Cher Shares

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Cher wrote:
One of my favorite things, and one that doesn't seem to work out very often, is having my Sims sit down to a meal together.
Em wrote:
Me too! I find myself snapping a photo whenever I catch that happening, because it doesn't happen nearly as often as I'd like. It's so nice when it works out.

I agree with you both on this. I forgot to comment on it last time.
My Benedettos recently had Canadian bacon pizza for breakfast and for the first time I can recall, were all hungry & sat down to eat at the same time.
Even the ones that finished and put their plates away, returned to schmooze with the others for awhile.
I love it when that happens. Maybe I should get them to serve pizza for breakfast more often.

Em, your experience with the butler was a bit different from Cher's, wasn't it?
Her butler was so hellbent on preparing food during his serving lulls, that she had to turn the 'fridge around so he couldn't get in!  
How big/busy was the household you hired the butler for, just out of curiosity, Em?

Sugah wrote:

What a neat calender by Phaenoh! She did a great job, didn't she?
I like the images she used

The calendars are great. I have 2012 through 2015. I'll give them the calendars by generation. This first one has the 2012 calendars. I thought the holidays were a neat idea, too, though I often don't celebrate them. I need to stop rushing!

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Does he call for groceries & the exterminator, the police or fire department as needed without being prompted?

He does. He's really great for large households. I think Em is right about what he costs -- 20 or 25 simoleans per hour, and he's there for 13 hours a day, no matter what. That's why he's so expensive. The maid and the gardener leave when they're done (and the gardener doesn't even come every day unless you use a mod to change that), and the nanny is only there during the hours your Sim works. He'll also clean fish tanks, if you have one of those.    

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Your Pierre never got his priorities straight until too late, did he?
How sad that he ended up being a sad old man, strumming his six-string, reliving his glory days.

He truly did seem sad. I think that's why I remember him so clearly.

Em wrote:

Is it just me or do Nanny Lettie and the repairman seem like they would make a cute couple?

Hmmmm. Maybe I'll have to make Nanny Lettie playable a couple of times and see what happens.

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I guess it would have been better for the project had I made them mostly family sims.

That was my original plan, and you see what happened to that!

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I didn't realize it made bold colors like the walls you're using reflect their color so much.

I didn't either, until I had such deeply colored walls.

Sugah, I loved that picture of the Benedettos all together at the table. I do the same thing as you and Em, I snap a picture of it every time I can.

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How big/busy was the household you hired the butler for, just out of curiosity, Em?

I'm curious about that, too. The St. John household I had him in was 8 people, plus a nearly constant flow of visitors.

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I need to stop rushing!

I hear ya! You and me both, m'lady!
I found myself doing it, again, with the Haevens last night.  
I wonder if the ability to slow down & just enjoy playing has something to do with whether we feel great affection for a particular family or not?

This butler (@ 25 simoleons daily for 13 hrs per day) sounds like a real gem, especially if you have a big, busy (& rich ) family.
I can't believe all the things he does autonomously! WOW!

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Sugah, I loved that picture of the Benedettos all together at the table. I do the same thing as you and Em, I snap a picture of it every time I can.

It's one of those endearing little moments (of many) that makes this game we love so special, isn't it?  

A few of my households in my Offspring Project hood rolled the want to hire him. In most households I ended up ending his service right away because he didn't seem to have much to do. These were households of 3-5 sims. He is very helpful when there's a baby or toddler in the house. Maybe a little too helpful. In one household he carried the baby around so much, I was afraid he was stuck. I tend to dismiss nannies as soon as someone else is home (unless the family members are behind on their needs) because I'd rather the parents take care of the little ones and build up a relationship with them. I guess the butler would be good for just taking care of their needs, then the parents can focus on the toddler's training if you're into that kind of thing.

Cher Love your story line of Lenny Lilura, Astraea and Zara.

Cher wrote:

She immediately hired Butler Marco Tsang.

Hehe, Marco is so handsome. My families usually get the elder butlers I also hire the butler for certain families wheter they roll the want or not-he can be a wonderful addition. If he starts standing around wihen there is work to do, I have a household member give him a "tip" and he's back to work!

Em wrote:

He is very helpful when there's a baby or toddler in the house. Maybe a little too helpful.

I find that they are too sometimes!!

Em wrote:

A few of my households in my Offspring Project hood rolled the want to hire him.

I've got to pay closer attention to that with some of my bigger, busier families.
I've never even noticed if the "hire a butler" want has even come up!?!

Em wrote:

In one household he carried the baby around so much, I was afraid he was stuck.

... Now THAT'S attentive!

Em wrote:

I tend to dismiss nannies as soon as someone else is home (unless the family members are behind on their needs) because I'd rather the parents take care of the little ones and build up a relationship with them.

Me, too, Em.

Cher wrote:

She immediately hired Butler Marco Tsang.

Sandy wrote:

Hehe, Marco is so handsome.

Hmmm... Perhaps I need to check this Butler Marco servant out.

Sandy wrote:

If he starts standing around wihen there is work to do, I have a household member give him a "tip" and he's back to work!

Good to know, Sandy. Do you find this to work every time or just on occasion?

Sugah wrote:

Good to know, Sandy. Do you find this to work every time or just on occasion?

 It works everytime Sugah.

Excellent, Sandy!
So, just slip the hired help a little extra cash and he's back on the job again?!?
Like the $25 Simoleons an hours for 13 hours a day isn't near enough green stuff, right?

Incidently, I played for quite awhile yesterday (only two families) and didn't see the "hire a butler" want roll up.
I wonder ... do certain aspirations roll it up more than others (eg Fortune Sims)?

Sugah wrote:

I've never even noticed if the "hire a butler" want has even come up!?!

I've noticed the want appearing now and then, but never tried to satisfy it. Probably with fortune sims, and probably (as in RL) it doesn't hurt to be rolling in simoleans.  

Avett and Malika Price remain devoted to their jobs and to expanding their family. If you recall, Malika got pregnant the day after Elijah was born.

Elijah grew into a toddler



and then a child.



Baby Gail was born, and Nanny Lettie was thrilled. Malika tried three times in the next day and a half to get pregnant! It took her several days this time, though.



Both kids were toddlers at the same time for a while, and it was about as chaotic as having twins. In fact, Malika almost burned the house down one night. I'm glad she didn't get pregnant again right away. Once she did get pregnant, which was before Elijah became a child, she kept Nanny Lettie around even when she was home.



Gail grew into a toddler; you can see her picture in my Offspring thread.

At one point, Malika lost all their money (actually, she lost more than they had, but TS2 doesn't penalize you for that) in bad investments. so the Price family must remain in their overcrowded little house for now. She is a Junior Executive. Avett has been rising steadily and is now a member of Sugah's Pleasantview City Council.

Oh, Elijah is darling (both as a toddler & child), Cher! I love his coloring.
And just look at that smile & those sparkling brown eyes! He is a cutie!!!

Welcome Gail!

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Both kids were toddlers at the same time for a while, and it was about as chaotic as having twins.
In fact, Malika almost burned the house down one night.

Egads! I am glad no one was hurt!

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Malika lost all their money (actually, she lost more than they had, but TS2 doesn't penalize you for that) in bad investments. so the Price family must remain in their overcrowded little house for now.

Oh, bummer! Was that due to a Chance card? I always ignore those.
I've only had my Fortune Sims earn money when doing financial consulting online.

Headed over to see Gail as a toddler...

I didn't know there were elder butlers. The butler my sims get always reminds me of my sim Lawrence (pictured on the left in my sig). Marco is a very cute butler. I'll have to have my sims tip their butler and see if that spurs him to find more work to do. I might need to try it with Nanny April as well and see if that encourages her to take on more housekeeping duties. My sims can never seem to catch her to tip her before she leaves though.

I don't know what triggers the want. It seems to pop up randomly with some of my sims, just like the "hire a maid" want. I believe the icons for those two wants are even the same.

Poor Malika. It sounds like it was just not her day (or days)! A couple of my sims lost all of their money to bad chance cards as I was playing. I've never had them lose that much on investments though. Yikes.

Sugah, the investments are a perk that wealth sims can get from aspiration points. When it's activated, every afternoon a pop-up comes up telling you how much they gained or lost that day from their investments.

The only other butler I've ever hired was an elderly man. Em, I think you're right about the icon being the same, because I've been surprised on occasion to see that the want was for a butler instead of a nanny.

Em wrote:

I've never had them lose that much on investments though.

It wasn't really that much; Avett and Malika just didn't have much at the time. I think it was only 200 or so simoleans that they lost, but I'd just bought furniture and so they only had about 100 simoleans. Some of my Sims live close to the edge.

Sugah, the investment thing is just what Em said, a perk from a point spent in the Fortune section. I do play the chance cards, though. If it seems clear from the Sim's personality, I'll choose an answer accordingly. Otherwise, I roll a die to decide randomly. For example, Lenny is easy because he'll always be true to what he considers the best music and talent, but you've seen what it's done to his career.

Em wrote:

The butler my sims get always reminds me of my sim Lawrence (pictured on the left in my sig).

Lawrence (Arrendale)! I remember him!

Em wrote:

Marco is a very cute butler.

You gals have me curious about this handsome butler Marco.
If anyone has an opportunity to snap a picture of him in game, I'd love to see it.

Em wrote:

Sugah, the investments are a perk that wealth sims can get from aspiration points. When it's activated, every afternoon a pop-up comes up telling you how much they gained or lost that day from their investments.

Cher wrote:

Sugah, the investment thing is just what Em said, a perk from a point spent in the Fortune section.

Oh, yes! I have seen that pop up sometimes.
I didn't know they could lose everything though! Holy Simoleons!

Cher wrote:

Lenny is easy because he'll always be true to what he considers the best music and talent, but you've seen what it's done to his career.

Hahaha!
Well, at least he continues to put the integrity of his music first, Cher, even though it may not be the best decision for his career success.

Sugah wrote:

If anyone has an opportunity to snap a picture of him in game, I'd love to see it.

He's on page 9 of Cher Shares

Oh, duh!!!
I saw him and read what Cher wrote back then, but it didn't register, Sandy.
He IS a handsome fella. Thank you for pointing him out to me, Lady S.

Sugah, no problem.

Hmmm Just why haven't I gotten a butler for the Ottomas family?   Take some of the burden off grandma!

Sugah, you might not remember, but I use default replacement face templates, skins, hair, and eyes in my game. You may or may not get as handsome a butler as Marco.

Winter has set in and Sugah's Pleasantview is covered in snow. It hardly seems fair, but Winter's Day is a school holiday for the kids, not the teachers. Alyssa had to spend the day at work. Lilura stopped by. She watched The Yummy Channel for a while, and then felt the need to share her newfound knowledge with Nick. He seems interested.


Later, they went outside so Nick could build a snowman. Nice topic, Lilura. Young Nicky is standing right there.


"Bored now," says Lilura.


Alyssa is not impressed.


I mostly leave the decision to try for babies up to the Sims and ACR. Jonah and Alyssa love each other, but their attraction is not as strong as it could be. I had decided they probably weren't going to have any more children (it's understandable why Alyssa would be reluctant in her situation) and I wasn't going to push it. It turns out she was pregnant already from the last rotation but hadn't started showing yet. On Lover's day, Jonah proposed and Alyssa happily accepted. Maybe she will reach that Golden Anniversary one day. As Alyssa gets bigger, her little family has a chance to sit down together for a meal (you know how I love those pictures).


Very funny. She's not that big.

Jonah has found work as a Freelance Web Designer, Alyssa has been promoted to High School Teacher, and Nick brought home his first A+ report card. Jonah and Nick high five each other.


With the additional income, Alyssa added a little outdoor eating/grilling area, and a soccer net for Nick. Jonah invited the Lorrins over for a weekend barbecue. Patrick was at work, but Kelly and Marshall came over. I'm not sure who is taking care of baby Forest.


Nice shot, Jonah.


Patrick got home and found Alyssa looking at him through the telescope, so he stomped over and yelled at her. She tried to apologize and explain that she was just trying to see Forest, not spy on Patrick, but he wasn't in a forgiving mood.


On a trip to the grocery store, Alyssa spotted Patrick and Kelly leaving the photo booth. From the way it was rockin', she was pretty sure there was more than just photography going on.


Alyssa gave birth to a sweet little girl named Julia. Sugah's Pleasantview's second generation now has four boys and three girls. I already have a ton of pictures here, so I put Julia's picture in my Offspring thread. This rotation took Alyssa's family up to the first day of summer. Since Nick's grades are perfect, he doesn't have to go to summer school. He can spend the time working on his skills and friendships.

Cher wrote:

...but I use default replacement face templates, skins, hair, and eyes in my game. You may or may not get as handsome a butler as Marco.

Oh, that's right. I hadn't thought of that, Cher. Thanks for the heads up.

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...they went outside so Nick could build a snowman. Nice topic, Lilura. Young Nicky is standing right there...
...Very funny. She's not that big...
...I'm not sure who is taking care of baby Forest...
...From the way it was rockin', she was pretty sure there was more than just photography going on.  

Hahaha! Love it! Too funny!

That is one cool ensemble you've put on Lilura. It truly suits her.

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On Lover's day, Jonah proposed and Alyssa happily accepted. Maybe she will reach that Golden Anniversary one day...
Jonah has found work as a Freelance Web Designer.

There's hope.

I wanted to ask you... How does a couple reach their Golden Anniversary in game anyway?
That's a Lifetime Want for a few of my Sims, too. I don't recall ever seeing it happen...

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Sugah's Pleasantview's second generation now has four boys and three girls.

Excellent! Things are really starting to even out in your 'hood with this project, Cher.
Good deal!

Sugah wrote:

That is one cool ensemble you've put on Lilura. It truly suits her.

Thanks. I've been waiting for a Sim to come along who could pull off that look. Since I play with Seasons, I like to change my Sims' clothes when the season changes. This is a nice Autumn/Winter look for Lilura, though those boots don't look like they're much help in the snow. If anyone wants it, it's Helga 14.

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I wanted to ask you... How does a couple reach their Golden Anniversary in game anyway?

I'd like to know that myself. I was counting on a visit from the Gypsy to make it irrelevant, but that doesn't seem to be happening. I also can't see any way that would happen before she's raised her family, so it will be hard to keep her in platinum enough to use the Smart Milk.

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It hardly seems fair, but Winter's Day is a school holiday for the kids, not the teachers.

I had a similar thought while playing recently. Raymie's kids got a snow day and got to stay home from school, but she still had to go to work even though her job was a high school teacher.

The scene in the snow made me laugh. I love it when the sims' speech bubbles can be interpreted in a story.

Your photo booth sounds like the ones in my game. They are very rarely used for picture taking.

I'm glad to hear that the gender balance in your game seems to be evening out.

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I wanted to ask you... How does a couple reach their Golden Anniversary in game anyway?

I believe the couple has to be married as adults and still be married as elders, then they have to throw an anniversary party. Once they're elders, an option will come up on the phone to throw an anniversary party. As soon as the party begins the achievement will be fulfilled. I'm not sure if it would work for sims who get married after they become elderly or not.

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those boots don't look like they're much help in the snow. laughin

Cher wrote:

...though those boots don't look like they're much help in the snow.

Haha! No kidding!
In the big debate between style & sensibility, it's obvious where Lilura's fashion priorities are.

Em wrote:

I believe the couple has to be married as adults and still be married as elders, then they have to throw an anniversary party. Once they're elders, an option will come up on the phone to throw an anniversary party. As soon as the party begins the achievement will be fulfilled. I'm not sure if it would work for sims who get married after they become elderly or not.

Oh, this is interesting, Em. I didn't even know there was an option on the phone to throw an anniversary party.
How neat is this? And so achievable! Thank you for answering this question for Cher and me.

The golden anniversary want is one of the easier ones to achieve, but unfortunately it can't be done until the sim reaches their elder years. I think that LTW was either the first or second one I fulfilled in the game ever. It was a tie. One of my sims aged into an elder and threw the anniversary party on the same day her brother, who lived in the same household, got promoted to Chief of Staff.

Em wrote:

... it can't be done until the sim reaches their elder years.

Well, I definitely intend on letting the Sims age into their golden years in Tres Lagos...
Especially since I want them to look & act like grandparents when their kids start having kids.
I still plan on building a retirement community with one story patio (zero lot) homes for my senior Sims, once they all become elders...
Then, I shall always use the aging_off cheat on that lot & they can all live happily ever after forever.