@Karritz
I got steam cause most of my games were on steam and I hated having 2 game programs.
I managed to finally get everything installed even though I still get the error, I log into my game and my house is missing all the items even though they are installed.
Yeah, the agen said in order to use steam we must download origin and link steam to origin.
@Karritz
So you are also having the same issue then?
That makes me feel better(not that that's any good at all.)
I'm almost done installing.
I don't have origin anymore either. I switched to Steam EA chat said in order to use steam I have to have origin.
I decided to try to install some store content that I have backed up and it installs. I installed the Al Fresco Market and a pair of adult female shoes successfully.
@Karritz
So you are also having the same issue then?
That makes me feel better(not that that's any good at all.)
I'm almost done installing.
I don't have origin anymore either. I switched to Steam EA chat said in order to use steam I have to have origin.
I decided to try to install some store content that I have backed up and it installs. I installed the Al Fresco Market and a pair of adult female shoes successfully.
I am able to install some items but it's hit or miss
My backups don't work as my backups are from the origin version.
Steam is on 1.67 and I'm not sure how to update it.
@Karritz
So you are also having the same issue then?
That makes me feel better(not that that's any good at all.)
I'm almost done installing.
I don't have origin anymore either. I switched to Steam EA chat said in order to use steam I have to have origin.
I decided to try to install some store content that I have backed up and it installs. I installed the Al Fresco Market and a pair of adult female shoes successfully.
@Karritz
So you are also having the same issue then?
That makes me feel better(not that that's any good at all.)
I'm almost done installing.
I don't have origin anymore either. I switched to Steam EA chat said in order to use steam I have to have origin.
I decided to try to install some store content that I have backed up and it installs. I installed the Al Fresco Market and a pair of adult female shoes successfully.
I am able to install some items but it's hit or miss
My backups don't work as my backups are from the origin version.
Steam is on 1.67 and I'm not sure how to update it.
Do you have anything inside your ContentPatch folder that is in you Sims 3 folder? You might need to have at least a file named ContentPatch.package.
@Karritz
So you are also having the same issue then?
That makes me feel better(not that that's any good at all.)
I'm almost done installing.
I don't have origin anymore either. I switched to Steam EA chat said in order to use steam I have to have origin.
I decided to try to install some store content that I have backed up and it installs. I installed the Al Fresco Market and a pair of adult female shoes successfully.
@Karritz
So you are also having the same issue then?
That makes me feel better(not that that's any good at all.)
I'm almost done installing.
I don't have origin anymore either. I switched to Steam EA chat said in order to use steam I have to have origin.
I decided to try to install some store content that I have backed up and it installs. I installed the Al Fresco Market and a pair of adult female shoes successfully.
I am able to install some items but it's hit or miss
My backups don't work as my backups are from the origin version.
Steam is on 1.67 and I'm not sure how to update it.
Do you have anything inside your ContentPatch folder that is in you Sims 3 folder? You might need to have at least a file named ContentPatch.package.
The only thing inside there is download but there is nothing in the download folder.
Steam is on 1.67 and I'm not sure how to update it.
You can't update Steam to anything higher than 1.67. Steam version exists on its own and has no relation to any TS3 disk or Origin install. As such, only EA can push updates to the Steam version, which Steam would automatically download. 1.69 update AFAIK, does nothing but tie your game to Origin. There is not a single difference gameplay wise once you launch the game past the launcher. Since all 1.69 does is tying TS3 to Origin, and since the Steam version of TS3 has nothing to do with Origin at any point, it wasn't necessary to update the Steam version and as such they never updated it.
ContentPatch.package file also should not affect the ability to install Store content. That file is an update that is applied to the already installed Store content. Nevertheless Steam version doesn't have that file (it used to autodownload back in 2016 or something) You can get the content patch from here: https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/933285/launcher-no-longer-installing-store-updates/p1
Not a native English speaker. Sorry for any mistakes
^Aww, thanks lady. I'm working as hard as I can to get all the pictures pulled together - it's already all written. However, due to time restraints, I think I'll still be taking pictures for the chapters after I debut the first chapter. Which is only 2 days away! DEC 1st everyone! Woop woop! 🙌🏻
@KevinL5275 I loved reading about your mission to get Lotta Greaves for your very own - well, for your guy sim. Keep posting.
Keep calm and sim on everyone!
@emorrill
Woohoo!! Awesome!! Another Emily Christmas story is coming!! (happy dance)
Oh yeah, you want me to continue? I was just having fun with a goal and a challenge.
Post edited by KevinL5275 on
I'm a 48 year old married man, with a beautiful wife, a cat, and a simverted personality.My Sims 3 Pictures
Steam is on 1.67 and I'm not sure how to update it.
You can't update Steam to anything higher than 1.67. Steam version exists on its own and has no relation to any TS3 disk or Origin install. As such, only EA can push updates to the Steam version, which Steam would automatically download. 1.69 update AFAIK, does nothing but tie your game to Origin. There is not a single difference gameplay wise once you launch the game past the launcher. Since all 1.69 does is tying TS3 to Origin, and since the Steam version of TS3 has nothing to do with Origin at any point, it wasn't necessary to update the Steam version and as such they never updated it.
ContentPatch.package file also should not affect the ability to install Store content. That file is an update that is applied to the already installed Store content. Nevertheless Steam version doesn't have that file (it used to autodownload back in 2016 or something) You can get the content patch from here: https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/933285/launcher-no-longer-installing-store-updates/p1
The only thing I can add to this is with my all disk (not Steam or connected to Origin) game, I used to have to have the ContentPatch.package file. Then one day I set up a new Sims 3 folder and I couldn't install any of my store content. This was a few years ago. So I downloaded everything again and since that time I haven't needed to use the ContentPatch.package file. But I have been led to believe some people still do use it.
Doing work for my new story tonight. Nothing to report yet though, other than I’ve changed my mind a bit on it. I’m not using Sunset Valley anymore, although it will be some of those Sims in the story. I won’t say much else right now as it’s in the very early development stage but I think it’ll work better for my plans.
A change of topic. Back to my video series on the Perfect Genetics Challenge.
Over the past few days I've been working on the townie population of Moonlight Falls. I've moved a heap of them out to Mountain Lake and listed them in my spreadsheet and also cleaned out their overstuffed inventories.
Then I returned to Moonlight Falls and worked my way through the townie population there. I added them all to my spreadsheet and emptied their inventories. I see a couple of them need to be moved to Mountain Lake at some stage as they have become involved with a sim I moved there already and I may as well give them a chance of continuing with their newly established relationships.
Then I went back to my main household. I still had big problems there. Crashing. Too many sims. Error 12.
I aged up Percy and his Imaginary Friend made real, Pat. I moved them to Mountain Lake. They were teens. They were the last teens in the household. Since Cindy had twins I had to move two sims out to have any chance of playing the household.
The next thing I did was age up Martin and his Imaginary Friend made real, Bart. They are now teens. I still need to give them a new wardrobe. I like Bart's new look. I often wonder what they will look like after I give them such huge overhauls of their facial features when they are children. He seems to have turned out OK, but I haven't had a close look yet. Martin is just a teenaged alien.
I aged up Cindy's twins and can confirm we now have the heir for Generation 3.
Donna was the first twin born and she is the heir.
Her sister has the required eye colour but her hair is not right for her to be the heir.
This is Bart aged up to teen. Up close his eyes seem very small but he looks good from a distance so I won't take him into CAS and operate on his eyes.
And finally, Martin aged up to teen. He is the first alien born to this household and he is Don's alien son.
I recorded part of birthday parties for both Martin and Bart but it crashed when the University Mascot turned up each time.
Fortunately I have the video recorded so I can show what I have of their birthday celebrations.
After one of the Error 12 experiences I noticed Denise had lost her Imaginary Friend doll.
The twins still hadn't received their dolls and I'd already aged them up to toddler. I have the setting for babies to receive a doll set to100% of the time. I wondered if the fact that I'd gone off to work on the townies as soon as they were born may have messed up the doll delivery sequence. I was surprised though, to see some of the townies had recently had babies and those babies had received dolls.
Anyway, when I got back to the main household things were not very secure. I emptied their inventories and saved. But I could do only one save for each time I launched the game.
I decided to reset the lot after the two crashes on the arrival of the University Mascot. I had already decided to do that before shutting down last night but had failed carrying out that step.
After resetting the lot (using Master Controller) the household seemed more secure. I found lots of stuff in the family inventory and emptied that. Denice's doll was in the household inventory so she got that back.
Then I reset the entire town. This made things better. Then suddenly the imaginary friend dolls for the new twins turned up in the mail. So all is good.
I saved. No crash. No error 12 but I did need to restart the game to free up some memory. I gave Martin and Bart their makeovers. Now I am ready to play on and start work on the next video. I'll be aging Martin and Bart out soon but will age up more of Don's alien children first.
@GraceyManor@Karritz I'm also experiencing issues with story items. However, if I insist a bit, they download.
I had the Lucky Casino stuck in that message 5 or 6 times. Also, sometimes, the page stops working and I have to go back to the first page.
@GraceyManor@Karritz I'm also experiencing issues with story items. However, if I insist a bit, they download.
I had the Lucky Casino stuck in that message 5 or 6 times. Also, sometimes, the page stops working and I have to go back to the first page.
They have been elders in a long time. I was playing the game today and, unfortunately, Jamie Jolina was visited by the Grim Reaper when she left the hospital, where she used to work:
Right now, I'm trying to focus on Dillon and Keith. Both of them wanted a child and I managed to adopt a girl named Reagan. I just might adopt a second one.
Jamie Jolina left her husband, two sons and three grandchildren. The people at the hospital will miss her cheerfulness.
-- x -- x --
This world also has @Charlottesmom's simself living with Connor Frio, @texansky's Precious Koffi, who is still married to Gobias. Also several girls created by @CravenLestat: Jackie Hayward, Yurievna, Ellington and Nightingale (The three of them got new makeovers).
I have deleted all role sims from the world and I'm thinking of adding the 2017 simselves around at the bars, paparazzi and so on.
Made some new sim characters today. Just to play around with.
Farah Harding. (I tried out some new CC hair. I love it! )
And her brother, who is supposed to be her twin, Dirk Harding.
I placed the twins' in a home in Starlight Shores, (since I always play in Sunset Valley.) Farah chatted with her brother, then she gave him a hug.
Dirk has the snob trait (randomly generated), so he just had to admire himself.
I decided to send them both to the park. (I think the park is the best place to take your sims ) But the University Mascot came! Darn Llama!!!
Farah met a guy named Phil Trice. They seemed to get along as you can see.
Phil then, challenged her to a water-balloon fight!!
Then they played some chess together. Kerry Kasmir was watching closely at the match.
While Dirk was chatting to Sonoko Lee, the newspaper girl asked for food. I thought this was so weird!
Even after he was done talking to Sonoko, the girl still hung around, until Dirk walked off somewhere else..
Boy, Mercedes looks thrilled... (yes, I changed her hair. I feel like the braid suits her better. )
Farah chatted with her about books?....
Until another girl rudely interrupted the conversation!
Ooh! Looks like Dirk is flirting with Kerry.
Well.... until she walked away, leaving Dirk standing there awkwardly.
He had to take a taxi home. Farah took the car and completely forgot her brother! Needless to say, Dirk wasn't having the best night.
Here is a little bit of what I've been working on so far.
I first grabbed Simon and Prudence Crumplebottom from a random Sunset Valley save file and resurrected them, de-aged them, then gave them makeovers. I did change Prudence's hair to match Agnes, and Simon's to partially match Cornelia. I only tested them out in the Shotgun Style home, but they will get a different house in the actual save I'll be doing. Simon is going to get a brother who will be the father to Beatrice, Belinda, and Bianca, making them first cousins to Cornelia and Agnes.
With Cornelia, I decided she should be a teen in my save file. I gave her a lot of black, purple, and some white in her wardrobe. I wanted her to stay kind of consistent with her adult self, and she will be sort of a contrast to her sister and parents.
With Agnes, I didn't really know what to do with her at this point in her life. However, I do have a surprise when she becomes an adult.
The next order of business is to get Frida Goth, then work on her, Victor, Gretle, and Gunther, as well as bring Samuel and Olivia into the world. I'm not sure on whether to do this as one big household, then separate it, or to make two separate households, then fix the familial relationships. Either way, that is whats next. I do not know if Lolita Goth will make an appearance or not yet, although I think she will. I might make her Gunther's first wife, and Cornelia might date someone else. I haven't decided whether to set it in Sunset Valley, or an empty world yet, although I know I mentioned I might do an empty world in my previous post today. I am thinking that Sims might get a few extra outfits too so they can switch back and forth. Stay tuned for more progress reports.
Those of us who grew up during the 60s, 70s and 80s probably heard a lot of Fleetwood Mac. Today...one of the voices that we grew up with was silenced. Christine McVie passed away today.
"Little Lies" and "Everywhere" were two of my favorite Fleetwood Mac songs.
Always "River McIrish" ...and maybe some Bebe Hart. ~innocent expression~
Morning everyone! Feeling chilly on this first day of December? ❄
🎄So my Christmas story debuts today!
But...
It'll be released later this afternoon (USA, Central time - if anyone is that curious. ) because I have a doctor appt this morning and a meeting with a lady from church to plan the upcoming Christmas party right afterward. (I kinda agreed to be on that committee a while back. )
But it's coming so stay tuned! I'm so super excited to share it with y'all!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
@Nikkei_Simmer Aww, that's sad news. I also love the song "Everywhere" and "You can go your own way." They aren't one of my favorite bands, but they had some good hits. 🎵
Since my wife is doing a 9:30-6 shift today hopefully, I’ll get a chance to play Sims tonight.
I have to set up my game so that I can start writing the story. My muse hasn’t been to helpful in that, yesterday.
Probably because of RL outside stress due to the two blasts of winter heavy snowfall we’re getting. Unlike other places in this country, Lower Mainlanders have no concept of how to drive in snow. They don’t know how to take their lead-feet off the accelerator. Saw so many near accidents Tuesday night coming home. Took nearly 5 1/2 hrs coming home had to detour through Langley to try to come at the congestion from another route. Hopefully Friday people will have either smartened up and
a) gotten snow tires on
b) stay off the roads.
I’m hoping we’ll have enough gas to do a detour if it comes to the same Bohunkapoo like Tuesday.
I would love to do a Christmas story but my muse is a sloth and ADD as well so no luck with that. I’m gonna have to think of one and maybe it’ll involve sims other than River and Haruo for once. YAY!
8:34AM - just went out to defrost my windshield. Dang ice refroze the second I went over it. It’s -6C (21.2F) supposedly feels like -9C (16.8F). No wonder. My Great Value orange soda (pop for us Canadians) is probably either slush or an ice-cube). Oopsies. Should have brought it in last night. Wasn’t expecting the temps to take a nosedive into the subarctic.
Post edited by Nikkei_Simmer on
Always "River McIrish" ...and maybe some Bebe Hart. ~innocent expression~
Hey, everyone. Things have started to calm down a bit for me, now that Black Friday is over. My next few work schedules should allow for more time to play Sims and set up my new story. I do have a few real life events to attend so I won't have time to play on those days, but I do plan on some more character work tonight. It'll probably be either creating the Moonlight Falls Crumplebottoms parents (father is Simon's brother) or making the younger Gunther and Frida to add to Victor and Gretle. Last night, I think the character I had the most fun during makeovers was Cornelia. I didn't mention this yesterday, but I did a few tweaks to everyone. Simon had a really long face, and his chin was very low. I just kind of fixed his face up a bit and he was done. Prudence is already a pretty Sim as a young adult, so I didn't change much on her other than clothes and hair. For both, I removed the Coward trait and replaced it. I had to make them adults so that it'd make sense for Cornelia to be a teenager. With her, I did edit her face just a bit but only her mouth, shrunk her chin, and a minor change in her cheeks but I wanted to keep her very close to her original features. She kept all her traits except for I think she lost Grumpy when I made her a teen. I'll add it back when she's a young adult though. With Agnes, I wanted to make her a happy child. I feel like she only became what she did due to Erik Darling's death, which is why she became a loner. I gave her traits to make her a happier person, but I do plan on Erik's death. I'm not exactly following any specific lore, although there will be some things that I'll keep.
@GraceyManor Miss Hannigan is a liar. I don't see Anna being a drunk
Lol, that's one way to change her mind.
I bet it'll be nice not having to clean like she did at Miss Hannigan's.
William looked like he was shocked to see a young woman instead of a child, lol
Anna knows how to get what she wants.
I feel like I'd get lost in New York City. I think it'd be an interesting place to visit though.
@Sprottenham Great update! I'm glad that Deepak is making progress with his walking. It must've been hard on him not to be able to walk.
@KevinL5275 Plumbots do make it easier to get the necessary items for ambrosia.
I'm not too familiar with Lotta, will have to check her out sometime.
The good thing is, now you know where to find her.
Yay, they finally got a date together!
I agree with Emorrill, you should really continue.
@Karritz Sounds like you brought in a lot of familiar Moonlight Falls townies. I think I know most of them, other than the ones who had kids later.
Lol, that's a neat broom trick.
Seems Sims accumulate a ton of stuff in their inventories. I see a lot of Sloppy Jalopies and a bunch of umbrellas or books when I look through different households.
I like their hair color.
@Nikkei_Simmer Nice pictures of River!
She'll be in my new save, although she probably won't look as good as your version. It'll probably be a while though, I'm focusing on earlier generations first.
I like Pose Player, although I hardly ever used it when I did have it. It's a nice thing to have, though, and there are a lot of great poses out there that I've seen.
I heard about Christine. I know who Fleetwood Mac is, but don't really listen to them. Still, it's sad about her death.
Hope you do get some play time in.
Ugh, I hate winter time. Like you said, no one knows how to drive in snow. We only had less than an inch so far, yet there were a ton of wrecks that day. It warmed up a few days after that and we haven't had any more snow yet, but today, we are only at 27 degrees (-2.77 C) right now and I'm sure it'll snow at some point later this month.
I enjoy River and Haruo, but I like seeing your other Sims too.
@lisasc360 Thank God he didn't have any damage to his heart.
@texansky Nice additions to the save! I think I remember when @Silverofdreams30 shared some photos of Adam a while back.
As for Dedric, his name sounds familiar, but I don't seem to remember him.
Nice house!
@emorrill Yeah, I did survive it, lol. We got pretty busy, luckily they scheduled enough cashiers so that I did not have to go up and check. That gave me time to actually do things in my departments. Saturday was just as hectic as Friday, but Sunday was a bit calmer. Unfortunately, Walmart decided that next week, we are having one more Black Friday type event. I don't work that day, luckily.
Hey, that's my time zone too. I'm really looking forward to the new story, I'll have to jump back over here to read it later before I go into my game.
***All caught up now. Hopefully I don't get so far behind now that things have calmed down a bit. I do think that I might get a hectic schedule during the week of Christmas, but it should calm down by January. I'm just going to try to get as much commenting and play time as I can.
***Got the things I needed to get done for today finished. Getting ready to do some more work on my story. I'll post some character pictures a bit later today.
I am SO excited to share my 2022 Christmas story with y'all this year. I've been working tirelessly on it since October and it has been a real joy. It - and the characters - are already holding a very special place in my heart.
There are a few "firsts" for me as a writer in this story so I hope it will add to the excitement of it all for you. Thank you for reading and thank you always for your support in my work. It means so much.
And now, without further adieu, here is, My "Three Kings" of Christmas. Introduction
Ok, so you all know the song. And you’re probably wondering who exactly are these “three kings?”
Well they aren’t the three wise men who brought gifts to the baby Jesus, of course, nor are they literal kings for that matter. But they may as well have been. Because they were the most handsome, lovely, heaven sent men to come out of the Orient and into my life that Christmas that I had ever laid eyes on! Yes, I said Orient. So shoot me! Because I'll have you know that I too come from the Orient…and I’m not ashamed to say it. Nor find silly offense in hearing someone say it. It’s all good everyone. Life's too short to be getting offended by every little thing.
Anyway, my mom has always encouraged me to keep a journal; to preserve my life story. “For posterity's sake,” she would say. “They will learn much from your life experiences and gain wisdom for their own.” Well…I'm ashamed to admit that I haven’t always been the best at keeping a journal. We live in such a busy, fast paced world. There’s way too much we're “supposed” to do on a daily basis and honestly, journaling has always been at the bottom of that list for me.
However this story…a piece of my story…was too amazing and wonderful not to pen down and share for the generations to come.
Let me start off with a quick introduction about me.
My name is Malai Reataza. [Pronounced: Muh-lie - Ray-uh-taza] I come from a family of three children. I am the youngest, aged 28, and I am half Thai, half Filipino. Bet you’re wondering the story behind that. Well…my father, Sergio [Sehr-geo] Reataza, was born and raised in Cebu City, Philippines. During his early adulthood, he accompanied his father on a business trip to Thailand. While at the airport, waiting for their flight home, his eyes caught hold upon “the most beautiful woman to ever grace planet earth,” working at the flight desk. Long story short, he bravely approached the woman and they struck up a conversation - both having learned English in school thankfully - and clicked instantly. He learned that her name was Nin [Neen] which he also thought was the most beautiful name in the world too.
When the plane arrived, both couldn’t leave without the thought of ever seeing each other again. The bond between them was too strong; clearly driven and directed by a higher power, they would say. So they exchanged addresses and kept in touch through letters for almost a whole year. They even called each other on rare occasions, because that was pretty expensive to do in those days. Eventually my father saved up enough money to fly, with a simple ring in his pocket, to Bangkok to ask Nin, my mother, to marry him. And the rest, as they say, is history. They immigrated to the United States when my mother was pregnant with my oldest sister. My father got a job in the simple town of Maplewood Falls, Maine and it’s where I grew up and where they’ve lived ever since.
Currently I am living in Brooklyn, New York. Living out my childhood dream in the big city. I still can’t believe the dream actually came true. And it was NOT easy getting there, I’ll have you know!
After high school, I was accepted into the University of Maine where I spent four grueling, yet super fun years pursuing a degree in Graphic Design. So yeah, I’m a Graphic Designer! Designing for the critically acclaimed Chic Magnifique interior design Magazine. It’s right up there in popularity with Better Homes and Gardens - of course CM is 1000x better.
Landing this epic and honorable job wouldn’t have been possible without a little help from my best friend, Landon Adams.
Dear Landon…the story between us I could write pages about…but these aren’t the pages for it to be written on.
But suffice it to say, he and I were a couple once. And it really was one of the happiest times in my teenage life. We were friends first, and maybe that’s why the love we had for each other flowed so deep. And part of that love still exists between us to this day.
We dated for a little over 7 months between our sophomore and junior years of High School. It was towards the end of our courtship that Landon revealed to me that he had been developing feelings for men…and that he didn’t want to “lead me on” when he couldn’t give me all of his heart; in that way. I appreciated his honesty and thoughtfulness, but my heart broke that day. And it took a while to get over. We were both afraid we wouldn’t be able to stay friends, but we parted on good terms and our friendship still thrived throughout the rest of our high school years. He dated other guys and, well, so did I.
We kept in touch mostly through Facebook - and you know how casual that is - throughout our college years. But we went a good long while without speaking to each other as we worked to earn our degrees. In a way, we lost touch.
Not long after earning my degree I made a post on Facebook about how I was looking for a new job and it somehow caught Landon’s attention. He reached out to me saying that he was just hired on as an “Assistant to the Editor” for Chic Magnifique magazine and I about died! SO LUCKY! He told me they were looking to hire a new Graphic Designer and that I should totally apply. Then he added, “And I could put in a good word for you.”
“YES PLEASE!” was my immediate response. Of course, I thanked him for letting me know about it.
I don’t know how it happened, it was a legit miracle, but I was soon invited over to Brooklyn for an interview and out of 50-something other applicants, they chose ME! Malai Reataza! To be their newest Graphic Designer. It was the BEST day of my ENTIRE life!
Until Christmas break four years later...
And this is where my story with the “Three Kings” begins…
❄❄❄
Chapter 1
*Two days before Christmas*
Allow me to illustrate exactly how everything happened.
It was a typical weekday morning for me. Get up - after hitting snooze on my phone alarm about five times - shower, get dressed in one of my cute business casual outfits and stylish boots, blow-dry my hair, curl my hair, put on make-up, throw my coat on, grab my purse and keys, and head out the door. The crisp, cold air of winter instantly bit at my nose and ears as I rushed down the front steps to embrace the new day.
First stop, The Coffee Cottage for my morning pick me up. And breakfast. It’s a lovely little walk up shop, shaped and colored like a humble cottage in the woods, nestled tightly between a gas station and a laundromat. Starbucks is much easier to get to, but their coffee is super overrated if you ask me! Mediocre tasting at best. If I’m gonna spend darn near $8 for a 20oz cup of coffee every morning, it’s gotta be good, rich coffee!
Landon agrees with me, which is why I pick up a cup for him as well. And because I like to do that for my buddy anyway. He pays me back the moment I hand it to him. Faithfully. I love him.
It takes some serious skill to hold two cups of hot coffee while briskly walking to work, weaving through crowds of people, and then going through the rolling door into the office building and up the stairs.
Speaking of Landon, he was promoted to Editor in Chief just two months ago after the previous EC left to work for another magazine. So now he’s my boss! It’s kinda crazy, but super cool at the same time. No worries, he doesn’t give me any special treatment over the others for being his BFF. He’s very professional.
I walk down the hall surrounded by cubicles and greet my co-workers with a smile. We’re all friends here and pretty much a family away from our own.
Never did I ever think that Landon and I would be the two people in charge of the famed Chic Magnifique Magazine in our future. Heck I didn’t think we would even have a future together, ever since we broke up, but I can’t even begin to express how wonderful it feels to be best friends again. We’re both where we’re meant to be at this stage in our lives and everything feels right in the world.
As I began to approach Landon's office, I thought, I love my life. And there’s not a single thing I’d change about it.
Of course my parents would love if something in particular about my life changed…and soon before I become an “old woman past child bearing age.” Can you practically hear my eye roll?
Getting married.
I mean, sure, it’d be lovely to find the perfect guy someday, get married, and maybe have a few kids, but…is it SO wrong for a girl to focus on her career before doing all of that? You know, have some financial stability in this ever changing world and economy? I guess that’s what always set me apart from my parents and siblings, and why I’m the child my parents worry the most about. My sister Liezel got married at 19 and my brother Direk, at 21!
Sure my parents have always shown support in my decision to go to college and earn a degree, but I could always sense that deep down they just wished I would’ve done things the more traditional way, or in my personal opinion, the outdated way. It’s not their fault though…It was just how they were raised and how society was when they were growing up. And they do mean well by it…
But every single time I go home to visit, mainly at Christmastime, they continually ask me:
“So how’s dating life?”
“Met anyone special yet?”
“Are you becoming too busy to date?”
“You still want to have kids don’t you?”
ARGH!
And what really gets to me is when we’re at church and people say to my parents, “Oh it’s so lovely to see Malai again. Is she engaged yet?” And then of course one of my parents will give the painful response in the most tactful way possible while the other looks over to the side with an inaudible sigh.
I’m sick of it.
I’M the one that’s in charge of my life and how I want to run it. I know what’s best for me and if people don’t like that, then…tough! It’s not like I don’t date. I do…when I have the time. And aren’t we always taught - mainly in the religious aspect - that everything happens “in its own due time” and that we should just trust God/Buddah/Fate/etc in ALL things. Well, that’s what I’m doing! For some of us, marriage and kids aren’t meant to come right away in our life! Why is it not more accepted that that’s OK!?
Alright, breathe. Calm yourself Malai…
Sometimes, I just don’t get it. Life.
So I just go with the flow and see where it takes me; striving to be the best person I can be - in virtue and success - at the same time.
That is why for the past 4 years now, I’ve utterly dreaded going home for Christmas…
The pushing inquiries from my family have gotten worse because here I am, pushing 30, and I’m still single and childless…
But I’m not going to focus on that right now. I’m at work and I need to get Landon’s coffee to him.
“Hey! Good morning!” I greet him after a light knock on his office door.
“Hey Mai,” he usually greets me in return, quickly glancing up in acknowledgement from his computer. Mai is the nickname he gave me back in high school and even when we broke up it still stuck. I don’t mind it.
“Here’s your coffee,” I approached, placing it on his desk.
“Great! Thank you. You’re the best,” he winked, sipping and slipping the payback cash to me between his other two fingers like he always does.
And as always I promptly swiped those folded bills. “You’re welcome.”
“I was just going over your final design templates for January’s magazine,” he informed, sipping again. “They look fantastic, as usual, buuuut…there are a few subtle changes I’d like to suggest in some areas; if you don’t mind?”
“No, of course not. You’re the boss,” I winked at him now.
So we discussed that and finalized everything.
“Guess that’s a wrap!” Landon declared, slapping his hands on his thighs and then getting up from his chair. “I’ll send it off to the printing department this afternoon.”
“Awesome! I’ve got a few more things to wrap up for the year so I’ll be–”
“Hang on a sec,” he kindly interrupted, passing by me to close his office door. Then he turned around with a smirking smile on his face. “As fun as it is ‘bossing’ you around,” he grinned, “I’d like to switch back to being your best friend now.”
I smiled.
“Soooo…you heading home for Christmas this year?” he asked in that tenderly inquiring, all knowing tone.
I slightly rolled my eyes. “Probably…”
“Probably?”
“Ok, most likely.” I shook my head at him with a quick grin. “I’ve been trying to come up with a way to get out of it, but…I dunno,” I lowered my head, picking at my fingernail. “I just feel like it would hurt their feelings if I didn’t come. Especially when I’m unable to visit them any other time of the year…”
He nodded. “I get it. You do have some great folks.”
“I know,” I replied with sincerity, “but not when they’re overtly and inadvertently shoving marriage down my throat every time I visit. Is it so hard to ask how it’s going with my job or–”
“I know…,” he hushed.
I heaved a sigh.
“Well, I had this thought that I wanted to run by–”
He was interrupted by my phone ringing.
“Sorry,” I expressed, reaching into my pocket to answer it. It was my mom. Coincidentally enough.
She was calling to confirm if I was for sure coming home for Christmas - since it was two days away and they hadn’t heard from me yet. Oops. I meant to call them after work today. By this point, I told her yes.
“Good! Now remember that Liezel and Direk are spending Christmas with their in-laws this year,” she informed.
“I…don’t remember that…,” I uttered, shooting a glance at Landon.
Although what I really felt like saying was, “Fantastic,” in a very sarcastic tone through a fake smile. Now all the attention would REALLY be on me; and all my “flaws.”
“But I have a surprise!” my mom exclaimed.
“Oh?” I was honestly afraid to ask.
“I’ve invited the new neighbors to join us for Christmas dinner. They came from Canada and are originally from Japan. It’s so nice to have another Asian family in Maplewood Falls.” We both chuckled. “Mami is just the sweetest lady and we’ve become fast friends. She and Hoshi are a lovely couple; they’re about the same age as me and your father.”
“Great.”
“They told me their three children and granddaughter will be joining us for dinner as well so...I wanted to give you the heads up.”
“Oh…uh…ok.” This was different. But good.
My mom agreed by saying, “I figure, the more the merrier! I can’t wait for them to meet you, and you to meet them.”
“Yeah, me too, mom. Sounds great.”
“Alright, well you let me know when your plane lands ok? You coming tonight?” Guess so…, I thought. “Yes, and I will mom. But right now I’m at work, so I have to go.”
“Oh yes, yes, sorry honey. Finish work. Say Hi to Landon for me and we’ll see you tonight. I love you!”
“Love you too mom. Bye.”
Landon gave me an incredibly curious, wide-eyed look as I tucked my phone back into my pocket.
“Guess I’m heading home for Christmas…,” I mumbled.
“I heard that.”
“Oh and my mom says Hi.”
He smiled, then pressed, “So?”
I told him about the new neighbors joining us for Christmas dinner.
“Cool! Maybe then with guests around your parents won’t bug you so much about not finding a man and getting married and stuff,” he said.
I nodded slightly. “True…or it just provides them with more people to gossip to about it behind closed doors…” I don’t know why I was feeling so negative.
“I doubt that. They love you, Mai. They wouldn’t offend you like that.”
He was right, and I said as much.
“Just relax,” he kindly assured, placing his hand on my shoulder. “It’s going to be great. I can’t wait for you to tell me all about it later.”
I gave him an appreciative smile.
“How about you?” I inquired. “Are you coming home for Christmas too?”
“I dunno,” he looked away with a sigh. “Probably not because there’s still a lot I gotta finalize here at work for the end of the year. Plus…I have a date tonight.”
I gaped. “What!? But I thought things were going so well between you and Chris–”
He shook his head in answer to that before I could even finish.
“Oh Landon…,” I frowned. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he assured with a shrug. “It just wasn’t meant to be. Seems that’s how it’s been with me and my partners for years now…,” he trailed off, staring at the wall for a moment. He returned his gaze to me and concluded with, “Hopefully I’ll find a potential future with Justin tonight.”
“Oh so that’s his name huh?” I winked. “Where did you meet him?”
“Online. We hit it off pretty quickly so we thought we’d meet in person.”
I smiled in happiness for him. “Well,” I started, placing a caring hand on his chest, “I hope you have a very wonderful time with Justin tonight and that he’ll be ‘the one.’ You deserve a good partner Landon, because you’re a good partner. I hope you find all the happiness in the world in that regard.”
I could see a little glistening in his eyes. “Thanks Mai. Love you.”
“Love you too,” I expressed, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, and then headed for the door.
“Merry Christmas,” he wished to me, which made me stop and turn for a moment. “And don’t worry, your Christmas is going to be great. I know it.” He smiled.
I really appreciated it; and his confidence. “Thanks Landon. Merry Christmas to you too. See you later!”
❄❄❄
Since I was for sure heading home for Christmas, I booked the first flight I could get my hands on that evening of the 23rd. I don’t know how I got so lucky because normally it’s almost impossible to find a flight home for Christmas last minute! (I guess nowadays they have special seats reserved if one is willing to pay out the wazoo for one, which...I ended up doing. Because I had to…Sigh…) It was ok though. I just kept reminding myself of Landon’s confident assurances.
My parents were overjoyed to see me, as I always am to see them. Even if they do drive me crazy sometimes.
Honestly, all the marriage nagging aside, I couldn’t have asked for better parents. They've always set a good example to me and my siblings, in word and deed, and I owe much of who I am to them.
It was also great to see my old room again, still unchanged from the last time I lived in it.
I love that they haven’t changed it into a sewing room or a home gym or something. (Because they totally could!) It gives me the warm fuzzies and makes me feel their love for me all the more.
There’s just something about being in your parents home that instantly wraps you up in a cozy, secure blanket, shielding you from all the cares of the world for a time and permitting you rest. It’s a feeling unlike any other, one you never forget, and one you long for over and over again in your adult life. Why I didn't go home more often for that much needed feeling…well…you know. Perhaps someday that would change. Or maybe it was my perspective that needed to change...
But no matter. I quickly threw on my PJs, plopped myself right down onto my bed, and basked in the feeling of "home."
Ahhhh.
Wow. I’m surprised mom and dad didn’t immediately ask me about my love life when I walked through the door…, I thought, my eyes popping open. Or looked down at my hand in hopes of seeing an engagement ring.
@emorrill
Yes! I been waiting for today. I always love your stories.
I actually never heard the song we three kings before, but now
I might go listen to it.
The way her parents met was so beautiful! Sometimes you just know huh?
I'm so glad he perused her and finally had a beautiful daughter.
Maplewood falls is that an actual Sims 3 world for downloading? And did that
gorgeous little house come with it?
Landon is such a handsome fella and I'm so glad he decided to tell her the truth
instead of leading her on, but I bet that stung a bit.I laughed at the bit about starbucks,
Its true. Their coffee is overrated. XD Wow! Landon being her boss. Who would have
saw that coming. I love how you set up the office. You always do such a great job setting
the scene. No, its not wrong to focus on your career dear, I am. And my fiance knows that.
Poor Malai, sometimes parents can be so pushy. Oh new neighbors? Hmm I wonder if they are
gonna be good looking guys!
@Brandontaylor
Believe me, its quite easy to get lost in NYC.
I went there on a field trip in school once and wandered off.XD
Yeah, Miss Hannigan doesn't want her license revoked...but despises Anna
pretty much.
And to save on a post:
I finally got all my store items installed after four days....four agonizing days.
I will for sure post a story update.
First of all, here is a deaged Samuel Goth. I did slightly edit his features after that, then dressed him up. I wasn't too sure what to do with him, but I felt that he might be as dark with his clothing as his brothers family.
This is his wife Olivia. She is supposed to be much younger than him, so I will pretend he is getting close to being an elder while she is only in her early 20's. I did make her a bit thinner, and only slightly edited her but she is probably 95% the same as she usually is. I thought about giving her and Samuel a child to be Gunther and Frida's cousin, but I realized she dislikes children so I decided against it. I don't think that trait makes them hate teens though, so I kind of want her to be like the cool aunt to the teenagers.
I saved the three Crumplebottom sisters and Frida Goth to my Sim Bin but haven't really messed with them yet. After the two makeovers, I messed around in Moonlight Falls, mainly playing Bianca Crumplebottom. Out of the three sisters, she is probably my favorite but I'm not sure what I want to do for her makeover. Since Lolita is childish, she and Bianca will probably be friends. I've debated on whether Cornelia and Agnes should be witches or not, but I'm kind of thinking not. However, Cornelia can still learn alchemy or something if she wants to.
@Nikkei_Simmer I was gutted when I heard of Christine's passing. Fleetwood Mac, like many us Gen-Xers, was a soundtrack to my childhood. My Mom LOVES them and as I grew up, I began to appreciate the band and their music in my way. I've been listening to Fleetwood Mac all day today.
I'm still figuring out how to play my game and deal with the new app and all that. Some days, it's great, other days, I just give up and go play something else. But I miss my SIMS. I'm not doing anything "formal" just playing around. I wanted the current couple I'm playing to make enough $$ to move into a pre-made house I like. They reached that goal, so now I think I'll give them a nudge to become parents.
Comments
I got steam cause most of my games were on steam and I hated having 2 game programs.
I managed to finally get everything installed even though I still get the error, I log into my game and my house is missing all the items even though they are installed.
Yeah, the agen said in order to use steam we must download origin and link steam to origin.
https://graceymanorsims3.tumblr.com/
I am able to install some items but it's hit or miss
My backups don't work as my backups are from the origin version.
Steam is on 1.67 and I'm not sure how to update it.
https://graceymanorsims3.tumblr.com/
Do you have anything inside your ContentPatch folder that is in you Sims 3 folder? You might need to have at least a file named ContentPatch.package.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuW44b3uCMtCSaq4gwC8EZg
The only thing inside there is download but there is nothing in the download folder.
https://graceymanorsims3.tumblr.com/
You can't update Steam to anything higher than 1.67. Steam version exists on its own and has no relation to any TS3 disk or Origin install. As such, only EA can push updates to the Steam version, which Steam would automatically download. 1.69 update AFAIK, does nothing but tie your game to Origin. There is not a single difference gameplay wise once you launch the game past the launcher. Since all 1.69 does is tying TS3 to Origin, and since the Steam version of TS3 has nothing to do with Origin at any point, it wasn't necessary to update the Steam version and as such they never updated it.
ContentPatch.package file also should not affect the ability to install Store content. That file is an update that is applied to the already installed Store content. Nevertheless Steam version doesn't have that file (it used to autodownload back in 2016 or something) You can get the content patch from here: https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/933285/launcher-no-longer-installing-store-updates/p1
@emorrill
Woohoo!! Awesome!! Another Emily Christmas story is coming!! (happy dance)
Oh yeah, you want me to continue? I was just having fun with a goal and a challenge.
I need to get back to finish my story too, been a while
now.
The only thing I can add to this is with my all disk (not Steam or connected to Origin) game, I used to have to have the ContentPatch.package file. Then one day I set up a new Sims 3 folder and I couldn't install any of my store content. This was a few years ago. So I downloaded everything again and since that time I haven't needed to use the ContentPatch.package file. But I have been led to believe some people still do use it.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuW44b3uCMtCSaq4gwC8EZg
Over the past few days I've been working on the townie population of Moonlight Falls. I've moved a heap of them out to Mountain Lake and listed them in my spreadsheet and also cleaned out their overstuffed inventories.
Then I returned to Moonlight Falls and worked my way through the townie population there. I added them all to my spreadsheet and emptied their inventories. I see a couple of them need to be moved to Mountain Lake at some stage as they have become involved with a sim I moved there already and I may as well give them a chance of continuing with their newly established relationships.
Then I went back to my main household. I still had big problems there. Crashing. Too many sims. Error 12.
I aged up Percy and his Imaginary Friend made real, Pat. I moved them to Mountain Lake. They were teens. They were the last teens in the household. Since Cindy had twins I had to move two sims out to have any chance of playing the household.
The next thing I did was age up Martin and his Imaginary Friend made real, Bart. They are now teens. I still need to give them a new wardrobe. I like Bart's new look. I often wonder what they will look like after I give them such huge overhauls of their facial features when they are children. He seems to have turned out OK, but I haven't had a close look yet. Martin is just a teenaged alien.
I aged up Cindy's twins and can confirm we now have the heir for Generation 3.
Donna was the first twin born and she is the heir.
Her sister has the required eye colour but her hair is not right for her to be the heir.
This is Bart aged up to teen. Up close his eyes seem very small but he looks good from a distance so I won't take him into CAS and operate on his eyes.
And finally, Martin aged up to teen. He is the first alien born to this household and he is Don's alien son.
I recorded part of birthday parties for both Martin and Bart but it crashed when the University Mascot turned up each time.
Fortunately I have the video recorded so I can show what I have of their birthday celebrations.
After one of the Error 12 experiences I noticed Denise had lost her Imaginary Friend doll.
The twins still hadn't received their dolls and I'd already aged them up to toddler. I have the setting for babies to receive a doll set to100% of the time. I wondered if the fact that I'd gone off to work on the townies as soon as they were born may have messed up the doll delivery sequence. I was surprised though, to see some of the townies had recently had babies and those babies had received dolls.
Anyway, when I got back to the main household things were not very secure. I emptied their inventories and saved. But I could do only one save for each time I launched the game.
I decided to reset the lot after the two crashes on the arrival of the University Mascot. I had already decided to do that before shutting down last night but had failed carrying out that step.
After resetting the lot (using Master Controller) the household seemed more secure. I found lots of stuff in the family inventory and emptied that. Denice's doll was in the household inventory so she got that back.
Then I reset the entire town. This made things better. Then suddenly the imaginary friend dolls for the new twins turned up in the mail. So all is good.
I saved. No crash. No error 12 but I did need to restart the game to free up some memory. I gave Martin and Bart their makeovers. Now I am ready to play on and start work on the next video. I'll be aging Martin and Bart out soon but will age up more of Don's alien children first.
That's it for now.
Happy Simming All.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuW44b3uCMtCSaq4gwC8EZg
I had the Lucky Casino stuck in that message 5 or 6 times. Also, sometimes, the page stops working and I have to go back to the first page.
Same here.
https://graceymanorsims3.tumblr.com/
So, I decided to play with my 2017 save in Sunset Valley.
In case you don't remember, these are Ethan and Jamie Jolina in 2017.
They have been elders in a long time. I was playing the game today and, unfortunately, Jamie Jolina was visited by the Grim Reaper when she left the hospital, where she used to work:
I felt sorry for her... she even begged to stay a little longer.
Right now, I'm trying to focus on Dillon and Keith. Both of them wanted a child and I managed to adopt a girl named Reagan. I just might adopt a second one.
Jamie Jolina left her husband, two sons and three grandchildren. The people at the hospital will miss her cheerfulness.
-- x -- x --
This world also has @Charlottesmom's simself living with Connor Frio, @texansky's Precious Koffi, who is still married to Gobias. Also several girls created by @CravenLestat: Jackie Hayward, Yurievna, Ellington and Nightingale (The three of them got new makeovers).
I have deleted all role sims from the world and I'm thinking of adding the 2017 simselves around at the bars, paparazzi and so on.
Farah Harding. (I tried out some new CC hair. I love it!
And her brother, who is supposed to be her twin, Dirk Harding.
I placed the twins' in a home in Starlight Shores, (since I always play in Sunset Valley.) Farah chatted with her brother, then she gave him a hug.
Dirk has the snob trait (randomly generated), so he just had to admire himself.
I decided to send them both to the park. (I think the park is the best place to take your sims
Farah met a guy named Phil Trice. They seemed to get along as you can see.
Phil then, challenged her to a water-balloon fight!!
Then they played some chess together. Kerry Kasmir was watching closely at the match.
While Dirk was chatting to Sonoko Lee, the newspaper girl asked for food. I thought this was so weird!
Even after he was done talking to Sonoko, the girl still hung around, until Dirk walked off somewhere else..
Boy, Mercedes looks thrilled... (yes, I changed her hair. I feel like the braid suits her better.
Farah chatted with her about books?....
Until another girl rudely interrupted the conversation!
Ooh! Looks like Dirk is flirting with Kerry.
Well.... until she walked away, leaving Dirk standing there awkwardly.
He had to take a taxi home. Farah took the car and completely forgot her brother! Needless to say, Dirk wasn't having the best night.
Hope everyone has a great day/night!
I first grabbed Simon and Prudence Crumplebottom from a random Sunset Valley save file and resurrected them, de-aged them, then gave them makeovers. I did change Prudence's hair to match Agnes, and Simon's to partially match Cornelia. I only tested them out in the Shotgun Style home, but they will get a different house in the actual save I'll be doing. Simon is going to get a brother who will be the father to Beatrice, Belinda, and Bianca, making them first cousins to Cornelia and Agnes.
With Cornelia, I decided she should be a teen in my save file. I gave her a lot of black, purple, and some white in her wardrobe. I wanted her to stay kind of consistent with her adult self, and she will be sort of a contrast to her sister and parents.
With Agnes, I didn't really know what to do with her at this point in her life. However, I do have a surprise when she becomes an adult.
The next order of business is to get Frida Goth, then work on her, Victor, Gretle, and Gunther, as well as bring Samuel and Olivia into the world. I'm not sure on whether to do this as one big household, then separate it, or to make two separate households, then fix the familial relationships. Either way, that is whats next. I do not know if Lolita Goth will make an appearance or not yet, although I think she will. I might make her Gunther's first wife, and Cornelia might date someone else. I haven't decided whether to set it in Sunset Valley, or an empty world yet, although I know I mentioned I might do an empty world in my previous post today. I am thinking that Sims might get a few extra outfits too so they can switch back and forth. Stay tuned for more progress reports.
"Little Lies" and "Everywhere" were two of my favorite Fleetwood Mac songs.
Always "River McIrish" ...and maybe some Bebe Hart. ~innocent expression~
🎄So my Christmas story debuts today!
But...
It'll be released later this afternoon (USA, Central time - if anyone is that curious.
But it's coming so stay tuned! I'm so super excited to share it with y'all!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
@Nikkei_Simmer Aww, that's sad news.
@KevinL5275 ^Hee hee.
You can continue with the Lotta Greaves story if you'd like, I mainly meant that I'd love to see you post on here more often.
@Silverofdreams30 It's all good girl.
I have to set up my game so that I can start writing the story. My muse hasn’t been to helpful in that, yesterday.
Probably because of RL outside stress due to the two blasts of winter heavy snowfall we’re getting. Unlike other places in this country, Lower Mainlanders have no concept of how to drive in snow. They don’t know how to take their lead-feet off the accelerator. Saw so many near accidents Tuesday night coming home. Took nearly 5 1/2 hrs coming home had to detour through Langley to try to come at the congestion from another route. Hopefully Friday people will have either smartened up and
a) gotten snow tires on
b) stay off the roads.
I’m hoping we’ll have enough gas to do a detour if it comes to the same Bohunkapoo like Tuesday.
I would love to do a Christmas story but my muse is a sloth and ADD as well so no luck with that. I’m gonna have to think of one and maybe it’ll involve sims other than River and Haruo for once. YAY!
8:34AM - just went out to defrost my windshield. Dang ice refroze the second I went over it. It’s -6C (21.2F) supposedly feels like -9C (16.8F). No wonder. My Great Value orange soda (pop for us Canadians) is probably either slush or an ice-cube). Oopsies. Should have brought it in last night. Wasn’t expecting the temps to take a nosedive into the subarctic.
Always "River McIrish" ...and maybe some Bebe Hart. ~innocent expression~
Hey, everyone. Things have started to calm down a bit for me, now that Black Friday is over. My next few work schedules should allow for more time to play Sims and set up my new story. I do have a few real life events to attend so I won't have time to play on those days, but I do plan on some more character work tonight. It'll probably be either creating the Moonlight Falls Crumplebottoms parents (father is Simon's brother) or making the younger Gunther and Frida to add to Victor and Gretle. Last night, I think the character I had the most fun during makeovers was Cornelia. I didn't mention this yesterday, but I did a few tweaks to everyone. Simon had a really long face, and his chin was very low. I just kind of fixed his face up a bit and he was done. Prudence is already a pretty Sim as a young adult, so I didn't change much on her other than clothes and hair. For both, I removed the Coward trait and replaced it. I had to make them adults so that it'd make sense for Cornelia to be a teenager. With her, I did edit her face just a bit but only her mouth, shrunk her chin, and a minor change in her cheeks but I wanted to keep her very close to her original features. She kept all her traits except for I think she lost Grumpy when I made her a teen. I'll add it back when she's a young adult though. With Agnes, I wanted to make her a happy child. I feel like she only became what she did due to Erik Darling's death, which is why she became a loner. I gave her traits to make her a happier person, but I do plan on Erik's death. I'm not exactly following any specific lore, although there will be some things that I'll keep.
@GraceyManor Miss Hannigan is a liar. I don't see Anna being a drunk
Lol, that's one way to change her mind.
I bet it'll be nice not having to clean like she did at Miss Hannigan's.
William looked like he was shocked to see a young woman instead of a child, lol
Anna knows how to get what she wants.
I feel like I'd get lost in New York City. I think it'd be an interesting place to visit though.
@Middleclaw You're welcome.
@thuggishsplicer The Paradise Pools look cool! I have Sunlit Tides but still haven't played there yet.
I think I remember a bit of your 2017 save.
@McTosh Great updates!
@Bluegayle Great pictures of the horses!
@Sprottenham Great update! I'm glad that Deepak is making progress with his walking. It must've been hard on him not to be able to walk.
@KevinL5275 Plumbots do make it easier to get the necessary items for ambrosia.
I'm not too familiar with Lotta, will have to check her out sometime.
The good thing is, now you know where to find her.
Yay, they finally got a date together!
I agree with Emorrill, you should really continue.
@Karritz Sounds like you brought in a lot of familiar Moonlight Falls townies. I think I know most of them, other than the ones who had kids later.
Lol, that's a neat broom trick.
Seems Sims accumulate a ton of stuff in their inventories. I see a lot of Sloppy Jalopies and a bunch of umbrellas or books when I look through different households.
I like their hair color.
@Puddinroy Hello.
@Nikkei_Simmer Nice pictures of River!
She'll be in my new save, although she probably won't look as good as your version. It'll probably be a while though, I'm focusing on earlier generations first.
I like Pose Player, although I hardly ever used it when I did have it. It's a nice thing to have, though, and there are a lot of great poses out there that I've seen.
I heard about Christine. I know who Fleetwood Mac is, but don't really listen to them. Still, it's sad about her death.
Hope you do get some play time in.
Ugh, I hate winter time. Like you said, no one knows how to drive in snow. We only had less than an inch so far, yet there were a ton of wrecks that day. It warmed up a few days after that and we haven't had any more snow yet, but today, we are only at 27 degrees (-2.77 C) right now and I'm sure it'll snow at some point later this month.
I enjoy River and Haruo, but I like seeing your other Sims too.
@lisasc360 Thank God he didn't have any damage to his heart.
@texansky Nice additions to the save! I think I remember when @Silverofdreams30 shared some photos of Adam a while back.
As for Dedric, his name sounds familiar, but I don't seem to remember him.
Nice house!
@emorrill Yeah, I did survive it, lol. We got pretty busy, luckily they scheduled enough cashiers so that I did not have to go up and check. That gave me time to actually do things in my departments. Saturday was just as hectic as Friday, but Sunday was a bit calmer. Unfortunately, Walmart decided that next week, we are having one more Black Friday type event. I don't work that day, luckily.
Hey, that's my time zone too.
@Simexpert123 Nice job on the new Sims!
***All caught up now. Hopefully I don't get so far behind now that things have calmed down a bit. I do think that I might get a hectic schedule during the week of Christmas, but it should calm down by January. I'm just going to try to get as much commenting and play time as I can.
@Brandontaylor Thanks for the comment!
Happy First Day of December Everyone!
***Got the things I needed to get done for today finished. Getting ready to do some more work on my story. I'll post some character pictures a bit later today.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! 🎄
I am SO excited to share my 2022 Christmas story with y'all this year.
There are a few "firsts" for me as a writer in this story so I hope it will add to the excitement of it all for you.
And now, without further adieu, here is, My "Three Kings" of Christmas.
Introduction
Ok, so you all know the song. And you’re probably wondering who exactly are these “three kings?”
Well they aren’t the three wise men who brought gifts to the baby Jesus, of course, nor are they literal kings for that matter. But they may as well have been. Because they were the most handsome, lovely, heaven sent men to come out of the Orient and into my life that Christmas that I had ever laid eyes on! Yes, I said Orient. So shoot me! Because I'll have you know that I too come from the Orient…and I’m not ashamed to say it. Nor find silly offense in hearing someone say it. It’s all good everyone. Life's too short to be getting offended by every little thing.
Anyway, my mom has always encouraged me to keep a journal; to preserve my life story. “For posterity's sake,” she would say. “They will learn much from your life experiences and gain wisdom for their own.” Well…I'm ashamed to admit that I haven’t always been the best at keeping a journal. We live in such a busy, fast paced world. There’s way too much we're “supposed” to do on a daily basis and honestly, journaling has always been at the bottom of that list for me.
However this story…a piece of my story…was too amazing and wonderful not to pen down and share for the generations to come.
Let me start off with a quick introduction about me.
My name is Malai Reataza. [Pronounced: Muh-lie - Ray-uh-taza] I come from a family of three children. I am the youngest, aged 28, and I am half Thai, half Filipino. Bet you’re wondering the story behind that. Well…my father, Sergio [Sehr-geo] Reataza, was born and raised in Cebu City, Philippines. During his early adulthood, he accompanied his father on a business trip to Thailand. While at the airport, waiting for their flight home, his eyes caught hold upon “the most beautiful woman to ever grace planet earth,” working at the flight desk. Long story short, he bravely approached the woman and they struck up a conversation - both having learned English in school thankfully - and clicked instantly. He learned that her name was Nin [Neen] which he also thought was the most beautiful name in the world too.
When the plane arrived, both couldn’t leave without the thought of ever seeing each other again. The bond between them was too strong; clearly driven and directed by a higher power, they would say. So they exchanged addresses and kept in touch through letters for almost a whole year. They even called each other on rare occasions, because that was pretty expensive to do in those days. Eventually my father saved up enough money to fly, with a simple ring in his pocket, to Bangkok to ask Nin, my mother, to marry him. And the rest, as they say, is history. They immigrated to the United States when my mother was pregnant with my oldest sister. My father got a job in the simple town of Maplewood Falls, Maine and it’s where I grew up and where they’ve lived ever since.
Currently I am living in Brooklyn, New York. Living out my childhood dream in the big city. I still can’t believe the dream actually came true. And it was NOT easy getting there, I’ll have you know!
After high school, I was accepted into the University of Maine where I spent four grueling, yet super fun years pursuing a degree in Graphic Design. So yeah, I’m a Graphic Designer! Designing for the critically acclaimed Chic Magnifique interior design Magazine. It’s right up there in popularity with Better Homes and Gardens - of course CM is 1000x better.
Landing this epic and honorable job wouldn’t have been possible without a little help from my best friend, Landon Adams.
Dear Landon…the story between us I could write pages about…but these aren’t the pages for it to be written on.
But suffice it to say, he and I were a couple once. And it really was one of the happiest times in my teenage life. We were friends first, and maybe that’s why the love we had for each other flowed so deep. And part of that love still exists between us to this day.
We dated for a little over 7 months between our sophomore and junior years of High School. It was towards the end of our courtship that Landon revealed to me that he had been developing feelings for men…and that he didn’t want to “lead me on” when he couldn’t give me all of his heart; in that way. I appreciated his honesty and thoughtfulness, but my heart broke that day. And it took a while to get over. We were both afraid we wouldn’t be able to stay friends, but we parted on good terms and our friendship still thrived throughout the rest of our high school years. He dated other guys and, well, so did I.
We kept in touch mostly through Facebook - and you know how casual that is - throughout our college years. But we went a good long while without speaking to each other as we worked to earn our degrees. In a way, we lost touch.
Not long after earning my degree I made a post on Facebook about how I was looking for a new job and it somehow caught Landon’s attention. He reached out to me saying that he was just hired on as an “Assistant to the Editor” for Chic Magnifique magazine and I about died! SO LUCKY! He told me they were looking to hire a new Graphic Designer and that I should totally apply. Then he added, “And I could put in a good word for you.”
“YES PLEASE!” was my immediate response. Of course, I thanked him for letting me know about it.
I don’t know how it happened, it was a legit miracle, but I was soon invited over to Brooklyn for an interview and out of 50-something other applicants, they chose ME! Malai Reataza! To be their newest Graphic Designer. It was the BEST day of my ENTIRE life!
Until Christmas break four years later...
And this is where my story with the “Three Kings” begins…
Chapter 1
*Two days before Christmas*
Allow me to illustrate exactly how everything happened.
It was a typical weekday morning for me. Get up - after hitting snooze on my phone alarm about five times - shower, get dressed in one of my cute business casual outfits and stylish boots, blow-dry my hair, curl my hair, put on make-up, throw my coat on, grab my purse and keys, and head out the door. The crisp, cold air of winter instantly bit at my nose and ears as I rushed down the front steps to embrace the new day.
First stop, The Coffee Cottage for my morning pick me up. And breakfast. It’s a lovely little walk up shop, shaped and colored like a humble cottage in the woods, nestled tightly between a gas station and a laundromat. Starbucks is much easier to get to, but their coffee is super overrated if you ask me! Mediocre tasting at best. If I’m gonna spend darn near $8 for a 20oz cup of coffee every morning, it’s gotta be good, rich coffee!
Landon agrees with me, which is why I pick up a cup for him as well. And because I like to do that for my buddy anyway. He pays me back the moment I hand it to him. Faithfully. I love him.
It takes some serious skill to hold two cups of hot coffee while briskly walking to work, weaving through crowds of people, and then going through the rolling door into the office building and up the stairs.
Speaking of Landon, he was promoted to Editor in Chief just two months ago after the previous EC left to work for another magazine. So now he’s my boss! It’s kinda crazy, but super cool at the same time. No worries, he doesn’t give me any special treatment over the others for being his BFF. He’s very professional.
I walk down the hall surrounded by cubicles and greet my co-workers with a smile. We’re all friends here and pretty much a family away from our own.
Never did I ever think that Landon and I would be the two people in charge of the famed Chic Magnifique Magazine in our future. Heck I didn’t think we would even have a future together, ever since we broke up, but I can’t even begin to express how wonderful it feels to be best friends again. We’re both where we’re meant to be at this stage in our lives and everything feels right in the world.
As I began to approach Landon's office, I thought, I love my life. And there’s not a single thing I’d change about it.
Of course my parents would love if something in particular about my life changed…and soon before I become an “old woman past child bearing age.” Can you practically hear my eye roll?
Getting married.
I mean, sure, it’d be lovely to find the perfect guy someday, get married, and maybe have a few kids, but…is it SO wrong for a girl to focus on her career before doing all of that? You know, have some financial stability in this ever changing world and economy? I guess that’s what always set me apart from my parents and siblings, and why I’m the child my parents worry the most about. My sister Liezel got married at 19 and my brother Direk, at 21!
Sure my parents have always shown support in my decision to go to college and earn a degree, but I could always sense that deep down they just wished I would’ve done things the more traditional way, or in my personal opinion, the outdated way. It’s not their fault though…It was just how they were raised and how society was when they were growing up. And they do mean well by it…
But every single time I go home to visit, mainly at Christmastime, they continually ask me:
“So how’s dating life?”
“Met anyone special yet?”
“Are you becoming too busy to date?”
“You still want to have kids don’t you?”
ARGH!
And what really gets to me is when we’re at church and people say to my parents, “Oh it’s so lovely to see Malai again. Is she engaged yet?” And then of course one of my parents will give the painful response in the most tactful way possible while the other looks over to the side with an inaudible sigh.
I’m sick of it.
I’M the one that’s in charge of my life and how I want to run it. I know what’s best for me and if people don’t like that, then…tough! It’s not like I don’t date. I do…when I have the time. And aren’t we always taught - mainly in the religious aspect - that everything happens “in its own due time” and that we should just trust God/Buddah/Fate/etc in ALL things. Well, that’s what I’m doing! For some of us, marriage and kids aren’t meant to come right away in our life! Why is it not more accepted that that’s OK!?
Alright, breathe. Calm yourself Malai…
Sometimes, I just don’t get it. Life.
So I just go with the flow and see where it takes me; striving to be the best person I can be - in virtue and success - at the same time.
That is why for the past 4 years now, I’ve utterly dreaded going home for Christmas…
The pushing inquiries from my family have gotten worse because here I am, pushing 30, and I’m still single and childless…
But I’m not going to focus on that right now. I’m at work and I need to get Landon’s coffee to him.
“Hey! Good morning!” I greet him after a light knock on his office door.
“Hey Mai,” he usually greets me in return, quickly glancing up in acknowledgement from his computer. Mai is the nickname he gave me back in high school and even when we broke up it still stuck. I don’t mind it.
“Here’s your coffee,” I approached, placing it on his desk.
“Great! Thank you. You’re the best,” he winked, sipping and slipping the payback cash to me between his other two fingers like he always does.
And as always I promptly swiped those folded bills. “You’re welcome.”
“I was just going over your final design templates for January’s magazine,” he informed, sipping again. “They look fantastic, as usual, buuuut…there are a few subtle changes I’d like to suggest in some areas; if you don’t mind?”
“No, of course not. You’re the boss,” I winked at him now.
So we discussed that and finalized everything.
“Guess that’s a wrap!” Landon declared, slapping his hands on his thighs and then getting up from his chair. “I’ll send it off to the printing department this afternoon.”
“Awesome! I’ve got a few more things to wrap up for the year so I’ll be–”
“Hang on a sec,” he kindly interrupted, passing by me to close his office door. Then he turned around with a smirking smile on his face. “As fun as it is ‘bossing’ you around,” he grinned, “I’d like to switch back to being your best friend now.”
I smiled.
“Soooo…you heading home for Christmas this year?” he asked in that tenderly inquiring, all knowing tone.
I slightly rolled my eyes. “Probably…”
“Probably?”
“Ok, most likely.” I shook my head at him with a quick grin. “I’ve been trying to come up with a way to get out of it, but…I dunno,” I lowered my head, picking at my fingernail. “I just feel like it would hurt their feelings if I didn’t come. Especially when I’m unable to visit them any other time of the year…”
He nodded. “I get it. You do have some great folks.”
“I know,” I replied with sincerity, “but not when they’re overtly and inadvertently shoving marriage down my throat every time I visit. Is it so hard to ask how it’s going with my job or–”
“I know…,” he hushed.
I heaved a sigh.
“Well, I had this thought that I wanted to run by–”
He was interrupted by my phone ringing.
“Sorry,” I expressed, reaching into my pocket to answer it. It was my mom. Coincidentally enough.
She was calling to confirm if I was for sure coming home for Christmas - since it was two days away and they hadn’t heard from me yet. Oops. I meant to call them after work today. By this point, I told her yes.
“Good! Now remember that Liezel and Direk are spending Christmas with their in-laws this year,” she informed.
“I…don’t remember that…,” I uttered, shooting a glance at Landon.
Although what I really felt like saying was, “Fantastic,” in a very sarcastic tone through a fake smile. Now all the attention would REALLY be on me; and all my “flaws.”
“But I have a surprise!” my mom exclaimed.
“Oh?” I was honestly afraid to ask.
“I’ve invited the new neighbors to join us for Christmas dinner. They came from Canada and are originally from Japan. It’s so nice to have another Asian family in Maplewood Falls.” We both chuckled. “Mami is just the sweetest lady and we’ve become fast friends. She and Hoshi are a lovely couple; they’re about the same age as me and your father.”
“Great.”
“They told me their three children and granddaughter will be joining us for dinner as well so...I wanted to give you the heads up.”
“Oh…uh…ok.” This was different. But good.
My mom agreed by saying, “I figure, the more the merrier! I can’t wait for them to meet you, and you to meet them.”
“Yeah, me too, mom. Sounds great.”
“Alright, well you let me know when your plane lands ok? You coming tonight?”
Guess so…, I thought. “Yes, and I will mom. But right now I’m at work, so I have to go.”
“Oh yes, yes, sorry honey. Finish work. Say Hi to Landon for me and we’ll see you tonight. I love you!”
“Love you too mom. Bye.”
Landon gave me an incredibly curious, wide-eyed look as I tucked my phone back into my pocket.
“Guess I’m heading home for Christmas…,” I mumbled.
“I heard that.”
“Oh and my mom says Hi.”
He smiled, then pressed, “So?”
I told him about the new neighbors joining us for Christmas dinner.
“Cool! Maybe then with guests around your parents won’t bug you so much about not finding a man and getting married and stuff,” he said.
I nodded slightly. “True…or it just provides them with more people to gossip to about it behind closed doors…” I don’t know why I was feeling so negative.
“I doubt that. They love you, Mai. They wouldn’t offend you like that.”
He was right, and I said as much.
“Just relax,” he kindly assured, placing his hand on my shoulder. “It’s going to be great. I can’t wait for you to tell me all about it later.”
I gave him an appreciative smile.
“How about you?” I inquired. “Are you coming home for Christmas too?”
“I dunno,” he looked away with a sigh. “Probably not because there’s still a lot I gotta finalize here at work for the end of the year. Plus…I have a date tonight.”
I gaped. “What!? But I thought things were going so well between you and Chris–”
He shook his head in answer to that before I could even finish.
“Oh Landon…,” I frowned. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he assured with a shrug. “It just wasn’t meant to be. Seems that’s how it’s been with me and my partners for years now…,” he trailed off, staring at the wall for a moment. He returned his gaze to me and concluded with, “Hopefully I’ll find a potential future with Justin tonight.”
“Oh so that’s his name huh?” I winked. “Where did you meet him?”
“Online. We hit it off pretty quickly so we thought we’d meet in person.”
I smiled in happiness for him. “Well,” I started, placing a caring hand on his chest, “I hope you have a very wonderful time with Justin tonight and that he’ll be ‘the one.’ You deserve a good partner Landon, because you’re a good partner. I hope you find all the happiness in the world in that regard.”
I could see a little glistening in his eyes. “Thanks Mai. Love you.”
“Love you too,” I expressed, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, and then headed for the door.
“Merry Christmas,” he wished to me, which made me stop and turn for a moment. “And don’t worry, your Christmas is going to be great. I know it.” He smiled.
I really appreciated it; and his confidence. “Thanks Landon. Merry Christmas to you too. See you later!”
Since I was for sure heading home for Christmas, I booked the first flight I could get my hands on that evening of the 23rd. I don’t know how I got so lucky because normally it’s almost impossible to find a flight home for Christmas last minute! (I guess nowadays they have special seats reserved if one is willing to pay out the wazoo for one, which...I ended up doing. Because I had to…Sigh…) It was ok though. I just kept reminding myself of Landon’s confident assurances.
My parents were overjoyed to see me, as I always am to see them. Even if they do drive me crazy sometimes.
Honestly, all the marriage nagging aside, I couldn’t have asked for better parents. They've always set a good example to me and my siblings, in word and deed, and I owe much of who I am to them.
It was also great to see my old room again, still unchanged from the last time I lived in it.
I love that they haven’t changed it into a sewing room or a home gym or something. (Because they totally could!) It gives me the warm fuzzies and makes me feel their love for me all the more.
There’s just something about being in your parents home that instantly wraps you up in a cozy, secure blanket, shielding you from all the cares of the world for a time and permitting you rest. It’s a feeling unlike any other, one you never forget, and one you long for over and over again in your adult life. Why I didn't go home more often for that much needed feeling…well…you know. Perhaps someday that would change. Or maybe it was my perspective that needed to change...
But no matter. I quickly threw on my PJs, plopped myself right down onto my bed, and basked in the feeling of "home."
Ahhhh.
Wow. I’m surprised mom and dad didn’t immediately ask me about my love life when I walked through the door…, I thought, my eyes popping open. Or looked down at my hand in hopes of seeing an engagement ring.
Hey DON’T JINX IT!
🎄
Stay tuned for Chapter 2. TBA.
Hope you enjoyed the first chapter!
Yes! I been waiting for today. I always love your stories.
I actually never heard the song we three kings before, but now
I might go listen to it.
The way her parents met was so beautiful! Sometimes you just know huh?
I'm so glad he perused her and finally had a beautiful daughter.
Maplewood falls is that an actual Sims 3 world for downloading? And did that
gorgeous little house come with it?
Landon is such a handsome fella and I'm so glad he decided to tell her the truth
instead of leading her on, but I bet that stung a bit.I laughed at the bit about starbucks,
Its true. Their coffee is overrated. XD Wow! Landon being her boss. Who would have
saw that coming. I love how you set up the office. You always do such a great job setting
the scene. No, its not wrong to focus on your career dear, I am. And my fiance knows that.
Poor Malai, sometimes parents can be so pushy. Oh new neighbors? Hmm I wonder if they are
gonna be good looking guys!
@Brandontaylor
Believe me, its quite easy to get lost in NYC.
I went there on a field trip in school once and wandered off.XD
Yeah, Miss Hannigan doesn't want her license revoked...but despises Anna
pretty much.
And to save on a post:
I finally got all my store items installed after four days....four agonizing days.
I will for sure post a story update.
https://graceymanorsims3.tumblr.com/
First of all, here is a deaged Samuel Goth. I did slightly edit his features after that, then dressed him up. I wasn't too sure what to do with him, but I felt that he might be as dark with his clothing as his brothers family.
This is his wife Olivia. She is supposed to be much younger than him, so I will pretend he is getting close to being an elder while she is only in her early 20's. I did make her a bit thinner, and only slightly edited her but she is probably 95% the same as she usually is. I thought about giving her and Samuel a child to be Gunther and Frida's cousin, but I realized she dislikes children so I decided against it. I don't think that trait makes them hate teens though, so I kind of want her to be like the cool aunt to the teenagers.
I saved the three Crumplebottom sisters and Frida Goth to my Sim Bin but haven't really messed with them yet. After the two makeovers, I messed around in Moonlight Falls, mainly playing Bianca Crumplebottom. Out of the three sisters, she is probably my favorite but I'm not sure what I want to do for her makeover. Since Lolita is childish, she and Bianca will probably be friends. I've debated on whether Cornelia and Agnes should be witches or not, but I'm kind of thinking not. However, Cornelia can still learn alchemy or something if she wants to.
@Nikkei_Simmer I was gutted when I heard of Christine's passing. Fleetwood Mac, like many us Gen-Xers, was a soundtrack to my childhood. My Mom LOVES them and as I grew up, I began to appreciate the band and their music in my way. I've been listening to Fleetwood Mac all day today.
I'm still figuring out how to play my game and deal with the new app and all that. Some days, it's great, other days, I just give up and go play something else. But I miss my SIMS. I'm not doing anything "formal" just playing around. I wanted the current couple I'm playing to make enough $$ to move into a pre-made house I like. They reached that goal, so now I think I'll give them a nudge to become parents.