I've been keeping things of value in a chest while on vacation, then placing the full chest in family inventory. It seems that everything holds its value, upon return home. Have you tried this?
Oh, I envy you the large home in China! I bought one of the marketplace ones, and basically the top is barely lived in, with the majority of living taking place in the basement, with more space.
Pam, I adore the space rocks picture! I may have to put it on my computer desktop. How are you keeping her needs maximized all that time, since it's a challenge? And is she taking meditation breaks to increase the value of the rocks? I'm really curious how she was so prolific.