As truth and beauty shall together thrive

Finally home. I'm so happy, I'm finally home.

I can't wait to see everyone. It feels like it's been forever and ever since I've been home. I could never get up the cash to come back even just for a weekend. And most weekends, we had assignments. Boarding school had a lot of assignments and outings to keep us busy.

Then the summers were for part time jobs so I could afford a few luxuries during the school year. Barnacle Bay doesn't have much employment for teens so I stayed near the school.

All up, coming home just wasn't possible.

Check it out, even the deer celebrate that I'm finally back.

By the time I got home, it was getting dark and I was tired from the travel. But there was a lot I wanted to do.

Just some random pics while waiting for Catherine

Pictures from the last two days while we were patiently waiting for Catherine to come home. No story, just pics.

Quick note - in case you've forgotten. John Edward (Johnny) Grant has a half sister Brooke. Brooke and husband Hans have three children; Picasso, Elizabeth and Leonardo. Johnny's oldest is Catherine from his first wife. Mason and Dixie are children from his second wife.

I'm still not fond of IF but little Dixie loves hers.

Sleepover night == cocoons of children everywhere. They just seem to flop where ever there is space at bedtime. Zonk.

Beauty's effect with beauty were bereft

Dad! I'm so excited. It's nearly the end of my schooling here. I should be headed home real soon now.

I'm sure you will be impressed with everything that I've learned. Music of all sorts, art and sculpture of all styles. It's been an intense time.

There's no one here that I'll particularly miss though. I've never really connected with any of other kids really fully. Penpals for a few years and slowly drift away from each other is my guess.

I can tell that Dixie is getting her unfair share of attention. Between you and Shannon, I bet Dixie rarely has more than a few minutes of being hungry or lonely before one of you turns up.

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.