Chapter 3.1 | Chapter 3.3
So, here we go.. Starting the generation completely over. Here's an abbreviated version of rules/goals for this generation as they stand now.
I start by trying to sell flowers in the retail store after spending time making them. Again, they start wilting and selling for very little. - Plus thunderstorms are making it hard to get sales without killing sims.
Oh - and I told you I'd introduce the potential spouses.
Here they are in no particular order:
Hera is the daughter of the two adults in the neighboring house, the others are "fostered" there. Tryphena and Tryphosa are sisters, the rest are unrelated. I spend quite a while trying to decide which one. I'm leaning towards Tryphosa, I don't know why, I just like her. So I ask on boolprop discord - and nobody there can decide, either. Although it seems to be between Hera and the two sisters. Everyone else got pretty much eliminated. Finally, my hubby suggests rolling a D6 die. So I make him do it, his desk has more room for rolling a real die.
......
......
Number 5... so that means, my favorite wins!! The second die roll was a 6 (hubby was curious) .. and in honor of her second place finish, Hera will be coming back next gen as the spouse for my Roman Heir. Maybe her arms will help balance out the genetics?
I immediately invite her over and start making friends - which is amazingly easy. These two are so cute together, too. Immediately, I'm happier with the challenge, even though I have no idea if I'll be able to find a way to complete the generation.
Next time at the store, I bring Madelyn... she cleans, restocks, and greets customers, leaving Matteo to work on the flower bench, ring people out, and nap. (Hey, do what you gotta...) I'm still just not making enough money.. and then another thunderstorm moves in. Sigh. Finally, out of sheer frustration, I sell the entire store. I'll try the yard table. So I remodel the store room to an open-to-the-outside "market" with a yard table. And I set poor Madelyn to selling.
With a higher markup (300%), I'm getting sales, but it's still slow. And I'm still frustrated and confused. I KNOW I've read you can make money with flower arranging, and I'm just not figuring it out.
By this time, He's low on social and fun, so we invite over Tryph (pronounced "triff" in my head) .. and set about getting a girlfriend. It goes incredibly smoothly - these two must have been destined.
They have dinner together, and mess around for some fun, then she ends up sleeping over.
The next day, I try selling the flowers just with the table so they don't wilt so fast, and I'm still not able to really make money. Finally, I do some google research and find a helpful hints page. I'll link it here because it was invaluable: https://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/skills/seasons/flower-arranging/ Turns out Matteo's skill isn't high enough. I needed level 7 and to scent the arrangements with bluebells - which I have. So I'm making the Cheapest to make ($0) level 1 chrysanthemum arrangement over and over and scenting it with bluebell so it won't go bad. Pretty soon, I start making masterpieces and selling them without having them wilt at 300% on the table. Matty is finally making money. Things are looking up. However, I don't take many pictures.. because quite frankly, Flower Arranging is one of the most boring skills there is in the game. And he does very little else.
I laughed so hard when I got this call. I know, no phones in the era.. but I couldn't help pushing Try for Baby, because it's what Marl would do. I'll check next post whether it worked.
When he needs fun, he invites his now-girlfriend over, and they chat and have fun however they can.
Madelyn, however, is NOT having fun at her "job". She spends a lot of time cleaning, cooking, or playing Llama. Since it's the middle of winter I try to discourage her from polar bear swimming in the pool - but it's a challenge.
Then - I get this. Bussed on the cheek like we're friends or something. Uh-oh there goes messing around for fun. *frown* She grew up to YA. Cue the last three miserable days of Matty's Teenage Life.
Finally, he makes it to YA. I wasn't expecting it when he aged up, so it surprised me, but I was able to pick out the right trait anyway, and immediately invited Tryph over.
Matteo: "You still love me, though, right??"
Tryph: Of course!
Matteo: "Then marry me!"
Smooth, buddy. Real Smooth.
However, smooth or not.. it works. They're engaged. Look at that ring!
I have them get married ASAP. (and right in front of the door since I still can't figure out how to get a Generic Lot to show up as a possible wedding venue.. I give up. Seriously.)
Then, Matty carries his new bride over the threshold.. and I start considering when to Try for Baby. Should I wait? Should I just go for it? .. He's also at 68k/75k towards level 3 of his aspiration. So, I'm hoping that 200k total is actually possible. We'll see. And I can always wait to pick the heir til later, I did with Skyor, after all. So I'll probably have them TFB tonite. Well, not tonite. Next post. =D Because this is as good a place to stop as any... and I'm finally feeling more confident about this generation. Which is amazing.
Chapter 3.1 | Chapter 3.3
