The O'Neil Immortal Dynasty [Updated 7/3]

[sone]

The O'Neil Immortal Dynasty
or
Jeannine's Journey

After several dozen failed attempts, I think I've got it this time.  I decided to base this one off of my Sims 3 ID that made it the furthest...gen 5.  Hopefully doing a story with it will help me make it through.  Patience is appreciated, I'm currently working two jobs and trying to get back to finish the last 9 credits of my associate's degree, but I am aiming for at least once a week.

The story will focus on S.I.M.S agency investigating the founder, who is suspected of being a preexisting threat that may or may not have access to confidential information.

Founder (Generation One)
Jeannine O'Neil

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Career:
Aspirations:
Skills: Parenting, Logic, Gardening
Rewards: Connections, Sleep Replacement, Focused Potion, Entrepreneurial
Gold Medals:Date, Wedding
Friends: Bella Goth, Max Villareal, Don Lothario, Jean-Claude O'Neil, Elena Villareal, Diego Lobo (BFF)
Whims: Happy: Make A Friend, Flirty: Flirt With Someone, Confident: Practice Speaking in a Mirror, Sad: Cry in a Closet, Tense: Try to Calm Self Down in Mirror, Energized: Cannonball into Pool, Focused: Read Something
Museum:

Generation Two
Jean Claude O'Neil

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Toddler Skills: Yes
Childhood Aspiration: All Four
Child Grade: A
Teen Grade: A
Career:
Aspirations:
Skills: Logic
Rewards:
Gold Medals:
Friends: Gabreille Bheeda (BFF),
Whims:
Museum:

Generation Three
Colette O'Neil

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Toddler Skills:
Childhood Aspiration:
Child Grade:
Teen Grade:
Career:
Aspirations:
Skills:
Rewards:
Gold Medals:
Friends:
Whims:
Museum:

[sone]

Family Tree (Spoilers)
The Original (failed) Story


Chapter List:
Prologue
1: Welcome to San Myshuno
2: Last Will and Testament
3: Grandchildren
4: To The Max(Villareal)
5: Summer Of Love

[sone]

Prologue

S.I.M.S Agency Report:

Time stamp: San Myshuno, 2017. 
Agent: Goth.

Codename King spotted in San Myshuno.  ID Verified from passport scan confirms Identity with 98% match on file.

Passport is most likely a forgery, but uses some real information.  Reported business is inheritance of the Old Salt House, a job transfer in Journalism and an impending engagement with Level Nine Threat Jacques Villareal.
Undercover agent on train was compromised and identified, but managed to get some information on the target.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Former(?)Agent: Hamming

Codename: King
Name: Jeannine O'Neil (née Hamming)
DOB: Unknown.  Estimated to be in her mid to late twenties, though many reports contradict this notion.  Possible plastic surgery while in Bridgeport?.  Passport pegs her at 25.
Likes: Gardening, parenting, luxuriating in the bath next to a fire, the color aqua, older men, even older movies.
Dislikes: People, talking about anything before San Myshuno, cooking.
Status: Questionable.

Intel Gathered:

Her passport is stamped Bridgeport, but target admits it is not her place of birth.
Reports also list her as widowed, but does not indicate how many times.  She has moved to San Myshuno pending her engagement and a new career opportunity.

Despite her anti-social tendencies, she has a great fondness for children.
May stem from fertility issues.  I suspect her union to Jacques is actually a bid for being a mother to Luna, Hugo and Max.

When asked, her occupation is Journalism.  If the issues is pressed, she is currently self-employed, and she prefers to keep her professional and personal life separate.

Target has bulldozed historic Old Salt House for purposes unknown, agency suspects the worst.  Agent Goth will investigate, quietly, and hope that King repeats the mistake of keeping a journal.



Suspect has left the city, I was able to follow her on the ferry without being spotted.  Traveled to Windenburg, just across the Myshuno River.  Villareal Twins would have spotted me, but they were busy facetiming with King, giving her directions to the Von-Windenburg Estate.  Both twins seem to be on at least acceptable terms with King, which could make gathering intel more difficult.



Suspect has arrived.  Both Twins hugged her on arrival.  Unfortunately the compromised agent was unable to bug the target, and I was unable to get close enough to overhear the conversation.  All three were laughing and smiling, it can be assumed that they have known each other for some time and have even been looking forward to this meeting.  Target is approaching the Estate, and no further information can be gathered at this time.

[sone]

Chapter One: Welcome to San Myshuno!

May, 2017
Jeannine

After a long journey ruined by the train's ability to put annoying people next to me for the entire length of the journey, I arrived in San Myshuno ready to put the past behind me and enjoy my new life with my soon to be family, the Villareals.  I first met Jacques online in a Widow Support Group.  Though neither of us were looking, we found many similarities in our lives, most of which are too dull to bother writing about.  After a few months of phone calls, e-mail, and facetiming, mostly with Luna and Hugo, Jacques asked me if I had ever thought about leaving Bridgeport.  As much as I loved the city, there was nothing keeping me there any longer.  However, the idea of living on an island, even in the most historic and...luxurious of housing, was no an appealing thought.  Luna quietly told me that neither she, nor Hugo or Max, their younger brother, wanted to live in the Estate since their mother passed.  Too many memories, I suppose.  So, we compromised.  San Myshuno had a condemned building just waiting to be destroyed, and Jacques had more than enough funds from his late wife's life insurance policy to allow us build a new home for our new family.


"Jeannine, I'm so glad your here.  The children have been driving me up the wall ever since they found out you were in the area, I hope your trip was enjoyable,"
"It was...acceptable.  It's good to see you in person, Jacques.  Are the children ready?"
"They are.  But, lets make this official before we all go see if the movers got their rooms right."
"If you insist...I accept."


July, 2017

The children seem to be adjusting to life in the city well so far.  Jacques is a good man, but parenting is not one of his strong suites.  I have been working mostly with Max, as his guidance councilor had been leaving daily voicemails on his father's phone for behavioral problems in school, as well as being in danger of flunking out.  Boys will be boys is not an answer I will accept.  His grades are up to A's now, and he's managed to make some good friends.  He's surprised me with his good Manners, and Elsa helped me work with him on his Conflict Resolution.  He may be a Rambunctious Scamp, but there's a heart of gold hiding under that Evil trait.  He has proven himself to be the most responsible of his siblings, and while he has little Emotional Control and no Empathy, I fell real progress has been made, and have next to no fear for his future.



Hugo and I are cordial, if distant.  I think he's having a harder time with the loss of their mother then he lets on, but keeping busy is how he prefers to deal with life.  A straight-A student, with a part-time job at Hamburgerman, he spends most of his time studying or enjoying the gourmet kitchen he and I put together.

The real breakthrough came with his new girlfriend, whom he insists he is promised to.  I worried at first what her gloomy nature might do to his emotional state, but he has been happier then ever since Cassandra came into his life.  I dread having the WooHoo talk, perhaps his father can step in for that one.


Luna and I have the best relationship, which may be the main source of our problems.  She seems to view me more as a friend than a step-mother-to-be.  She had a rebellious streak of skipping school, missing curfew, and engaging in...behaviors not appropriate for a teenager.  I had to lay down the law, and while I'm not fond of her boyfriend, I also know I can't stop them from seeing each other.  She's managed to bring her grades up to the A range, and is working on her Emotional Control and Conflict Resolution, but every time I turn my back she seems to be having another meltdown.



Hopefully things will calm down after the baby is born.


Jacques was ecstatic at the news, and insisted that was move up the wedding.  I told him it made no difference to me, but if it made him happy I had no problem with changing the date, we were just doing friends and family anyways.  The wedding planner turned out to be Hugo's Girlfriend's mother, who seems very familiar somehow.  Something in the back of my head finds her suspicious, but she seems nice enough, and we hit if off pretty well.  Must just be pregnancy brain.



November 2017

There really is nothing like a fall wedding.  It was a lovely wedding, with a cake baked by Hugo, Luna on music and Max setting off the fireworks a bit prematurely.  Only family and friends were present to witness my Husband's attempt at humor, A Noxious Cloud deadly enough to turn my swollen belly.  Work was going well, and my garden was coming along nicely.  Tourists still think our home is the historic Old Salt House, and come by to take pictures regularly.  The kids call me Mom sometimes.  My Parenting skills are already three times better then Jacques, and he seems relieved that I can fill that spot in the kids' lives.  Sack lunches are cooked by Hugo, though I pack them in the mornings.  Curfew is 11pm now, so long as grades stay up.   The house is lovely, and the bank account is happy.  In three months, our son will be here, and I don't think I've ever been happier.



December 2017
Jean Claude decided to come early. Seven months is cutting it close, but he came out healthy enough.  I...took a bit longer to come home from the hospital.  The doctor says no more children.  I already have Four, and while I would have like to have another daughter, I think Luna likes it better this way.  JC is perfect, and our family is now complete.  A few months of bedrest, and I'll be good as new.

S.I.M.S Agency Report:

Time stamp: San Myshuno, 2018. 
Agent: Goth.

Target is in premature labor.  Appears panicked.  Journal entry doesn't quite match up to events I witnessed.  I had managed to befriend King a few months prior, and she's added me on Simbook.  Hacking into her journal from there was easy.  Maybe too easy.  A hardcopy may exist, I plan on searching the premises once King returns to work.



Maternity ward:

Jean Claude O'Neil Villareal is in critical condition.  Mother is hysterical, and worsening her own condition.  She was eventually sedated, and her son was taken to NICU.  Two hours later, after I returned from a cafeteria break, she was in her room, standing on her own and cradling the infant, who now appeared to be the picture of health.  Samples taken later confirm it is the same baby.  Video footage is missing for twenty minutes time, security claims they were changing the tape.



Only one explanation presents itself, Ambrosia.  King may still have the secret, Agent Goth requesting additional resources to investigate further.  King threat reevaluated: 10.  DO NOT APPROACH.

[MarianT]

Looks interesting -- so your heroine is on the opposite side from Bella? Looking forward to more.

[sone]

Looks interesting -- so your heroine is on the opposite side from Bella? Looking forward to more.

Yes and no...it's much more complicated, but I can't say more just yet.

[sone]

Chapter Two: Last Will and Testament

Ninety-three is more time than most are given. And yet, it wasn't enough.  I've had a good life, and I wish I could have had more, but it was not to be.  I'm off to Mila now, hopefully she kept a place in line for me.  I never got to retire, and while I' proud of that fact, I also regret not having that time to spend with my children.  And my wife.  Or woodworking, but you'll find those in a few years while renovating.  I know you'll be around for a long, long time, and I want you to keep finding pieces of me.  Think of it as my way of sticking with you, even though our time was short.


To my wife, Jeannine.  I grant full custody and guardianship of Hugo Villareal, Luna Villareal, Max Villareal and Jean Claude O'Neil.  The bank accounts and passwords are saved on our computer on the file containing woodworking blueprints.  Please transfer and close all accounts.  There should be enough to pay the bills for a few years and get the kids through school, I leave it up to you to decide on heir inheritances, you can hold it over their heads as leverage should they attempt to rebel or misbehave.  I want those kids to succeed, and you've put them on the right path.  I love you.
P.S, I fixed up that old tub in our room.  I know it's been mostly for our little boy, but I thought you might appreciate A fully upgraded tub.



To my only daughter, Luna.  I know we've had our differences since you lost your mother, Mila.  Thank you for overcoming them enough for Jeannine and Jean Claude.  To you I leave a list of contacts that will be e-mail to you upon graduation.  I know you want to work in politics, and I have some friend that will make that a lot easier.  You might have rejected my way of life in the past, but promising yourself to that Landgraab boy tells me you have more of your old man in you then you might think.  I can't say I support that union, you deserve better, but I will accept it, so long as you take full advantage of what it means to be in that family.  I also broke into your room, and put your late mother's jewelry away for you.  The scavenger hunt list is in your diary, under where you would have put today's entry.  Take care of your brothers.



For Hugo.  I cleaned the kitchen, and made a holder for those fancy knives you thought I didn't get you.  Your the man of the house now, and more responsible then your sister.  Renovate the basement for yourself and Cassandra, that's a good girl you have yourself there.  Try to save the nooboos until after school if you can, and watch out for her mother, Bella Goth is more then she seems.  Don't be afraid to follow your dreams, the family should be well off enough for you to go to culinary school without working at the same time.  If not, talk to Summer at Make a Dish.  Tell her I sent you.  I've got a letter hiding out for you somewhere in the house, don't read it until after your married.



Max.  My boy.  My pride and joy, apple of my eye, chip off the old block.  Glad you knocked it off.  Your on track to graduate top of your class, and that Elsa girl seems to have done you a world of good.  Don't make my mistakes.  I'm counting on you to watch out for your baby brother.  I've set some money aside for your graduation, the Academy is prepared to offer you a letter of acceptance pending your high school career.  Good luck son.



To Jean Claude.  I'm not sure if you'll remember me, being only two.  I was too old to be a father again, but I would do it all over again to see your smile.  If you do remember me, I hope you can do some happily.

June 2019
Luna

Most people wouldn't understand that my father spent his final hours cleaning house and upgrading appliances.  I was running late for school the day he died, and I was the only one to see it happen besides Mama J.  She sent me off to school an hour later, and I spent the day reflecting on the idea that he had spent the night before reading not only to JC, but also Max, something neither of them had ever had any interest in.  At least he tried, I guess.  Graduation was only two weeks away, it would have been nice if the old man could have stuck around.


Shocking to no one, Hugo got Valedictorian, an internship at Make a Dish and accepted to culinary school.  He's already Connoisseurus Rex and a Tungsten Chef, he didn't even need dad for any of that.  He's talking about proposing as soon as his internship is over, but Mama J told him to finish school first.


Graduating with honors was enough to get me into the political program, and I'm going to double-major in politics and Sociology. My platform is World United, though my first choice was the Foundation for Less Mischief.  Dad's name hurt me too much there.  Malcolm and I have been having some trouble, he's not going to school and unemployed.  I'm not going to marry a freeloader with no ambition, and told him as much.  He shrugged it off and told me to call him once my hormones calm down.


Max is in three science programs at his new school.  He got into a special school somehow, it's all about Rocket Science and Robotics.  I want to be proud of him, but sour grapes are hard to swallow.  Maybe if Jeannine had come into our lives sooner, Hugo and I would have had a chance too.  At least we have better taste in dating.   He's started going out with that Elsa Bjergsen, and I swear she has no soul.



My baby brother must be an angel, I swear he has none of Dad in him.  He's all Good Manners and Studying, he's got about five friends after just a semester of school.  He'll be beating the girls off with a stick for sure once he's older, those eyes could steal the heart of anyone, and he's got a lot of love to give.



You'd think having a baby in the house as a teen would have been enough.  I checked the mail today, but I didn't really need my lab results anymore.  I hope this doesn't ruin my Community Organizing.  It's probably a good time to call that good for nothing.

S.I.M.S Agency Report:

Time stamp: San Myshuno, 2018. 
Agent: Goth.

It's a good day for San Myshuno with Jacques gone.  I can't help but feel sad for his children.  Despite everything, King has been good for the kids.  With the DO NOT APPROACH in place, it was mere chance that I happened to spy the scene with my telescope.  Jacques traded places with King!



I suspect she wrote that will herself.  The wording was far too lucid for someone as Insane as he was.  Much to my surprise, I was invited to the wake.  It would appear that King regards me as a friend.



Service was beautiful.  King appears to have actually cared deeply for Villareal.  I suggest allowing the will to remain uncontested, Luna Hugo and Max are better off together, and the target has a history of caring well for children.  Nothing further to report.

[sone]

Chapter Three: Grandchildren


Willow Creek, Goth Residence

In all my years I have never faced so cunning a foe.  I've been removed from the King case, pending my...familial loyalties.



Apparently, I'm lucky to still have a job at S.I.M.S.  I love my daughter dearly, and want to support her, but marrying a Villareal is the worst decision she has ever made, especially with who her mother-in-law is.  Hugo is a nice enough boy, I suppose, though I don't know that his apprenticeship will pay off.  He may love to cook, but that type of income isn't conductive towards raising a family.  Thank goodness my dear Cassandra had decided to live at home while attending Académie Le Tour.  I do have to admit she looked beautiful in her dress...And they do look happy together...



Too bad she had to share her special day.  Hugo and his twin sister, Luna, decided to do a double wedding.  No wonder Cassandra didn't need any money for the wedding, a Villareal-Landgraab wedding...I shudder at the thought!  No good can come of that union.  No surprise that it's shotgun either.



Or rather, double-shotgun.  Apparently their high school graduation party, at the Villareal's, got a bit out of hand.  I can't believe my own daughter kept this from me!



She's barely half-way done with school, has no job...my own job is in the toilet, Alexander is in his last year of high school with his eyes on La Fiesta Tech, and Mortimer isn't getting any younger-, wait, what is he cleaning up?



Oh my gosh, ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh!



It's been a little while, and it's starting to sink in.  Grandchildren.  Little Kellie and Mark Goth.  King Mrs. O'Neil and I share something now.  She's agreed to pay for preschooling for the toddlers, so long as we don't get Hugo for child support.  In spite of getting married and having two children, before finishing school mind you!, they still haven't moved out and gotten their own place.  sigh, I suppose Morty and I will figure something out...we always do.  Mrs. O'Neil invited us to her house for a party.  It was...a little tense.



Poor Don, I don't think I've ever seen him so nervous!  I happened to meet the Villareal-Landgraab offspring, a little girl named Elena.  She's deceptively sweet, and I'll be sure to keep an eye out for her.  She's just two months older than Kellie, so I'm positive they'll be going to school together.  Seems Mrs. O'Neil is sweet on her granddaughter, that might be useful later.



Apparently the party was a joint birthday.  'JC' is now a teen, and despite having perfect marks in school, supposedly being the most well-rounded of Values, and aspiring higher than any other children in his year, I don't trust the kid.  Double for his mother, who is supposedly getting a Simmitzer award.




The Low-light of the party was right around the corner, the last Villareal, Max, decided to act just like the rest of his family and get married the minute he graduated.  Good grief!



I think I'll just focus on things at home.  Morty is getting ready to hopefully retire, Alex is about to head off to college, and Cassandra almost done with her fourth year.  Someone needs to keep a better watch on the kids, they haven't been handeling things well lately.

[MarianT]

Wow -- generation 3 almost! JC is quite the handsome fellow, and I'm curious to see who he'll marry. All those toddler grandchildren are adorable. I loved Jacques' will, and Bella's suspicion that Jeannine wrote it for him. If she had, there wouldn't have been quite so many hidden objects, I think.

[Magpie2012]

All those toddlers are too adorable for words! I really need to start playing more and messing around less lol I've hardly touched on any of the new things that have been added to the game. I'm too much of a control-freak to let my sims have freedom lol

[Trip]

Wonderful writing! Jeannine having stepchildren under her responsibility gives a lot of good "weight" to the narrative. Unlike with Matthew Hamming who didn't have baggage. Too easy.

[sone]

Wow -- generation 3 almost! JC is quite the handsome fellow, and I'm curious to see who he'll marry. All those toddler grandchildren are adorable. I loved Jacques' will, and Bella's suspicion that Jeannine wrote it for him. If she had, there wouldn't have been quite so many hidden objects, I think.

The will was hard to write.  The suspicions are almost justified, but Bella may have forgotten that Jacques was insane, after all.  Toddlers have made this game.  So much cuteness.

All those toddlers are too adorable for words! I really need to start playing more and messing around less lol I've hardly touched on any of the new things that have been added to the game. I'm too much of a control-freak to let my sims have freedom lol

Toddlers erase any kind of freedom, especially if you want to max all toddler traits, you pretty much have to entirely devote one (or two) sims towards keeping them in a good mood, and skilling as much as possible.  I rarely let my sims have any kind of freedom either, control-freaks unite!

Wonderful writing! Jeannine having stepchildren under her responsibility gives a lot of good "weight" to the narrative. Unlike with Matthew Hamming who didn't have baggage. Too easy.

Lovely to see you again dear!  While I tried to make Hamming have some weight, his only having a brother made things...dull at best.  I already had gen three in my original O'Neil revival, but then parenting came out, and it made things so much more impactful.  Step-kids are the bees knees for me with a character like Jeannine. 

[sone]

Chapter Four: To The Max(Villareal)

I've always been considered a 'bad egg'.  At Eight, I was in danger of failing out of school, 'hanging with the wrong crowd', and 'resisting much needed therapy to cope with loss'.  Mama J never saw it that way.  She never brought up anything I didn't want to talk about, just let me talk when I felt like it.  Didn't compare me to my older siblings.  Even freed me from being the baby of the family.  I'd like to say I evened out a lot for her.  I mean, sure, I may be evil, but I was born that way.  People have a hard time seeing past that, but it's not all I am.  I'm a family-oriented genius with good manners, and I happen to be responsible thank you very much.  I even work at Space Y!



I'm also the only one of my siblings that managed to get married before getting a positive on a pregnancy test.  Hope JC follows my lead, Hugo and Luna aren't setting the best example for us younger bros.



I planned on moving in with Elsa...really I did!  Until I saw her room...
"Isn't it cute!  I haven't changed a thing since I was ten!"
"It...shows..."
On top of that, it was my first time meeting her parents, apparently she forgot to tell them about the wedding...or me.  It went alright, all things considered, but sharing a kiddie bed in a house full of in-laws isn't on my to-do list.



So, I talked with Mama J, and she was...way too happy to hear I was gonna stay.  Dunno why, guess she isn't ready for me to leave 'the nest' yet.  Hugo and Cassie might be getting a divorce, she's got a job as a detective now, and her dad just passed, things have been complicated between them.  Luna is still with Malc, but even though it's just him in that Landgraab mansion now, Looney has no plans of moving in with him while he remains unemployed.  Something about setting an example for Elena.  With three adult children, a teenager, and a grandchild in the house, things were getting expensive.  Hugo was signing over every other check to Cassie to help with private school for Kellie and Mark, Luna was pouring her paychecks back into her campaign funds, and much as I love my job, I only make minimum after paying for cadet fees.  JC's school isn't cheap either, and Dad's funds have run out.  So, with an expansion in the house needed, Mama J and I had a talk.  She isn't evil like me, but she is...practical.  We found a good solution.



Diego is a bit insufferable, but he's loaded, and has a good job.  He spends most of his time painting on the balcony off of Mama J's room, so we don't see too much of him unless there's a party in the house, like for Hugo's adult birthday.  Somehow, even though they're twins, he's not aging as well as our sister.



Cassie brought the kids with her, and they seem to have kinda mostly patched things up.  Maybe they won't get divorced.  In any case, I'm focusing on my career until Elsa's parents either retire and go to Sunset Valley, or kick the bucket.  She managed to talk me into having a noo boo...Guess Hugo won't be the only one signing over some checks.  She's decided to be a stay-at-home mom for the time being.



It suits me well enough.  JC and I are turning out to have a lot in common.  I've been helping him out with school projects, and he's been killing it.  Kinda mentioned a girlfriend, so we had a quick chat about not doing like Hugo and Luna did.  Apparently, Gabrielle is pretty against having kids for a while, she lives in a one-bedroom apartment with her parents, and has spent most of her young life on a couch.
"Hey bro, I heard the Gook Con is in town.  You thinking what I'm thinking?"
"That this project is tedious and boring, so lets go work on something real?"
"Yeah, just let me find some pants first."



Geek Con was awesome.



More awesome was having this new shared hobby.  So, we spent some of Diego's funds on a side project, just for the two of us.



JC threw a party for him and his chums after we renovated the first basement level.  Hugo and I are living down there now, with an office set aside for Mama J and another bedroom that'll be JC's once he's done picking out furniture.  Which he's putting off til his birthday, he wants to use his inheritance to really make the room his own space.  Meanwhile, Elsa got prego again, so now I have two daughters, Elsie and Lexi.  I didn't get to pick names, don't judge.



All in all, things have turned out pretty alright for me.  We found most of the stuff Dad's will alluded to, including Mom's jewelry.  Luna put it all in her room.  Hopefully I make cadet soon, I want to really get out into space soon.



The family has expanded like crazy.  New dad, Mama J has five grandkids now, and all of us are married besides JC.  That might change soon.  His graduation is right around the corner now...

[Magpie2012]

I love hearing things from Max's viewpoint. So often people get hung up on his evil trait, but, he's actually a darn good looking guy. I literally loled when I read how he approved of Mama J's "practicality" :-)

You are absolutely killing this story-wise! I hope we see more soon :-)

[sone]

I love hearing things from Max's viewpoint. So often people get hung up on his evil trait, but, he's actually a darn good looking guy. I literally loled when I read how he approved of Mama J's "practicality" :-)

You are absolutely killing this story-wise! I hope we see more soon :-)

Max was a lot of fun to write, both in my head and while playing.  Glad you are liking it so far, sorry for the late update.  We are in the process of buying a house, and It's been a lot more time consuming than originally planned.