Round 2/Scott 1-Higher Education, Here I Come!

Last Week: Frank worked hard on his career in Medicine and raised his son Daniel from a toddler to a child.

David: Yes, my very first A+!  Father will be so proud--I can hardly wait to tell him!

Father must have known I would get my first A, and redid my room while I was at school!  He is the smartest father ever!  I was so excited I ran in and gave him a big hug.

Here you see me speaking with Timothy Conway, one of our neighbors.  Even though he is a little older than I, we will be leaving for college at the same time.  He told me that his grandmother had recently passed away and left him and his mother with a nice inheritance.  

During this time period I also reached my teenage years.  People say that I look much like my father.  I was pleased to hear that, but father says that it does not much matter.  He is always reminding me to look past the physical to what lies beyond.  Some people fuss over their appearance, but not I.  My clothing does not matter to me so long as it is comfortable.

Father is very pleased that I enjoy studying.  He says that his friend and our neighbor, Julia Avery, has had difficulties getting her children to study.  I do not understand this problem.  I do not wish to make it my life's work, as he has, I still recognize its importance and spend many hours on it.  It will soon be time for me to leave for college and I wish to be well-prepared.  Also I have decided that I wish to teach after college, so I must be well-educated myself.  However I did not spend all of my time studying...

My childhood friend, Kathleen Avery, seemed suddenly different.  I am not sure whether it is she that has changed or I.  All that matters is that something is not as it was and I do not feel for her as I did.  The liking I have felt for her since we met as children has deepened into something more.

I confessed my feelings to Kathleen only to find that she felt the same way!  Soon we will be able to spend even more time with one another as we continue our studies at Madalk State University.

Funny Pic:

Kathleen looks like she's enjoying it, but I'm not so sure about Daniel...

Daniel Scott:

Family/LTW: Reach Top of Education Career

Points:

+0

Round 2/Conway 1-An Empty Hourglass

Last Week: Sarah and Timothy adjusted to their new home, while Gertrude adjusted to having a child around the house.  Timothy studied and made friends while her mom worked in law and his grandmother in business.  At the end of the week he grew into a happy teen, and decided to wait one more week for college.

Sarah: With things going so smoothly at home, Mom and Timothy decided they needed new hobbies.  Timothy got himself enrolled in Ollendale Academy, our local Private School, while Mom started a garden.  It doesn't look like much right now, but she sure is dedicated.  I'm grateful to have a mother who's so spry.  She's out there every night after work!  Oh, and as for me?

Things were going well at the firm, but it just wasn't what I wanted in life.  But what would Mother say if I quit?  So I came up with a compromise: I'd open a home business!  That way I could get the business-running experience I craved, and still bring home the bacon for our family!  She thought that was an 'acceptable solution' and offered to spend some of her free time learning how to arrange flowers for us to sell.

And Mother, ahem, well, turns out she found a boyfriend.  It's a little strange for me, but I suppose she gets lonely, what with Dad having been gone for a while now.  Timothy didn't seem too comfortable with the idea either, but maybe he was just jealous that his mom and grandma are getting more action than him!  Anyway, I was sure we were going to be hearing wedding bells, but then I went and found a man for myself!

One day when I had some free time on my hands I decided to try my hand at dating.  I called up the Matchmaker I had heard about from my friend Julia.  She set me up with a guy named Dominique Lam.  Now, at first I thought he was a little too young for me, but we really hit it off.  So much so that he came back later in the week for some one-on-one time.

Things were going great!  Mom was keeping busy and enjoying her golden years, Timothy was nearly ready for college, and I at last had a decent man in my life!  I know Mother was ready to hear wedding bells right away, but I wasn't quite ready to commit my entire life to someone.  It's not that there was someone else!  Goodness, no.  It's just.. marriage is such a huge commitment.  But before I could decide how to explain this all to Mom, the unthinkable happened...

The Grim Reaper came for Mother!

I knew this was going to happen eventually, but I just wasn't ready for it!  She was always helping me, guiding me.  Whenever I needed someone she was there for me.  I just don't know what to do without her.

I was such a mess.  Dominique wasn't turned away by it all, though.  He's such a dear.  He offered to move in right away so he could be there to help me through it all.  I'm so happy to have found him.

Timothy finally left for college, leaving the house to just Dominique and I.  The night before he left I was feeling pretty bad.  I guess I should've thrown that fish away, but I thought it would last alright in the freezer.

Dominique Lam:

Fortune/LTW-Reach top of Law Career/?

Points:

+1 (Dominique Lam)

Comments: I enjoyed this house.  I love gardens, and the adults' romances helped spice things up.  I really wasn't expecting Gertrude to die yet.  I thought she had at least another few days in her.  It was surprising how sad I was to see her go.  She's my first death in this challenge, and the first time any character I made died from old age.

Round 2/Palmer 1-A Bachelor's Life for Me

Last Week: Patrick Palmer's teenage granddaughter moved in with him after the mysterious disappearance of her parents.  Though uncertain at first, the two ended up getting along well.  Patrick had the house to himself again when Melissa left for college at the end of the round, hoping to find her true love in the halls of Madalk State University.

Patrick: It was a real hassle havin' a kid around the house, though now that she's moved on to college I find myself missin' the company.  Turns out she was a decent kid after all.  Says she's gettin' good grades and everything.  As for me, I'm substitute teacher.  Sounds like a right strange job for me to take, I know?  Well, it ain't what I want to be doin' with my life, but it pays the bills.

Had a problem there the other day with some sugar-high kids.  Turns out their teacher had been bribin' 'em with sugar for years!  Made me wish I'd thought've it.  Anyhow, that made me look bad, but in the end I was able to talk 'em around and work things out alright.

With things goin' well I found I needed somethin' to occupy my free time, so I found me a lady friend.  This here is Gertrude Conway, one of my neighbors.  Well, her an' I hit it off real well.  Spent a lotta nice afternoons together.  If we were younger she probably would've been askin' for wedding bells, but fortunately she knows that ain't for a man of my age.  I spent most of my life married to my late wife, rest her soul, and I'm not lookin' to get into another marriage.

Gertrude was so happy with my romancin' she left me a lil' gift!  I'm not sure what this doodad is for, but it sure looks fancy.  Maybe she'll teach me how to work it next time she's over.

Other than Gertrude and work, I didn' do a whole lot with my time.  Slept a lot, kept up on happenin's in the world.  Started exercisin' some, too, to get lookin' good for Gertrude.  Turns out that contraption she got me was for exercise!  Guess she might've been givin' me a hint, huh?  It was a lotta fun, though, and helped me fill up all that open time I had.

Points:

Nothin'

Round 1/University

Introduction: University time at last!  Helen Avery, Ricky Cormier, and Melissa Palmer left their homes in Ollendale to study at nearby Madalk State University.

{Note: Since University is long and sometimes boring, I'm going to do a simpler entry.  Sorry!}

Narrator MD: Now off away from their families, the three young adults were free to do whatever they wanted!  First thing was to pick their majors.  Helen chose Art, to help her with her dream of becoming a Celebrity Chef.

Melissa chose History to help her towards becoming The Law.  However, she found that all the studying she'd done as a teen had really paid off, and she was able to spend most of her time playing in the new Electrodance Sphere.

Melissa: To think I used to, like, hate this thing!  At first I was like, oh my gosh, why did we even buy thing weird thing??  All it does it hurt people!  But just look how hot I am!  That hot Ricky guy is gonna notice me now!

Narrator MD: And notice her he did.  Ricky chose Drama, just for fun, though it would also help towards becoming a Professional Party Guest.  Like Melissa, he also did not have to spend much time studying.  Instead he focused on.. romancing every woman he came across!  Poor Helen knew nothing of his flirtatious ways.

Ricky: What can I say?  I love the ladies, and they love me!

Narrator MD: It was only a matter of time, though, before Melissa found out that he was also dating Helen...  Looks like all that muscle she built up finally came in handy.

Helen: You no good #*%@!!   You thought you could get away with this??

Ricky: Melissa, beautie, I'm so sorry.  I should have told you sooner, but you were just so amazing, and I love you.

Narrator MD: Fortunately for him, Melissa was willing to forgive.

After the drama was over, the three Ollendale High graduates decided it was time to move out of the dorm... and establish their new Greek House!  They were told the letters wouldn't arrive until the next semester, but the name they chose is Nagard Urele Fruhm.  It was only a matter of time before their House became party central!

Ricky Cormier:

Romance/LTW-Reach top of Slacker Career/

Points:

+1 (Ricky Cormier)

Round 1/Score

Population:

Patricia Avery

Julia Avery

Helen Avery

Jason Avery

Kathleen Avery

Ricky Cormier

Gertrude Conway

Sarah Conway

Timothy Conway

Patrick Palmer

Melissa Palmer

Frank Scott

Daniel Scott

+12

Net Worth:

$68,142

+1

Total: +13

Round 1/Avery 1-Moving On

Introduction: Julia and Paul Avery had a good marriage.  Paul had a successful business career while Julia looked after their three children.  Though Paul was uncertain about a live-in mother-in-law, Patricia was a great help as Paul's worked demanded longer and longer hours.  This all changed the day Julia walked in on Paul having an affair with one of his coworkers.  Furious, Julia served him with divorce papers and moved as quickly as she could.  

Julia: Well, this hasn't been the smoothest transition in my life, that's for sure.  How was I to know that the man I loved was actually a filthy, no good, lying weasel?  But life goes on, no matter what, and moving on is the first thing to do!

With a family to rebuild, the first step was to find a new man!  After going through the yellow pages I found the dating section and chose a matchmaker.  This woman's ad sounded good and she'd even come right to your own home!  Convenience was just what I was looking for.  Unfortunately, I wasn't too impressed with the first guy she set me up with.  He was nice enough, but closer to my mother's age than mine!

The date was a flop, but that didn't mean I could sit around and mope.  No sir!  I have my three kids to see to.  My mom is great with helping the kids with their homework.  Thank goodness for my mother--I don't know what I'd do without her.  Maybe still be back with that scumbag of a husband.

Next free moment I had I gave that old woman another call.  Told her to pick someone younger this time!  The guy she chose was alright, good-looking enough, but we just didn't hit it off.  Between my job in Education, his in Law Enforcement, and my kids, there just wasn't enough time!

My love life might not've been tops, but everything else was coming along well.  I was one step closer to my dream of becoming the Minister of Education!  On the day that I was promoted, my twins came home with a pair of A+s.  I couldn't have been prouder!

I was so proud, I decided to get a puppy for the family.  See, Kathleen and Jason had really been wanting a pet, and Helen was heading off to college soon, so it seemed the perfect time for a little addition to our family.  Oh, and speaking of Helen, well, that girl found herself a boyfriend!  I sure was happy for her, but I'll let her tell it...

Helen: Ugh, my mom is so bossy.  She's all 'Helen, do this; Helen, do that'.  'Get a job, Helen; help the twins with their homework'.  What am I, an adult?  I mean, I know things are all different now since Dad's a jerk and everything, but I just wanna have fun!  Isn't that what being a teen's all about?

Anyway, even though I had tons to do, I still found a guy!  His name's Ricky Cormier, and he's dreamy.  We went on a date to the park and he gave me my first kiss!  Wow!

My mom says to be careful and make sure he's the one, but I'm not worried at all.  I'm certain he's the one.  Also, he says he's going to the same college as me, so we'll be able to keep dating!  Isn't that great??

Julia: Heh, that's a teen for you.  As for the other members of the family, they're doing well.  Mom's gotten far in her Gamer career, but she says she's too old to go any further.  I'm sorry that she'll never be able to reach her dream of Game Design, but I sure do appreciate her help around the house.

Jason and Kathleen have been doing well, too.  They've taken the move great, actually.  I was a little concerned since they aren't old enough to really understand what happened.  Then again, I suppose they were used to not seeing their dad much anyway, since that rat was always off at work 'working'.  Ahem, yes.  Like I was saying, they're doing great and I'm just so pleased.  They even help out with the yard-work!

Time went on, and the twins had their birthday and grew into a pair of fine-looking teens.  They say they already know what they want out of life, too!  Jason is a smart young man who says he'd like to have his own businesses some day.  I sure am glad to have a child who appreciates the importance of Fortune.  As for Kathleen, well, I'm afraid some of her sister's bad traits rubbed off on her.  She says she knows life is all about Pleasure, and all she wants to do is date!  Can you believe it?

That's everyone!  What about me?  Well, as you can see, I gave Ray a callback and our second date was a real dream.  Turns out we just needed a little more time to get to know each other.  I don't know about him, but I'm already thinking of marriage.  With Helen heading off to college and the twins in their teens already, my nest is starting to feel a little empty...

Patricia Avery:

Knowledge/LTW-Reach top of Gamer Career/Leo

Julia Avery-

Family/LTW-Reach top of Education Career/Taurus (5,5,3,8,4)

Helen Avery-

Pleasure/LTW-Reach top of Culinary Career/Cancer (6,3,6,4,6)

Jason Avery-

Fortune/LTW-Own 5 Top-Level Businesses/Leo (4,10,4,4,3)

Kathleen Avery-

Pleasure/LTW-Go on 50 Dream Dates/Taurus (5,5,3,8,4)

Points:

+5 (Patricia, Julia, Helen, Jason, and Kathleen Avery)