Sims with sims war not, joy delights in joy

Hi Dad,

Tell Shannon that withholding cookies until a letter arrives is blackmail! Positively blackmail. And it works too. So the box of cookies should be sent soon, please? We could all starve if the cookies don't arrive.

Things are going well enough. The school does insist that we do a few things beyond art, like maths and history. Everyone complains when we do them but I have a feeling that knowing things beyond art is a good idea. How else will I know if an agent rips me off if I don't know enough about money?

I've moved to a different art class. I don't think you'd like our teacher, he insists that all great artists are at least slightly mad. I'm pretty sure that you're not mad, and from what you've said about granddad, he wasn't either.

In music, I'm doing well on guitar and keyboard but not so well on drums or bass. So if you haven't gotten a band together by the time I get home, well, you'll just have to be my bass man.

Wow, so much stuff happening at home. There's a new pet store? And you bought a bird because you just fell in love with it?

I can't wait to meet Green Hornet. He sounds pretty cool and he is very handsome in that picture you sent. Does he talk yet?

I'm so jealous that there's a ice cream van in town now. I can't image how many summer evenings would have been even better with ice cream.

So I'm sending a few simoleons to give to Mason. Tell him to enjoy an ice cream from his big sister, won't you?

You adopted a cat too?  He's a bit hyper but doesn't destroy stuff. Hyper might not be good if he runs around too much, but I guess you know what you're doing. I can see why you called him Mittens, with those four white paws.

Shannon tells me that she's not impressed that you still panic when a baby is due. It's your third time around after all and she has to do all the hard work.

She didn't even trust you to drive, you were in such a state.

The result is that I have a little sister and you've named her Dixie? I'm glad that everything went smoothly and Shannon and Dixie are both fine.

I used the picture you sent as inspiration in painting class. About half the girls were very excited by the ideas of babies and half thought babies were icky things. The boys universally thought that babies are icky things.

That's a new bird, a new cat and a new baby all in the space of a week? Wow, Dad, were you thinking at all? Maybe I was wrong, you are mad. Just teasing. At any rate, it sounds like you are going to be very busy with the baby and pets.

Give my love to everyone, I hope I can make it home soon.

---

Technical note: Cat did ring home with the message about 'Great Artists are Mad'. It was the first time we've heard from her since she left.

The return of Sir Bricks-a-lot. I hate to think how many of these my Sims 2 made with the toy bench, trying to improve their skills. I laughed to see him.

So long as Sims can breathe or eyes can see

Hi Dad,

Sorry, I know, I never write. There never seems to be time to write. Our classes have a lot of monthly projects or performances or presentations. I'm barely getting the first done when the next one comes up.

At least I'm getting along better with other students. We all have major bitch sessions over lunch and over the group dinners. There are enough group based projects that I've really gotten to know a fair number of those my age. I do feel for the younger kids, some of them are shipped here the minute they turn old enough for school. It's very hard on them.

I'm pleased to hear that Shannon's pregnancy is going well. It must be a relief for both of you that she's over the morning sickness at long last.

We are such Sims As dreams are made on

Hi Dad,

Thanks for the letter. I've been missing you guys too.

It is taking some time to get used to this school. It's not easy to fit in, some of the kids have been here since forever and they all have established groups. I feel like such an outsider.

On the other hand, there's so much opportunity to do art. We have sketch pads that we carry everywhere - random drawing in classes is encouraged.

I don't know when I'll get the chance to visit. Travel is so expensive and I don't have much to spare after buying supplies for school.

I'm glad to hear that your fame as a sculptor is definitely spreading. That lovely ice urn must have been quite the talking point at the party.

There is no art either good or bad, but thinking makes it so

Dad still gets the attention of the local paparazzi. He does his best to ignore it but when they come on the property, it's a bit harder.

Mason is growing like a little weed. A very unstable little weed,  he's still finding the whole walking thing a bit much.

To School or Not to School, That is the Question

"Kitten, could we talk?"

"About what, Dad?"

"Well, I just heard about this school you could go to that specializes in the arts. They promise to foster talent in painting, music and other arts."

"A new school?"

"Well, Kitten, not only a new school, but it's on the mainland. You'll have to live there. So you'll be leaving us and your school friends behind."

He left it dead, and with its head He went galumphing back.

Not a terribly long update, this time. I have school, and not a lot is really happening around home.

I think I don't like having a baby brother. He's loud, frequently stinky and he gets all the attention around here.

If Dad isn't in with Mason.

Shannon probably is.

And as in uffish thought he stood, The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,

Dad has never been happier. He adores Mason. He loves Shannon with all his heart.

I'm glad that this marriage is working out for Dad. Cause he is my best friend. He deserves happiness big time after Mom.

His artwork goes well these days. He can get some good money for a sculpture.

This is a farewell pic to Dad's collection of relics from his overseas trips. He said a private museum sounded cool when he was 14 but it was too much work in the long run. Some trips, you'd be lucky to find a few items. Trying to build a good collection was also very dangerous. Dad says the best tombs also have the most traps.

And pour the waters of the Nile On every golden scale!

Dad and Shannon had an ultrasound done. They are expecting a baby boy.

So they decided to extend the house a bit and add a new room for the baby. Blue is a major theme here. If I get a sister, she'll have to learn to love blue since I don't think Dad can afford another decorator just yet.

While he was getting some work done on the house, Dad decided to get some done on the bathroom as well. He had the fixtures replaced with much better ones and the wall and floor redone.

There was one who was famed for the number of things He forgot when he entered the ship:

My dad and his new wife - my new step-mom.

I was wondering when Dad was going to decide to have a talk about his new wife and the baby. Apparently it's today.

Kitten, do you have time for a chat?

And this was odd, because, you know, They hadn't any feet.

Our son Picasso has been smitten by Casey. Casey is the local consignment agent and very nearly our age.

Granted most of the girls he knew at school are still a bit young for him, but we are trying gently to dissuade him from making a permanent commitment yet. Hans and I know he has only been going out with Casey for a few weeks. Why he let himself be talked into being her boyfriend is a mystery.

And, he has plenty of time on his side.

There weren't any architectural design jobs on offer today so he took our advice to meet a few more people around town.

Not the most stellar start I've ever heard of to a relationship, sneezing on your new acquaintance.

Still, at least this Amelia is a bit more his age. As are several of the other women he's been introduced to in the past few days.

And then it was time for Elizabeth to have her birthday. Friends and family came to watch.

But a few party guests have their own agendas. It's a bit rude to try to steal the spotlight from the birthday girl!

Our Lizzie is growing up to be a quite lovely young woman. I'm still pleased our daughter has Dad's hair color. It's nice to see.

And her friend from school, Derrick Leman, certainly agrees with that.

Well, at least she'll be very happy for a few days. First love does that to a girl. I can almost remember those days.

-----

Shannon and I discussed having a lovely wedding somewhere. We chatted about guest lists, food lists, venues.

Then we got hitched quietly in City Hall. The planning was too much, it was making Shannon quite sick to the stomach.

Dad got married twice, now I'm on a second marriage. Of course, he also had a second child with that second wife, Shannon and I haven't planned on anything like that.

For me, things were now very quiet again. I sent Alaina the money I promised and settled in for some new sculpting work.

No, it was nearly done! So nearly done. And then I twitched right at the end and chopped off the head of my dragon. Ruined.

Maybe not ruined, I just need to carve a St George to go with the dragon.

Later that evening, Shannon had news. It wasn't nerves or decision making that was making her sick to her stomach.

We are expecting a baby.

Well, I was a bit surprised by the news, but I still love it. Another baby, I hope it's a boy this time.

We'll have to do some serious house renovations. Cathy is nearly a teen, she is not going to want to share her room with a new baby.

(Blog now reverts back to standard old plot-free family stuff. Fast, easy, brain not necessary)

Their coats were brushed, their faces washed, Their shoes were clean and neat

Damn, my birthday snuck up on me. Happy birthday me.

The birthday reminded me that I needed to take a few things seriously. Shannon was one of those things. Shannon makes me happier than I've been for some time.

I proposed to Shannon.

She was very happy to accept. She is already making wedding plans.

We celebrated in bed that night. We weren't quite as careful as usual but surely just careless for just one night won't matter.

Picasso brought over the photos Sunday night. God, my nephew is a grown man. Hard to believe so much time has gone by.

It's not hard to see what Alaina managed to do. She convinced her lovers in city hall that they should grant sole custody, issue the restraint to keep me from being near Catherine. She had a lover in the police force willing to enforce those orders.

I made a few changes to what I wanted to accomplish with the governor on Monday. I arranged via Thomas a change in venue and change in participants.

"Thanks so much for seeing us, Governor Goldbeard-Patel. I know that listening to individual requests is quite rare for you."

"Yes, well, there are special circumstances." I knew her voice the moment she spoke. This was the 'friend' who rang me to tell me that the police were on their way.

"These are special circumstances." I laid the photos on the table. The governor examined them.

"It's clear that Alaina Grant used undue influence to gain custody and restraining orders. I'm going to order those documents null and void as of now."

That was a relief for me. I really didn't want to have any more trouble with the law. One day in that cell was plenty.

"It is also clear that I'm going to have to have a few words with these gentlemen about the affair. What they have done is unacceptable, a demotion should teach them an important lesson."

"Alaina, why? Why did you do all of this?"

"You never gave me the option to have custody."

"When you left my house, you said you wanted to explore a range of lovers...or something like that. I thought Catherine would have cramped your style and, frankly I'd really rather not have my daughter exposed to a parade of lovers."

"You are trying to replace me with that blond hussy of yours."

I sighed, "Alaina, no matter what happens between us, Catherine is our daughter. Nothing will ever change that. I've never expected Catherine to forget you and think of Shannon as her mom. Shannon is a lovely lady, but not a replacement mom for Catherine."

Alaina suddenly burst into tears. "It's all gone. I have no money. I won't have a house soon."

"What? What happened to your settlement?" She did get a fair share of money when she left.

"This guy rang. He was selling shares in the Landgraab Investment Agency. I remember when I was a wee girl, daddy used to sell those shares."

"Oh god, Alaina. Your daddy was a con man. Everyone in Sunset Valley knew better than to buy anything recommended by Jared Frio." Except my ex-wife. No wonder she's been a bit off her rocker lately.

"Alaina, I wish you had just told me that things were a bit tough." I shook my head. "You will always be Catherine's mom. And, in spite of everything, you are still my friend."

Alaina still wouldn't look at me.

"Next time, if you really can't come to me, try talking to Brooke. We can find a way to help. For starters, I'll transfer 10,000 Simoleons to your account."

"Really?"

"Truly."

The governor interrupted us about then. "Catherine, who do you want to live with?"

"I choose?"

"You seem old enough to me to pick who you want to live with. Your mom or your dad."

Catherine looked back and forth a couple of times. I must admit my heart was in throat. It was time for her to pick. "I think. I think, I want to stay with ... dad. As long as I can regularly visit mom."

"Course you can. Go over and spend the night any time if you want to and your mom agrees."

"Mom?"

"It's okay honey. If you want to come over from time to time, just ring to make sure I know you're coming."

Catherine was so happy to finally get a say in her future. I'm pretty happy that we are to the bottom of the issue and that Alaina isn't going to disappear one day taking our daughter with her.

I waited till the governor was gone. "Hey, Alaina, what's with this red head? We couldn't work out why you'd go for him."

"Oh Travis? He's just the sweetest guy. I really like him, he's been around my place a couple of nights now."

"Well, I wish you all the best if you really like him." And I wish this Travis guy even more luck if he stays with my ex.