So, What's New?

[suitemichelle]

try again to show pix of Jake and Moselle will try tomorrow doing something wrong today
must be tired

[jupitershana]

try again to show pix of Jake and Moselle will try tomorrow doing something wrong today
must be tired

I can't wait to see the pictures! I bet it was beautiful even if it wasn't all that organized.

[surprised_by_witches]

What's new with me is I started the asylum challenge. I put it in Pleasantview. Shana gave me the great idea of using the three 'hoods that come with the game as my guinea pigs, for anything wild I want to do. So Pleasantview is the proud home of the Nutter Butter Asylum.

It's fun!!!! I used totally random sims and lucked out in that the first one, the one I promised myself I'd play, is a cute chick. I think I'm going to cheat and use the green stuff for her, since I don't like to play with aging off. That's the only change I'm making. I don't care if her fellow inmates die from old age. I'm just having a ball. Or, I just might cheat and use the Insiminator to "re-age" them back to adult. I don't think that's cheating, so much. It's not like I'd be maxxing out their needs or anything.

She's a fortune sim (I rolled it) and her goal is to make $100,000. Then she can leave. ($1,000 down, 99,000 to go.) She's in the military career. Once she maxes that I'll go for the slacker career. That's got some good $$$ rewards I seem to recall.

I have hacks but I don't use them when I play this lot, other than the "automatic" ones, so I guess I'm cheating a bit. I did learn you should put the toilet and the tub in separate rooms. Oh, well. My sim has learned to nab the room when it's free so I just have her take care of all her needs at once.

I should have made a sink room, though. It's in the kitchen and with all the sponge baths it's hard to make a sandwich.

The inmates' names are Abel, Bancroft, Cardamom, Danica, Erwood, Finola, Greta and Hollis X. Three men, five women. I play Hollis.

So far Cardamom hates Greta and vice versa. Greta's always beating her up and making her cry. Bancroft thinks he can rap. Erwood's the quiet type, always reading. I've learned that sims will take care of their basic needs, more or less, if you leave them to their own devices. I'm such a puppet master, I had no idea. This is a very freeing challenge.

I've made friends with Joe Carr so far, that's about it. I tried to befriend Dina Caliente but she's kind of aloof. I've only played two or three days so far.

Anyway, if you haven't played this I recommend it. It's really funny. I put it on fast forward when my sim's asleep or at work, much like college when the playable sims have left a dorm. It's really funny to see the loonies passing out, peeing the floor, getting in fist fights, etc. in fast forward.

Fortunately, Danica's a neatnik, as is my sim Hollis. They spend a lot of time cleaning up after the others. :rolleyes:

[jupitershana]

I tried the challenge as well...appropriately in Strange Town. :D

I failed miserably. My sim was a romance sim with a lifetime want to have 20 loves at once! :eek: I got up to 5. It's hard when you can't take them off the lot except for them to go to work!

Anyway, with my other 7 housemates...4 ended up dying before old age!

3 of starvation because they kept passing out before making it to the fridge, one died watching a fight because he was too interested in that than eating, one died while she was actually IN the fight. (I'd like to think she was murdered but her ghost keeps raiding my fridge!). And another had passed out and when woke up was promptly scared to death by one of the old housemates popping out of the counter at him!

I had fun, I did influnce a couple of them to fall in love as well. After the remaining three and my sim transitioned to elder, I made the last woman and one of the men fall in love and get married. They then adopted a little girl.

I had a blast playing them and am planning on doing it again. It was interesting to see the relationships that developed!

[person123]

Hey, I started one today too! I used a whole bunch of simselves and characters from my favorite legacy stories online. So far there has been a fire everyday, and I think everyone but my sim has had a bladder accident. I'm surprised the house hasn't flooded yet.

I was lucky enough to have a LTW of Hall of Famer...maybe it was the new die.

MY ONE THOUSANDTH POST, EVERYONE! LOOK, AND BE AMAZED!
:praise:

[Chee-Z]

I'm back from BC and I miss my boyfriend. :(

[suitemichelle]

done with the hometown reception.... and it turned out just right there were a couple more families I would have liked to see.,.,. but all in all it was good.

Jake managed to lose his wedding band, which led to some great wedding ring stories. we're hoping that it will turn up.

Moselle and Jake were off visiting with friends after the reception when Ray discovered that their flight was leaving at 1:30 in the morning instead of 8:30 like they thought... haven't heard so I assume they made the flight.

[Mirelly]

Lovely pics, Michelle. Slight confession ... I must persuade my old eyes to speed up in their scanning speed. I was drawn to the middle thumbnail and was thinking: yikes that groom looks old enough to be the bride's dad :o I did feel silly when I finally noticed the third pic :o

What's new for this week is that my sister got married. She phoned me on Wednesday night to let me know that she was 'doing it' on Thursday with the minimum fuss. My new brother in law is the nicest man in the world, patient and intelligent, considerate and witty, domesticated and good looking ... his only fault is an inability to put up shelves that stay ;) (They have been together quite a while ... ;) )

[surprised_by_witches]

Hey, my sister got married last night! Must be a week for weddings. It was a great party. Butch Thompson was there and played the piano for us ... Witch Baby danced her little feet off and insisted I dance too. Man, am I sore today, but happy.

My sister couldn't have picked a nicer, better guy. I'm really glad for her.

They leave for their honeymoon in Ireland tomorrow.

[suitemichelle]

I guess I should have Idenitfied the pix... so 1-My Mom, me and Moselle
2-My hubbie and Moselle 3-Jake and Moselle...Campbell

[surprised_by_witches]

Very nice pictures, Michelle. Everyone looks so happy, and Moselle makes a beautiful bride.

[Lynet]

Lovely, lovely pictures, Michelle. All of you look wonderful. A very handsome family. :)

I'm stopping in here while at work because my internet connection is totally, completely on the blink at home. :( I got shut out sometime on Saturday and haven't been able to get back on at all. I'm off work on Wednesday so that's when I hope to get it fixed.

I felt out of sorts all day Sunday because I wanted to check in here and also over at MTS2 and several other sites, because I love looking at what the creative people have added since my last visit. :o

What a dreadful addiction these sites have become.

[jupitershana]

Must be a week for weddings.

You said it! I was in a wedding in North Carolina this weekend. My cousin Kristen was married and I was the bridesmaid. It was a lot of fun, and a lot of work getting ready. We started at 6:30am on Saturday for a 3:00pm wedding. We had to be ready at noon for the photographer. Just the same we weren't ready till 12:30...with just 3 of us! The woman who did our hair and makeup was amazing. She's a friend of Adam's (groom) family and did it for free. The reception was a great party! I'm still sore as well. I caught the bouquet! That was exciting. John, who I walked down the aisle with caught the garter and he had to put it back on me...little embarrassing! I'll include some pictures here...

First is Kristen and Adam in the limo after the wedding...hard part was over!

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f102/jupitershana/KandAWedding/KandAWedding1.jpg

Lena and John, Maid of honor and groomsman, they are also dating.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f102/jupitershana/KandAWedding/KandAWedding2.jpg

The wedding party doing the electric slide...I was behind John, talking to the super tall guy who was actually the DJ. The best man "doesn't dance" so he wasn't in any of my pictures.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f102/jupitershana/KandAWedding/KandAWedding3.jpg

Lena and myself and several other ladies attempting to catch the bouquet. Lena and I fought for it, but I caught it! Helps being tall! (5'8")

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f102/jupitershana/KandAWedding/KandAWedding4.jpg

Me with my bouquet.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f102/jupitershana/KandAWedding/KandAWedding5.jpg

And just cause I love how my hair was done and how it brought out my highlights, the back of my head!

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f102/jupitershana/KandAWedding/KandAWedding6.jpg

[AlisonSBurke]

Wooo, I'm back.

What beautiful weddings! I named one of my sims Moselle, but I couldn't remember where I got it... :o

Nearly forgot to write something about what's new. Well, today I had a good laugh. I was reading at a table, and a Yr 11 guy was helping my friend Sonya with some Chinese she had to do for her Chinese School. She was showing him her last assignment, which was to write about something in Chinese. He started reading it out loud in English for my benefit, and we were laughing our heads off. Apparently Sonya wasn't paying as much attention as she should have... It was hilarious. And the guy was pretty cute too.

Then when I was walking home from school, an old friend rode up who I hadn't talked to since pre-school. We were really good friends back then, and it was a bit of a shock to see him with a goatee type thing. He wasn't too bad looking either, and could hold a smart conversation. Hmmm... ;)

And Jamie is back at school, the silent genius. I don't think I mentioned him... He asked me out to the movies and I told him I'd think about it. Well, I never got around to it.

I should probably mention Kyle too. He's my little sister's friend's big brother. He's really really... what's the word? Handsome will do. He's an artist, and a dancer. Sigh...

Well, thats about all. I haven't played the Sims 2 for a while because we had a friend over for a week, he left yesterday.

[suitemichelle]

you go girl!!! so many men, so little time...

my daugther's wedding had that celadon green color too... must be the year.

Oh thankyou Alison, I'll tell my daughter she's got a sim named after her now.

[person123]

Beautiful pictures! I never really enjoy myself at weddings. All we do is stand around and eat really expensive but somehow not that great Chinese food. :rolleyes:

[Lynet]

Wonderful pictures. It looks like it was a lot of fun. Everyone looks so pretty.

oooh, I think I should log off and get back to work. :o

[AlisonSBurke]

LOL Michelle. I'm pretty sure the sim Moselle has two kids, Jacob and... Kate? I'm not sure. I forgot to say before, I like your hair Shana!

For some reason, whenever I look at Kyle he's looking at me. It's unnerving, because usually a guy will quickly look away, but not Kyle. He'll stare for 2-3 seconds and then we'll both look away. I think he's just curious.

I'll quickly tell you how I met Kyle... His little sister Teoni was over, and she was going to sleep over, right? So I took her around to her house because she couldn't go by herself. But when we got there, her family weren't home. So we waited around a bit, but it was getting kinda late and we really had to get home. So we went around the back (jumped over the fence) and found that the back door was locked. Then Teoni instructed me to take the sliding door off. I was like "Are you crazy!?" It was worse because Teoni's Dad is my SOSE teacher. But eventually I gave in and took the door off. We went to get Teoni's clothes and that was when they came home. I almost had a seizure, as I am seriously shy and had just broken into my teacher's house. In burst Kyle, no t-shirt on, me just staring. I nearly died. I grabbed Teoni and my sister, and dragged them out of the house, waving to my teacher on the way out. Extremely embarrasing. No wonder he stares.

Well yeah. That was pretty embarrasing. So much for quickly telling you about how I met kyle :o.

[person123]

I've been torturing myself for the last half hour or so watching video clips of cute little kittens on YouTube.

Cons to Owning a Cat
-They have claws
-They...oh man, I can't even think of more than one. I'm going to go insane.

[surprised_by_witches]

Funny story, Alison! Yeah, I guess I'd stare too. Maybe he likes crazy girls. Some boys do.

How is watching kittens torturing yourself, 123? Oh, never mind. Forgot your mom won't let you have one.

Witch Baby wants one too, as does our dog! But they'll have to wait until we have more $$$ coming in.

Kitties is expensive. And my husband insists on getting ours declawed. Mean, I know, but you can't have nice furniture and cats.

I've owned cats my entire life and I've never had a single one that used the $*!@6^ scratching post.

[Lynet]

Cats do scratch furniture. I found big, clear sticky tape -- sticky on both sides -- to put around the edges of the furniture and carpeted steps. It discouraged them (mine at least) from scratching. Frankly, though, it was cleaning the cat box every day that made me decide, after a lifetime of always having a cat or two, that I wouldn't get another one. No matter what you do or how hard you try, a cat box has a smell, and it's a pain to keep it clean.

Some people, of course, just keep their cats outside -- no cat box -- but then the cats dig up the flower bed. :rolleyes: Or maybe your neighbor's flowerbed. :o

Sometimes you can get a scratching post to work if you put a lot of catnip all over it. I did that once. The cats tore the scratching post to shreds and were very happy with it. But they also liked the furniture and the carpet on the steps.

I really want my internet connection fixed and reliable. :( It worked pretty good most of Wednesday, but not this morning. I want to post more of my story. :hissyfit:

[person123]

I've never been the type to want to have my own flowerbed. I'll probably end up having a pot full of fly-covered carnivorous plants next to the mailbox to greet the postman instead of pansies.

I'm sure hamsters smell worse. If you stuck your head over the opening of the cage, your nostrils are immediately assaulted by the most pungent odor ever. Then again, all animals probably smell at one point. I suppose you just have to deal with it. Don't forget, humans smell too! Sometimes my mom has to remind my dad to shower. :yuck:

At least the next EP will temporarily sate my animal-craving tendencies.

[Chee-Z]

I'm still wondering how my family managed to replace three cats with one dog. :o

[suitemichelle]

an odd thought.. if you put that hungry plant next to the mailbox and it eats the mailman. do you get another mailman or stop getting bills?

[Lynet]

LOL, Michelle. Are you asking about the sims cowplant? Or 123's thoughts about a RL garden of carnivorous plants next to her mail box?

I suspect there is an endless supply of RL mail persons. I'm always seeing new faces delivering mail to our office. So I don't think a people-eating plant will stop the bills from coming.

And, Chee-Z, I'd be asking why, not how. :p :D

p.s. Haven't seen Mirelly in almost a week. Vacation?

[person123]

Lucky, lucky lady.

I doubt the plants would want to eat a human--they're full of all kinds of bad things, like greed and calories.

Today I spent most of my morning sitting in the tree at the back of our yard, drawing with this awesome pen I found in my desk. It was really fun and relaxing--not one thought about violin lessons or volunteer work or school or ANYTHING like that crossed my mind the entire time. Of course, I had to go in once my scrapes started to sting. :rolleyes: I included a photo taken of my picture of Medusa--the scanner wasn't working.

I am less afraid and/or disgusted by spiders when I'm outside. The webs are clear and pretty and there isn't any human junk and dust stuck all over them. They also avoid me when I'm outside. The ones in my house seem to have developed an attitude and they don't care if they crawl all over us.

[surprised_by_witches]

Eeeeeew, spiders crawling on you. Blech. I used to sleep in the basement in my old home and I got that all the time. Ooogy.

I'm having a problem with my video card. I probably need new drivers, but I'm a big chicken about downloading them. Josh, are you reading this? I need someone to reassure me I'm not going to ruin my computer. Nvidia says I need to delete my old ones first. I'm considering backing them up on disk just in case.

I got Speedfan and my computer seems to be running a bit hot. Is 35 c too much? It was at 40 but I opened up the case and directed my fan at it and now it's 35. Is that OK?

Oh, how I wish computers worked magically with no maintenance required. :o

[AlisonSBurke]

Wowee, nice Medusa... :o

[Lynet]

Wowee, nice Medusa... :oI agree. Great drawing. You're very good, 123.

Where is Mirelly, by the way? Last post was July 30. I hope she's just on vacation and that it's a humdinger -- sun, fun and tall drinks with paper umbrellas in them. :cool:

Maybe she's visiting her newly married sister. :)

[person123]

Thank you! I was in need of a little ego boost today. :rolleyes: Hm...I need new pens. I used so much ink in that picture, my pen has gotten drier. At least I have an excuse to buy these: http://www.misterart.com/store/view/001/group_id/9002/FABER-CASTELL-Pitt-Artist-Pens-Sets.htm *Drool drool drool*

Mirelly's probably on vacation...it is summer, after all. I haven't gone anywhere for more than a day this whole vacation...not even a sleepover.

Wow, I don't even know what any of that means, SBW. :)

[suitemichelle]

went to a guitar party that my husband hosted at a friends home because of the property they have.,.,. actually had a good time. nice people and wonderful musicians to listen to. lots of food. he did good.

[surprised_by_witches]

Sounds fun! And, nice Medusa, 123. When I posted it hadn't been approved yet.

I have a tattoo of Medusa on my back. Just her head.

Flamey's helping me with my drivers, I think. I can't remember what thread we were chatting on. :o

Yes, where is Mirelly? I hope she's having fun, wherever she is.

[Lynet]

So maybe my stupid internet connection will work all the time now. The repairman came out this afternoon and told me he replaced not only the splitters but the connectors to the splitters.

Maybe I should go out and look at that mess of wires at the corner of the house to see if it looks different than it did before. (It's hard to see because of the bushes.)

Something must be different because now I'm online. :D And to celebrate I put up two more chapters and 9 pictures to my story.


I need new pens.I hope you get the new pens, 123, and keep drawing. Share some more pictures with us, if you do.

went to a guitar party that my husband hostedMichelle, does anyone who wants to play bring his or her guitar to that kind of party? I don't play one myself. I was just curious. It seemed like a fun concept.

[surprised_by_witches]

I stopped by the admin office and figured out where Mirelly is, BTW. Apparently she's having a "row" with her cable company and can't go online for a couple of weeks until she sorts it out.

Just in case anyone was worried about her.

[Lynet]

I stopped by the admin office and figured out where Mirelly is, BTW. Apparently she's having a "row" with her cable company and can't go online for a couple of weeks until she sorts it out.

Just in case anyone was worried about her.A couple of weeks :eek: ! I was going nuts because my access was hit or miss for a week. The only thing that kept me sane was being able to check in here while at work.

I was all set to beat the repairman to a twitching pulp if he looked at me cross-eyed. But once everything was working well I calmed down. I'm my old relaxed self again.

[surprised_by_witches]

i'm sure he's glad, too. :D

[suitemichelle]

Michelle, does anyone who wants to play bring his or her guitar to that kind of party? I don't play one myself. I was just curious. It seemed like a fun concept.

Yeah, basically that's how it worked. If they wanted to perform at open mic, they signed up and then during free time they played with whomever, wherever shared guitars etc. the youngest participents were 16 & 18 and very good. someone brought her hammered dulcimer, and a later in the evening there was a gal, named Willow, who is amazing on the harp, (aka harmonica) and when she started playing everyone wanted to play with her. Ray was dead beat from it last night and is not sure if he's gong to try to do it again next year. if you're interested in pix, JD's wife, Aileen went crazy with her camera and this is a link: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jdb5025/album?.dir=330ascd&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos

none of the pix are labeled so I imagine it will only show a good time had by all in a neat setting.

[AlisonSBurke]

Looks like you had a good time.

I was thinking, maybe someone should start or re-open a gallery thread, for 123 and anyone else that's interested in art. I for one would love to see the artwork produced.

I watched Buffy today, for the first time. It was a musical one, called "Once more with feeling'" (I think). The whole class was in tears... Now I see why everyone loves Spike.

Some funny bits were...

"Does that mean I have to be your queen?"

"You saved my life, how can I--"
"--Whatever."

And I can't remember the rest, but it was pretty funny in my opinion. Oh yeah, and what's with Anya/Arya and the bunnies?

PS I have to write a short story, but I can't keep one short. SBW? Lynet? Cheezy? Any spare ideas?

[surprised_by_witches]

Yeah, Spike rocks. I own the entire Buffy series on DVD. It's the only thing I own on DVD. My brother in law sold his TV when Buffy went off the air. It's a fabulous show.

If you get a chance you should watch it, starting from Season One. It has everything: great lines, humor, friendship, betrayal, love, tears, and some great fight scenes. Plus the plots are always good, and interesting. And oh yeah, a lot of campy horror. Plus female characters that kick butt. The men are hot, too. Even Xander's cute.

You actually watched it in class? That rocks! The musical is one of my top three episodes. It was really good.

I love the "queen" line.

Also, "Dawn's in trouble. Must be Tuesday."

And the part where Spike says he'll be glad if she dies and then jumps up to go help her in the next breath. His song is great, too.

The thing with Anya and the bunnies is a running joke. She's a thousand-year-old ex-demon and the only thing she's afraid of is bunny rabbits.

As for ideas, I sometimes get inspired by my sims ... you could write a story about some of them but "real it up" and you don't have to say it was inspired by a game. Just a thought.

[Lynet]

Unrelated to all this fun stuff :o

My internet connection was gone again when I came home from work :( . I called them immediately. A repairmain is coming Saturday. I'm not at work tomorrow so I may not be able to check the forum if I can't connect.

I will use the time wisely to write up many MANY chapters to my story for uploading as soon as it all is working again.

Bye -- supper's waiting. :D

[AlisonSBurke]

Like the whole class was singing along... We will walk through the fire!

First I'll kill her, then I'll save her!

No, I'll save her then I'll kill her!

:D

Bugger this... (at the end during the last musical)

[alliekat]

The musical episode is my number 1 fave episode. I have all of them on dvd too and when the mood takes me, I start from the beginning all over again. Number 2 is 'Hush', from season 4. It's funny really, my 2 faves revolve around one ep singing and dancing, the other one no-one can talk.

Spike is everyone's favourite vampire I think. Either him or Pee-Wee Herman's Amilyn in the original movie :rolleyes: . His death scene was one of a kind.

Anyways, that's all from me on the Buffy topic.

Bummer about your net connection Lynet. I'm really getting into Andromeda Rose. Very intreguing (sp?). Haven't read a space story for a long time!!!

[person123]

Sorry to disappoint, but my favorite vampire is from a book I read....he's got the whole anguished "I don't want to be a monster, sob sob" thing going on.

[surprised_by_witches]

Which book was that? Always interested in reading something new ... though I have to admit I like Spike's punky attitude more than I would a sob sister.

Being a vamp can be fun! :D

Has anyone seen Angel? Seasons 2 through 4 really blew but 1 and 5 are pretty good. Actually, I thought season 5 redeemed the entire show.

[person123]

I just like the opening song...it's so awesome and violin-y. I always appreciate a good violin song.

The book was Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer. It's more of a teen thing, but the romance is absolutely heart-breaking. I like how she makes it seem realistic without incorporating sex.

Speaking of that, today at this teen camp thing I go to, we went to see Tarzan the musical (it was fantastic, by the way) and after that we ate at Planet Hollywood. There are TV screens all over the place, and they play music videos on them. Well, after dessert was served the DJ, I guess you could call it, said, "Today _____ (I don't remember the name) is celebrating her fourth birthday, and she asked to play her favorite song." Guess what they played. My Humps, by the Black-eyed Peas....can you believe that? Four years old, and she's listening to that kind of music? I am absolutely disgusted with today's youth.

[surprised_by_witches]

I have to laugh at you a little, in your "old" age of 13, but I have to agree that I'm disgusted. With the child's parents.

Great line: "You're a wee little puppet man ... "

Yes, that theme song sticks in my head a lot more than the Buffy one for some reason. It's kind of sad, and haunting ...

[AlisonSBurke]

We saw about half of "Reptile Boy" from season 2, Buffy. Angel is pretty cute! I wanna get season one on dvd, but I don't think I'll be able to. It was hard enough to convince my parents to let me buy TS2.
I once watched a bit of Angel when it was on, and me and my sisters all freaked out when he got that ugly face. So then every time we heard the Angel beginning music we'd be like "Quick quick! Change the channel! That scary show's on!". But that was a long time ago, Buffy and Angel haven't been on tv for ages.

[surprised_by_witches]

Yep. You've got to rent them now. Or own them, like I do.

David, the guy who plays Angel, is a big guy, and he put on a little weight since season 2, but he's still pretty cute throughout. He lost it again for his new show, Bones, I noticed. It must be hard to stay skinny for the cameras. James, who plays Spike, has it easier ... he's a naturally skinny guy. I'm sure he has to work out a lot, though, to keep all that muscle. He is rather yummy ... they both are, actually. I have a thing for Giles, as well. He's about 15 years older than me, but who cares?

It's funny but every time I watch it I get a different perspective. The first time through I thought, why is Buffy so mean to Spike, but now I can totally see her point. I'm in the middle of season 6 right now.

[Chee-Z]

My boyfriend watches Angel and thinks it's the greatest show ever, but I've never really watched Buffy or Angel. I think I remember watching one episode of Buffy that took place on Halloween and everyone turned into the people or things that their costumes were...that was entertaining. :o And the only place I know David, the guy that's Angel, is from the PS2 game Kingdom Hearts...I was disappointed when he wasn't Squall Leonhart again for Kingdom Hearts 2...:(

[alliekat]

David, the guy who plays Angel, is a big guy, and he put on a little weight since season 2, but he's still pretty cute throughout. He lost it again for his new show, Bones, I noticed.

Ok, so backtracking a bit, but...

Bones premiered here last night. Wasn't bad actually, and yes, the involvement of Mr. Boreazaz was one reason I decided to tune in. I actually don't mind Kathy Reichs books either.

I just realised I wasn't backtracking at all, it was only 2 posts ago you said that :o .
Oops.
Just waffled on a bit didn't I?

[Lynet]

I was just sitting here at the computer, looking at pictures. Snow pictures are so pretty when you look at them in the middle of a hot summer. I know the attached will have to be approved but I'll attache it anyhow.

Which reminds me, it's about time I deleted "Dear Emmy" and all the related pictures. I'm starting to run out of space for uploading pictures. :eek:

[person123]

I just watched V for Vendetta. Awesome movie. I'm basking in that just-watched-an-overwhelmingly-amazing-movie glow. It was a bit too bloody for my tastes, but still AWESOME. AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME. I can't say that word enough.

[jupitershana]

What's new? I need some prayers heading our way right now.

Brandon just called me, he's been gone since I got home from work and I didn't know where he was. His dad is in the hospital and isn't expected to make it over the next 24 hours. He's attempting to be macho and he doesn't want me to come down there right now. They don't really have a great relationship, they haven't seen each other in a long time, and have only spoken on the phone 3 times since we got together...I haven't even met him even though he lives in the same city as us. His dad is an alcoholic, which should explain all that without going into details. I'm not sure what's wrong right now other than it's probably liver failure.

Please pray for Brandon and his sanity that he'll trust in me to be his support as right now he's attempting to do it on his own.

I'm not sure if I'll be around much for the next few days, depending on what happens and how much Brandon let's me be his crutch. Just please keep us in your thoughts/prayers right now. Thank you everyone.

[surprised_by_witches]

Oh, my, Shana, I'm so sorry. I think you need to let him handle this his own way, but that's not to say you can't go down to the hospital and see if he needs anything. Just because he's acting all macho doesn't mean he doesn't need you.

My husband's former best friend died of complications from alcoholism. He was 42. I can only imagine how hard it is when it's someone you're related to. You go through a lot of emotions, the first and strongest being anger at the person for being so cavalier with their lives.

I'll be sending good thoughts your way. If you need anything just ask.

[Joseph]

I thought we should have a thread just to talk about our day, share whatever we want, no rules, nothing too trivial. If you want to tell us you shaved your legs (or not) go right ahead. :p


I don't typically shave my legs, but you never know. I'll shave my 5:00 shadow sometime today, tho. Does that count? ;)

Anyway, this is my icebreaker. And I thought I'd jump in right from the beginning of the thread. I'll join in later I think on the end-of-thread conversation. So many pages to read. :eek:

Now that it's Saturday, I get to stay up all night or morning...whatever it is to you. I don't know what I'm going to do today. Maybe just relax.

A couple friends invited me to Minnesota to go to their State Fair. So I plan on going to Minnesota on the 25th. Hopefully the airlines will be a little safer then. I'll miss my bottled water, though. I always carry a bottle of water with me when I travel. I wonder if they'll supply any. :(

Oh, and can you tell I love these smilies? :D

[Lynet]

Welcome, Joseph. There are a number of people here who live in Minnesota. If you don't mind, I'm going to skip to the end of the thread. :o

Shana, I know how difficult it must be for Brandon. My first husband is an alcoholic and was a very difficult man for my children to cope with, emotionally (he was, fortunately, never violent.)

All my sympathy and thoughts and prayers for you and Brandon.

[person123]

Oh Shana, I'm so sorry. I'm afraid I don't have any experience with this sort of thing, but I'll be keeping you in mind. I hope Brandon is okay.

[jupitershana]

Thank you; I love my friends on WorldSims. Just a quick update for you all.

His dad felt like he had a stomach ache on Thursday evening, by Friday morning it was worse and by the time he was going to the hospital he could no longer walk because of the pain/body shutting down. His liver is failing and because of that the rest of his organs are shutting down as well. He has been sedated since going to the hospital so people right now haven't been able to talk to him; although the doctors say that he can hear us. I ended up going down to the hospital at 11pm last night till 4 am, Brandon stayed till about 5, and went back this morning at 9:30 after about 3 hours of sleep. He's doing remarkable well with things and staying calm, but I can tell this is upsetting him obviously.

A quick background on his dad; this actually happened to him in 1995 as well. His liver started shutting down and he was hospitalized. Doctors at that time gave him 80% chance of survival and said if he did survive that he wouldn't be the same, wouldn't know who anyone was and probably wouldn't be able to speak ever again. He fooled them all at that time and managed to have a full recovery. Now you would think that after being given a 2nd chance at life like that you would stop drinking. Instead he decided to continue drinking and it's happening again. Chances are he's not going to pull through this time. Doctors are saying it could be anywhere between 2 hours to a couple of days.

Brandon has attempted to get closer to his dad over the years but his dad always pushes him away or just doesn't make an effort so this is very difficult for him right now. I had never met his dad till last night, and it's heartbreaking to meet him in this condition knowing I'll probably never get the chance to talk to him. It was so weird because Brandon looks almost identical to his father. His father is only 51, so it looks like Brandon 21 years older. Brandon's mom even ended up coming down to the ICU last night, she hasn't seen her ex-husband for 12 years, or any of his family, but she was welcomed with open arms and I think it was good for everyone to see her there, especially for Brandon.

Anyway, just wanted to give you all an update. Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts.

[Lynet]

Brandon has attempted to get closer to his dad over the years but his dad always pushes him away or just doesn't make an effort so this is very difficult for him right now.Alcoholism is a terrible, terrible disease that affects the brain and the personality. Brandon should not feel guilty about any of it because there is absolutely nothing he could have done to change his father's behavior. I sincerely hope he comes to understand this. It may take some time.

[Joseph]

Hi Lynet. Thanks for the welcome. I noticed a lot are from Minnesota. Now I just need to find more to chat with from my area. :D

Hi shana. I finally caught up on all the reading. I'm a big church going guy who's faith is pretty strong, so I'll be putting you, Brandon and his dad in my prayers tonight. One of my friends had a falling out with his father years back and then his father had a heart-attack and had major head damage that he became severy handicap. My friend didn't know what to do because he thought even though he talked to his dad and tried to patch things up he never knew if his dad actually understood any of it. His dad passed away last year and my friend has never been the same since. :( So again, I'll keep you three in my prayers.

[ManagerJosh]

Death affects people in many ways. It's one of the highest forms of tramatic stress that can change people's personalities. Best thing one can do is pray for him a lot and just be there a lot. Maybe not just as in a best friend, but also just being there and sitting there with him. There's a lot of value in support. :)

[Joseph]

I've only been to one funeral in my adulthood and that was exhausting enough. My parents are only in their late 50s, but when it's their time, I hope I can pull myself through.

[ManagerJosh]

I hate funerals personally. It's tragic yet at the same time it brings some closure. But I do make it a goal to at least be frequently near someone I do care about so they have someone to talk to when the time is right.

[Joseph]

You're a good man. :o

Had a college classmate who had a husband sleep at the wheel and died. He had their kids in their car as well and they were badly injured. I was a shoulder to cry on when she needed it. Wasn't as close to her as knowing her husband and kids, but we hung out a lot together in college and were in a lot of the same courses.

[AlisonSBurke]

:( I'm so sorry Shana. I should have posted earlier, but I didn't know what to say. I'm thinking of you all over there.

Edit: Just deleted paragraph.

Oh yeah, I should mention that about 20 minutes ago Jamie asked me out again. He's so shy, I didn't know what to say. I said I'll think about it, and walked off. Weak, I know.

Edit: ^ That was last lesson of school, I talked to him for the first time after school. He's a nice guy, just really shy. I was expecting the worse I guess. What should I do? I hardly know him, but he sounds nice enough... :confused:

Sheesh, I talk too much. I just meant to give Shana some support...

Edit: I might hopefully get to do work experience at the ABC with the camera's and stuff. :cool:

[Lynet]

Edit: ^ That was last lesson of school, I talked to him for the first time after school. He's a nice guy, just really shy. I was expecting the worse I guess. What should I do? I hardly know him, but he sounds nice enough... :confused: Personally, I like the shy guys. I married one who turned out to be a wonderful friend and husband.

That's not to say all shy people are terrific, but you believe he's nice so I'd find a way to give this fellow a chance, even if it's just to be friends. It's tricky in high school, though. I recall just trying to be friends with a couple of guys and they read too much into it. Anyway, that's my two cents, dug up from deep in my past. :D (Man, I hadn't thought about any of that for quite some time. :o )

[surprised_by_witches]

Good luck with your work experience, Alison. And the dates. You should go. You're young. One date does not a commitment make, and you could make at the very least a new friend.

Shy guys seem afraid of me. I dated one once but we had nothing to talk about. I'm a bit impatient, and some say intimidating but I don't see it. :p So if you're anything like me, leave pauses so he can say something if he wants to.

My sister married a man who is anything but shy, but he doesn't say much. It took a while for us to find a rhythm, since I'm a chatterbox, but now we're the best of friends. It helps that he's married to my sister. He was forewarned what our family is like. :D

[Sacharissa]

Hey Shana! Just thought I'd add my support - I know I'm late, but I don't have internet yet at my new place - had to wait until I came back to work in order to catch up...

Anyway, You and Brandon are in my thoughts and prayers...That is a tough thing to go through. I've done the "Hospital Death Watch" thing, so I know how hard it can be. Just hang in there and know that your friends are here if you need some support...

[Joseph]

I say go for it Alison. Make the first move! :o

[AlisonSBurke]

:o Thanks for the advice, guys.

I think he wants to go to the movies... I'll talk to him tomorrow.

What's new... well, there were a few fights at school today. You can tell when there's going to be a fight, all the yr 11's and 12's come out from the shadows. One was a big fight with two yr 12's and a teacher. It was pretty serious, but not as serious as the last one, which was a gang bashing, the guy got a few broken ribs. That one was scary, the guy was screaming and they had him on the floor and were kicking him in the head and chest and such. I was only metres away, and I was shaking for the rest of the day.

The other one was to do with my on and off friend Renee. I don't know what it was about, but she was in a hell of a mood for the rest of a day. You don't want to cross Renee on a bad day.

Hmmm... I don't think there's anything else. Oh yeah, we had our weight and height done, and I'm underweight. But I'm not annorexic, I'm comfortable with my weight, and I eat when I'm hungry. So it's all good.

Yikes, better stop talking. Someone else's turn.

[person123]

When people find out I'm about ten pounds underweight, they always go, "Wow, you're so thin! No fair!" Don't they know muscles weigh more than fat? My arms are like twigs. :o

[jupitershana]

Sorry to keep bringing this thread down, but I want to give you all an update.

Yesterday at 9:23pm, Gary passed away. It was very peaceful and we were all in the room with him. We took him off all the blood pressure medications at 11:10am and eventually his heart just gave out. He even waited till his younger brother showed up and passed 8 minutes later so everyone in his family was there with him. I don't feel like talking too much more about it, maybe I'll give you all updates about it later. Funeral will be on Friday and I might pop in every once in a while before that, depending on how the planning goes.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and kind words.

[Lynet]

All my sympathy to you, Brandon and his family.

[Sacharissa]

Yes, although you may not have noticed, I was out for about a month, and am now back. (We'll, actually, I've been back since yesterday, but who's counting?)

I've been moving from what was basically a four bedroom home (five bedroom, if you count the dining room, which could have been used for either) with a fully finished basement, to a a tiny two bedroom (Well, one bedroom with a sunroom) apartment in Uptown!

So, three dumpsters, six trips to Value Village Donation site, and 9 trips to the Half-price Books buying desk later, I find that I STILL haven't downsized enough! Even after putting a whole bunch of stuff in storage!

So here is my advice to those of you contemplating down-sizing...DON'T! Just DON'T! Leave it to your children! They may curse you for it, but you won't be there, so you won't care!

Here are a couple of pictures to illustrate what I mean...

[surprised_by_witches]

Shana, I'm so sorry. Give Brandon a hug for me.

And Sacha, sorry to hear about your problems as well. Good luck!

[Sacharissa]

Oh Shana - So sorry to hear that. You and Brandon remain in my thoughts and prayers...

[person123]

Oh Shana, so sorry to hear that. :( I hope everyone is okay.

[suitemichelle]

So sorry for your loss seems so trite, but we don't deal very well with death and it pretty much covers all the bases. Let us know if we can help.

(PS so so funny sacha.)

[AlisonSBurke]

I'm thinking of you Shana. :(

I don't think I'll go out with that guy after all. He tried to commit suicide with a power drill in woodworks. Or something. Oh well, better luck next time I guess.

Oh yeah, one of the Janitors became sick last week I think and passed away either today or yesterday due to sickness. We were told before the end of school, our poor teacher's lip was trembling when she told us. Poor guy. His name was Gary...

[surprised_by_witches]

Wow. That was fast. How sad.

And I'm sorry about the boy, too. I hope he's getting help.

Your school does not sound boring.

Edited to say: Hey! I just noticed I'm a "Magus Moderator." Does that mean I can cast spells? In addition to the hexes I already know, that is ...

[person123]

I'm a Super-Star...

And wow, Alison. You always think that kind of thing won't happen to someone you know...:eek:

[Lynet]

I don't think I'll go out with that guy after all. He tried to commit suicide with a power drill in woodworks. Or something. Oh well, better luck next time I guess. I'm looking at the '...or something...' part. Guys do strange things sometimes because they think they're immortal (and I'm not being funny -- just watch how some of them behave in cars on the highway.) Maybe someone dared him to do something dangerous. I hope he's not seriously hurt. Anyway, sorry to hear it didn't work out for you.

And very sorry about Gary. :( Life is fragile.

Edited to add: Congratulations, SBW! Please, when you find the spell for regaining my girlish figure, let me know as soon as possible. Thanks :rolleyes:

[person123]

I just got my book yesterday! One that I have been anticipating for several months now. Definitely worth the wait. I read for about five hours straight last night, up until one in the morning, and then finished it in two hours when I woke up. Must be a new record for me. My eyes are burning.

Lately I've been feeling...depressed. Except it's recurring. Once my mind lapses and I stop doing something, I'm overcome with this gnawing dread--a combination of worry and guilt, I think. There's the constant worry about doing well in high school, getting into a good college, adult life, the usual. But then I'm also guilty about my violin lessons, doing Algebra over the summer in preparation of school...I know it sounds dramatic, but none of my friends seem to be going through the same thing I am. They don't really think about the future, and worry about trivial things: having friends in their classes next year, who "likes" who...

For example, my violin teacher left for a month to Russia, and he's already been back for a while. But my mom has been saying that maybe I should just forget about violin lessons. I obviously don't enjoy them, though I do like being able to play violin. And I'm also wasting money and time. But playing an instrument is important to the whole college credit thing, and I would feel weird not taking instrument lessons anymore.

But then, the idea of not having to have lessons anymore is so tantalizing...it's quite obvious to my teacher and my mom, by now, that I'm not going to improve very much from now on. I feel guilty about not trying harder to make this worth it. But I can't control my feelings, and I know that no matter how much I practice, I know I'm not going to do any better if I just don't want to play anymore.

Anyway, that's the kind of "gnawing dread" I'm talking about. I feel a little weird spilling my guts on the internet, but I didn't know who else to talk to. :(

[Lynet]

Anyway, that's the kind of "gnawing dread" I'm talking about. I feel a little weird spilling my guts on the internet, but I didn't know who else to talk to. :(Talk your heart out, kid. On this site, anyway, we're friends and you'll always get positive feedback.

What I suspect is, and you may hate to hear this, or not, is that it's the growth/teenage/hormones business that's driving you nuts. Most young people, although not all by any means, have an emotionally rough time during these teenage years. And I'm NOT talking about the physical changes girls go through, for pete's sake. This is something entirely different that boys suffer through as well. My son did, more than my daughter, although she didn't escape it entirely. It's definitely a difficult time. My son got all moody and quiet and completely different from his normally happy self. (He's all better now.)

Try to forgive your parents. They won't remember what they went through (I certainly don't) and may not understand how touchy you are about what to them may seem like really minor stuff. They may react a little harshly.

But this is serious business even if many people your age suffer from it. Gnawing dread and depression in small doses you can handle. Talk about it here ANYTIME. But if there's anyone around you that you can feel comfortable talking to about it, well, that is SO much better.

It bothers me alot when young people are unhappy. Please accept a virtual hug from me (picture me hugging the monitor right now. Looks pretty funny.) I know problems can be overwhelming and I just want to say that, in time, they will go away. (I can't even remember the names and faces of teachers in high school that I absolutely loathed and detested.) I pomise you that when you're 57 years old life will be a lot better (except for your figure. :o ) I'm making jokes but I'm also competely serious!

[Joseph]

I'm just a visitor. :( Hey, but visiting ain't bad I guess.

[ManagerJosh]

I'm just a visitor. :( Hey, but visiting ain't bad I guess.
All the more reason for you to visit us more often :D

[person123]

Thanks, Lynet. I'm not really blaming my parents much--it's not their fault being successful in life seems so hard. :o

[Joseph]

I've actually been enjoying this place, Josh. :)

[Lynet]

To succeed or not to succeed. Ah, there's the rub. :rolleyes:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune...

oh, what a bother. I have to go to a dress-up dinner tonight with my husband. I bought a slinky, clingy black dress last night and am hoping the fact that it is very, very black will mask where my body bulges...at least a little. :o I went to two different stores (JCPenney and Macy's) and tried on EVERYTHING. It was such a miserable experience. Hope this dress works OK tonight. I rarely wear heels. My feet are really going to hurt. *sigh* OMG, he said there'd be dancing. :eek: I'll just die.

To be or not to be...

[person123]

LOL, Lynet. When you're younger you can get away with sucking in your tummy and wearing baggy shirts...which is what I do. Honestly, I'm not the thinnest person my friends know.

[surprised_by_witches]

Hey, 123. I just wanted to add my two cents. I've been too wrapped up in my OWN stress/worry/etc., to read much about anyone else's lately, but now that I've calmed down, deep breath ... here goes.

You're thirteen, and when you're thirteen you think no one else knows what it's like to be you, and in some ways they don't, and in some ways that's just part of being thirteen. The dread and depression, now that's something to keep an eye on. If you feel that way all the time, you should talk to someone about it. A school counselor, a doctor, a nice teacher, your parents, whomever you feel comfortable talking to. Heck, I'm sure you could call one of us if you wanted to. I'm not a big advocate of drugs for kids, but maybe you just have some sort of chemical imbalance. It happens to a lot of people. If it persists, tell someone.

I quit music lessons when I was your age, too. I hated to practice. I was pretty good but I had no drive in that direction. Has it affected me? Yes and no. Yes in that sure it would be cool to be able to sit down at the piano or pick up my clarinet and wow my friends. No in that I still would hate to practice. And what good is something if it makes you miserable? I know exactly what kind of guilt you're feeling. I still have it, and it's no fun, is it. Mine isn't about instruments anymore, but there's always something. That anxiety that you could be doing something more, something better, that you're going to fail ...

And you know what? You might fail, you maybe could do better, but the world won't come to an end. You learn from your mistakes, and they make you stronger, and I think learning to laugh at yourself is a very important survival tool.

Sooooo ... while you're feeling depressed and anxious, here are some things I do:

Exercise. I hate it, you might hate it too, but if you grab your bike or strap on your sneakers and just get out and move you'd be surprised how good you feel afterwards.

Volunteer. Instead of music lessons, why not use that time to work at a local animal shelter? I know how much you love animals. If your mom won't let you have a pet this is the next best thing. And the animals benefit too. If I had more time I would volunteer. Instead, I spend time with my dog, and it always makes me feel better. It might help you too.

Find a hobby/skill/whatever that you DO like. Write in a diary. Goof off. Call a friend and go to a movie.

I hope I don't sound patronizing. I'm giving myself advice as well as you. You and I are a lot alike, I think, and I've been dealing badly with my stress lately too.

So I'll make a deal with you: I'll stop worrying so much if you will.

Repeat after me: I'm a good person, I'm doing the best I can, and that's OK.

Deep breath.

Feel better?

[surprised_by_witches]

Oh, and P.S. to Lynet: You're gorgeous. Stop worrying. Men aren't nearly as critical of us as we are of ourselves. Your husband thinks you're gorgeous, and we do too.

Go knock 'em dead.

[Sacharissa]

Hey Person 123 - Some very good advice from SBW and Lynet! I second SBW's advice on keeping a diary or journal! It can really help you get a handle on the emotions you are feeling, and may even help you to break up the "big, overwhelming" things into smaller, more managable chunks.

An added bonus is that someday, when you have your own 13 year old daughter to cope with, you can go back and read what it was like for you, and maybe gain some insights into what she may be feeling!

At the very least, your journals may provide some really entertaining moments when you reach your 30s, and you are hosting a "girls-night-in" party. Who knows...you may find yourself at 1am, reading sections of your old diaries outloud to your closest friends! (For me, that is one of the parties that still gets talked of - and it was 15 years ago!):D

Just remember, there are many people on this forum ready to help, and who really do care about you, so don't feel you have to go it alone.

[person123]

Thanks everyone! I just wish my parents had the same opinions. I used to care that I might not get into an Ivy League college and then I wouldn't get a good job and then I'd be poor and live in an apartment for my whole life, but now that I think about it, well...it doesn't seem like the worst thing that could happen to me.

It certainly is hard not to worry about that, with an older sister entering her junior year and the prospect of high school starting in two years looming over me.

This is partly why I play TS2. It takes my mind off the kind of worrying that I don't think is necessary right now.

With the music lessons, I think I'm going to stick around for another year. When 9th grade starts I'll probably quit. It's never mattered to me that my classmates are better at something than I am (I guess I'm just not competitive), so...I'll probably quit in a year if things don't start looking up. Maybe if I work harder it'll be better. That's also why I feel guilty--I know I could do better in violin. With grades and things like that, it doesn't really matter--having straight A's in middle school isn't as important as in high school. But violin lessons eats up time and money for my parents.

Actually, I do take walks around the neighborhood with my mom every night, as soon as it cools down a bit. I used to think it was such a drag and I'd rather be at home simming, but now it's not that bad, and I feel better about not lying around at home the whole summer.

[Lynet]

Taking walks with your mother is so great. I really enjoyed the times I had with my daughter before she got married and moved away (to the west coast.)

I think that you're a very wise and intelligent young woman. You'll do just fine.

[Lynet]

What is that line dance that the Sims do? The "Smustle?"

The dinner that my husband and I went to last night was a fancy dress very posh charity event. There was live music, of course, and yes, they had to do the line dance at least once. Ed and I did not participate. It's too much fun to watch it from the sidelines. I couldn't stop thinking of the sims and had to work very hard not to laugh out loud. The sims dance so much better than all these overdressed people. :D

I think I'll go play with them for a little while (the sims, I mean.) I suddenly got an urge to watch them dance. ;)

[surprised_by_witches]

:rotfl::rotfl:


My favorite is when the toddlers dance.

[Joseph]

Call me a silly man but my #1 thing I look for in a woman is not her looks but her personality. I'm not saying looks don't count on occassion, but in a date, if she doesn't have a fun personality, she's already not my type.

I love the smustle. Even when Mrs Crumplebottom does it. :eek:

[surprised_by_witches]

What's new with us is we have two new friends in our house. They are two guinea pigs named Nimbus and Firebolt. They're sisters so they're already buddies.

Nimbus is really shy. Firebolt's braver. She kind of hogs the food. That's why they call them "pigs," I guess ...

I'll try to get pictures but they're a bit camera shy.

[suitemichelle]

The closest I've been to sims this weekend is here. I started getting sick early friday morning only didn't realize it because it was just a headache, right? went to work anyway but by 10 was having a hard time concentrating. fortunately my supervisor saw me on the road and asked what was wrong. anyhow got off early went home and to bed. fever between 99 and 103 and tylenol wasn't doing the trick. Ray made me go to the doctor saturday and started on an antibiotic. fever broke about 3 this morning but throat is still sore and it's still hard to swallow. but I think I'll live. you know you're sick when.... you can't stand to be on the computer because you'd rather be in bed.

[surprised_by_witches]

Yep, that's pretty sick. Take care of yourself. We'll be here when you're feeling better, but for now, no computer for you!

[Lynet]

Get well, Michelle. Be sure to take every single pill that the doctor prescribed. Sounds like a strep (sp?) infection and those are serious. As SBW said, we'll still be here and your sims will wait patiently, too. :)

And a p.s. for SBW -- Happy Anniversary :)

[surprised_by_witches]

Thanks!! Once my husband wakes up (darn night shift) we're going out to dinner. Witch Baby's at her cousin's.

[hugzncuddles]

Shana - so very sorry to read about what happened. I simply don't have words that will help, but you know that there are people here that you can count on to listen when you need to talk about things. I will keep you and your loved one in my thoughts and prayers.

Michelle - I hope you get better soon. I'm on my second week of antibiotics for an ear/sinus infection and I know how rotten it can make you feel. I am sending healing thoughts your way.

Well what's new with me is that yesterday it was my fiance's birthday and we met up with his sister and family (who were en route to the southwest of England) for a meal in a beautiful country inn. My parents came along too, and it was the first time the 2 families had met so it was a really nice occasion. It's my birthday in a few days too, and our engagement 'anniversary' the day after, so we have some more celebrations coming up.

[jupitershana]

Alright people, I'm back!

Michelle, get better!

123, listen to SBW and Lynet, they knew what they were talking about.

Lynet, sounds like a fun time, I love dress up events like that. And hey, at least Ed WILL dance with you. It's like pulling teeth to get Brandon to dance!

SBW: Congrats on the anniversary and the Guinea Pigs! Must be fun. Have you all decided not to get kittens now?

Joseph; welcome to the board! Seems like you'll fit in nicely around here!

Hugz: Have fun with all the birthdays and the engagement anniversary!

And to everyone; thanks for all the well wishes for Brandon and myself. He's still having a hard time, but it seems to get a little easier for him each day. I only went to work on Wednesday last week and stayed home with him Thursday, funeral was Friday. It went well.

Now I do have a little more of a serious/quirky question for all of you. How many of you beleive in the paranormal. We've been having some strange things happening since Gary passed away.

I bought a picture frame for Brandon to put a picture of his dad in last Tuesday. We choose one of the nicer pictures, put it in the frame and neither of us has removed it since and no one has been in our apartment since before his father died. Last night FH looks at the picture in the frame, hands it to me and asks me if I notice anything different. Somehow, while in the frame, a white spot...almost like water damage has appeared on the bottom left corner of the photo. We took the picture out of the frame and it's definitely on the photo and we both know it wasn't there before.

Weird thing is that after the funeral one of the flower arrangements tipped in the car and some of the pictures on the memory board got wet. Keep in mind that the picture in the frame never came to the funeral; it was sitting on Brandon’s nightstand the entire time.

Either way, we're a little freaked out by it as neither of us could have done something to it.

Brandon has also been experiencing sharp pains in his right hand between his thumb and pointer finger since his dad died about 2-3 times a day. One time he was just lying on the couch, another time he was putting the key in the ignition; so he isn’t even doing anything weird when he gets the pains. We found out that his dad had cut himself with a meat saw in that exact same place several years ago and it still hurt him sporadically...odd and freaky.

What do you all think?

[person123]

:eek: I'm certainly freaked out. Tell us if anything else happens.

By the way, I am really glad the forum is back to normal. Became agonizingly slow for a while there...

[surprised_by_witches]

Yes, like molasses, only not good for making cookies.

We're still getting kittens. Just not until later. We may get another hamster, too. We like having a zoo. I'd get a snake but my husband doesn't like them. Birds drive me crazy. So fuzzy only. ;)

[person123]

Oooh...the only thing keeping me back from having a snake (besides my mom) is the fact that you usually have to feed them pinky mice. *shudder* Nosirree.

I need new jeans for the new school year. It seems I've hit a semi-growth spurt; all of my jeans barely brush the top of my shoes. I also have really long legs. I suppose you appreciate that sort of thing when you're an adult, but right now it's a hassle to find good-fitting jeans for a good price. After all, I'd have to buy new ones the next year anyway, so I can't spend more than $20. :(

[Chee-Z]

I start college on Wednesday and have a discussion group to attend tomorrow. Subject of discussion: illegal immigrants and summer reading of the same topic. Whee :rolleyes: I'm nervous and excited to start college, and it's lovely having anxiety before going to my first official class. :o

[suitemichelle]

[QUOTE][I need new jeans for the new school year. It seems I've hit a semi-growth spurt; all of my jeans barely brush the top of my shoes. I also have really long legs. I suppose you appreciate that sort of thing when you're an adult, but right now it's a hassle to find good-fitting jeans for a good price. After all, I'd have to buy new ones the next year anyway, so I can't spend more than $20. :(/QUOTE]

I suppose they don't have value village on that end of the us? realizing I'm not as fashion concious as when I was younger if you comb the racks you can find nice stuff for well under your price range??? just a thought.

[Sacharissa]

Well, we were finally able to get the livingroom cleared out enough to move the couch in there, and to hook up the big TV. YAY! It is REALLY hard to watch a 13-inch TV when you've been used to a 32 inch screen! Especially when you're getting up there in years. Yep, these old eyes just ain't as good as they used to be!

Anyway, it was lovely to FINALLY sit in our new livingroom, have dinner and watch MIDSOMER MURDERS again on Sunday night...Now, if only I could get the internet up and running! (Where is that darn cable modem anyway!)

[surprised_by_witches]

What's Midsomer Murders? I've never heard of it.

Congratulations on getting your house in order! :D

Edited to say: What's new is my sister's neighbor's cat had babies in my sister's backyard. Six cutie pies. And now she's twisting my arm to take a couple ... anyone else who lives in the Twin Cities looking to give a kitty a good home?

I may end up with two of them, and one of the others is spoken for. The little black and white guy in front is the friendliest, but he's a boy. We only get girl pets since the disaster of the spraying cat ... :rolleyes:

[Sacharissa]

What's Midsomer Murders? I've never heard of it.

Congratulations on getting your house in order! :D

Edited to say: What's new is my sister's neighbor's cat had babies in my sister's backyard. Six cutie pies. And now she's twisting my arm to take a couple ... anyone else who lives in the Twin Cities looking to give a kitty a good home?

I may end up with two of them, and one of the others is spoken for. The little black and white guy in front is the friendliest, but he's a boy. We only get girl pets since the disaster of the spraying cat ... :rolleyes:

I wouldn't say my house is in order yet - just able to carve out a few defined spaces...Next time, I'm not only hiring Movers, I'm also hiring Packers and Unpackers as well!

Anyway, Midsomer Murders is a fun British mystery series about a rural Police Inspector (Barnaby) who investigates crime in the small towns of Midsomer County. (At least I think it's a county.) The Biography Channel has been playing them on Sunday evenings.

It's one of those series where you wonder why people keep moving to these small towns because the death rate is through the roof! A lot of fun, though, and the new Sergeant is HOT!

How I wish I could take a kitten or two! I'm afraid that would really freak Emma and Blackthorne out, though! How I wish they could stay kittens forever! Thankfully, Blackthorne never developed that nasty habit of which you speak! He can be a bit of a whiner, but I'll take that bad habit ANY day over the other!

[surprised_by_witches]

Awwww ... cute picture. And what a lot of hair to brush, LOL. I only have shorthaired cats.

Yes, our cat Puggsley was a thug in every sense of the word. He loved his sister Wednesday but hated all other cats, sprayed our stuff when we came home from trips, and beat up other cats without warning. No hissing, spitting, puffy fur, just straight for the throat.

If he'd been human he'd have been in jail. :rolleyes:

On the plus side, he was the biggest lover of a cat you ever met. He adored humans. He was a big cuddle monkey. Just don't leave him alone for a weekend, or you'd pay.

[person123]

*gasp* So cute! They look like Siamese kittens, SBW.

And Sacha, I've always imagined having a big poofy fat cat lounging around all day and eating caviar out of a silver dish. :D

[Sacharissa]

*gasp* So cute! They look like Siamese kittens, SBW.

And Sacha, I've always imagined having a big poofy fat cat lounging around all day and eating caviar out of a silver dish. :D

That's Blackthorne alright! He looks good, and he knows it! So he spends most of his day draped elegantly across pieces of furniture, waiting to be admired, and the rest of his day grooming!

Emma, on the other hand, is the scrappy, clever one. She's always off exploring and figuring out ways to hide the cat toys from her big briother!

[surprised_by_witches]

I think they're half Burmese, 123. We decided not to take any of them. They'd need a trip to the vet first and we're a bit broke-ish. Most of them have found homes, anyway, and kittens tend to get snatched up at the pound.

Witch Baby and I are going on our 3rd annual Mama-Daughter camping trip this weekend, so no sims for me. Just fresh air, mosquitos and bears. And fun, too, of course. Hey, I'll never pass up an excuse to eat junk food and play with fire.

Have I mentioned I'm a bit of a pyro? :o

[Lynet]

Every now and then I miss having a cat around. But no, I am resolved not to take one in. :cry: The cat pictures are really cute.

SBW, I admire your strength in resisting those kitten faces. Have fun on your camping trip (I know you will!)

I spent a lot of time today (since I was not at work) just visiting fansites and shopping for my sims. I've noticed some of the lots on MTS2 (which make me drool but which I do not download) have links to the sites where they get wallpaper, floors, furniture and other decorations. So I visited a bunch of sites that way. Some of them are pretty to look at, even if they have only a few items to download. I didn't find anything particularly spectacular to share here, but I thought it was a good way to hunt for them.

[Lynet]

I got a call this morning from my daughter's S.O. (He was so excited he thought today was Friday.)

She's having contractions and was admitted to the hospital at 6 am California time. :cool:

Poor girl. The due date was August 10.

This baby is in no hurry to see the light of day. ;)

I wonder what the Sims game will be like 12 years from now. I'm thinking it would make a nice birthday present. :p

[surprised_by_witches]

How exciting! I hope all goes well for your daughter. We want details! Girl, boy, all fingers and toes accounted for?

As for resisting kittens, the other reason is we haven't set up the "ministry of rodents" yet and I think our guinea pigs would plotz if a kitten got up on their cage. Bad enough they've got a dog standing on her hind legs staring at them all day long (they're on the dining room table for now). We're going to wait until we have a door we can close between the prey and the hunters.

They're slowly getting used to her, and us. Today Firebolt cooed at my husband. (He's the one who gives her oranges, LOL.) She's also stopped bossing Nimbus around so much. Yesterday Witch Baby caught them grooming each other.

Guinea pigs is cute. :D

[Lynet]

No word yet from the California family. I guess they're busy :rolleyes: . I told Dave just to let me know when it was over and everyone was OK.

The doctors believe the baby is a girl (sonograms or whatnot).

It's hard to concentrate here at work.

Anyway, I've never had guinea pigs for pets. My daughter had a hamster for awhile and it was always getting loose. She kept it in a cage on the 3rd floor of our city rowhouse and I once found it inside :confused: a big cardboard box in the basement. How that critter got down all those flights of stairs, past the eyes of two cats, will always be a mystery to me. Maybe one of the cats stored him down there with plans for a later snack. Anyway, he was unharmed and went right back to the cage on the 3rd floor. He had many other adventures, too.

[person123]

Congrats, Lynet! Hope everything is okay.

I never caught my hamster escaping, or out of his cage, but I have no doubt he had many midnight strolls while we were all sound-asleep. Honestly, I can't think of any other solution to why he gained so much weight than sneaking out of his cage and eating our cookies or something, what with his veggie/fruit-filled diet and constant access to an exercise wheel. :rolleyes:

[Lynet]

Spoke to my daughter at 7 pm EST. She's still in labor.

Sims got it easy.

[suitemichelle]

is this your first grandchild?

[Lynet]

Yup. And my only daughter. It's about 10 before midnight now. I just got a call from Dave. Since the labor had gone on for so long and was not progressing, the doctors decided to go ahead with a C-section. Mother and baby are doing fine now. I don't know much else yet. They're all pretty tired out there.

Goodnight :)

[surprised_by_witches]

Congratulations, Grandma! Let us know when you hear more.

Do you know the baby's name?

[jupitershana]

Yay! Congrats Grandma! Sucks about them having to go forward with a C-section though, but good to hear they are all doing okay. Post pictures when you get them!

[Lynet]

Thanks. Oh, I will for sure post a picture. As soon as I learn anything or see anything. I may have to just go out there and take them myself. :o As of now, I know nothing useful.

[Sacharissa]

Congratulations! How very exciting!! and a girl on the first go - Very nice! I had to wade through five nephews before FINALLY getting a niece!

[person123]

Congrats, Lynet! I can't wait to see pictures!

[Joseph]

My trip to Minnesota was postponed until next weekend now. But I still am going. I keep hearing good things about their State Fair where all the food you eat is on a stick. :p My friends are going to take me. I guess a few went this past Thursday when it opened. I'm going to get to see Garrison Keillor. I saw that Prairie Home Companion movie and loved it.

[ManagerJosh]

ooo! Garrison's a riot! Prepared to be laughing ur butt off with his tales from Lake Wobegon

[hugzncuddles]

Many congrats Lynet! I hope that mom and baby are doing well, and I would love to see pics when you can post them. :) It must be a big relief to mom now that the baby is finally here - it sounds like the baby was in no rush whatsoever to make an appearance lol.

[djrules5454]

My trip to Minnesota was postponed until next weekend now. But I still am going. I keep hearing good things about their State Fair where all the food you eat is on a stick. :p My friends are going to take me. I guess a few went this past Thursday when it opened. I'm going to get to see Garrison Keillor. I saw that Prairie Home Companion movie and loved it.

You forgot about the deep-fried food as well. At the Minnesota State Fair (aka: The Great Minnesota Get-Together) 90% of the food is either deep-fried, on a stick, or both! Something that they started in the past few years is advertisements on a stick!

[Joseph]

Advertisements on a stick. Isn't that already taken as protesting? :D Can't wait to go. :)

[person123]

Well, it turned out I really am doing the best I can with violin. I practiced for two whole hours (and that's really hard with the computer's siren call pulling on me) and, as soon as I took one break to the bathroom and came back, it was as if I hadn't practiced at all. I messed up as much as I did at the beginning and everything was out of tune and it was just horrible. I felt like punching someone, and I did kick my pillow around my room a bit. :mad: Violin is one of those constant worries at the back of my head. Maybe I really should consider quitting. If I presented my thoughts and opinions presentably to my mom, sans whining, she might consider as well. I still feel guilty, though.

[surprised_by_witches]

I think you need to talk to your mom about how you feel about the violin, 123, even if you don't decide to quit. It's not good to carry around all that anxiety. I'll bet she'd like to know.

Hope you have fun at the state fair, Joseph! I've heard it's the largest one in the country, but I could be wrong about that. The food is the reason most people go. We go to see the "miracle of birth" barn, as well. My daughter loves watching baby chicks and ducklings hatch, and the larger animals give birth there too. Messy and bloody, but cool. One year we saw two calves and a lamb being born, all within an hour of each other. Busy day!

The rides are fun, too. I've never been to a show because I started going when I was already a parent. (Hard to find a babysitter during the fair, LOL.) I'm jealous that you get to see Prairie Home Companion. I listen to it on the radio but I've never been.

[Joseph]

I leave tomorrow. I was tempted to drive it, but decided to take a plane. I'll just do without my water for a short period of time. :D

[Sacharissa]

Hey Joseph! Hope you enjoy our "little" State Fair. Be sure to try the HOT DISH ON A STICK! What could be more Minnesotan! And if you liked the movie, You will LOVE seeing the Prairie Home Companion live, and in its natural habitat!

At any rate, it looks like the weather will be very cooperative for you - 70s and low 80s during the days, and 50s and 60s at night - with LOW humidity - nigh on PERFECT! :cool:

[person123]

*sob sob* I was rereading this thread from the beginning, and I really, really miss Babe. I hope she comes back to visit soon. I don't like being the only young 'un on the forum who actually possesses an ounce of wit. It's a huge responsibility. :(

[surprised_by_witches]

Where IS that girl? I miss her too. And Mirelly. It just ain't the same without the sassy Brit contingent.

[AlisonSBurke]

Grrr to Person123...

Well, my laptop died. I'm writing this at school. Just saying I won't be on much until we get a new computer.

PS Just reading back a bit... CONGRADULATIONS LYNET!

[Lynet]

Where IS that girl? I miss her too. And Mirelly. It just ain't the same without the sassy Brit contingent.I'm still betting they'll be back. Can anyone email them just to get updates? Maybe Babe is famous now? And is Mirelly playing out her sims Penfield neighborhood? (I think it was called Penfield :o )

Please, don't you leave us, too, 123. Yes, it's a big responsibility, but you can handle it, I know.

Thanks, Alison. :D I'm actually in California right now, a few miles east of Oakland. The baby is beautiful. She has two doting parents, that's for sure, who both stay up all night with her because she hasn't figured out, yet, about the day-night business. Balimore was hot and muggy. It's quite chilly here. I've only had about 4 hours sleep, too. *yawn*

I'm using my daughter's laptop at the moment. Sure glad I haven't spent money on a laptop. Yuck! The fact that their kitten removed a couple of the keys doesn't help, either.

[person123]

Haha, sorry Alison! You just slipped my mind for a minute...:rolleyes: How was I supposed to know you're a fellow young 'un? It's not in your profile! I display my age proudly.

Congrats, Lynet! Do you know her name yet?

[surprised_by_witches]

Alison, I often forget you're under 20, myself. You should take it as a compliment. The only reason I know 123 is, is that she reminds us!! :D

My husband and daughter are at the Minnesota State Fair today. I'm stuck at work. :( Oh well, back to it.

[Lynet]

Congrats, Lynet! Do you know her name yet?Jasmine. She's very cute. She and her mom and dad are all taking a nap at the moment.

Thought I'd read a little here in the forums. My daughter has the Sims2 game but only has an HP laptop that's not working too well, so it's not installed. At the moment I'm using her husband's Mac. I don't like laptop keyboards. Too small. :(

[suitemichelle]

congratulations, Grandma!! Can't wait to see pix.

[person123]

Oh, that's such a pretty name! I love the smell of jasmine.

I had a great idea for a story yesterday, and right now I'm in the process of fleshing it out. I'm also typing up the skeletons of scenes I've imagined in my head. This is the first time I've actually thought of something that I think I could write, and that wouldn't turn out too similar to other books I've read. I'm quite excited.

[Chee-Z]

Hehe I'm barely under 20. :o

Grats on the grandbaby :)

[surprised_by_witches]

I had a great idea for a story yesterday, and right now I'm in the process of fleshing it out. I'm also typing up the skeletons of scenes I've imagined in my head. This is the first time I've actually thought of something that I think I could write, and that wouldn't turn out too similar to other books I've read. I'm quite excited.

Go, 123! :)

[AlisonSBurke]

[I]Sneaking on the school computer...[I] ;)

Apology accepted, 123. :rolleyes:

I hope you do write the story! I hate having to write short stories for school, I write about a million different stories, hand one in, get all shy and demand it back, then have a hissy fit and mooch around for days... :hissyfit:

Jasmine's a beautiful name, Lynet.

PS Thanks for showing me how to use all these cool smilies SBW.

Well, better go now before I get caught...

[Sacharissa]

Go, 123! :)

Yes 123 - You go, Girl!

And hey Alison, I know exactly what you mean. You write up a story, and it's like your baby! You're afraid to let it out in the world, cause what if people don't like it, or are mean to it? :(

[surprised_by_witches]

Yep, that's one of the hardest things about being a writer, developing that "thick skin" that lets you say, I don't care what other people think ... even when you do. :o

[person123]

I've only considered being a writer once or twice. I always thought, "You know what, I'll never write a good novel anyway, so it doesn't matter." :rolleyes: Now I refuse to worry about publishing or anything. I'll just keep writing, and hope that I even finish it. :o

[surprised_by_witches]

That's what makes you a writer. If you feel a need to write, you should write. Getting published is secondary to that.

For me, it's an itch that constantly needs scratching.

[Lynet]

You remind me, 123, about the 3-ring binders where I store all the stuff I started and never finished, usually because I had no idea about a complete story plot, just an image, one scene, that I wanted to see written out. :rolleyes:

But what SBW says is true. When you get the urge to write, publishing doesn't enter your head. But it sure enters my head that I've got an audience here at Worldsims. It may be as close to getting published as I ever get and it's been great fun. :D It makes the itch to write stronger than ever. I'm glad to be visiting my daughter here in CA but am also going crazy because I'm so far away from my Sims, particularly Andy and Cory. There is so much more adventure ahead of them that I want to share with y'all. :eek: And that may be the important word: Sharing. That's my own writing urge and I would bet it's a big part of SBW's, too, which is why she's got two stories going on Worldsims now.

I sure hope you write out your story, 123. Maybe we'll get to see some of it?

[Sacharissa]

You remind me, 123, about the 3-ring binders where I store all the stuff I started and never finished, usually because I had no idea about a complete story plot, just an image, one scene, that I wanted to see written out. :rolleyes:

But what SBW says is true. When you get the urge to write, publishing doesn't enter your head. But it sure enters my head that I've got an audience here at Worldsims. It may be as close to getting published as I ever get and it's been great fun. :D It makes the itch to write stronger than ever. I'm glad to be visiting my daughter here in CA but am also going crazy because I'm so far away from my Sims, particularly Andy and Cory. There is so much more adventure ahead of them that I want to share with y'all. :eek: And that may be the important word: Sharing. That's my own writing urge and I would bet it's a big part of SBW's, too, which is why she's got two stories going on Worldsims now.

I sure hope you write out your story, 123. Maybe we'll get to see some of it?

That is so true, Lynet! I used to write all of the time - just to write! But the best times were in college, when I was writing stories that I would share with my roommates and other dormies. They would gather a couple of times a week waiting for me to read whatever chapters I had written.

I was especially amused during one reading (a mystery based on The Streets of San Francisco - you know, when Michael Douglas was young and dreamy!), and one of the girls said "Oooo - I can't wait to find out how it all turns out!" I had to laugh, because at that point, I didn't really know myself!

The point is, I was just writing because I needed to - and then having a small, but select and appreciative audience really was encouraging. No thoughts of publishing ever entered my mind, but I still considered myself a writer!

Now, years later, when I am old and worn down by life, I have suddenly found that old spark has not completely died, and reading the stories and the encouragements on this forum has given me back the the urge to pick up the pen once again. (Well actually, not a pen, but a Mac Powerbook - so much easier then college days, where I wrote on notebook paper using pencil!)

So thanks Lynet, SBW, the Cheezy One, and all of those who have entertained and inspired me with your stories! You have inspired something I thought had gone long ago...Keep it up!

And go with it, 123! Even if you never finish anything, just the act of writing really is a great way to spur on creativity in all areas of your life!

[Chee-Z]

:D Gracias :)

I love to write and it's been one of my hobbies for ages. :) It's easier to write about something you like or have interest in, and thank goodness I have an English professor that has that same sentiment. I'm not sure if she's going to appreciate having to read a paper on a video game advertisement, however. Oh well. :o

I was quite surprised to find an email from the prof that led my discussion group for the summer assignment. Apparently my paper for that assignment was sent off to be considered for a top prize. I could be one of ten students that gets to meet the author of the novel, Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits. I'm kinda torn because I want to be a writer, yet I'm not sure I'd appreciate discussing a book that I did not really enjoy reading. I guess that's why I'm surprised. :confused: But hey, it's an honor nonetheless. :)

[person123]

Is it a coincidence that a lot of the members here are good at writing? Maybe TS2 is the kind of game that attracts people like that. ;)

Urgh. Every night I come up with more and more ideas. This story is never going to end....

[darkdragonluver]

I was hoping to write down all of my great ideas now, and then when I get older and more experienced in the world I would actually do something with them. Maybe one day I'll have one book published, but who knows? I actually based the Sims that I'm playing with on some of my story characters and sometimes it sets the lightbulb off. :laugh:

[Sacharissa]

Is it a coincidence that a lot of the members here are good at writing? Maybe TS2 is the kind of game that attracts people like that. ;)

Urgh. Every night I come up with more and more ideas. This story is never going to end....

I believe you are right, 123. The thing about The Sims is that we can have them act out the stories we have roaming around in our heads. That's what attracted me, anyway. Well, that and the chance to design and build my Dream House!

By the way, since you are having so many ideas, mybe you've got more than just a story there - maybe you've got whole novel!

I was hoping to write down all of my great ideas now, and then when I get older and more experienced in the world I would actually do something with them. Maybe one day I'll have one book published, but who knows? I actually based the Sims that I'm playing with on some of my story characters and sometimes it sets the lightbulb off. :laugh:

Good insight, Dark! I have often gone back to the notebooks I kept in junior and senior high school and found all kinds of inspiration for further writing. (I've also often found material for a really good laugh, which can sometimes be just as satisfying!) :D

[person123]

Hm...does it seem a bit overkill for a faerie to have both four arms and dragonfly wings? :o

[Sacharissa]

Hm...does it seem a bit overkill for a faerie to have both four arms and dragonfly wings? :o

Hmmm - Good question. I'd say it depends on what they were planning on doing. Are the wings usable? Or only decorative. Four arms would come in handy for a warrior faerie, but for one who only flits from flower to flower, they might be too much...

[person123]

The wings would be useable. The faerie isn't exactly a warrior faerie...she's kind of confused and doesn't know why the heck she has four arms. Maybe it's some kind of genetic mutation from inbreeding. :confused:

[Sacharissa]

Interesting...So the other faeries around her do not have four arms? Do they make fun of her? Or view her as something special? Was it genetic mutation? Or did someone cast an evil spell on her? OR, was the spell a good spell, and she is supposed to use the extra arms to do something that will save her fellow faeries from some horrible fate, and then they will feel guilty for making fun of her in the first place....So many questions... :confused:

[person123]

LOL, I have no idea yet. I just liked the idea of having four arms. Usually more than two arms are considered grotesque, so when I stick them on my main character, who is always afraid of being weird and an outcast, well...it's really hitting home. I may axe the wing idea, though.

[Lynet]

I've always hated the fact that book and movie heroines are 5 foot 10, thin, and gorgeous, often with PhD's and incredible expertise in some obscure science. So I tend to make my main characters ordinary, even unattractive, although I'm less concerned with it now than I used to be. Even so, I made Errol a little goofy, and Cory is definitely funny looking. I made Andy sick ugly for a while. (And she still has ugly skin.)

In one story I wrote, I even made the woman a cyclops. :D Then I had everyone around her act like she was gorgeous. No kidding.

[Chee-Z]

My Sim characters haven't been pretty looking, except for a few females. Franz and my second generation Legacy offspring, for example. :rolleyes:

[Lynet]

Franz wasn't so bad. A little pale. He was perfect for Errol's mother. :D

[person123]

Agassi LOST! *hysterical sobbing*

Our family is obsessed with tennis. Anyone else watching the US Open?

[surprised_by_witches]

Nope, sorry, 123. I do like tennis, but apparently not to the extent that you do.

What's new at our house is that Witch Baby has a newly remodeled bedroom, complete with secret room. Her daddy really worked hard on it.

Almost makes me want to be eight again. It's a rockin' room. :D

[person123]

That sounds like an awesome room! My cousin has the coolest room, too. There's another part to it that we used to sit in and roast marshmallows...unknown to our parents, of course.

I like watching tennis, but I can't play for my life.

[suitemichelle]

Agassi LOST! *hysterical sobbing*

msn had a nice write up on him though talking about how he has become a role model to the point of building a school down in LA for underpriveled kids and getting them up to the point where they are now able to get into college where they wouldn't have had a chance before. He grew into the kind of man we hope our children will be like.

spent about ten hours yesterday and today weeding and digging the grass out of the juniper bushes (UGH!) and the front yard flower beds. I hurt. tomorrow I get to prime and paint some peeling away paint on the house. I thought Labor Day was for taking it easy...:rolleyes:

[AlisonSBurke]

Sneaking on again...

:( I really want to go and check out all the stories, but I can't! So I'm just going to talk and talk and talk.

Well, something new is I got to dance with this guy I liked, and he's really nice! I can't say his name in case someone is looking over my shoulder BUT he's the guy that was staring...

I'm going to be in the Talent Show next week, I have no idea why, as I'm very very shy and a terrible dancer. And there will be an audience of at least 700...

Ummm... What else is new? Oh, my grades are improving, and they're thinking of putting me up to Level 1 Science. I hope not though, Level 1 Science is kinda tricky from what I've heard, and they've got a mean teacher.

I started writing my short story for school (at last!) and decided to go with fantasy (for the time being :o )... If I like the story, I might post a bit of it when/if we get a new computer. Not like a whopping big story or anything, maybe just a chapter or something.

Umm... I think that's about all that's happening. Yikes, the bell went. Bye 'til next time.

[Lynet]

Good for you, Alison, about your grades.

I'm back home again after a long flight from California. I had no problems with security going out and a minor one coming back. Some silly security person decided that my itty bitty tube of mascara (non-liquid) was a dangerous weapon and needed to be confiscated. :( I feel real safe now, knowing that makeup is being confiscated from old ladies all over the country. Just so as there is no confusion, it was the ONLY thing they removed from my little carry-on bag, after a very thorough search. I go along with the X-ray business, I don't complain about having to take off my shoes and empty my pockets, but sheesh, do they need to be so witless and stupid about it? I didn't pack the REALLY dangerous stuff, like shampoo. Good thing they didn't confiscate my blood pressure medicine.

Rant over. I'm attaching one picture of Jasmine.

[suitemichelle]

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! What a pretty baby. Go Granny, Go!

[jupitershana]

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! What a pretty baby. Go Granny, Go!

I agree, she's absolutely adorable!

[surprised_by_witches]

Awwwwwww ... what a cute baby.

Yes, good thing you didn't have something really dangerous, like hair gel. :rolleyes:

What's new at my house is Izzy has learned the command "no pig." She stays away from the guinea pigs, mostly. She's a smart, good girl, if occasionally stubborn.

She's also decided she needs to defend me from the vacuum cleaner: have I mentioned this already? She comes running when she hears it and stands nearby, like "are you OK, Mom?"

What a brave dog. :D

[Lynet]

No pig? LOL, I like that command.

Thanks from a proud grandma. She is cute and will get cuter. :D

As for airport security, I'm betting that all that stuff they confiscate is just thrown in the trash, meaning they know perfectly well it's not dangerous. They can't tell the difference between vigilance and harassment and confuse one with the other. Planes are vulnerable and I have no doubt there will be another attack on one. Harassing the passengers by taking away water bottles and little jars of makeup or whatever is not vigilance and will not prevent another attack. I don't feel safe. I just cross my fingers and hope that my flight is of no interest to the bad guys.

And oh yeah, I'd forgotten I also had two disposable razors in the same makeup bag that she inspected so carefully. And a great big safety pin in my jacket pocket. She ignored those. Go figure.

My little 5-foot self is frequently singled out, and I'm not kidding, for extra inspection at airports. I swear I do not look in the least bit sinister. My husband says that's exactly why -- it's safe to inspect me. I won't blow up in their face.

I guess you can tell that I'm still very annoyed. :o So I'll shut up about it now.

[surprised_by_witches]

I don't blame you. You're absolutely right. It's not like they use the same method twice, anyway.

If they inspect you they should inspect everyone. Or no one. Sounds like people who are following the letter rather than the spirit of their job description. Hey, let's pick on nice looking people so we won't get harrassed. Hmmm ... what's wrong with that picture?

I'm not saying that psychos can't SEEM perfectly nice, but they should definitely check a wider sample of the populace.

Not just nice, five foot tall, just became a grandmas. :rolleyes:

[Lynet]

...Not just nice, five foot tall, just became a grandmas. :rolleyes: :D Yup, that's me! :D

[person123]

Congrats, Lynet! She's so cute!

LOL, SBW, vaccuums can be quite frightening. My mom always uses them to suck up any spiders we find in the house, so I'm afraid they're all just waiting in there, planning some kind of conspiracy. :eek:

[Chee-Z]

Aww cute baby! :D

When I was traveling this summer, I bet the people working at the Vancouver Airport thought I was the easiest per