Tifani Triumph: Intelligence Years Part 5/Political Years Part 3

Back at the main house Jeremiah is still mourning his Jana and daily visits her grave to update her on his pursuits, namely politics and Felicia, and attempt to gain her counsel and advice.  Personally, not sure that her counsel was always for the best but she did always want the best for her boy.

Jill is still fuming that Janabel intentionally passed away when she did as a last ditch effort to one last time ruin someone else for her own gain.  Not sure what she thinks Janabel gained but there is no reasoning with a hackered off Jill.  She needs six friends to get the promotion.  She does have enough people in her phone book.  She's got to formulate a plan.

 So truth is I chose the picture more to show you how that nose is choosing to hold in there to the 5th generation already.  For the love of profiles everywhere, when will it breed out!  Never mind the nose, for now, Jill needs a plan and she has the next few days off to get the needed friends.  She's pushing him to do his part too as he has a few people in his book that he's not friends with...yet.

Jill spent the next two days flagging down every walker that went by her mailbox.  Out for a jog?  Jill will hold you up until you become friends or run for your life because heaven forbid she won't let you into the house to potty if you aren't friends yet!  (Kinda an Apocalypse rule anyway but well, ya know...) 

While Jill is going crazy on the friend wagon Jeremiah is finding creative ways to spend time with Felicia.  He'll age to adult soon and wants to ensure that their relationship is ready for the next step as soon as possible.  They go on an amazing date, sorta.  There was a glitch that prevented her wants from showing so he was constantly 'what do you want?' do action, 'what do you want?', do action over and over and you get the idea.  They ended up with a dream date but I have NEVER worked so hard for a good date than I did that night!  And like a bad Ruler I didn't remember to grab a screenshot.  Needless to say though, in a few days when these two grow up engagement and marriage are set in stone.

Having worked the streets every waking moment Jill is off to work again after her days off with exactly enough friends to get a promotion.  She's happy.  She's skilled.  And if nothing goes sideways she has enough friends.  Wish her luck!

Go Jill!  I have to be honest, I never really ever in a million years saw this coming.  Let's face it, Jill is not the cream on the top in the intelligence game.  Apparently the ability to have coherent conversations does not preclude you from sideways luck and  a lot of time working the streets.

Out of the shadows shines a light. While they work in secretive and mysterious ways, the recently re-instated SCIA brings trust back into everyday living. With thoroughly checked out agents filling the ranks, operatives are sent out to clearly distinguish friend from foe. Information travels quickly and soon everyone knows who is trustworthy and who is not. As the paranoia fades, a sense of community blossoms. Sims ask questions of their neighbors to learn about them. Gifts are no longer looked upon with suspicion. The Intelligence Restrictions are lifted.

The hostility toward the departed Janabel settles in the house and Jill finally lays off the walk bys.  Seriously, the neighborhood was starting to get a reputation and people were going out of their way to avoid walking by the house while Jill was home.  Within a few days Jeremiah's birthday came and he happily aged to adult, ready to take on the world and convince Felicia to become his wife.

That same night Jeremiah invited Felicia over for dinner with the family.  It was truth time, did Felicia have the grace and strength to be a political wife? Over dinner Jeremiah orchestrated a surprise proposal and she said Yes!  Even after he pushed the ring box through Jill's plate she grabbed that ring like it was oxygen and tossed the box over her shoulder.

They spent the evening planning their future and then Felicia went home for the night. The next day Jeremiah had her back over and they sealed their future with rings and vows and pledges of eternal whateverness. 

Jeremiah has some big decisions to make for his public service future.  Felicia has some even bigger decisions on how she is going to best benefit this family, and community, as well.  Though she doesn't know it yet.  Paul just wants a grand baby, which perhaps will stop him from walking around with the call and get a child thought bubble all.the.time.  Jill is just obliviously happy to have maxed out her career.  And thus ends another week for this family.  Until next time...

Tifani Triumph: Intelligence Years Part 4/Political Years Part 2

Last we left the main house Jeremiah had grown into a teen and chosen to follow a career in politics and asked Felicia to go steady.  Janabel is keeping her eye on him to ensure that he does nothing now, while he is young and reckless, that would hurt him in the future.  She fully intends for her Grandson to become the Mayor, whether she's alive to see it or not!  If nothing else Janabel has learned, bells probably created all the means to do so, to work the system.  She went scavaging and using her contacts found an old car from before the Apocaplyse for her and Jeremiah to restore together.  Cars are still pretty scarce and random but she has contacts and it will look good in a campaign ad someday.

When not working on the car Janabel tried out a few hobbies, besides attracting men, and started trying to friend the neighborhood pets.  I had to shut that down pretty quick, I mean we all remember how far off the end Adam went.

 Meanwhile Paul has already maxed his career and faithfully goes to work everyday, mostly becuase he just loves his job and partly because his mother is at home all day every day.  Jill on the other hand is slowly rising the ranks of the Intelligence career.  A promotion here a promotion there she's so ready for the big one.  Skills in order, check.  Enough friends, check.  Off to work she goes.  And comes home without a promotion.  She checks her performance meter, green, skills still in place but friendship, oh holy friendships.

Jill:  Janabel what did you do!?!
Paul:  Jill, please not now.  I need to tell you something.
Jill:  Not this time Paul, that crocheted old bag really did it this time.  What did she do, invite every single friend she had over and then ostrasize then all at the same time?  That...
Paul:  Jill, Janabel passed away today.
Jill:  Not now Paul! Wait? What?!?
Paul: Mom passed away just a little bit ago.  Jeremiah is taking it really hard so if you could just not yell right now that would be stellar.
Jill:  How dare she, she knew how important this promotion was!  Only thinking of herself.
Paul:  Jill!  Do you hear yourself?
Jill:  *sits down in a heap on the floor* What are we going to do now?  She's really gone?

You can find out more about Janabel's passing by reading here --> Janabel's Obituary.

The very next day Paul and Jill both aged to elder.  Jill is still upset about not getting her promotion but she did get a little teary-eyed eating some leftovers from the fridge that were prepared by Janabel.  I guess that's something.  The woman didn't actually leave a large legacy of love behind.

A quick look back at Janabel's life.  

Find Janabel's Online Obituary here and feel free to leave your respects.  What did Janabel mean to you?

Tifani Triumph: Architecture Years Part 5/Intelligence Years Part 3/Political Years Part 1

Last we left Janabel's family Jeremiah had grown into a child while Paul and Jill had managed a few modest promotions.  Janabel had rekindled her old fling with Neil but had also started grooming a potential new relationship, or shall we say fling.  Randy has been gone for a bit and she's ready to move on.  Not that she ever cared before anyway but you know.  I'm really 'trying' to find her softer side.  It's hard but surely there's a nugget of good in there somewhere?  Jeremiah thinks so anyway.

Yup, didn't take long before she invited him over for an afternoon whim.  And then quickly ushered him out before the family came home.  It's not cheating you know (so she told me) she's not married anymore.

While Janabel is busy making moves on the neighborhood again Paul buckled down and with a little work and a lot of luck managed to max out his career choices.

Once a great architect rises in the family, blueprints are drawn up to create safer homes for the survivors. With the construction company the architect started up, sights are set on rebuilding the community areas damaged by the catastrophe. Building supplies from other parts of the country are shipped in and distributed to those who need it. Together with the newly arrived City Planner, the region begins to make use of the quality building supplies stashed at formerly secret locations. The Architecture Restrictions are lifted.

Hello remodel!  I have obsessively waiting for this day.  New house!  Thanks Paul~

Sorry for the darkness but alas I did the remodel under cover of darkness.  Can't have the neighbors seeing everything we are doing or they will copy.  They will probably copy anyway but we were the first!  The outside makes me feel a little bit like a Bavarian ski lodge with the snow and all.  First floor has an enlarged kitchen with real counter space and an actual table, enlarged living room, nursery, master bedroom and a bathroom.  Second floor has 3 bedrooms now as well as an enhanced skilling area.  The third floor has even more skill options including the military workout inside now to help prevent from hypothermia.  Some day, some day we will have real seasons and not just a nuclear winter.

With the house upgraded it was time for Jeremiah to grow to teen.  The boy's kind of an enigma with the various influences and I worry what he will truly turn out to be like.  The idealist of his father, the dingbat of his mother and then all the is Janabel.

Forget the hideous outfit, we will come back to that check out Janabel floating in the background!

Me: Jeremiah have a minute to chat?
Jeremiah: Is it really my turn?
Me:  Yes, yes it is. 
Jeremiah:  Jana says you're crazy.
Me:  Jana has an altered sense of reality.  Focus here for me.
Jeremiah:  The list, I get a list right?
Me:  Yes.  I have your list.  But please focus.  I know you are a new teen but as the heir to this family you need to make some smart decisions.  Strategically choosing a career that you believe will best move this family, and thereby society, forward.
Jeremiah:  I won't let you down, I promise!
Me:  I trust you won't.  Hey, what's with the outfit by the way?
Jeremiah:  Alternative isn't it!  Doesn't it look amazing.
Me:  It looks something...

Jeremiah took his time and truly studied the list and discussed his options with his parents and Jana.  Ultimately he chose to go into politics.  It sorta fits I guess.  He's an idealist who has learned to appear sincere at any moment and you have to be a tad dingy to go there.

“Democracy is said to be the worst form of government, except for all the others that have been tried.”
The political scene is a mess, more so than it normally is. Local officials are haggling over the how and when supplies are sent to the region, while the citizens suffer. Corruption is rampant and waste is constant. The mayor has restricted the supply of building materials in an effort “conserve” them. Harsh and unreasonable property laws have been enacted. What is left of the police force seems oddly motivated to enforce this building law in particular while turning a blind eye to the looting and anarchy.

 

 Jeremiah also rekindled an old friendship with Felicia Huffman, whom he grew up with.  Things escalated quickly to best friends, to crush to first kiss to going steady.  Pretty sure he knows who hold's his future. Hope she's got what it takes to be a politician's wife.  They both have plenty of time to grow up some before we get to that step, for Pete's sake they just became teens after all.

Until next time...stay tuned for an update from the Other Houses as well.

Tifani Triumph: Architecture Years Part 4/Intelligence Years Part 2/Other Houses

 A last look back at Randy Triumph, a truly good man who loved his family, loved his wife (how I don't know) and cared about his community.

Losing Randy meant leaving the main house under the weirdness of Janabel.  Before we go there, lets check in with the rest of the family and take a look at the other houses.  I'm thinking it might soon be time for them to have their own blogs.  If you have an opinion please feel free to share in the comments.

At Samson's house we are back to Abigail and Clarence and the will he commit/won't he commit conundrum.  Oh, and they had a house makeover too, in case you notice those things.

  Needless to say Abigail was able to convince him that their love was real and they were engaged and married soon after.  It wasn't long after wedding bells rang that Abigail thought she 'might' be expecting.

Meanwhile at Delilah's house she is finally having her first child, about the same timing as a potential great niece or nephew.  No regrets, she had her fun first then settled down.  Meet Samuel, Delilah's ONLY child.

The day that Samuel grew to toddler Delilah aged to elder.  She's still rockin the pigtails like a teenie.  Samuel is loved and cared for and taught all he needs to know by his parents before growing to a child.  I had to include that picture from the roll as Delilah is hanging out sideways or something.  It made Me giggle and that's really all that matters.  Move on already!

After losing Randy, Martha knew it was more important than ever to get her and her half-siblings out on their own. They soon moved into a newly constructed, and gated, apartment complex.  Apartments are a new concept after the Apocaplyse, so we shall see how that goes.  Living so close to strangers and all.  Mary...loves it!

Mary grew up to a teenager in the new apartment while Martha met the neighbor across the hall Talin and suddenly started hearing wedding bells.  Of course she had to actually fall in love and make him fall in love as well but you know...she definitely discovered a few lightning bolts when she checked him out.

Love did happen, him first, and they were soon married.  The big picture up top, I need you to look closely.  You see Doo Rag's nose still hanging in after all these generations on Martha but check out Talin's as well.  If they have children it's like a nose of doom.  Before long Triumphant (yes that's what I named the town) will be known not for overcoming obstacles and rebuilding society but for their noses.  Noses of prominence everywhere!

So back to the main house we go, where the family is settling into their new routine without Randy around.  Baby Jeremiah had just been born and someone needed to be able to care for him.  Aganist my better judgement I had Janabel quit her job to stay home and watch the baby.  Baby's aren't that hard right?  And maybe with her it wouldn't be a gazillion bottles a day.   I was right.  I did have to force her to change him periodically but well, ya know, no one wants to do that.  Before too long Jeremiah grew into quite the cute little toddler.  This is when I started to worry...

Janabel carried it out though.  Kept him alive anyway. She did take him to potty throughout the day and started to built a relationship with the little nugget.  And with a few other people as well.

 She met a new 'friend' and I knew where this was headed.  She hasn't seen him again...yet but before long she won't have Jeremiah underfoot all day either.

She also rekindled her romance with Neil and it went exactly where we all knew it would.  She tried to tell me that she invited him over so he could get to know his son.  Until I reminded her that his son had moved out.  Then she didn't even care to lie just did what she does and told him goodbye.  Apparently times does heal all fights.





Janabel however is becoming a pretty good Jana to Jeremiah and did actually secretly work with him on his skills during the day.  She let mommy and daddy finish them so they think he's like a genius or something.  Time will tell.

Daddy hooked him up with the ability to talk and he loves his Jana.  Of course Paul and Jill think it's someone he's met, not someone in their household!  He grew up to be a pretty awesome child as well and follows his Jana around, annoying the nuggets out of her while he is at it, and is learning a lot.  Not always what he needs to learn mind you but a lot all the same.

While all this is happening Paul had a little setback at work and was demoted but soon recouped and is currently a partner in the architecture firm.  Jill is moving up as well and scored two promotions, and one demotion, dang chance cards, as well.  Before too long, maybe, there can be bigger and better houses for everyone!  As well as maids, and phone calls, and gifts and well you get the idea.  (Do you see what I did there...yup actually mentioned the careers which is really what this whole thing is about :D)

Until next time...

Tifani Triumph: Architecture Years Part 3/Intelligence Years Part 1/Other Houses

This week has been a tough on for the Almighty Ruler of Everything.  I managed to mess up the pictures, forgot what happened to whom and even managed to mix up Paul and Clarence (don't ask me how!).  But it's all sorted now.  And I'm back to worrying about Jill's fitness to handle the mantle of responsibility she has been handed by joining this family.  But I digress, let's jump in at the 'other houses' first!

At the Samson home both Samson and Kristy aged to elder.  I'm a tad worried about an end of life crisis for Kristy however, check out her interesting choice of apparel!  Meanwhile Abigail soon aged to an adult herself and has her eyes set on only one man.  She even had invited him over for her birthday so she could immediately turn on the flirt and charm.

Abigail literally turned on the charm right away!  Samson is close with his future son-in-law as well but perhaps Abigail rushed things a bit for Clarence.  Yes his name is Clarence Phillipine, but hopefully we can adjust that a bit to Triumph.

Why yes he did turn down her offer of engagement. Too soon, too fast he claimed.  He did agree to move in so there is potential there.  We'll have to wait for next time to find out how their romance blossoms...

Meanwhile at Delilah's house she's fallen a bit into her sister's trap.  Dang romance sim wants and whatnot.  Her and Brandon both fear engagement, which is fine for Delilah as she's sorta kinda fallin' in lust with one of his co-workers and very good friends Amin.  She also met Kennedy at the mailbox and might also have fallin' a bit in lust with him too.  It wasn't long before there were affairs to be had and secrets to keep.

 

I could not, in good conscience allow her to truly follow in her sister's footsteps however and did not 'force' her to get pregnant. The big diffrence, Delilah felt remorseful that she had cheated.  I think for her it's more needing to be secure that Brandon is the one for sure and getting a few romantic wild hares loosened.  She actually loves her intended, she's just terrified of settling down.  However, it wasn't long before neither of them had a fear of engagement and boom they got engaged!

And look, they are even both happy about it!  Time to seal the deal and the future.  Baby and marriage, in just that order.  However they both had some regrets about tying the knot.  No fears before had but serious regrets afterward.

Yes, a tiny baby bump at the kitchen wedding!

Ok, back at the Apocaplyse house.  And yes, I'm telling your ahead of time we will not be discussing Architecture...again.

Paul apparently explained Me to Jill but I'm still not sure that she's got superior intelligence genetics to pass on toward future generations.  However, she does have a better nose.  The two of them have a quick wedding in her underwear and get on to the business of living.

Good Gravy that nose lives on!

Before long Jill is expecting their first child and Paul is over the moon.  (His lifetime want:  marry of 6 kids.)

During all the excitement Martha grows up to an adult and immediately has a conversation with dad about her desire to move out.  She just can't take it anymore with Janabel and wants to take her brother and sister with her as well.  Needless to say the conversation broke Randy's heart.

 That same day, before the grandchild that Randy has longed for can be born, he discovers that his date with Grim has arrived.  The entire household loses it.  He was the only tether to normalcy with Janabel still around.  And of course Martha blames herself.

Do you see that pout!?!

 I have a feeling that despite her lack of apparent intelligence, Jill will make a good Momma.  Here she is comforting Mary over the loss of the only parent she truly knows and felt loved by.





 The next day the much anticipated,by all but one person in the household, addition to the family arrives and secures yet another generation for the future.

Meet Jeremiah.  Why yes, yes he was born in the kitchen. Beats the bathroom any day in my book with this family's history.Once Jill got him settled into the nursery, after a bottle or two of course, she summoned me for a conversation.

Jill:  Hey, um Fizzy?
Me:  Yes dear?
Jill:  Sorry I was so off the other day.  Paul said he didn't think it would happen that fast and didn't tell me everything.  I almost throttled him, I was so concerned that I'd flipped a bend or something.
Me:  No worries Hun.  Have you made any decisions?
Jill:  Yes.  I'm truly not set on a career in culinary.  It is something I enjoy and am passionate about as a hobby, but I'm also open to other opportunities.  Having looked at everything you have given me I think I'd like to persue a future in Intelligence.
Me:  *wipes my sip of coffee of the screen* Intelligence? Your certain?
Jill:  Absolutely.  It appears to provide a variety of opportunities for me to explore and expand boundaries but also has opportunities that will better the community as well.  Randy is going to go with me after work to apply.
Me:  *still agage, a bit, a lot, or totally confused*  I wish you the best of  luck.

"Trust no one."
The entire region is devastated. Zombies, bandits, motorcycle gangs, and other horrors roam the land, mercilessly taking from those that try to rebuild. Locked behind closed doors and barred windows, many pray that the evils roaming the wastes never find them. When something starts banging at the door and eerie shadows loom through windows, terror grips the heart. Is that a call for help? Is someone begging for their life, hoping, praying that someone will save them? Or worse? Could it be a group of bandits, waiting for someone to unlock that door so they can break in and take whatever they please? Everyone's afraid of what's waiting for them outside. People have no choice but to make do with the limited goods provided by the only trusted supplier in the region. People sit and hope, waiting for the day when they can trust again. No one asks questions and no one exchanges packages. Sims do not venture from their homes without an escort, except to go to work or school.

Once the dust settles Martha realizes that guilt gets you nowhere fast she decides to move out taking her brother and sister with her.  Leaving Paul and Jill alone with Janabel and a new baby.  May not be the kindest choice but most likely the smartest choice.

Before we go a look back on the life of Randy 'Flattop' Triumph.  He loved Janabel with all his heart, despite everything she wasn't for him.  He worked hard to reach the pinnacle of the Business career expanding opportunities for all sims.   He raised his family, loved all the children in his home.  Randy, despite his oddness, was a good man.  A good sim.  May he be remembered fondly by all who loved him and may be rest in peace and content away from this world and the tribulations he faced.