The Drifter Chronicles - House 002 (COMPLETE)

[LenaLJ]

You have gotten me very interested in this type of challenge. Good luck on completing your goals.

[MarianT]

This is such a cute story. I laughed out loud when Robert served his bride leftover pizza because it was the pizza she delivered to him. Good luck with Eddard!

[commasplice]

This is such a cute story. I laughed out loud when Robert served his bride leftover pizza because it was the pizza she delivered to him. Good luck with Eddard!

Thanks so much!

It's so interesting to see what uncontrolled Sims will do autonomously. Why painting but not writing? Why gardening? Why do mine always watch the kids' channel on TV? Anyway, another good chapter, and I love how the house is shaping up! I really like seeing how it improves slowly. It looks like it will be a real beauty once it's finished.

I have had sims autonomously write, but only to practice writing and I still think it was kind of glitchy. I almost fell over when Anya was watering the garden on her own. Thanks about the house, I do like how it came out and hope you will too.

You have gotten me very interested in this type of challenge. Good luck on completing your goals.

Thanks! It's a really fun challenge to do. What I love about it is just when I start to get bored, my heir has to start with 0 again.

I'm am so enjoying this story and this challenge, you are doing to well! You have made all your sims so likeable

Aww, thank you so much!

[commasplice]

Journal entry, Anya Holiday



I am thinner than I have been since I was a teenager. The exercise is helping lift my mood, but I’m also motivated by the realization that once Eddard becomes a child, we’re going to have to rough it in Granite Falls so that Robert can complete his aspiration.



I never thought I would be writing this, but Summer has been my rock. I found her upstairs sitting on our bed to eat. It’s impossible for me to blame her as it’s the most comfortable seat in the house.



“I remember living with this stuff,” she said and gestured to the drywall—the drywall that is in every single room of the house, excepting Eddard’s. “Vividly. When we were first married, Orys had built separate little buildings everywhere. It was all enclosed, but there were no lights and we had to go from building to building to do everything.”

“How did you stand it?”

Summer put down her fish taco. “It helped that I was working a lot. It was harder when I was pregnant with Robert. Usually once a week I would put my foot down and Orys would finish off a wall.”

I thought about that. It wasn’t like I hadn’t asked him to do things. “I told him I was tired of living in a construction site. Robert just laughed and went back to weeding the garden.”

“Looking at him coyly and asking him to paint the interior will not work with that boy. He has a one-track mind and when you flirt like that, he forgets what you’re asking him to do.”

My mother-in-law does not miss much. “So what do I do?”

“Pick one thing you want him to finish. For instance,” Summer paused, gestured to the bed, and went on, “tell him you want a dining room table and chairs. And be direct. I’ll have a word with him too.”

Later Steffon came over and he concurred. “If you give Robert too much to do, he loses focus. Is this going to be on a foundation?”



“Eventually.” It was a sore point with me. I’ve been
 saying we needed one to start with, but Robert said we didn’t have the money for the stairs and that one could be put in after the fact.

I found him in the garden. He’s experimenting with taking cuttings and grafting so that he can grow more profitable flowers and fruits. I eyed the woodworking bench. “Would you build us a dining room table and chairs?”



“Sure.”

From: Robert Holiday
To: Pierce Delgato, Drifter Board of Directors, No Sim Left Behind
Re: Drifter House 002 – Progress report #5

Hey Pierce,

I keep forgetting to tell you guys—the house is coming along great.  The main structure is done more or less. If it’s not clear from the photos I’ve been sending you, we’re going to have an open plan first floor. Living room takes up most of the right hand side from the front. Office area to the left. Kitchen and 5-piece bath in the back. Eventually, I want to put on a back deck. Upstairs we’ve got our room in the back. The view is terrible—shame the Project couldn’t have torn down the industrial buildings too, but since there’s a back porch, it’s not as bad as it could be. Robert’s room is at the front of the house. The treadmill is now up there along with Eddard’s potty and some of his toys.



While we have the cash to finish a bunch of stuff, I’m trying to hold a bunch in reserve for the expected trip to Granite Falls. I know we could do it on the cheap with the barebones campsite, but Anya would probably leave me if I made her rough it that much.

Right now, it’s kind of fun getting to raise Eddard. Dad was great, but he was so focused on doing all those aspirations that maybe he didn’t have as much time for me as he could have. I don’t want that for Eddard. He’s a really inquisitive toddler and he’s learning all the time. Mom has been amazing with him. I just hope he’s around long enough to appreciate and remember her.



Every spare second I can I’ve been hanging with Eddard. He likes to read. It’s not really my jam, but he enjoys it a lot.



Anya’s preparing for a show! Did I tell you? She’s totally embraced painting. Because the view is so crappy, we do a lot of cloud gazing and then she’s off and running. I’m working on a little something to surprise her, but it’s taking a bit longer than I wanted.



Aunt Liberty is pregnant again. Eddard got real excited when she stopped by. He likes her a lot. Anya and I took her, Steffon, and Mom around to see the progress of the house.



Anyhow, will report again later.

Peace out,
Robert

[FrancescaFiori]

Loved Anya and Summer strategizing on how to get Robert to improve the house! It's nice to see them bonding, and it seems to have worked brilliantly.

Eddard's adorable. I love how rapt he is when his father is reading to him.

I fear for Liberty's children. She's got to be close to elder by now. Hopefully she has some older ones who will be teens by the time the inevitable happens so the little ones aren't culled? Anyway, glad to see she's still going strong!

[PeregrineTook]

Wow, Liberty is filling up the universe with Lees!!
Anya and Robert are such a cute couple.  I think that the bit about her needing to learn how to be direct with him was super cute!
Can't wait to see Eddard as a child and teen!

[commasplice]

Wow, Liberty is filling up the universe with Lees!!
Anya and Robert are such a cute couple.  I think that the bit about her needing to learn how to be direct with him was super cute!
Can't wait to see Eddard as a child and teen!

Well, she's filling up the universe with Richards' as she's married to Gavin Richards (I have MC Command Center so that happened without my interference).

Loved Anya and Summer strategizing on how to get Robert to improve the house! It's nice to see them bonding, and it seems to have worked brilliantly.

Eddard's adorable. I love how rapt he is when his father is reading to him.

I fear for Liberty's children. She's got to be close to elder by now. Hopefully she has some older ones who will be teens by the time the inevitable happens so the little ones aren't culled? Anyway, glad to see she's still going strong!

The sims stop aging when they're pregnant so I think that's why she's younger than Summer so I think her kids--who I've never actually seen in game, btw, were able to escape being culled.

[commasplice]

Journal entry, Anya Holiday



We have a dining room table. Admittedly there are only two chairs, but it’s a start.



Also Eddard is walking. Already. Where does the time go?

I have so much more to say, but I need to keep prepping for my art show.

From: Robert Holiday
To: Pierce Delgato, Drifter Board of Directors, No Sim Left Behind
Re: Drifter House 002 – Progress report #6

Yo, Pierce,

Yeah, I know it’s yet another picture of me fishing, but check out the house in the background! We’re not finished yet, but it’s coming along.



Anya’s having major doubts about her paintings, but I told her to chill. She’s an amazing artist and no matter how her show goes, she needs to own that.



Phone conversation between Summer Holiday and Liberty Lee
   
Liberty: How did it go with the babysitting?

Summer: It was fine. Eddard behaved like an angel for me. [Coughing]

Liberty: And the show?



Summer: She got good notices and sold everything. Hopefully, that means they can put down some floors. I was wrong about her. Eddard absolutely adores her. The only thing…



Liberty: I knew there was a “but” coming.

Summer: I get the feeling she’s trying to avoid thinking about The Project. I tried talking to Robert about it. He pointed out that he hasn’t even finished his part in it.



Liberty: Well, he’s got a point. Eddard isn’t even a child yet. What does he have to do again?

Summer: Robert has to get the value of the house up to $40k after depreciation—I don’t think that will be a problem assuming he ever finishes the house. He also has to complete the Outdoor Enthusiast aspiration, but he can’t start until Eddard’s officially a child. Once that happens, he has until Eddard turns into a young adult to do it.

Liberty: What the heck is the Outdoor Enthusiast aspiration?

Summer: There’s a lot to it, but basically he’ll need to master herbalism and they all have to go camping.

Liberty: [choking laughter] Anya? Camping? Anya?


From: Robert Holiday
To: Pierce Delgato, Drifter Board of Directors, No Sim Left Behind
Re: Drifter House 002 – Progress report #7

Yo, Pierce.

I heard about your mom’s death. Dude, I am so sorry. I remember how it felt with Dad died. If it’s not against the rules, and you ever want to get together to talk, I’m here for you.

I’m spending a lot of time with Eddard so the house isn’t coming along as fast as I—or Anya wanted. He’s doing okay, although there’s some behavioral stuff that has Anya worried a little so we’re trying to spend more time with him and focusing on his development.

We got in some flowers, though, and while the main structure of the house is set, I think there’s a few places where we can expand so it’s not as cramped. Anya says that I need to start finishing stuff because she thinks it’s why Eddard’s so cranky all the time.



The kitchen is more or less done. We’re having Mom over a lot. We told her it’s because we need her—and we do—but I’m starting to get a little worried about her. The last cold she had turned into pneumonia.



Peace out,

Robert

[oshizu]

So much has happened with Robert and his little family since he moved away from Oasis Springs.
The image of the house behind Robert as he was fishing was such a surprise!

I also really enjoyed Summer's conversation with Anya on how to manipulate--I mean, make suggestions to--Robert.
It's great that Summer and Anya are getting along at last.

[PeregrineTook]

It will be so sad when Summer passes, but I've greatly enjoyed how you've kept her relevant and a part of the narrative as we've moved into house 2  ;=)
It was a lovely update.  I so enjoy Robert's overly positive and energetic, go-getter personality. 

[commasplice]

So much has happened with Robert and his little family since he moved away from Oasis Springs.
The image of the house behind Robert as he was fishing was such a surprise!

I also really enjoyed Summer's conversation with Anya on how to manipulate--I mean, make suggestions to--Robert.
It's great that Summer and Anya are getting along at last.

Thank you! And also, thank you for all the help you've given me!

It will be so sad when Summer passes, but I've greatly enjoyed how you've kept her relevant and a part of the narrative as we've moved into house 2  ;=)
It was a lovely update.  I so enjoy Robert's overly positive and energetic, go-getter personality. 

I'm glad everyone is liking Summer. She really took a hold of me and worked herself into the narrative more than I ever thought she would.

[FrancescaFiori]

Hooray for the dining table and chairs!
Oh, dear. I didn't even think about Anya the snob and camping. That could be a tough one. Particularly the showers. Yikes!
The house is looking lovely, though. And congrats to Anya on the art show! I'm going to have to go in-game and make my artists paint their fingers off until they get that dog-and-cat-food-can picture. I love it!
I agree with others that I've gotten very fond of Summer in your challenge and I'll be very sad to see her go.

[commasplice]

Hooray for the dining table and chairs!
Oh, dear. I didn't even think about Anya the snob and camping. That could be a tough one. Particularly the showers. Yikes!
The house is looking lovely, though. And congrats to Anya on the art show! I'm going to have to go in-game and make my artists paint their fingers off until they get that dog-and-cat-food-can picture. I love it!
I agree with others that I've gotten very fond of Summer in your challenge and I'll be very sad to see her go.

Thanks!

Heh. Anya is not going to react well to the outdoors.

[commasplice]

Telephone conversation between Summer Baratheon and Liberty Lee

Liberty: I didn't think it was possible for Eddard to be any cuter.



Summer: Look at this one.



Liberty: I take it back.

Summer: Your brood are beautiful too.



Liberty: I just wish my mum was still alive. Eddard is lucky to have you.

Journal entry, Anya Holiday

I hereby vow that when I turn into an elder I will not be wearing the same clothes and hairstyles that were appropriate to me as a young adult.

Also, should my son decide he wants to participate in this project, I also vow that I will not constantly be nagging my daughter-in-law that I need to think about the future.

Instead, I will trust that my son and his wife will have the sense that Robert and I have to raise our offspring properly.

And if I ever find out it was Summer or Liberty who are the ones behind this subscription to Wilderness Life there will be hell to pay.






From: Anya Holiday
To: Drifter Board of Directors, No Sim Left Behind
Re: Granite Falls journey to certain death

When I agreed that Robert could continue to participate in the Project and still stayed married to me, I was informed that a trip to Granite Falls was necessary. Robert assured me we could stay in a lodge with a fully-functioning kitchen and indoor plumbing. I agreed to that.

That was before I read the fine print.

I have since discovered that this trip also necessitates us enduring five nights of tent camping into the Deep Woods and that at some point, we will have to journey through a cave to meet with an insane “hermit of Granite Falls” so that my husband can befriend him.

Robert is a grown man. If he wants to do this, fine. Why do we have to as well?

From: Drifter Board of Directors, No Sim Left Behind
To: Anya Holiday
Re: Re: Granite Falls journey to certain death

You are certainly free not to participate, but understand it invalidates Robert’s participation in the Project.

We’d like to point out that:
•   The tent camping you and Eddard will need to “endure” for the journey into the forest and the Deep Woods can be minimized if Robert manages his time wisely.
•   The five nights of tent camping can be completed by Robert alone and on your own home lot.
•   The campgrounds of Granite Falls are all very nice.
•   The amenities of the Deep Woods may surprise you.
•   Granite Falls Forest National Park is stunning and at this point in time is the only vacation world we have.

Journal entry, Robert Holiday

It’s times like these I wish Dad was still around. Anya keeps coming by with statistics about crazed bears killing innocent sims and the dangers of eating unknown plants. Whenever I explain that it’s against the rules to read up on herbalism before Eddard ages up, she glowers and stalks off.



One good thing: I got the walls all done downstairs. The trim came out great. We still can’t figure out where to put the sofa, but at least we’re no longer living in a construction site.



If I’m not fishing, I’m spending every spare minute with Eddard because as I keep trying to tell her, the better prepped he is now, the easier it’ll be for him and us.



We had his birthday party and Mom came over after.



Eddard was thrilled to see her, but I’m a little worried. He seems to be jealous all the time. Mom said traits are often random and that we just have to work with what we get.



I get the feeling Anya talked to her because Mom wondered if we really needed to go to Granite Falls so soon. She even offered to come along, but I don’t know if she’s up for that. She keeps getting these colds and is coughing a lot.



Then when I hesitated, Mom ordered me to use my influence on Eddard to get him started on his homework now “so that he’ll have something to do when you drag everyone off to the wilderness.”



Here’s what I really don’t get. Granite Falls is like gorgeous. I’ve been looking at photos of the place for years. You can catch fish there that you can’t anywhere else. I’ve saved up enough so we can stay at a pretty nice rental—way nicer than what we actually have right now. It has two bathrooms, three beds, a fully functioning kitchen, TV, a campfire, anda horseshoe pit. I love our house, but we look out at factories from across the canal. Here we have a chance to go somewhere beautiful and do things we all like doing (Anya’s even better than me at fishing even if her skill level is lower) and everyone is moaning like I’m taking them on a trip to hell.

[oshizu]

Wow, Eddard sleeping on that little round seat is too cute!
Anya, stop your complaining, lol. You're not even from San Myshuno!

I must say, though, that "Sleep 5 nights in a tent" ranks among my least favorite aspiration goals. I love everything else about Outdoor Enthusiast and Granite Falls!
Good luck on your trip, Robert and gang!

I'm enjoying watching your houses gradually come together, commasplice!