Adventures in Henford-on-Bagley 22. Gen3 Kiddos/Finale (15 Oct)

[Auranaris]

If you want a challenge... adopt a baby and a toddler. if you REALLY want a challenge I suggest three toddlers but that’s a lot of household space. Basically just toddlers.

muahahahhah

[oshizu]

If you want a challenge... adopt a baby and a toddler. if you REALLY want a challenge I suggest three toddlers but that’s a lot of household space. Basically just toddlers.

muahahahhah

@Auranaris
You are pure evil! May I remind you that I recently finished a Life States Dynasty that involved raising 42 nooboos and 3 children to young adults?
Did you read the part where I wrote "make the challenge harder without squeezing all the fun out it"? LOL
What I can't figure out is what to do with the toddler once it maxes all five skills.
I'm leaving Tamiyo & Naoki as teens until Naoki's at least one sim-year into his challenge.
Would I age Tamiyo's toddler up to a child where he stays until Tamiyo's a YA?

Not to change the subject (I totally am), I've been watching Tooshi's new Stardew Valley series where he plays with the Expanded Mod and Riverside Village mod.
Each episode's kinda long, but super entertaining.  The two mods add so many new townies! 
After Tooshi's farmer met Mayor Lewis and Robin, he opened up the Journal's Introduction quest which said "2/53"! It's normally 28 villagers. rofl

[Auranaris]

53??!?! It usually takes me until late summer to even meet the usual villagers lol.

... ok so maybe I somehow forgot you just finished the life states dynasty. I didn’t even think of the issues with aging. I would probably do what you said and just leave the sim as a child. But, if not a toddler, what about a few pets? Slightly easier, and adorable. Although as a dog person I personally somehow end up giving most of my sims dogs anyway, so I might be a bit biased on that one.

[oshizu]

53??!?! It usually takes me until late summer to even meet the usual villagers lol.

... ok so maybe I somehow forgot you just finished the life states dynasty. I didn’t even think of the issues with aging. I would probably do what you said and just leave the sim as a child. But, if not a toddler, what about a few pets? Slightly easier, and adorable. Although as a dog person I personally somehow end up giving most of my sims dogs anyway, so I might be a bit biased on that one.

@Auranaris

Tooshi just waited until the Egg Festival and met his missing villages there.  The next day he found he was missing his 53rd: Pierre, lol!
I'm also a dog person but I struggle with dog walks in SIms 4.  The walks work like a breeze in Brindleton Bay but are glitched in other towns.
Or has that been fixed? I've had sims go for a Long Walk and walk for like 12 hours, lol.
I really want a dog for my farmer Naoki, though.

On a somewhat unrelated note, do you ever play multiplayer coop?

[Auranaris]

I play on a ps4, so without paying for the PlayStation plus thing, I can only play split screen multiplayer on the rare occasion I do. Although either way I tend to prefer more single player games.

[oshizu]

@Auranaris
Darn it. I play on PC (Steam) and might have been thinking about trying to lure you into a multi-player coop session with me.
I've never played SDV co-op and want to try it at least once.
We could have gotten a dog, lol!

[oshizu]

Our Best Lives 6. My Best Girl, Onyx


Week 6, Sunday (Summer)
Naoki: I could be at home, watching my garden grow, but I got higher priorities!
One of my 4 vacation days goes toward a day in Granite Falls.
Pretty sure I can catch my missing fish here.

Well, finally! My first limestone!


While I'm here, I might as well catch this Rainbow Dragonfly, too.


Hermit: Lemme get this straight, boy. You don't want to be good friends nor pillage my garden?
Naoki: Nope. I'm only here to catch a Catfish and Rainbow Fish.

(Today's haul: 3 limestones, 1 Rainbow Fish, and 1 Cowberry)


Monday
My home has changed since Tamiyo visited last Friday.
The rugs had to go because they aren't allowed until House Expansion #2.
Also, it was too dark indoors, so I switched to brighter candles.


Unlocking House Expansion #1 let me add this fireplace.
And I converted that 2x4 space behind the woodpile into a kitchen area.
I can barely turn around in that space, but it's better than nothing!


Naoki: After school, I've got things to do before returning to Granite Falls.
I want to learn how to make Animal Party Treats.
So I give one to my best girl, Onyx, to learn the recipe.
The good news: its ingredients are easily acquired!


The notices about Monty and Hopper passing away confuse me.
Aren't those the names of Tamiyo's bunny friends?
But I find the Yellow Sundress with Daisy Bonnet in my personal inventory.
So I befriend a new bunny and dress "him" in it.  Meet Sherlock!


Naoki: I appreciate your trading me a raspberry for two chocoberries.
I need it to make Raspberry Jam for my Canning bundle.
Creature Keeper: Aren't you supposed to grow or collect all the ingredients yourself?
Naoki: I'm interpreting "collect" to mean "any means apart from shop purchase."
Creature Keeper: A little cheesy, but clever.  Makes ingenuity count.
Naoki: Exactly.


In the Deep Forest, I find two more limestones.
Then, I catch a Catfish at last around 10 pm.
My Fishing bundle is complete and I've unlocked Dew Collectors!


Tuesday
Today after school, I start assembling the 11 items of the Canning bundle.
No store-bought ingredients, except for sugar.
I can start with Chocolate Syrup, Mayo, Strawberry Jam, and Mushroom Conserve.
My garden will produce Blackberry, Blueberry, and Pumpkin later this week.
And I've already traded for the fall-crop Raspberry with the Creature Keeper.


The very first chick I hatch myself.
My chickens and crops keep me so busy, I only go to town to sell my produce.
Still, I've earned enough this week to pay $10k into the Vault bundle.
Only one more donation of $25k between me and The Desert!


Wednesday
My "neighbor" Bella Goth pays me another visit but I have no time to socialize.
This morning, I finished the Summer Herbs bundle.
That unlocks 3 more garden patches, plus 3 more every season for the rest of my life.


Today, I'm all about reorganizing my entire farm.
Tomorrow, I'll definitely complete the Summer Crops bundle which unlocks one animal shed.
That's why I've gone ahead and fenced in its area a day early.
Overly optimistic? You bet!


The rest of the day I spend running around on errands for the Grocery Shop Owner.
I'm hoping that one of her two errands will reward me with a bottle of milk.

Calm down, Kim. You'd think I brought you a romantic gift.
This is just the food you asked me to get for you.
(And, yay, she rewards me with milk, so I can go home and make Custard!)


Thursday
In the morning, I complete the Spring Crops bundle, as I'd expected.
But it's sundown by the time I can buy an animal shed and llama.
Why a llama and not a cow? Because I hear that a llama will guard my chickens.

Meet Latifah, my new beige llama.


Of course, the true object of my love and affection this week is my best girl, Onyx.
I plan on entering Onyx into the Finchwick Chicken Fair on Saturday.
Maybe I should buy her a snazzy outfit for good luck?


Friday
Lately, I'd given a lot of thought about quitting high school.
It's no big deal for a farmer.  High school isn't even compulsory in Japan, anyway.
So, this morning I work up the nerve to phone in and officially leave school.

Awww, look at Latifah.  I swear she's smiling at me!


Naoki: You know how you have the odd weeks and I have the even weeks?
Well, I'd like to ask you for a favor: switch the next week with me.
Tamiyo: Why?

Naoki: The calendar says Week 7 is the Garden Fair and Week 8 is the Cow Fair.
I have a shot at winning the Garden Fair, but I can't buy a cow until autumn at the earliest.
Sara: You might as well switch Weeks 7 and 8 with Naoki, Tamiyo.
Your quality of life isn't affected by the Fairs like Naoki's.

Tamiyo: Sara's right.  I'm happy to switch with you, Naoki.
Naoki: Thanks, I owe you one, Tamiyo. Wanna go to the Spice Festival to celebrate?


Saturday
This morning, my aubergine and pumpkin mature, completing my Giant Crops bundle.
I can hardly wait to add an outdoor BBQ and fishing pond to my farm!
And remember the cowberry I fished up in Granite Falls?
Well, now it's a Cowplant, which makes me a full-fledged Freelance Botanist.


See that unnamed Hen Chick?  She insists that I don't own her.
That chick must be the one Tamiyo hatched when she visited last Friday.
Darn busybody! I can't even trade or sell the chick!

On the bright side, Onyx and I maxed our friendship this morning!
Will that give us an edge in the Chicken Fair this afternoon?


With my Giant Crop bundle done, I can finish my Canning bundle, too.
I quickly prepare the last 3 items: Aubergine, Pumpkin, and Watermelon Conserves.
Hello to my newly-unlocked Solar Panels and Woodworking Table!


At the Chicken Fair, Onyx (left) competes against a black rooster and a brown rooster.
Their owners make incredibly rude comments about Onyx.
One says Onyx looks like an evil chicken.
My other rival sneers that Onyx might win a consolation prize.  The nerve!


Just as the Fair ends, I run out of inventory to sell from my vendor table.
But we still have an hour to wait until the winners are anounced.

Suddenly, the Mayor appears and hands me a Finchwick Favor.
Could this be a sign?


The suspense is practically unbearable!


Onyx has been sitting at her entry stall for over seven hours today.
After the results are announced, I rush home to return her to the coop and feed them all.
We did it, Onyx!  We won first place in the Finchwick Chicken Fair!


I can't wait to get started on my second house expansion!
It lets me add a bedroom and turn my kitchen into a separate room as well.
Upgrading to a better fridge and stove will be great, too!
Wooooo, I'm upscaling from a one-room to a three-room house!


Naoki's Progress
Naoki made extremely productive use of this week. His achievements include:

Completed Bundles
*Fishing (Bass, Catfish, Rainbow Fish, Tilapia, Trout): unlocked Dew Collectors.
*Summer Herbs (Basil x40): unlocked 3 garden patches plus 3 every season for the rest of his life.
*Summer Crops (Black Beans x20, Tomatoes x20, Bell Peppers x20): unlocked one animal shed.
*Giant Crops (Aubergine, Lettuce, Pumpkin, Watermelon): unlocked outdoor BBQ and fishing pond.
*Canning (Custard, Chocolate Syrup, Mayo; Blackberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Strawberry Jams; Aubergine, Mushroom, Pumpkin, Watermelon Conserves):
  unlocked Solar Panels and Woodworking Table.

Finchwick Fairs
*Won 1st place in his second Finchwick Fair: unlocked House Expansion #2
  Naoki may now:
  - Add a bedroom with, if desired, a double bed (he may now move in another sim) and any other bedroom furniture he wishes.
  - Separate the kitchen into its own room.
  - Add new kitchen appliances or upgrade to higher quality ones. (Naoki wants a better fridge and stove!)
  - Buy/place rugs.

Completed Aspirations
*The Curator, Freelance Botanist, and Country Caretaker.

Maxed Skills
*Cooking, which is the last of the challenge's six required skills (Charisma, Cooking, Cross-Stitch, Fishing, Gardening, and Handiness).

[oshizu]

Our Best Lives 7.1. My Traditional Japanese Farmhouse


Week 7, Sunday (Summer)
Last week, I completed 5 bundles and my best girl, Onyx, earned us House Expansion #2.
Besides renovating my farmhouse, Watcher and I have reorganized the entire farm.

You ready for a little tour?


We moved the house back to make room for a fishing pond out front.
For now, I've only stocked it with sturgeon, salmon, and tuna.
Sturgeon to sell, but salmon and tuna for cooking.


The crop area is located as far to the right side as possible.
I'm not aiming for a manicured look to my farm.
But the thatched wattle fencing does add to its aesthetic appeal.


For the coop and animal shed, I copy the fencing layout of Tamiyo's cottage.
I like the way it links the grounds for the chickens and llama.
Plus, the chickens seem to enjoy hanging around near Latifah.

For extra cultural flair, I hang Japanese noren curtains on each habitat.


My new dew collectors and solar panels at the back of the house.
I'm hoping they'll contribute to making my off-the-grid life more comfortable.
Like hot showers and a wider variety of meals I can prepare.

In that small shed, I hide my various storage boxes.
It's handier for me to leave them all out, but they were such an eyesore!


Watcher found this structure in Debug; we can't figure out its original function.
But it's the perfect size to fit my new woodworking table.
I'll probably want to build a larger craft room later, but this is fun for now.


And now we come to the house! 
Here's the farmhouse in Stardew Valley with two house upgrades.
The first upgrade adds a kitchen on the left.
And the second upgrade adds a bedroom on the right.


Due to the location of my crops and animals, I've inverted this layout.
The kitchen remains smallish, enabling the toilet and shower rooms to move indoors.
There's a narrow veranda surrounding the house on all sides.


Here's my living area with its brand-new fireplace!

Those of you living in spacious dynastic mansions must think I'm crazy to love my dinky home.
(It's actually neither a Tiny, nor even a Small, House anymore.)
But this is more than enough space for a single sim.


The kitchen and dining areas.
Why couldn't those counters come with matching cabinets? *mumble, grumble
Admittedly, only my farmhouse's exterior is "traditional." I couldn't achieve a traditional interior without loads of cc.
If only I had a low table!  There's the kotatsu but that's really only for use in cold weather.
In Japan, the blanket between the kotatsu's table top and its frame is removed, so the low table can be used in spring and summer.


Since I have unlocked a double bed, I'm allowed to move in another sim but there are other requirements for marriage.
I'm content living on my own at the moment.
Completing my challenge will take until mid-winter, at least.
Anyway, shouldn't I play the field a bit before I settle down for the rest of my life?


My best girl, Onyx, might be glitched.
She left for the Fair as a young adult but came home an elder.
After I completed Country Caretaker last night, Onyx should live longer not skip two life stages!

I fed her a Flirty treat last night, hoping she'd give me a hatchable egg.
Instead, she laid two non-hatchable Golden Eggs.
So this morning, I'm giving Flirty Treats to both Onyx and Henna.


I'm having a really great day as far as my animal relationships go.
My llama Latifah and I become friends.


Hopper and I are already good friends.
So I hunt him down over by the community garden and max our friendship.
I guess I should rename all my animals.
It confuses me that this Hopper shares a name with another deceased Hopper.
(But why did I find the yellow sundress back in my inventory last week?)


I've never socialized at all with the wild flock of birds living nearby.
Today I manage to befriend the flock, just barely.


Back in my garden, I place a bird home for my new friends.
Will my feathered friends actually live here or do they just drop in for visits?
Whichever the case, more help with my crops is always appreciated.


I can't get over the fact that Onyx suddenly became an elder!
I started out with a rooster, a hen, and a chick (Onyx).
That rooster and hen are presently adults, so Onyx should NOT be an elder yet!

Anyway, upgrading my animal habitats now rank among my top-priority tasks.
I only have four Livestock Upgrade Parts, but I'll want to upgrade Latifah's shed, too.
*ComfortCare Life Extender: 2 Livestock Upgrade Parts
*Fox-Be-Gone Alarm: 3 Livestock Upgrade Parts
*Coop Auto-Feeder: 6 Livestock Upgrade Parts


I can't make Golden Treats with my Golden Eggs without learning the recipe first.
Will I be able to get the recipe before my Golden Eggs spoil?
Maybe the Gardening Shop has a Golden Treat for sale.
And, with luck, I can run an errand that'll reward me with a Livestock Upgrade Part.


Both of Finchwick's Grocery Deliverers have errands to offer.
(Why are there two of them?  To cover breaks and days off?)
I accept the one errand that offers the reward I'm seeking.


No Golden Treats for sale at the Gardening Shop.
Then I remember that I can cook a meal with a Golden Egg!
Eating that meal will briefly grant me the Golden Pulse power, like a Golden Chicken.
I prepare an Impeccable-quality meal of Golden Egg and Toast.

By the way, my new solar panels are a lifesaver!
The Golden Egg and Toast recipe cannot be prepared if I "Cook off-the-grid."


Check me out preparing to use my Golden Pulse on my Dragonfruit plants.
They're already Magnificent quality so this is just in case.


And…..yes!
I'll have a Perfect-quality Dragonfruit to enter into Saturday's Gardening Fair.

Next, I'll cast Golden Pulse on my Chocoberry, Blueberry, and Blackberry plants.
Saturday's fair also includes a Pie Competition, but may I enter both the Gardening and Pie Competitions?
With my Stoves and Grill Master trait, I'm hoping to enter an Impeccable pie, too.
Chocolate pie, anyone?

[sdhoey]

That farm is so cute. Now I want a Llama even more. I have to redo the yard again to make room for one. hehehe

[oshizu]

@sdhoey

Both my sims are doing the Simple Living Lot challenge, so getting a cow is way more practical.
But they can buy or order milk from the grocery shop, plus I wanted to see the llama chasing off the fox.

[oshizu]

Our Best Lives: Adventures in the Hob 7.2. No Moss Gathering Here


Week 7, Monday (Summer)
A high priority this week is upgrades!
I give my new stove and fridge their Energy Efficiency upgrades then "Turn off utility usage."
Not exactly sure how that works, but we'll soon find out.


I'm also trying to complete another of my challenge requirements.
I need to do three errands each for six of the HoB's most active residents:
The Mayor, pub owner, grocery shop owner, grocery deliverer, Creature Keeper, and Agatha Crumplebottom.


The chicken coop gets its Life Extender and Fox-Be-Gone Alert upgrades.
On the other hand, the Coop Auto-Feeder is not on the horizon at all.


Tuesday
I'm not sure which of my two hens is this chick's mother, but I hope it's Onyx!


At the pond in Old New Henfor I go fishing with frog bait.
Catching my 19th and 20th unique fish here completes my Angling Ace aspiration.
The Creature Keeper had told me I could catch Wolf Eel here.
And Wolf Eel was indeed my 20th fish.


Wednesday
I'm sure a snazzy dresser like yourself would be willing to help out a brother.
If you buy this watermelon from me, I'll complete my third task for Agatha Crumplebottom.
Then, I'll have only more errand left to run.


I'm super lucky with my last errand.
The Mayor asks me to find the villager with the mystery package.
And the second villager I ask, Agatha Crumplebottom, admits relief at getting the package off her hands.
I'm done with my challenge's errand requirement but not with errands for Livestock Upgrade Parts.


Brett: Thanks for inviting me over for dinner.
Naoki: Sure, thanks for coming over. But why are you feeling Very Flirty?
Brett: Don't you feel the same way about me?
Naoki: Um, no. I'm just grateful for the Livestock Upgrade Part you gave me tonight.
Brett: Well, this is awkward...


Thursday
Still no sign of a Golden Treat at the Garden Shop!
Agatha and I have become fast friends, though.
I bet she was a looker in her younger days!

When I'm done selling and buying, I have $60,412 in household funds.
Time for that last $25,000 donation to the Vault bundle.


Thanks, Rahul!  Now I can upgrade my llama's shed.
Watcher: Man, this scrounging for Livestock Upgrade Parts gets old fast!


Friday
For the past few days, I get daily messages about Onyx passing away soon.
Should I trade her in so I don't have to watch her get reaped by Grim?
It's not as if Onyx will leave an urn behind, right?


The Grocer Deliverers (Rahul and Brett) offer me one errand each.
But neither would reward me with a Livestock Upgrade Part.
I accept them anyway, hoping that a new errand might appear in their place

Brett gives me another "Find the villager with the mystery package" errand.
Unexpectedly, the guy sitting between Rahmi Watson and me has the mystery package.
Dude, you're just a tourist!  You don't even live around here!


When I'm done with their two errands, Rahul offers the highest-paying errand yet: Show Off!
He wants me to show off everything I've learned so far during my time in the HoB.
That sounds crazy hard! Will it require multiple parts like some of Agatha's errands?

It turns out Rahul wants me to win one Fair competition. 
Hey, I need to do that twice more to complete my Fair Bundle!


Saturday
You will not believe this, but we've moved to the 64x64 lot called Olde Mill Hill.
News of the Watsons moving sent Watcher into a fit of frenzied excitement last night.

Then, she moved our original house and packed us up, then we relocated here early this morning.
Apparently, Watcher needs the extra space for the last two house expansions, whenever that will be.
They say "A rolling stone gathers no moss," but don't nobody be gathering moss around here!


You'll be happy to know that my farm animals all survived the move, more or less.
Things have been pretty chaotic in the chicken coop this morning.


As soon as we arrive in our new home, my rooster chick Salsa ages up to a young adult.
A few hours later, I get notices that two eggs are ready to hatch.
But before I can help hatch them, Grim arrives for Onyx.
Grim checks his slablet a bit, then poof!  Both Grim and Onyx vanish into thin air! *sniffle, sniffle


To double my chances of winning first place, I decide to make a Chocolate pie.
It comes out Excellent quality, not Impeccable quality as I'd hoped.
But it's almost 7 pm, so I should head to the fair right away.


After entering my Perfect Dragonfruit and Excellent Chocolate Pie, I look for the Mayor.
She's accepts my bribe again! Does it help that we have almost max friendship?

Wait a sec, when I checked at 9:30 pm, my Dragonfruit was the only entry in the Garden Competition.
At 9:48 pm, though, some cheeky villager submits a spinach of unknown quality.


I run over to check the Pie Competition, where the exact same thing has happened.
No entry other than my Chocolate Pie at 9:30 pm.
Then, suddenly around 9:48 pm, someone else enters a pie.
I'm too angry and it's too late, so I don't bother trying to view my rivals' entries. Bah!


Naoki: Rahul, what you're doing to me is so not cool!
Rahul: Huh? What have I done to you?
Naoki: You know exactly what I mean! My Dragonfruit won 1st place in tonight's fair.
But you insist on acting as if I didn't complete your Show Off! Errand.

Rahul: Hey, I'm sorry, man. I have two more errands now. Interested?
Naoki: *checks Rahul's new errands
NO! Neither of them will give me a Livestock Upgrade Part as a reward.
All I need to upgrade my future cow shed is one more…


Naoki: Hey, I invited you over so we could taste-test this chocolate pie I made.
Aren't you going to sit down and have some with me?
Tamiyo: Arrrgh, I'm so stressed out at the moment, I could care less about your stupid pie.
Naoki: Whoa, whoa, whoa!  Why don't you sit down so we can talk about it?
And while we're on the subject, my pie is certainly not stupid!


Tamiyo: I'm upset that this is only the second time you've invited me over in two weeks!
Even after I did you the favor of switching weeks with you!
Naoki: That's easy to explain, Tamiyo.  I've been working hard on my challenge so we can be together.

Tamiyo: But when it's my week, you invite me out or drop by every single day.
Naoki: Well, during my weeks, I can't get any work done around you because I always feel Very Flirty.
In your weeks, though, I have no challenge-related tasks, so I want to spend time with you.


Tamiyo: But what about your house renovations and your recent move to this gigantic lot?
Pub gossips say you bought a double bed and can move someone in whenever you want now.
Naoki: It's true I can move in someone, if I wish.
Tamiyo: But I thought you and me were planning to live together eventually.

Naoki: Calm down, Tamiyo.  I'd like to finish the majority of my challenge first, at least 95%.
Don't you want to complete your own challenge?
Tamiyo: Oh, you're right! I'd have to abandon my challenge if I moved in with you.

Naoki: And please don't think I'm avoiding you!  I've been really hard at work.
Tonight I won first place in my third Fair, which means I can add a room for a nursery or children's room.
I've been saving money and expanding my farmhouse to accommodate a family.
And I've also started planning my gifts to you to satisfy the marriage requirements.


Tamiyo: Oh, Naoki!  I had no idea!  Come here and give me a hug!
Naoki: So, we good now?
Tamiyo: Yes, Naoki, of course! Thank you for explaining everything!
And, um, are you going to propose to me tonight?
Naoki: Hey, if you're not going to eat that slice of chocolate pie, can I have it?


Naoki: Hey, Watcher, have you mentioned your new Super Sim challenge idea to Tamiyo?
Watcher: No, not yet. I'm still thinking it through.  Why?
Naoki: Well, let's just say when that time comes, I'll let you do the explaining…



Naoki's Progress
Completed Bundles
*Vault bundle: Naoki no longer has any urgent need to visit The Desert.
   He donated a total of $42,500, though, so I plan to add some extras to Desert Bloom Park to make visits there worthwhile.
*Fair Bundle: Naoki won 1st place his third Finchwick Fair, unclocking House Expansion #3.
  He may now:
  - Add a room that can serve as a nursery/child's bedroom.
  - Buy anything needed to raise a toddler/child.
  - Buy any item that count as a decoration.
  - Buy better-quality bathroom items and a bathtub.

Aspiration and Skill Requirements
*Optional Aspirations: Angling Ace, Super Parent (not started)
*Optional Skills (both incomplete): Herbalism, Parenting 

Remarks
*I'm deathly afraid that I'll get bored with this "casual playthrough" once Tamiyo and Naoki get married, move in together, and start a family.
  So I have in mind a new challenge that starts once they're married.
  I'm also open to suggestions! If you have ideas or requests for what these two could do as young adults, please share them. 

[oshizu]

Our Best Lives 8: Whole Latte Love (Tamiyo)


Week 8, Sunday (Summer)
The first thing I do is buy a cow and name her Latte. Isn't she sweet?
But compared with Naoki, I don't know my animals at all!

This is the week I befriend Latte and the chickens.
But first, I need to name the chickens.


Who knows? Maybe I can max my friendship with Latte by Saturday.
Then, I can enter her in this week's Finchwick Cow Fair!


Naoki has Golden Eggs but can't learn the Golden Treat recipe.
Ironically, I know that recipe but I have no Golden Eggs.

Today I feed my rooster a Flirty Treat by accident and learned something new.
Naoki's been giving his hens Flirty Treats and getting special eggs.
But giving a Flirty Treat to my rooster increases the chance of getting a hatchable egg.


Monday
It's a miserable, rainy day but my five oversized crops have all matured.
What a glorious sight!


Tuesday
Yesterday morning, I quit school. 
And today, Naoki phones to ask if he can come visit around 9 am.

He's such a serious guy.
Around lunchtime, I find him in my bedroom where he resumes a bed upgrade I never finished.


Naoki: Whatcha cross-stitching?
Tamiyo: A quick and easy pattern for an errand.
Naoki: Oh, you've started doing errands?
Tamiyo: Not really. I just want to get 3 Livestock Upgrade Parts for you.

Naoki: You don't want to upgrade your own coop and cow shed?
Tamiyo: No, I'm good.  I'm not challenged by Wild Foxes anymore, not since Sunday.


Wednesday
Patchy is a total slacker!
Every day, he hangs there on his stump pretending to be inanimate all morning.
Then, as soon as I'm done tending the garden, he comes alive.
Darn good-for-nothing scarecrow! Patchy, your days are numbered!


Thursday
Another gloomy day in the Hob.
Here I am tipping my cow Latte so she'll give me Enriched Milk.

Yes, I knitted her that gaudy sweater-and-cap combo myself.
Sadly, it's the only clothing I could craft for her. Maybe I should check with the Creature Keeper?


As of today, I only have a single Plopsy listing: a masterpiece Yellow Orchids arrangement.
I've sold all my other listings this week and I make good money selling my produce, too.
I'll probably make more flower arrangements tonight, but first…


Last night, I reached Master Rank so I've come to the Magical HQ to learn more spells and potions.


Naoki was visiting so I brought him along, too.

Hey, the Sage of Untamed Magic never makes eyes like that at me!
Should I be worried?


L Faba: You're nowhere near as charming as your friend, Naoki!
Tamiyo:  Why does everyone and their uncle favor Naoki? Where are my fans?
L Faba: Tsk, tsk. Look at that horrible expression on your face! No wonder you have no fans!
Tamiyo: Hummmph!


Sage Morgyn: Thankfully, Tamiyo won the second duel!
Sage Simeon: I know, right? I don't even understand how she lost the first duel!
That Mabel is two ranks beneath Tamiyo!
Tamiyo: (no comment)


Tamiyo: My win!
Salma (on the ground): I can't believe you're gloating! I'm just an Adept!
Tamiyo: Yeah, yeah, so you're a rank lower.
You may have won the first duel, but I've now won two duels total.
*mumbles: Why am I losing duels to spellcasters of lower rank? Why?


Tamiyo: Thank you for the friendly duel, Miho! *pumps fist in victory
Now, I only need to do a little more magic to reach Virtuoso rank!


Friday
Today's turning out to be a fantastic day!
I max my friendships with my cow Latte and my baby hen Chiclet.
Then, I finally harvest a cowberry from my garden!
How long have I been waiting for a cowberry to plant?


The most elusive animal treat recipe seems to be the Golden Treat.
Since I already know it, I'd like to try and learn all the animal treat recipes.
Every animal treat I buy or earn, I feed one of them to my animals.
So far, I've learned eight animal treat recipes, but I hear there are 13 total.


Saturday
As soon as I've done my chores, I head to town to sell my produce and flowers.
What luck!  Kim's selling a Golden Egg at her Grocery Shop!
Of course, I snatch it up then rush home.
After duplicating the Golden Egg, I make one Golden Treat as a gift for Naoki.


Then, I return to Finchwick to enter Latte in today's Cow Fair.
Doesn't Latte look oh-so-sweet and lovely?


The competition is not bubbling with personality like my Latte.
No way Latte won't win first place!


I briefly consider bribing the Mayor only to discover we're not even friends.
So I try to slowly befriend her but…
See how I'm talking to the Mayor but she only has eyes for Naoki?
Story of my freaking life right there!


Tamiyo: Do you mind, Kim? I'd like to speak with  MY boyfriend?
Naoki: So how'd Latte do?
Tamiyo: She won first place! Thanks for all the tips!
Naoki (whispers): Did you bribe the Mayor?
Tamiyo (whispers back): Yes, but only after we became friends. Did that make a diff?
The important thing is, I've completed Country Caretaker, just like you!


My personal earnings at the end of Week 8: $402,882.
This week, I sold my remaining paintings from Week 5 on Plopsy, greatly boosting my income.
Next week, my income might plunge without any paintings to sell.
Maybe I'll take stuff downtown next week to sell from my vendor table.


Watcher's Notes
*Animal Treat Recipes: Have you learned all 13?
  I wasn't planning on Tamiyo doing lots of errands but she might do enough to learn them all.
  Here's the list:
Animal Party Treat, Chocolatey Treat, Fishy Protein Treat, Flirty Treat, Friendly Treat, Fruity Treat,
Golden Treat, Healthy Treat, Midnight Treat, Pumpkin Treat, Rainbow Treat, Spicey Treat, and Veggie Treat.

*Tamiyo's Challenge: She should be able to earn her million simoleons by the end of Year 1.
 Meanwhile, I might let her travel more and work on more aspirations.
 She's stopped making progress with Lady of the Knits because she can't listen to music at home.
 But she has other options for knitting while listening to music. She needs to hit the road!

[oshizu]

Our Best Lives: Adventures in the HoB 9. Side Trips (Tamiyo)


Week 9, Sunday (Autumn)
This morning, I realized that GeekCon is always the Tuesday after Spice Festival on Friday.
I would dearly love to gain the Insta-Upgrade perk.

The festival only lasts from 10 am to 4 pm.
Do you think I could squeeze in 5 space missions in six hours?
Or does the rocket ship need to be built first?
I'll give it a go.  Worst scenario, I'll need to attend GeekCon twice!


Tamiyo: I wanted to play chess here so we could both learn Logic.
Naoki: Well, GeekCon is great news for you, but it's only held on odd-numbered weeks.
That means I can never attend GeekCon as the active sim.
Tamiyo: I'm happy to switch weeks with you so we can both become Nerd Brains.
Let's go to GeekCon this Tuesday then figure out our schedules afterward, okay?


As soon as I dig up three limestones for The Curator, we head back to the HoB.


Incidentally, Watcher built me a small pond this morning.
Now my front patio is more of a crafting area.


Tuesday
I try my hardest to finish my farm chores as quickly as possible.
Still, Naoki and I don't arrive at GeekCon until 10:40 am.
I don't leave on my first space mission until well after 11 am.


There are actually two rocket ships at GeekCon.
The Space Ranger rocket's already built and the Interstellar Smuggler version is barely past the kit stage.
At least, that's what Naoki and I find in Week 9.

Between space missions, I spot Naoki autonomously building the other rocket ship.
He's such a good-hearted sim.
I thought GeekCon would end at 4 pm, but I'm able to embark on my 5th mission at 4:12 pm.


Oh look! Another fairy ring on the road up to my cottage!
Folks say it's hard to forage five times in the Bramblewood.
But there's a second fairy ring in the evenings at the Ruins as well.


Wednesday
Today, I want to befriend a flock of wild birds so I can bring them home.
Naoki just walked to the bird home near his farm and befriended the birds there.
In my case, the flock dislikes my singing and fly off. That's sad!


Things seem to be going well at the second bird home.
Yes, our relationship is high enough that I can sing to the birds!


As usual, our relationship drops after I sing to them.
But then, the birds decide it's their bedtime. Seriously?
Oh well, I can try again tomorrow.  *trudges home


Thursday
At last, I'm able to befriend a flock of wild birds on my third attempt.
Can you believe my Singing rose four levels while I was wooing the birds?
Whatever. I'm looking forward to the birds helping me with garden bugs.


I have no idea why it takes me so long to finish all my farm chores!
It's past 8 pm when I can finally invite Naoki to take a vacation with me.
We rent a gorgeous cottage right on the beach!

Watcher: I replaced the default Lagoon Look lot with "Island Beach House," created by Hey-Harrie, then converted it to a rental.


I need four unique fish to become an Angling Ace, so we'd planned on some night fishing.
But there appears to be some special event at the nearby community plaza.
Naoki and I head over, eager to experience the traditional culture of Sulani.


Unfortunately, a celeb from Del Sol Valley shows up.
The local girls are too busy fangirling to do whatever they usually do at this event.
On the plus side, I do make a new friend.  Her name's Pania Mana.


Friday
In the morning, my new friend Pania (who lives just across the road) joins us for fishing.
At first, it seems as if Naoki and Pania are catching ALL the fish.


But I finally catch my 20th unique fish
I'm ready to go do something else now, friends!


Pania: Why are you writing a novel indoors instead of enjoying the beach?
Tamiyo: I can go swimming back in the HoB, but I'm so busy day and night I never have time to write.
Pania: Do you and Naoki live together?
Tamiyo: No, we have our own places but we see a lot of each other. What about you?
Pania: I left my life as an elemental to marry a sim, but he recently died in a tragic accident.
Now I live alone in the small Tangled Flat. It's been a hard adjustment...
(Left speechless by Pania's misfortune, Tamiyo tries to change the subject.)


Tamiyo: You're so lucky to live in Sulani, Pania. It's like paradise here!
Pania: Well, it's all I really know. I envy you with your four seasons. And snow!
Tamiyo: Oh, then you must come visit me in the HoB this winter.
Pania: Really? Do you mean it? I would totally visit you!

Tamiyo: Of course. You're most certainly welcome to come stay with me.
And I even have an extra bed so plan on staying a couple of weeks.
You'll need warmer everyday clothes, though.


Later, at the Sand Bar, I meet this very angry woman.
She says she's from Willow Creek and I have no idea what her problem is.
why is she glaring at me like that? I've never met her before.

Luckily, she stomps off in a huff so I can enjoy the rest of the evening with my friends.
I've known Duane Talla for a while now. It's nice to meet him on his home turf.


Saturday
It's great being back home! If only my chickens weren't bugged!
I started out with five chicks and I know some of them are stuck and won't age up.
So I place the coop and chicks in family inventory, then place them all back on the farm.
Next, after I call the chicks into the coop, three of them age up.

Hendela is the first chicken I ever maxed friendship with.
To my dismay, she ages from a chick straight up to an adult hen.  Why?


Last Saturday, I stayed in Finchwick until the competition results were announced.
Today, as an experiment, I leave immediately after submitting my Giant Pumpkin.
Naoki and I are heading for the Romance Festival, where I hope to find a UFO Plant.
It's the only plant missing from my Gardening collection. *crosses fingers


I'm so bummed! It's not enough that I don't find a UFO plant at the Romance Festival!
I seek out the same Romance Guru to ask about my current relationship.
And he gives me the exact same answer as he gave me six weeks ago: "Don't make any plans."
Is my relationship with Naoki truly doomed?


At 9:30 pm, I get a notice that my Giant Pumpkin won first place.
That's an hour earlier than when I stayed at the fair venue last week. Good to know!

Kaori: Has anyone ever told you that you should smile more?
Tamiyo: No.  Has anyone ever told you to mind your own business?

Watcher: Tamiyo has got to be THE frowniest sim I've ever played
Left to her own devices, she tends to glare and look either angry or unhappy.


Tamiyo: Please ignore those mean remarks by our Watcher.
My personal earnings at the end of this week reached $571,236 total.
That's not bad, considering I couldn't harvest my garden three mornings this week (I missed being home from 5 am to 6 am).
Also, I made a new friend in Sulani and earned an obscene amount of satisfaction points.
Well, see you two weeks from now.

[sdhoey]

That angry woman from Willow Creek has dibs on your man. She is angry because she can't have him. LOL

[oshizu]

That angry woman from Willow Creek has dibs on your man. She is angry because she can't have him. LOL

It's so odd.  I thought it would be cute if Tamiyo befriend Bella, but Bella was all stressed out.