New Uberhood, or I got a new computer--The Ottomas Clan
As the title says . . .
These Ottomas live in Veronaville. I've put them in a lot of cities, but I like them here.
First up, makeovers. Loving Ja's skies. David thinks of himself as a tough guy, but he's just perhaps a little nerdy, too. He's in the band, you know?
Dora is, oh, about 70% of why they moved to Veronaville. Consort Capp's been trying for several years to hire Peter to run The Veronaville Gazette, just one of his many ventures. Peter wasn't all that eager to move to accident-prone Veronaville, and he always pushed Consort off with "My mother and wife's careers . . ."
When Patrizio Monty made the recommendation Dora Ottomas for the position of Principal at the Veronaville school--both he and Consort are on the board, making board meetings very tedious to the other members--Patrizio was shocked that Consort was just delighted to agree. With Dora and Samantha hired by the private school, Peter took the Gazette job willingly.
Sharla was thrilled to move to Veronaville, and hopes that she'll get to go to the school her mother and grandmother work at. She's a very smart young lady who hates her glasses.
Samantha thinks Veronaville looks just like a storybook, and she's in love with the picturesque little town already. And her new neighbors, the Capps, are such nice folks!
Peter now looks like the affluent middle-aged and very successful fellow he is. (Seriously, EA, level 7 and he looks like he's living in Mom's basement?)
And Mr. Adorable himself. Apparently he also enjoys "Everybody Poops." Or Samantha is hoping he pays more attention than he seems to be.
The ever-present meet someone new want is fulfilled by Patrizio Monty, someone whom Peter ought to know, right before Peter runs off to work. He later rolls wants to befriend and become best friends with Patrizio.
Samantha makes comfort soup for lunch. She's already almost out on her feet--the twins are really taking a toll.
Tommy waits patiently to eat. David is the musical one, Sharla is the smart one, Tommy is the cute one. At least for now . . . though I'm partial to Tommy all the way up, there's always the chance that a younger sibling could displace him. Oh, stop laughing. It's just barely possible.
Sharla brings home an A+ Titania is not impressed, neither is Kent. (Be nice, Kent, her grandma's your boss, remember?) Albany is too busy plunking on the piano to care. Samantha is thrilled, of course.
Sharla doesn't care what anybody thinks. She brought Justin Kim home from school and is busy soaking him to celebrate. Hey, it's not everyday you get to drench a tv star, even one whose show has been discontinued.
Fortunately for Goneril, Albany is a faithful family man and Dora is not a home wrecker. Because yes, these two have three bolts. Albany will accept any social Dora tries, including a school cheer which he hasn't himself performed since that one really drunk party junior year--he's too straight laced for cheering.
Peter brings home Trouble, that is, Mrs. Roth. Fortunately, he sticks to friendly interactions, because she has no trouble being a home wrecker.
"Juliette, will you be my friend?"
"I'd love to."
"Yes!"
Stella: stalks. Peter thinks that his son is totally popular at the new school already, this is great!
"So then multiply by Pi, you remember pi?"
"Yes, three-point-one-four, Grandma."
"And you have the area of the circle. Remember, Pie are square, cakes are round."
"Oh, I get it! Thanks Grandma."
When Dora isn't hard at work, she creates beautiful things. She doesn't have as much time for this as she would like, but she knows that the societal climate has changed and she can go much farther in her career field than she ever dreamed when she started out, and Dora has always wanted to stretch herself, to see just how far she can get. Retiring is not part of her plans.
"Thank goodness that librarian was right. He totally gets it now. Phew!"
"Say Daddy, Tommy, Daaaah-deeee."
"Daaah-dee?"
"Have I told you lately how sexy you are when you're pregnant?"
David considers his room by far the best in the house. All the old Veronaville houses have secret rooms or passageways. David gets to have the old secret room in his home for a bedroom. It's not much of a secret now, but it is much less disturbing to the rest of the household to have David rocking out on the drums in the basement. It's even more awesome because it has a bathroom.
Tuesday morning Dora fetches Tommy down for breakfast. Her room is on the main floor, but her knees aren't so bad she can't go up and get him.
Peter grabs him afterwards. Tommy is never, ever forgotten in his high chair even for a moment (half the day?).
Peter and Dora have decided to adopt a child. They love children, and they could certainly fit another in their lives and hearts. Marsha is a sweet, helpful little girl. She'll share Sharla's bedroom. Some girls would mind having a new little sister sharing their room, but Sharla is glad. Now that David has his own room, she's finding a room entirely to herself kind of lonely. Marsha, Sharla decides before she even meets her, will be her best friend forever and ever and ever.
Samantha and Peter send her off to her first day of school with a hug.
"You mean I get a grandma, too? This is the bestest day of my life forever!"
"Why ever shouldn't you have a grandma? All children should have grandmas. Now, how was school today, Marsha?"
"I have homework."
"The very best thing to do with homework is to get it done. Isn't that better?"
"Yes, thank you, Grandma. You made it not-scary."
David starts Wednesday off at four am with a demonstration of why his family is thrilled to let him have the basement room.
Samantha is up, with the urge to clean house. Taking out the trash was not a good idea, however.
"At least it wasn't the bathroom."
Twin boys, Samuel on the lawn and Theodore in Samantha's arms.
Dora has her permaplat, and her new LTW is to earn $100,000.
Yeah, Tommy, I think everyone felt that way be the end of Wednesday.
"Daa-dee! Waaaah!"
"Well, he just ate, and I bathed him right before that. Maybe he needs a nap."
"I love you, baby Theo."
"Time to eat, Sammy."
Peter has got the parenting thing down, except for not liking diapers. But then, who does?
"So, Marsha, what do you say, tree-house after homework?"
"Yeah, wanna play fairies?"
"Yeah. We'll be fairy princess sisters imprisoned by an evil witch."
"Do we know any evil witches?"
"Nope. They're just pretend."
"Blossom is a fairy princess, right?"
"No, she's an elf princess. Elves are real. Fairies are pretend."
"Mr. Capp, how lovely of you to stop by. Daddy's just making dinner, would you like to stay?"
"Why, thank you, Miss Sharla. I'd love to stay. I had no idea your father cooks."
When Peter has the day off, he grills. He's really pretty good at it.
"Bedtime for you, little man."
"Night-night Mommy."
"Mom said she'd watch the kids, want to run downtown?"
"Oh, Peter. You're so sweet. Of course I do."
They picked up cell phones.
And made sure the photobooth functioned properly. Samantha hung the photo on the living room wall.
This is why they need cell phones--the phone rings off the hook.
"Hey, Juliette? He said what? I'd never say that to my sisters, that's for sure. No, I don't think you should slug him, that won't help. Is there a girl or guy he likes? Well, your uncle, okay, okay, no need to bite my head off, I don't see anything wrong with Mr. Capp. Calm down, Juliette. If he doesn't like anyone you can't get revenge that way. I'd say tattle to your grandfather, but under the circumstances I think you'd better have Hermia help you write a forged love letter, no, silly, her handwriting looks more like his, and get caught passing it in choir class--no name who it's going too, that'll be funnier, don't need to embarrass the girls."
Veronaville is a bit short of families that are sane and normal, and the Ottomas seem to be the preferred advice source, at least for the Capps. Probably wiser than getting advice from elves.
Thursday: I'm glad I tried this activity, this is a lot of fun.
Dora fixed pancakes. Don't mind Peter at the fridge, he's just going for a bottle for one of the little ones.
There are always wolves on this lot, usually two. No one here wants to meet wolves. Go 'way and find a knowledge sim to bug.
"Yesss!!"
"Mom! Mom! Check this out!"
"I am so proud of you, David."
David has permission to throw a party.
"Mommy! Lookit!"
"Good work, Marsha."
Samantha always has time to drop what she's doing to praise her kids academic success.
"You can call me Professor Ottomas now."
This is where I learn something new: if you call the headmaster after you call the party, the sims show up but the party doesn't run.
"Hi Mr. Headmaster, I'm Marsha Ottomas. Welcome to our party."
David brings Tommy to the cake. All the teen and child Veronavillians are there. Along with Regan Capp, who just dropped by to be neighborly.
Child Tommy--he has the perfect t-shirt already.
Mercutio just had to start something with Tybalt. We all know how this will end.
That is the reason why you should not attack a ballet dancer, Mercutio, even if you think ballet is girly. He can and will mop the floor with you.
David tries to make friends with Tybalt (stop Romeo from going in for a floor mop experience). Tybalt is grumpy.
"Hey, I may be tough but these bruises are going to kill be at rehersal tomorrow!"
"I must say, Dr. Ottomas, that while we'll miss having you as our principal, we're happy to have your grandchildren attend our school. And congratulations to you on your new position at Academie."
"Thank you, sir."
"Tell me, are children's birthday parties normally quite so violent?"
The twins were brought to their cakes next.
Theo's last moments of cuteness.
Well, that's Peter's nose and Dora's chin.
Sammy's last moments of cuteness.
Yeah. Peter's nose again. So darn dominent. I think Sammy will fare a little better when he's older and his face unfolds a bit, but Tommy is still the cute one.
It's a good crowd.
Even though I turned ACR off just for the party, some sims took advantage of being unplayed.
Some more foolishly (No, have other plans for you both.)
Than others. (Yes, have other plans for you two.)
Tybalt socialized intellegently. Peter did not burn the house down. I'm not sure in this game which is more amazing.
And when all the guests had finally been farewelled, Dora settled down to skill. David checked out a magazine. He'd rather have banged on his drums, but now Tommy shares his room, so he has to be respectful of his brother's bedtime.
Friday morning Tommy got up early.
"Yeah! I can see!"
Peter is getting good at this parenting thing.
Really, really,
Really good.
And the twins are potty trained, while Peter eats leftover turkey for breakfast.
Obligatory first day of private school shots.
Super Dad strikes again.
Getting fun levels up before work playing good old SKS.
Samantha is now teaching in the High School.
"But I was good! Why didn't I get an A?"
Dean Ottomas is home from work. She brought Gabe O'Mackey with her, and promptly ignored him in favor of that very, very handsome gentleman who's having words with his grandson about fighting at toddler birthday parties.
Dora's really glad she didn't act on her attraction to Albany now.
"Mr. Capp!"
"Dr. Ottomas!"
"Something just happened outside."
"My grandma sense is tingling."
"David should be home from work any moment now."
All three of them have had that overacheiver want locked since the first day of play. David could care less.
"Wonder if Miranda's free tonight?"
"My piano practice is really paying off."
"Yes, young lady, you are quite talented."
"I just want to say, Mr. Capp, that I think you are quite an amazing gentleman."
"Thank you. Dr. Ottomas. I don't suppose . . . um, could I take you out to dinner sometime?"
"Are you asking me on a date, Mr. Capp?"
"Well, yes. My wife's been dead for over a year . . ."
"I'd be delighted to go out with you, on one condition."
"What's that?"
"You have to call me Dora."
"Then you must call me Consort."
"Then it's a date!"
David gets his practice in well before Tommy's bedtime tonight.
The girls really are besties.
Samantha had the want.
David's up late. Piano's not his usual instrument, but he's not half-bad.
"I have plans with Miranda."
"Mom and Dad are upstairs doing what they like to do best,"
"Miranda and I are going out. I think all her cousins are coming along."
"Tommy's sound asleep and he wouldn't tell even if he did wake up."
And David gets away with it just that easily.
That leaves the Ottomas at Saturday morning. I think Capp Manor is my next household to play. I am so delighted that Consort and Dora have hit it off. I even have more ideas as to Dora's past now. If I were a real storyteller I'd post a story, but photo staging requires patience I don't have. So I'll just write it: Dora's parents worked for the Thebes, died young, her dad in one of those frequent Veronaville 'accidents' and her mother, a few years later, of an epidemic, and while Andromache promised her mother that Dora would always have a place there, Dora left to make her own way as a teen. (She was called Thea then, short for Theodora.) As a child she had a crush on Consort, but he probably doesn't even remember the maid's daughter and was certainly already promised to Contessa. (And shame on Contessa for dallying with Patrizio.) Now she's come back to Veronaville as a very, very successful adult--rumors are in the wind that she's being considered for a cabinet position, after all. Now she can finally be with the man she's secretly loved all her life. Peter, of course, hasn't got a clue his mother is such a romantic.
This is why I love this game: it just keeps letting me make stuff up.
These Ottomas live in Veronaville. I've put them in a lot of cities, but I like them here.
First up, makeovers. Loving Ja's skies. David thinks of himself as a tough guy, but he's just perhaps a little nerdy, too. He's in the band, you know?
Dora is, oh, about 70% of why they moved to Veronaville. Consort Capp's been trying for several years to hire Peter to run The Veronaville Gazette, just one of his many ventures. Peter wasn't all that eager to move to accident-prone Veronaville, and he always pushed Consort off with "My mother and wife's careers . . ."
When Patrizio Monty made the recommendation Dora Ottomas for the position of Principal at the Veronaville school--both he and Consort are on the board, making board meetings very tedious to the other members--Patrizio was shocked that Consort was just delighted to agree. With Dora and Samantha hired by the private school, Peter took the Gazette job willingly.
Sharla was thrilled to move to Veronaville, and hopes that she'll get to go to the school her mother and grandmother work at. She's a very smart young lady who hates her glasses.
Samantha thinks Veronaville looks just like a storybook, and she's in love with the picturesque little town already. And her new neighbors, the Capps, are such nice folks!
Peter now looks like the affluent middle-aged and very successful fellow he is. (Seriously, EA, level 7 and he looks like he's living in Mom's basement?)
And Mr. Adorable himself. Apparently he also enjoys "Everybody Poops." Or Samantha is hoping he pays more attention than he seems to be.
The ever-present meet someone new want is fulfilled by Patrizio Monty, someone whom Peter ought to know, right before Peter runs off to work. He later rolls wants to befriend and become best friends with Patrizio.
Samantha makes comfort soup for lunch. She's already almost out on her feet--the twins are really taking a toll.
Tommy waits patiently to eat. David is the musical one, Sharla is the smart one, Tommy is the cute one. At least for now . . . though I'm partial to Tommy all the way up, there's always the chance that a younger sibling could displace him. Oh, stop laughing. It's just barely possible.
Sharla brings home an A+ Titania is not impressed, neither is Kent. (Be nice, Kent, her grandma's your boss, remember?) Albany is too busy plunking on the piano to care. Samantha is thrilled, of course.
Sharla doesn't care what anybody thinks. She brought Justin Kim home from school and is busy soaking him to celebrate. Hey, it's not everyday you get to drench a tv star, even one whose show has been discontinued.
Fortunately for Goneril, Albany is a faithful family man and Dora is not a home wrecker. Because yes, these two have three bolts. Albany will accept any social Dora tries, including a school cheer which he hasn't himself performed since that one really drunk party junior year--he's too straight laced for cheering.
Peter brings home Trouble, that is, Mrs. Roth. Fortunately, he sticks to friendly interactions, because she has no trouble being a home wrecker.
"Juliette, will you be my friend?"
"I'd love to."
"Yes!"
Stella: stalks. Peter thinks that his son is totally popular at the new school already, this is great!
"So then multiply by Pi, you remember pi?"
"Yes, three-point-one-four, Grandma."
"And you have the area of the circle. Remember, Pie are square, cakes are round."
"Oh, I get it! Thanks Grandma."
When Dora isn't hard at work, she creates beautiful things. She doesn't have as much time for this as she would like, but she knows that the societal climate has changed and she can go much farther in her career field than she ever dreamed when she started out, and Dora has always wanted to stretch herself, to see just how far she can get. Retiring is not part of her plans.
"Thank goodness that librarian was right. He totally gets it now. Phew!"
"Say Daddy, Tommy, Daaaah-deeee."
"Daaah-dee?"
"Have I told you lately how sexy you are when you're pregnant?"
David considers his room by far the best in the house. All the old Veronaville houses have secret rooms or passageways. David gets to have the old secret room in his home for a bedroom. It's not much of a secret now, but it is much less disturbing to the rest of the household to have David rocking out on the drums in the basement. It's even more awesome because it has a bathroom.
Tuesday morning Dora fetches Tommy down for breakfast. Her room is on the main floor, but her knees aren't so bad she can't go up and get him.
Peter grabs him afterwards. Tommy is never, ever forgotten in his high chair even for a moment (half the day?).
Peter and Dora have decided to adopt a child. They love children, and they could certainly fit another in their lives and hearts. Marsha is a sweet, helpful little girl. She'll share Sharla's bedroom. Some girls would mind having a new little sister sharing their room, but Sharla is glad. Now that David has his own room, she's finding a room entirely to herself kind of lonely. Marsha, Sharla decides before she even meets her, will be her best friend forever and ever and ever.
Samantha and Peter send her off to her first day of school with a hug.
"You mean I get a grandma, too? This is the bestest day of my life forever!"
"Why ever shouldn't you have a grandma? All children should have grandmas. Now, how was school today, Marsha?"
"I have homework."
"The very best thing to do with homework is to get it done. Isn't that better?"
"Yes, thank you, Grandma. You made it not-scary."
David starts Wednesday off at four am with a demonstration of why his family is thrilled to let him have the basement room.
Samantha is up, with the urge to clean house. Taking out the trash was not a good idea, however.
"At least it wasn't the bathroom."
Twin boys, Samuel on the lawn and Theodore in Samantha's arms.
Dora has her permaplat, and her new LTW is to earn $100,000.
Yeah, Tommy, I think everyone felt that way be the end of Wednesday.
"Daa-dee! Waaaah!"
"Well, he just ate, and I bathed him right before that. Maybe he needs a nap."
"I love you, baby Theo."
"Time to eat, Sammy."
Peter has got the parenting thing down, except for not liking diapers. But then, who does?
"So, Marsha, what do you say, tree-house after homework?"
"Yeah, wanna play fairies?"
"Yeah. We'll be fairy princess sisters imprisoned by an evil witch."
"Do we know any evil witches?"
"Nope. They're just pretend."
"Blossom is a fairy princess, right?"
"No, she's an elf princess. Elves are real. Fairies are pretend."
"Mr. Capp, how lovely of you to stop by. Daddy's just making dinner, would you like to stay?"
"Why, thank you, Miss Sharla. I'd love to stay. I had no idea your father cooks."
When Peter has the day off, he grills. He's really pretty good at it.
"Bedtime for you, little man."
"Night-night Mommy."
"Mom said she'd watch the kids, want to run downtown?"
"Oh, Peter. You're so sweet. Of course I do."
They picked up cell phones.
And made sure the photobooth functioned properly. Samantha hung the photo on the living room wall.
This is why they need cell phones--the phone rings off the hook.
"Hey, Juliette? He said what? I'd never say that to my sisters, that's for sure. No, I don't think you should slug him, that won't help. Is there a girl or guy he likes? Well, your uncle, okay, okay, no need to bite my head off, I don't see anything wrong with Mr. Capp. Calm down, Juliette. If he doesn't like anyone you can't get revenge that way. I'd say tattle to your grandfather, but under the circumstances I think you'd better have Hermia help you write a forged love letter, no, silly, her handwriting looks more like his, and get caught passing it in choir class--no name who it's going too, that'll be funnier, don't need to embarrass the girls."
Veronaville is a bit short of families that are sane and normal, and the Ottomas seem to be the preferred advice source, at least for the Capps. Probably wiser than getting advice from elves.
Thursday: I'm glad I tried this activity, this is a lot of fun.
Dora fixed pancakes. Don't mind Peter at the fridge, he's just going for a bottle for one of the little ones.
There are always wolves on this lot, usually two. No one here wants to meet wolves. Go 'way and find a knowledge sim to bug.
"Yesss!!"
"Mom! Mom! Check this out!"
"I am so proud of you, David."
David has permission to throw a party.
"Mommy! Lookit!"
"Good work, Marsha."
Samantha always has time to drop what she's doing to praise her kids academic success.
"You can call me Professor Ottomas now."
This is where I learn something new: if you call the headmaster after you call the party, the sims show up but the party doesn't run.
"Hi Mr. Headmaster, I'm Marsha Ottomas. Welcome to our party."
David brings Tommy to the cake. All the teen and child Veronavillians are there. Along with Regan Capp, who just dropped by to be neighborly.
Child Tommy--he has the perfect t-shirt already.
Mercutio just had to start something with Tybalt. We all know how this will end.
That is the reason why you should not attack a ballet dancer, Mercutio, even if you think ballet is girly. He can and will mop the floor with you.
David tries to make friends with Tybalt (stop Romeo from going in for a floor mop experience). Tybalt is grumpy.
"Hey, I may be tough but these bruises are going to kill be at rehersal tomorrow!"
"I must say, Dr. Ottomas, that while we'll miss having you as our principal, we're happy to have your grandchildren attend our school. And congratulations to you on your new position at Academie."
"Thank you, sir."
"Tell me, are children's birthday parties normally quite so violent?"
The twins were brought to their cakes next.
Theo's last moments of cuteness.
Well, that's Peter's nose and Dora's chin.
Sammy's last moments of cuteness.
Yeah. Peter's nose again. So darn dominent. I think Sammy will fare a little better when he's older and his face unfolds a bit, but Tommy is still the cute one.
It's a good crowd.
Even though I turned ACR off just for the party, some sims took advantage of being unplayed.
Some more foolishly (No, have other plans for you both.)
Than others. (Yes, have other plans for you two.)
Tybalt socialized intellegently. Peter did not burn the house down. I'm not sure in this game which is more amazing.
And when all the guests had finally been farewelled, Dora settled down to skill. David checked out a magazine. He'd rather have banged on his drums, but now Tommy shares his room, so he has to be respectful of his brother's bedtime.
Friday morning Tommy got up early.
"Yeah! I can see!"
Peter is getting good at this parenting thing.
Really, really,
Really good.
And the twins are potty trained, while Peter eats leftover turkey for breakfast.
Obligatory first day of private school shots.
Super Dad strikes again.
Getting fun levels up before work playing good old SKS.
Samantha is now teaching in the High School.
"But I was good! Why didn't I get an A?"
Dean Ottomas is home from work. She brought Gabe O'Mackey with her, and promptly ignored him in favor of that very, very handsome gentleman who's having words with his grandson about fighting at toddler birthday parties.
Dora's really glad she didn't act on her attraction to Albany now.
"Mr. Capp!"
"Dr. Ottomas!"
"Something just happened outside."
"My grandma sense is tingling."
"David should be home from work any moment now."
All three of them have had that overacheiver want locked since the first day of play. David could care less.
"Wonder if Miranda's free tonight?"
"My piano practice is really paying off."
"Yes, young lady, you are quite talented."
"I just want to say, Mr. Capp, that I think you are quite an amazing gentleman."
"Thank you. Dr. Ottomas. I don't suppose . . . um, could I take you out to dinner sometime?"
"Are you asking me on a date, Mr. Capp?"
"Well, yes. My wife's been dead for over a year . . ."
"I'd be delighted to go out with you, on one condition."
"What's that?"
"You have to call me Dora."
"Then you must call me Consort."
"Then it's a date!"
David gets his practice in well before Tommy's bedtime tonight.
The girls really are besties.
Samantha had the want.
David's up late. Piano's not his usual instrument, but he's not half-bad.
"I have plans with Miranda."
"Mom and Dad are upstairs doing what they like to do best,"
"Miranda and I are going out. I think all her cousins are coming along."
"Tommy's sound asleep and he wouldn't tell even if he did wake up."
And David gets away with it just that easily.
That leaves the Ottomas at Saturday morning. I think Capp Manor is my next household to play. I am so delighted that Consort and Dora have hit it off. I even have more ideas as to Dora's past now. If I were a real storyteller I'd post a story, but photo staging requires patience I don't have. So I'll just write it: Dora's parents worked for the Thebes, died young, her dad in one of those frequent Veronaville 'accidents' and her mother, a few years later, of an epidemic, and while Andromache promised her mother that Dora would always have a place there, Dora left to make her own way as a teen. (She was called Thea then, short for Theodora.) As a child she had a crush on Consort, but he probably doesn't even remember the maid's daughter and was certainly already promised to Contessa. (And shame on Contessa for dallying with Patrizio.) Now she's come back to Veronaville as a very, very successful adult--rumors are in the wind that she's being considered for a cabinet position, after all. Now she can finally be with the man she's secretly loved all her life. Peter, of course, hasn't got a clue his mother is such a romantic.
This is why I love this game: it just keeps letting me make stuff up.