Tales of the Young

Resar 2000My grandchildren seem to have particular insight. I overheard them at the table discussing how they would be the only grandchildren that Cassandra and I would see. I thought nothing of it until Ginger annouced that she was pregnant. Now I feel like my days are numbered. If the insight of the twins is correct, Cassandra and I only have moments before we leave forever...

Babies?

Wow, having babies in the house again is a strange feeling. I'm an old pro at it, after all I had five children including two sets of twins, but hearing thier giggles and cries during bathtime is still new and different. Soon they will celebrate thier birthday and then we'll have toddlers crawling about our feet.

Hmm, now what?

My term is almost up and the bank doesn't need a teller thanks to the new technology, so I am wondering if I should look for another job. The president wants me to stay at the centre and work as the bank manager, selling bonds and saving accounts, but I'm not too sure. Maybe something else...

Changes Ahead

The hood is slowly being replaced by the younger generation. I have no doubts that they can manage it, but already so many changes. Automatic cash registers even! I made sure that sims would not have to worry about unemployment, so I feel confident now. I spoke with the future Medical Director, he was with the Explorer group fishing. It was interesting to hear his goals and dreams for the Centre-especially since I will use it more as I age. I've been spending more time with Grex in the fields, the harvest arrived fast and furious, so we are working to gather everything. I feel like my days are numbered and I don't like it.

Sunny Vacation

I think that the family should take a nice vacation during the dead of winter to the sunny beach. It would be good for our health to get some sun. Perhaps even add fuel to Cassandra and I's romance. Or maybe we should wait until the twins are older.

Election

With the upcoming election I will have to give up my post as Financial Director. That would be fine if there were lots of candidates, but thus far, it's been quiet. Lots of sims have declared candidancy for the Community Director position, but only a few have indicated interest in the Financial Director position. I think I'll poll the business owners and see who's interested.

Daughter Married and I Feel Old

Ginger is a married woman and by the looks (and sounds) of things, I might be a grandfather soon. I feel so old. Our youngest is a married woman, but she's still my little girl. Where has the time gone?

Church

Cassandra and I attended the midweek church services. It was ok, the pastor is a good speaker, however I was so tired from work that I wanted to fall asleep. Thank goodness there was plenty of coffee.

Hurts My Pride

I looked over the finances and determined that we could not afford to send the girls to university. I feel like such a failure-the girls were not concerned, apparently none of them had big plans on going-Hazel Starr has made it clear that she's moving as soon as possible to persue her acting career-Ginger wants to be a housewife and Marilyn...well, Marilyn wants to be a boy.

Finances

Things are better-our mortgage was refinanced and the job at the bank was taken...actually the current cashier from the Apple Valley Gift Shop took the job, now there's an opening for that...I don't know about that, I would have to restock as well as do the register, plus the pay may not be that much better-at least here, there's free coffee and dessert. Silas-the barista (or is it baristo?) left. He moved to another hood-he was also my neighbor and we carpooled to work together. I might sell the car, I could walk to work...maybe. I told Cassandra that if she wants to continue to stay at home, she might have to start a small garden or something to save money. Maybe she could get a job at the flower shop. Even if it's part-time, that would help.

Moving

This is it. We are moving. We're selling the house to pay for the back taxes, then we're going to move to one of the affordable homes on Fuji. Cassandra is beside herself in grief over losing the family home, and Hazel Starr...well, she can't believe that she is going to have to live with the "commoners". The house is a two bedroom home-all the girls will share the second bedroom. I have to provide for my family, this is a blow to my ego, but I don't want to go to jail and then what? Cassandra doesn't work, the only income is my salary from the coffee shop and that's been reduced as I'm no longer the manager, just a cashier...maybe I can look into working at the bank. There's an opening for a teller/manager. I could maybe make more money there. But not enough to pay all these bills-$50,000 in back taxes! YIKES!

Working for the Simoleans

Things are going bad rather quickly. Shortly after Starr's death, we recieved a package from England. Instead of the expected letter of condolences, there was a bill for back taxes on the property there. We owe $50,000!!! The only way I see to pay that is to sell the family home and moving into something smaller. No amount of overtime I put in will pay that fine. We'll see what happens, but I definately don't want to go to jail!

Robbed!

We were almost robbed. Thank goodness we have the new state-of-the art alarm monitering system (it's installed in every house in Royal Gala).

The police were here in a flash and the burgler was caught. We even claimed a small reward since he was wanted elsewhere in the hood.

I don't know if he will be jailed-I hope so. Thankfully everything was recovered, but it's still a scary feeling.

Memorial Service

Cassandra is resting, so I'm posting some photos of the memorial service. It was nice to see the family again, it was sad that they were there for a sad occasion. Clark and his wife Elda came, she looked as if she would go in labor anysimday now. Astaire and his wife came, they left the little one at home. Other community friends came, ate desserts, listened to Hazel Starr play a tribute to her grandmother and they paid thier respects. Very nice.

Worried

I'm worried about Cassandra, she's been taking the death of her parents mighty hard. I sent her to the new community lot-Jacob's Vineyard, so that she could relax and get some lunch and visit the spa. She ended up leaving early and coming home to raid the fridge and cry. She's picking up weight and I'm concerned for her health. Thankfully the memorial service will be soon. I am taking the day off and the children will not go to school. I hope she gets better, I don't know how to comfort her in this time of sorrow.

Older

Cassandra and I are getting older, also her parents are getting older. I've noticed that they are moving slower and I fear that soon they will be bedridden and then their time...will be done. I think they know it too. They have been talking about what kind of funeral they want, what flowers on their grave site and even what poems should be read. I wish I could get Starr's old trophies, she misses them and it would be great to bury her with them.

Bad news, I am no longer the manager at CupaJava. I am now just a cashier...for now. Apparently I'm too "bossy", isn't that my job? Well now I manage the bakery section which smells delicious! I still get to help out more than a normal cashier. I will help plan the new shipment of coffee in the store and rearrange the magazine and reading area for more efficiency.