful for the kindness all of you have shown to me. Griffin has assured me all along that I would be welcome and loved, and everything he said about all of you has turned out to be true.

Griffin and I will both be continuing our studies in medicine. These early days will be very physically and emotionally demanding so we will not be buying a home of our own just yet. Instead, we will be staying with Sybil for a little while. She has generously offered to take us both in.

I look forward to seeing you soon, Dalila.

Love,
Felicia

[Lynet]

Dear Emmy,

Wasn't Griffin's wedding wonderful? A real roof raiser! I didn't even get tablecloths at mine, although I DID have a bartender which Griffin chose not to do. He confided in me that he had maxed out all his credit cards to pay for everything else, obviously counting on earning BIG as a doctor. Since that is the career chosen by both of them I'm not in the least worried about the debt they are carrying at the moment.

Mom tells me that Griffin and Felicia will be staying in her house for a while. I'm glad that she'll have their company around. I worry about that Candida woman. I'm enclosing a copy of a picture from the wedding where she's talking to Marcel. Dalila says she saw Candida FLIRTING with him. That WITCH. Marcel is such an innocent, so gullible when it comes to women.

She was also being pretty friendly with Felicia. By the way, what's with the two of them, Griffin and Felicia changing their hair color? They're both true blonds. Now Griffin has dyed his hair black and Felicia has dyed hers red. The colors don't suit their skin tones. They both looked quite handsome as blonds.

Let me know if you can't make it to dinner this weekend.

Dalila certainly had a good time at Griffin's wedding. Does she go to dances a lot at college? Or was it the juice bar that loosened her up like that?

Love,
Sheila Mae

[Lynet]

Dear Sheila Mae,

I'll see you this weekend for dinner, if you promise there's room enough at your card table. (just kidding, Sis)

As for the hair color business, you'll laugh at this one. Apparently, Griffin and Felicia got into a little argument about what they found attractive in the opposite sex. This, I think, is a pretty strange argument for a couple who are engaged to be married, but the two of them have always been a little, shall we say, intense. I gather that Felicia prefers black hair on men and Griffin goes for red hair on women. So these two blonds (and you know what they say about blonds) decided that their future happiness was at risk unless they dyed their hair to suit the other's preference. But now that they're safely married I think they'll both allow the dye to just wear off and they'll be blonds again.

Now, for goodness sake, stop worrying about Candida. She's got a few screws loose and imagines herself to be mysterious and irrisistably attractive to everyone of either sex that she meets. Marcel adores you. He may be flattered by her attentions but that's it, period. She has no chance of winning his heart away from you.

My studies call me. This is the boring part of college life. See you soon.

Love,
Emmy

P.S. As far as Dalila is concerned, it takes just one glass of juice and she's the dancing queen. No harm in that, although it took quite a bit to persuade Mom that Dalila's OK.

[Lynet]

Dear Emmy,

Wonderful news, Sis. Marcel and I are expecting a baby! Although we were hoping to save more money before starting a family, I suppose this is the best way. Whenever would there be enough in the savings account?

The house looks a little better since you were last here for dinner. Remember the card table? It's in storage now. We have a dining room table. No chairs to match yet. Mom gave us a chess table which adds a little to an otherwise bare living room. We found a more comfortable bed at a garage sale. It's an old four poster. Very romantic, I think. It may be the real cause of our "bun in the oven."

The kitchen is almost complete. Both Marcel and I got promotions and all the money went into renovations on the kitchen. We have new appliances and cabinets. I REALLY wanted to do the walls over--I HATE that bamboo wallpaper--but being pregnant I thought all the plaster dust and paint fumes might not be a good idea.

I had Dalila over for dinner, too (picture enclosed.) I wish the two of you could have come together but I understand how demanding term papers and final exams can be.

The other pictures are before and after shots of the kitchen (isn't Marcel cute making pancakes for me.) The new dining table will look better once we get chairs for it. That'll take time. Each chair costs a fortune.

Love,
Sheila Mae

[Lynet]

Dear Sheila Mae,

A baby boy! He's so darling. I know how busy you are now with diapers, bottles and middle of the night feedings but take a moment now and then to call me. And don't forget that Mom is right next door. She'd love to help with her new grandchild. All new mothers need a helping hand now and then. Don't be too proud to ask. Here's the picture I took of you, Marcel and Corbin.

Love,
Emmy

[ijRoberts]

This is so much better than reading a story on the exchange for some reason! I love it! Can't wait to read more! =)

[Lynet]

Dear Mom,

Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you for agreeing to the move. The rental house on campus is the greatest. We've ALL moved in. Alon and Randy and Ivy and Sophie and me and Dalila. Doreen graduated already. We only shared the house with her for one semester. Now she's living with Uncle Drake's son, Egan. Did you know that? They're in love. They'll probably get married sooner or later.

We've got four girls crammed into one room and the two guys in the other bedroom. Doesn't matter. We moved the dresser into the hall at the top of the stairs. We're all practicing at cooking different recipes although we do eat spaghetti a lot.

Yes, Mom, we're studying hard and doing our homework. We all have good grades. Griffin left that old heap of a car here and we plan to celebrate the end of the semester with a trip downtown.

I promise to watch out for Dalila. We're together all the time now, for pete's sake. We'll watch out for each other. Promise.

Here's a picture of all of us. We look stupid because Doreen fiddled around with the camera for so long that the smiles on our faces started to hurt. Sophie (behind Dalila) and Randy (to my left) had to go to class and were getting kind of mad, but she snapped the picture just in the nick of time.

Love,
Emmy

[Lynet]

Dear Emmeline,

I love the picture of all of you. I have put it on the stand next to my bed. I enjoyed having you and Dalila for dinner the other night. So did George and Esther. Those two children are so ambitious. They both have after school jobs.

You asked if I had retired yet and now I can tell you that I have. It was on my mind more and more so I finally decided to take it easy. Griffin and Felicia have a baby boy now and I can spend some time with him. Felicia had a fairly easy pregnancy. The baby is healthy and his name is Matthew. A solid, down-to-earth name, befitting his solid, down-to-earth and responsible parents.

It's a house full, now, as you can imagine, with me, Candida, George and Esther, Griffin and Felicia, and now Matthew.

Here's a picture of me and Sheila Mae's baby Corbin. It's convenient having them next door. Then there's you and me with our hamburgers on Saturday evening. Then a nice one of me that I thought you might like to have. And George and Griffin taken on George's birthday. They both look so much like your Dad it makes my heart ache. I miss him terribly. I thought I had one of me and Griffin's baby Matthew but my drawer full of pictures is such a disorganized mess I can't find it. One of these days I'll sort them all out into albums.

Love,
Mom

P.S. I'm not worried about you and Dalila now. But please be careful when you go downtown. I hear things, probably nonsense, but there's no need to take unnecessary risks. By the way, if you want to shop for some new clothes while you're down there I'll contribute. You always seem to be in the same sweater. We can afford something new, Sweetheart.

Love again,
Mom

[Lynet]

Dear Mom,

I took some pictures of the house we're renting. It is truly nice. My studies are going very well. I'm in my second semester as a junior. Almost done and then my senior semester starts. I'm so excited. I'll be home soon.

The pictures are of our bedrooms, the guys' and the girls' rooms. You can't see Sophie's bed because it's behind me. Then there's the kitchen and the living room. Cheerful, isn't it. We pooled our money and got bright carpet to help us stay awake when we're studying and doing homework.

The last picture is of Alon clowning around. He's such a ham in front of a camera. I adore him, Mom, and expect to spend the rest of my life with him. Such a hard thing to imagine, I think, sharing your entire life for ever and ever with someone.


Love and hugs,
Emmy

[Lynet]

Sybil Sparrow, 77, An Acclaimed Muralist
Sybil Sparrow, an acclaimed muralist, died suddenly on Monday evening during her grandson's birthday party at her Baltimore home. She was 77. After graduating from Academie Le Tour, Sybil worked as a fashion photographer but was better known in the Baltimore metropolitan area for her wall murals. She retired at 73 and in her retirement enjoyed bowling, pool, card games, swimming and quiet evenings with her family.

Sybil is survived by a sister, Elizabeth Furley, her daughters, Sheila Mae Mace, Emmeline, Dalila, and Esther Sparrow, her son Griffin and two grandsons, Corbin Mace and Matthew Sparrow.

Sybil will be interred in the mausoleum on the family estate, along with the remains of her husband George McCarthy, pending completion of repairs to the local church cemetery.

Pictures provided by family members to this newspaper show Sybil in the arms of her mother Dagmar, Sybil at college with her cousins Allison and Neala Hogan, Sybil with newborn daughter Emmeline and, later, with grandson Corbin Mace and his father Marcel. The last is a photo taken in her home in Baltimore shortly before her death.

[Kristalrose]

The Residents of River Valley Humbly send their condonlences to the Sparrow family in their time of loss. Sybil was a fine, kind woman, an inspiration to all Sims everywhere. She will be missed. (sniff, sniff, here's some roses, sniff, okay I think I'm gonna cry, ummm, I've got to go powder my nose."

[Lynet]

Yeah, I'm going to miss ol' Sybil. For a while I didn't like her much since she put two of her babies on the floor and walked away from them after they were born. She ignored their crying. It was Uncle Drake who finally reacted and picked them up. Sure, it was a bug in the house, but STILL, she was their mother and I expected more of her. But in the end, she was a good mother, and wife, too. She quickly forgave her husband George for his messing around with Candida and then raised baby George as her own. You gotta respect that.

[ijRoberts]

The community of Lasher's Bowl would also like to extend their sympathies. After reading about the family and coming to know them, this is quite a shock. Condolances to all the Sparrow family members! =(

(What is even more crazy is that I feel more for YOUR Sims than I do my own!!)

[Lynet]

(What is even more crazy is that I feel more for YOUR Sims than I do my own!!)(Maybe I feel too much myself, and it shows. :o Looking for pictures of Sybil to post brought a tear to my eye. Good thing I don't live alone. I could lose touch with reality. :p)

The Sparrow family thanks all friends and neighbors from near and far for their flowers and condolences. The family is at home and visitors are welcome.

[Kristalrose]

I understand the tears, Lynet. Remember when I posted this: http://forums.worldsims.org/showthread.php?t=4314&highlight=RIP+Napoleon+Bonypart I was crying!! Actually crying as I looked over his life and remembered all the fun times I had with him.

[surprised_by_witches]

I'm a little misty, myself ... it's hard to let go of them, isn't it? :(

[person123]

I only just finished reading all of your posts, Lynet, so now I can extend my condolences...though I don't quite feel the same about my sims. Then again, I haven't played with the same family for more than a month since last year. Maybe I should try harder to live through more generations.

[jupitershana]

I'm the same way, I tend to get bored of my sims after too long and move on to a new family. I especially get bored if they reach their lifetime aspiration or max out their skills to quickly. While it's nice because they get promotions quicker, there's nothing left to do with some of them. I do have a couple of families I'm attached to, but no one has made it to elder stage yet with them. Honestly I've only had one sim pass away due to old age, and that was the old Spector woman in Strange town, when I was just experimenting with the families.

Villa Springs State University sends it condolences to the Sparrow family and our sister college Academie Le Tour for the loss. Sybil will be sorely missed by all. In memory, V.S.S.U. is sending a donation in Sybil's name to Academie Le Tour in hopes of keeping her memory alive.

[Lynet]

I understand the tears, Lynet. Remember when I posted this: http://forums.worldsims.org/showthread.php?t=4314&highlight=RIP+Napoleon+Bonypart I was crying!! Actually crying as I looked over his life and remembered all the fun times I had with him.I do remember Napoleon Bonypart! And your memorial gave me the idea of gathering pictures of Sybil although I didn't have as many good ones of her as you had of Napoleon. I have a wagonload of pictures but anything good of Sybil I'd already put up on the board.

Anyway, the Sparrow Saga will continue because I can't help myself. And now that the stabilizing influence of the matriarch is gone, who knows what troubles they'll all get into. ;)

[Lynet]

I'm a little misty, myself ... it's hard to let go of them, isn't it? :( It was hard to let Sybil go. I definitely debated letting her have some of the elixir but decided that Nope! Time to move on because there's another generation coming along. :( Now Dalila is another issue altogether. I'm dreading losing that girl. I don't know if I'll be strong enough. I've become particularly attached to her, even though she hasn't figured too much in the story lately, she's there waiting for her one true love to appear. And I'm trying to figure out who is suitable. I'm feeling VERY protective. Maybe I'll have to go and create someone special.

By the way, Sybil was the name given my mother at birth by her mother. But my mother was then adopted and given the name she grew up with--Mary. This grandmother by blood (whom no one ever met) left her baby in the hospital and disappeared. My mother's hair was dark brown but hospital records describe the young woman who gave birth to her as having long blond hair (my brother has been doing research.) I've always thought the name Sybil to be an interesting and slightly myterious name because of that history. This is completely unrelated to anything in the game but I thought I'd share the name's history with y'all.

[Lynet]

I only just finished reading all of your posts, Lynet, so now I can extend my condolences...though I don't quite feel the same about my sims. Then again, I haven't played with the same family for more than a month since last year. Maybe I should try harder to live through more generations.I started this family shortly after getting the game, as part of the Legacy challenge (now long abandoned.) I stopped playing with them when I started working with another family and making a Sim movie. I was MONTHs on that project. Then I started the Dear Emmy thread and got caught up with the Sparrow family again. I believe that when you get a story all wrapped around a family group (as you have now started to do in your own story thread) they get a lot more interesting. Emmy and Dalila are particularly special to me because the whole family almost died due to a serious bug in the household. This 'bug' is still alive and it's living in one of the other houses. Eventually I'll have to bulldoze that house but not yet because another story character lives there at the moment.

[person123]

Yes, I am beginning to get obsessed with my Bones family, although Laura's personality in the story is a lot different than her personality in the game. I've also done a lot with her, as well--she's already married to Komei Tellerman, is pregnant, and has a much bigger house! I don't know how I'm going to continue typing the story at the snail's pace it's going along. Maybe I'll turn the first few threads into an introduction, and then advance it to like 5 years later...

[Lynet]

Yes, I am beginning to get obsessed with my Bones family, although Laura's personality in the story is a lot different than her personality in the game...No kidding. In your story she's oozing more personality then some real people I know. I've married off Komei, too, early in my set up of the Baltimore neighborhood. He looks a lot better with a shorter haircut and new clothes. :p I haven't played that family much (blame it on his boring wife.) They've become the neighborhood NPCs, walking the streets along with a bunch of other unplayed characters I lost interest in.

[Mirelly]

LOL Lyn. I've also given a few NPC's a serious makeover. Most notably Ricky Cormier and Tosha Go who went to uni and eventually married each other. They have a cute little girl and Tosha in particular seems to turn up at the happening events in town. They both look better with nicer hair styles ...

[surprised_by_witches]

Yes, Ricky Cormier is a nice polite boy, even though I think he's a romance sim, but he looks like such a dweeb with the clothes and haircut he has. I can't get past them ...

I was considering having some of the NPCs go to college and become college NPCs instead. You know, send them and then not play them unless they become marriage material ... not sure if I'm going to do that yet. It would be nice to give some of them makeovers!

[Lynet]

I took a bunch of the neighborhood NPC teens to college, including Rickie Cormier, Tosha Go and Meadow Thayer. I've lost track of them--they're hanging out somewhere. It was just amusing to cut their hair and dress them up. I thought Meadow was kind of ugly at first, but makeup did the trick. Now she's married to Cleve Cox and I think I have a picture somewhere ...:rolleyes: . Yes, I do, although you can't see her very clearly.

[Mirelly]

Aw ... I killed off the Meadow Thayer in my neighbourhood mostly because I needed some ghosts for the old haunted Roth place. I often wondered what she would look like grown up ... she has a sort of scrinched-in face hasn't she?

[Lynet]

I found that I had posted another picture of Meadow Thayer here: http://forums.worldsims.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1160&d=1122606407

She isn't so bad with makeup, it's a babyface look, if you go for that sort of thing.

[Mirelly]

To be brutally honest Lyn it's the sort of face I feel a strong urge to slap: it's too perfectly idiosyncratic, if that makes sense. :rolleyes:

[Lynet]

To be brutally honest Lyn it's the sort of face I feel a strong urge to slap: it's too perfectly idiosyncratic, if that makes sense. :rolleyes: Well, OK, there are movies I refuse to see because I can't stand to look at some particular actor or other. :o As far as the game is concerned, I've been fascinated with the tendency of people to create their sims with long, El Greco faces. And the NPCs provided with game seem to be either Barbie dolls or Aztecs, except for Meadow Thayer. I would have thought that because of the "body shop" that comes with the game there'd be more variety. Doesn't seem to be the case, though.

Anyway, another letter --

Dear Emmy,

Have you heard what Griffin's been up to? Man, oh man! Emmy, he's tossed Candida and George out of the house. Candida made the mistake of flirting with him in front of Felicia. Felicia was so upset that when she went to work she did something really stupid and got fired. She drove the ambulance up on the sidewalk while trying to get to an emergency. Gracious, if she's that dumb she'd be a bad doctor, don't you think? But that's just my opinion--never tell her that, please, Sis. Now she cries all the time. Being a doctor was her big dream. So Griffin told Candida to pack her things and get out. George is a good guy and he loves his mother in spite of her making eyes at every fool who walks down the street, so he went with her. I miss him, Emmy. We did everything together and now I want to go to college as soon as possible because he says he's going to Le Tour. So I'm going there too.

Felicia's calling me to dinner so I've got to end this note. I've tossed some pictures in the envelope, including a couple of you and Dalila at the funeral for Mom. Your hair looks nice tied back like that. Oh, Emmy, I miss Mom so much, too. I hate Griffin. No I don't, not really, but he's so cold and unfriendly. I don't feel like I've got any real family left living in this house anymore. When I move to college can I stay with you and Dalila? Please think about it.

Love and hugs,
Esther

P.S. One of the pictures is Candida. She's quite an elegant looking lady now, with her hair silvered and done up in a bun. If only she wouldn't behave in such a creepy way around men. I also snapped one of Felicia weeping at the dinner table. That first night she was fired she just wouldn't stop crying. Uh oh, sounds like she's coming up the stairs after me. Bye.

[Lynet]

Dear Esther,

Of course you can stay with us. So can George. Are you applying for the Spring Semester? Better hurry up and get your application and essay submitted. Thanks for the pictures. Send me one of you. I'll write more later.

Love,
Emmy

[surprised_by_witches]

Poor kid! I feel for her. Families can be so hard on each other. Good thing she has some nice big sisters to look out for her ...

[Lynet]

HI, Ant Emmy!!!

My teecher sed I should practus riting becos my riting is so bad and so is my spelling. Dad was helping but now he is shakes his haed and walks away.

The news is we arre moving to the OLD hause. Dad shewed me picsures. I put them in this velop for you to see tooo. He said loyyers had it but moved downtown. It is DIRTY. It is SOOO UGLY. I DO NOT WANT TO MOVE. My frends live HERE!!!

Talk to him, Ant Emmy. Make him stop. plees, plees, plees!!!

Matthew
(love + kizzes tooo)

[Lynet]

Dear Matthew,

I was very happy to get your letter. I'd like to get one every week. Do what I do, Matthew, and keep a dictionary next to you when you write. See if you can find the words in it that you are going to use in your letter. It's not easy, but you are smart enough to do it.

You are right about the house. It is very ugly now because of the dirty bricks and the spray painted marks (people call if graffiti) on the wall. I did talk to your Dad and he made promises to me and to you that the house would be fixed up nice. He will hire someone to clean the brick and repaint the windows in a nicer color. He and your mother will buy nice furniture for it. Did you know about the pool in the back yard? It's a big one. Your friends will want to come and visit you all the time to swim in that pool, just like they do now.

The house is important to your family, Matthew. Your great great grandfather Duke Sparrow built it a long time ago. Your great grandfather Wynter was born there and so was your grandmother Sybil. I bet your children will be born there someday.

Hope you can come and visit me here. Write again soon.

Love,
Emmy

[DuzzyGirl]

The format of Matthew's letter truly reminds me of things my nieces and nephews have given to me. Very creative.

[Lynet]

Dear Emmy,

You are going to want to burn this letter into ashes when I tell you what's going on. Our brother Griffin is courting disaster and its name is Candida.

First of all, when he threw her out of the house she moved downtown with George. Then her mother sold the house across the street from us and moved downtown with her. I was relieved about that at first, but Mercedes and Candida have a lot of friends around Baltimore and Mercedes is turning them against Griffin. People that Griffin and Felicia used to have over for dinner don't want to come here anymore. It's made Griffin's position as the Medical Center very difficult. He's being passed over for promotions. He comes home depressed and then quarrels with Felicia. Poor Matthew doesn't understand any of this and I try to take him outside to swing or play chess when his parents are acting that way.

But it gets worse. The Baltimore Post, which is all gossip and sold in every grocery store, had pictures of Candia dancing at a nightclub downtown with various guys. One of them was Griffin! Somehow, Felicia hasn't heard about this yet but she's so intense and highstrung it won't be good when she does. So I've been watching him. When Felicia's at work during the day, Griffin calls Candida. He whispers in the phone so I can't hear what he's saying without him seeing me. I got angry because of Matthew and decided I'd go tell Candida that I know all about it and I'm going to tell, but it was dark and scary when I got to their house downtown. I snuck up to a window where I heard voices. I heard Mercedes telling Candida very clearly that if Griffin and Felicia divorced and Candida married Griffin, then George will inherit the family money.

I was so upset I cried all the way home. Lucky I used a taxi because I wouldn't have been able to drive myself. What should I do, Emmy? I want to come over to see you after school on Friday. OK. Call me or something.

Esther

[Lynet]

Phone call from Emmy to Esther--

Hi, Sis, I got your letter. Don't say anything to anyone, Kid. Really! George is moving in with us this week so we'll all be here when you come to visit. I'll see you Friday, then?

OK, Emmy. Can I bring Matthew for a visit? He can play outside while we talk. Maybe one of your friends can take him for a walk around campus.

Sure, bring him along. We'll grill burgers and see if he's settled down about the move.

Oh, you've heard about that, too. What a mess.

Some how, some way, things will work out, Esther. Keep your cool.

Someone's coming up the stairs. Gotta go. Bye, and thank you.

[Lynet]

The format of Matthew's letter truly reminds me of things my nieces and nephews have given to me. Very creative.:p Tanks

[surprised_by_witches]

So, who's the guy Candida's dancing with in the middle picture? And who is that making the face at them? It's not Griffin. It looks like Tyson Andrews, actually ...

Wow. The plot thickens. I can't wait to read more.

And where did you get the lawer sign, graffitied bricks and newspaper litter? Is that in the game or custom? I haven't done a lot of exploring of content yet, I admit. Too busy playing!

[Lynet]

So, who's the guy Candida's dancing with in the middle picture? And who is that making the face at them? It's not Griffin. It looks like Tyson Andrews, actually ... !No, Griffin is in the first picture. The other guy is someone Candida brought home from work who later invited her downtown. Esther describes Candida as being with "various guys" so I included "evidence" of this behavior. I think his name is Holden something or other. Oddly, the other people who were in the group he brought with him froze at the