Oct. 4th, 2021 04:39 pm
The Green Family Story - Chapter 10
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avaricesims Generation 1: Living off the Land
You've always dreamed of running your own farm...living in the country, enjoying the fresh air, avoiding the rat race.
Goals:
1. Complete Freelance BotanistPand Angling AceP(founder), and Big Happy Family (spouse)P
Goals:
1. Complete Freelance BotanistPand Angling AceP(founder), and Big Happy Family (spouse)P
2. Reach the top of the Gardening careerP
3. Max the gardeningP, fishingP, and flower arranging skills (founder) and the handinessP and parenting skillP(spouse)
3. Max the gardeningP, fishingP, and flower arranging skills (founder) and the handinessP and parenting skillP(spouse)
4. Get married...but no woohoo before marriage P
5. Have at least three children, and at least one boy and one girl P
6. Grow a garden with all types of plants (except the Outdoor Adventure plants)
5. Have at least three children, and at least one boy and one girl P
6. Grow a garden with all types of plants (except the Outdoor Adventure plants)
7. Catch every type of fish (except the Sulani fish)
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Gosh, it's been a hot summer this year. Our lives are moving on so quickly I feel like I blink and another milestone has been reached, but one that's been hard work is trying to completely fill the garden at the farm with every plant we'd like to be able to sell. Finding some of them required Minkz to visit community gardens all over the place, often multiple times, to find plants mature enough to harvest.
He much prefers when he can be home on the farm, spending time with his family. On the weekends our granddaughter Nicole often comes around, freeing Clover up to manage the twins.
She and Minkz adore each other - he's the best granddad, just like he was a great father.
I love having her around too. She's a sweet girl, just like her mother, always kind and helpful when she stays with us.
It's nice having some younger ones around, with our own kids so grown up now. Willow is nearly finished with high school, and Basil is an adult now, though he dropped around to the farm not long after he moved out to visit and tell us all about his life in the city. Willow was SO jealous - she can't wait to join her big brother in San Myshuno as soon as possible.
I'm sure Basil will be really busy, but he still seemed happy to be given a key to the farmhouse. I'm sad that none of my children seem that interested in inheriting the farm, though I hope Fern might come back one day, even if she stops the sales side of the business and does something scientific with the garden we've established here. However, I'm not going to begrudge the kids' choices to make their own way. They have to do what's right for them.
Minkz is completely happy as long as he gets to see his family. He's not too worried about what will happen to the farm, and I think he just feels grateful that Clover chose to live close by, so he can spend plenty of time with his grandkids.
Luciano is quite fussy and clingy, but that just means he loves cuddles, so none of us mind.
Alfred is a fun-loving character, and his favourite thing is to play.
He does have a bit of a temper though, and can be moody when he doesn't get his own way! Both boys are tons of fun, full of energy, and a real handful for Clover to manage, especially as she's pregnant again.
Willow seems happy not to have these kinds of challenges in her life. She's still young after all! Brayden invited her out to the city one night, so she could have a proper look around and make sure she really like the look of it before she commits to living there.
I don't think there's any question of that though. She had an amazing time, and Brayden enjoyed showing her around. He might live in Oasis Springs, but he and Kaori are young and fun-loving themselves, and I know they like to spend a night in the city from time to time.
Willow even gets to try one of the city specialties...Minkz and I decided we didn't want to know the details!
By the end of the night Willow had made up her mind. The minute she graduated high school, she'd be moving out to the city. She wanted a high-powered city career, a suave city boyfriend, and to get to know the place for real.
Minkz didn't mind. Clover still came by when she could to help in the garden, usually bringing her kids with her, including our newest grandchildren - twin girls this time! Our eldest girl certainly ended up with the big family she wanted, as well as giving Minkz all the grandkids he'd hoped for! Her youngest two are called Octavia and Khloe. Continuing their tradition of picking family names, Octavia is named after my own beloved grandmother, who raised me and from whom I inherited the money for the farm. Khloe is named after Archer's aunt who passed away at a young age.
I know Willow is impatient to move out to the city, but we've insisted she must finish school before she goes, and at least she has a nice distraction while she's still here.
Darwin, confirming as we'd all suspected that he has feelings for Willow, asked her out on an official date at last.
Before they left, they shared their first kiss out in the garden.
Darwin took Willow to a little pub in Windenberg, where they played foozball and chatted all night.
Well...they didn't JUST chat.
In fact, Willow seems determined to prove she's nothing at all like I was at her age...Minkz was my high school sweetheart, yes, but we were friends for ages before he ever kissed me, and we never did much more than that until we were married. Willow...doesn't seem to feel the same about waiting.
Minkz and I talked about it, but ultimately decided she's old enough to make her own decisions, and starting a fight about her choices won't achieve anything. Minkz joins me in fishing to help feel calmer about the whole situation...it's rather lovely, actually, spending time just the two of us in beautiful places, not really talking, but just being together.
Before very long, we're celebrating our last Harvestfest with any of our children at home.
Though Willow disappears off to phone Darwin while she eats. Kids these days!
It's that winter we put the finishing touches on the farm. After years of growing all our crops outdoors, we finally decided to upgrade to a greenhouse, which would make looking after the garden much less work for us as we're getting older.
It's far easier to keep the plants healthy year round now, and keep everything fertilised and free of weeds and bugs. With the kids all moving on, we needed things to be manageable for just the two of us. I also received a final promotion in my career and retired pretty much right away after that, so I could spend more time with Minkz and help more on the farm. That and some fishing sounds like a pretty perfect retirement to me.
Spending time with his family will always be a priority for my husband. When Fern called from university and asked if he'd go to the Geekcon with her, he didn't hesitate even though he has no idea what any of it is about. Fern has gotten into this kind of thing while at school.
He had a lot of fun learning how to play some of the games, believe it or not! I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks!
He even bought a t-shirt to remember the day by. While he had the chance, Minkz asked Fern if she would consider returning to the farm once she graduated. With Willow and Basil both wanting to live in the city, and having no interest in the farm at all, we knew Fern was the only one who might consider it. He was clear she didn't need to keep farming the land if she didn't want to. She could turn it into a research garden if that was more her thing. Fern agreed to think about it, but Minkz said she seemed pleased he'd made the offer.
I was relieved, even if Fern hadn't totally agreed yet. Minkz and I had poured out hearts and souls into this land, and I hated to think of the life my grandmother's money had bought us being handed over to strangers. I didn't mind if Fern wanted to do something completely different with the place - in fact, I thought it sounded really interesting, seeing it run as a research facility.
Also, I finally caught one of the rare fish I was after!
Before we knew it, though, Willow's birthday had rolled around. She graduated high school with solid grades, and though the weather was very gloomy, we threw her a party in the park. The whole family came; Basil from the city, Fern from university, Clover and her three older kids (the younger twins, still babies, went to daycare), and Brayden of course.
She didn't mind the weather at all, thankfully. She was just excited to have her party and be moving on to the next stage of her life.
Minkz and I could hardly believe our baby girl was a grown adult!
Willow shared with Fern that she was excited to finally be leaving the countryside, but felt guilty for leaving Minkz and I alone to deal with the farm.
"Don't worry about it, Willow. Mum and Dad offered for me to take over the farm once I graduate, and I think I'm going to accept. They're happy for me to turn it into a research garden, so I can work on my botany thesis."
Willow gave her sister a hug. "Oh, I'm so relieved. And so happy for you, Fern! That sounds perfect."
"I'm pretty excited," Fern admitted. "Though I have to graduate first!"
Basil came around the next day.
"You ready to move out, little sis?"
Willow grinned. "Absolutely!"
Clover and the kids came around to wish Willow good luck, too.
Then, after she hugged us both goodbye, Willow jumped into the car with Basil, who was giving her a ride out to the city. We'd given her the down payment for her own apartment there - she wasn't going to live with Basil, who was very sociable and liked to throw endless parties - she wanted to do things on her own.
The country girl was finally in the big city!
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Generation 1 Summary
This brings us to the end of Neo's story! She and Minkz will remain at their beloved farm in Brindleton Bay, just the two of them, until their second eldest child, Fern, graduates from university and joins them to take over. Neo and Minkz achieved most of their goals; Minkz achieved the Big Happy Family aspiration, having had four children and five grandchildren at the end of the Generation 1 gameplay. He also mastered handiness and parenting. Neo reached the top of the gardening career, mastered gardening, fishing, and flower arranging, and finished the Freelance Botanist aspiration.
They didn't quite complete their garden or fish collection; Neo missed out on the gummy guppy and red-tailed leopard shark, and possibly one or two others. They're also missing a handful of flowers. Hopefully there will be chances to finish the collections off in later generations, although it won't be an official goal.
All in all this was a really successful generation, and I just adored Neo and Minkz. I'm a little annoyed that Country Living came out after I started this challenge, as it adds a lot of farming-related content, but I'll probably just add another generation to delve into that at some point - a back to the farm plotline, or something like that! Willow will take over in the next chapter for Generation 2. Thanks for reading!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gosh, it's been a hot summer this year. Our lives are moving on so quickly I feel like I blink and another milestone has been reached, but one that's been hard work is trying to completely fill the garden at the farm with every plant we'd like to be able to sell. Finding some of them required Minkz to visit community gardens all over the place, often multiple times, to find plants mature enough to harvest.
He much prefers when he can be home on the farm, spending time with his family. On the weekends our granddaughter Nicole often comes around, freeing Clover up to manage the twins.
She and Minkz adore each other - he's the best granddad, just like he was a great father.
I love having her around too. She's a sweet girl, just like her mother, always kind and helpful when she stays with us.
It's nice having some younger ones around, with our own kids so grown up now. Willow is nearly finished with high school, and Basil is an adult now, though he dropped around to the farm not long after he moved out to visit and tell us all about his life in the city. Willow was SO jealous - she can't wait to join her big brother in San Myshuno as soon as possible.
I'm sure Basil will be really busy, but he still seemed happy to be given a key to the farmhouse. I'm sad that none of my children seem that interested in inheriting the farm, though I hope Fern might come back one day, even if she stops the sales side of the business and does something scientific with the garden we've established here. However, I'm not going to begrudge the kids' choices to make their own way. They have to do what's right for them.
Minkz is completely happy as long as he gets to see his family. He's not too worried about what will happen to the farm, and I think he just feels grateful that Clover chose to live close by, so he can spend plenty of time with his grandkids.
Luciano is quite fussy and clingy, but that just means he loves cuddles, so none of us mind.
Alfred is a fun-loving character, and his favourite thing is to play.
He does have a bit of a temper though, and can be moody when he doesn't get his own way! Both boys are tons of fun, full of energy, and a real handful for Clover to manage, especially as she's pregnant again.
Willow seems happy not to have these kinds of challenges in her life. She's still young after all! Brayden invited her out to the city one night, so she could have a proper look around and make sure she really like the look of it before she commits to living there.
I don't think there's any question of that though. She had an amazing time, and Brayden enjoyed showing her around. He might live in Oasis Springs, but he and Kaori are young and fun-loving themselves, and I know they like to spend a night in the city from time to time.
Willow even gets to try one of the city specialties...Minkz and I decided we didn't want to know the details!
By the end of the night Willow had made up her mind. The minute she graduated high school, she'd be moving out to the city. She wanted a high-powered city career, a suave city boyfriend, and to get to know the place for real.
Minkz didn't mind. Clover still came by when she could to help in the garden, usually bringing her kids with her, including our newest grandchildren - twin girls this time! Our eldest girl certainly ended up with the big family she wanted, as well as giving Minkz all the grandkids he'd hoped for! Her youngest two are called Octavia and Khloe. Continuing their tradition of picking family names, Octavia is named after my own beloved grandmother, who raised me and from whom I inherited the money for the farm. Khloe is named after Archer's aunt who passed away at a young age.
I know Willow is impatient to move out to the city, but we've insisted she must finish school before she goes, and at least she has a nice distraction while she's still here.
Darwin, confirming as we'd all suspected that he has feelings for Willow, asked her out on an official date at last.
Before they left, they shared their first kiss out in the garden.
Darwin took Willow to a little pub in Windenberg, where they played foozball and chatted all night.
Well...they didn't JUST chat.
In fact, Willow seems determined to prove she's nothing at all like I was at her age...Minkz was my high school sweetheart, yes, but we were friends for ages before he ever kissed me, and we never did much more than that until we were married. Willow...doesn't seem to feel the same about waiting.
Minkz and I talked about it, but ultimately decided she's old enough to make her own decisions, and starting a fight about her choices won't achieve anything. Minkz joins me in fishing to help feel calmer about the whole situation...it's rather lovely, actually, spending time just the two of us in beautiful places, not really talking, but just being together.
Before very long, we're celebrating our last Harvestfest with any of our children at home.
Though Willow disappears off to phone Darwin while she eats. Kids these days!
It's that winter we put the finishing touches on the farm. After years of growing all our crops outdoors, we finally decided to upgrade to a greenhouse, which would make looking after the garden much less work for us as we're getting older.
It's far easier to keep the plants healthy year round now, and keep everything fertilised and free of weeds and bugs. With the kids all moving on, we needed things to be manageable for just the two of us. I also received a final promotion in my career and retired pretty much right away after that, so I could spend more time with Minkz and help more on the farm. That and some fishing sounds like a pretty perfect retirement to me.
Spending time with his family will always be a priority for my husband. When Fern called from university and asked if he'd go to the Geekcon with her, he didn't hesitate even though he has no idea what any of it is about. Fern has gotten into this kind of thing while at school.
He had a lot of fun learning how to play some of the games, believe it or not! I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks!
He even bought a t-shirt to remember the day by. While he had the chance, Minkz asked Fern if she would consider returning to the farm once she graduated. With Willow and Basil both wanting to live in the city, and having no interest in the farm at all, we knew Fern was the only one who might consider it. He was clear she didn't need to keep farming the land if she didn't want to. She could turn it into a research garden if that was more her thing. Fern agreed to think about it, but Minkz said she seemed pleased he'd made the offer.
I was relieved, even if Fern hadn't totally agreed yet. Minkz and I had poured out hearts and souls into this land, and I hated to think of the life my grandmother's money had bought us being handed over to strangers. I didn't mind if Fern wanted to do something completely different with the place - in fact, I thought it sounded really interesting, seeing it run as a research facility.
Also, I finally caught one of the rare fish I was after!
Before we knew it, though, Willow's birthday had rolled around. She graduated high school with solid grades, and though the weather was very gloomy, we threw her a party in the park. The whole family came; Basil from the city, Fern from university, Clover and her three older kids (the younger twins, still babies, went to daycare), and Brayden of course.
She didn't mind the weather at all, thankfully. She was just excited to have her party and be moving on to the next stage of her life.
Minkz and I could hardly believe our baby girl was a grown adult!
Willow shared with Fern that she was excited to finally be leaving the countryside, but felt guilty for leaving Minkz and I alone to deal with the farm.
"Don't worry about it, Willow. Mum and Dad offered for me to take over the farm once I graduate, and I think I'm going to accept. They're happy for me to turn it into a research garden, so I can work on my botany thesis."
Willow gave her sister a hug. "Oh, I'm so relieved. And so happy for you, Fern! That sounds perfect."
"I'm pretty excited," Fern admitted. "Though I have to graduate first!"
Basil came around the next day.
"You ready to move out, little sis?"
Willow grinned. "Absolutely!"
Clover and the kids came around to wish Willow good luck, too.
Then, after she hugged us both goodbye, Willow jumped into the car with Basil, who was giving her a ride out to the city. We'd given her the down payment for her own apartment there - she wasn't going to live with Basil, who was very sociable and liked to throw endless parties - she wanted to do things on her own.
The country girl was finally in the big city!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Generation 1 Summary
This brings us to the end of Neo's story! She and Minkz will remain at their beloved farm in Brindleton Bay, just the two of them, until their second eldest child, Fern, graduates from university and joins them to take over. Neo and Minkz achieved most of their goals; Minkz achieved the Big Happy Family aspiration, having had four children and five grandchildren at the end of the Generation 1 gameplay. He also mastered handiness and parenting. Neo reached the top of the gardening career, mastered gardening, fishing, and flower arranging, and finished the Freelance Botanist aspiration.
They didn't quite complete their garden or fish collection; Neo missed out on the gummy guppy and red-tailed leopard shark, and possibly one or two others. They're also missing a handful of flowers. Hopefully there will be chances to finish the collections off in later generations, although it won't be an official goal.
All in all this was a really successful generation, and I just adored Neo and Minkz. I'm a little annoyed that Country Living came out after I started this challenge, as it adds a lot of farming-related content, but I'll probably just add another generation to delve into that at some point - a back to the farm plotline, or something like that! Willow will take over in the next chapter for Generation 2. Thanks for reading!