Before She Leaves

Round 3 - Spring 2025

Tyson and Ann Marie are 37, Cassie is 18, TJ is 12

Mini-Update

The Carmichaels can feel the time winding down. Cassie will be heading off to college the fall of this year and they will all miss her. So they have decided to spend as much time together as a family as they can before the big day arrives. No one is more excited than Cassie about her impending freedom. She can't wait to get out of her parent's house!

So the head down to Crystal Bay Island to enjoy a day at the CBI Center. Ann Marie can't believe her baby girl is going to college. She just doesn't know what to do with herself! She's actually been thinking of maybe having another baby. She discussed it with Tyson and from the way he freaked out, he doesn't share her desire for another child. TJ has been on cloud nine every since the winter ball. He's never really thought much about girls, but Arlena McGaw is a pretty cute girl......

And she seems to be stalking him! Arlena is everywhere now it seems. But TJ doesn't mind. He's still getting into the hang of this whole girl thing. No one really paid him much attention before now and now he has too much of it! He hasn't talked much to Jocelyn much lately and he feels bad. She told him she thought he would for get about her when he went to junior high and he promised he wouldn't.......but he's just been so busy.........

Tyson knows Ann Marie is pretty ticked because he doesn't share her crazy notion to just pop out another baby. They barely made it through with Cassie and now TJ was also a teen! Besides, they were almost 40 years old! It doesn't make since to just start over now.......

You would think that Cassie had had enough of hopping into hottubs with guys after the whole Payton scandal, but this time her parents are near so she knows to behave herself. She really likes Donte, but at the same time she's still very excited about going to school. He's just too young for her. She let him know that she only wants to be friends and encourages him to date other people. No need pining away for her, she's going after the big fish now!!!

And so the Carmichaels sit down for one of the last meals they will have together as a family before Cassie goes off to college to pursue her education.......well, her education and lots of cute boys!!!!

*I love Laura's skeleton stretching figures! It's so much more realistic and all of my teens don't have to be the same height when they are no where near the same ages! So big thanks to Laura!

*Cassie and a few others will be my first residents to go to Crystal Bay University and I can't wait!!! I'm probably much more excited about it than they are!!!

This is just a really random pic that I caught as the Carmichaels were eating. Yes, this is a grown man having dinner with a teenager and having a conversation about getting married! She looks just as grossed out as I felt when I saw this! Cradle robber!!!!

That's What You Get

Round 2 - Winter 2023

Tyson and Ann Marie are 36, Cassie is 17, TJ is 11
Narrated by Ann Marie Carmichael

No need to adjust your screen. That is, in fact, my then 16 year old daughter canoodling in the hottub with her dumb ass boyfriend. Yes, I know that isn't language befitting the wife of the mayor, but really I don't know how else to say it. Cassie has disappointed me and Ty so much more than we even though was possible.

These sordid little pictures made their way into this stupid little tabloid magazine. I call it stupid now, but they are the very magazines I enjoyed reading before my family became the topic in one. Cassie's little idiot boyfriend's name is Payton Sneiff. I have no idea why Tyson thought the boy's name was George. Anyway, in true teenager form, Cassie told us that tired story of how they are in love and she's an adult and blah, blah, blah. Turns out she was all in love by herself because once the article hit the stands, Payton saw this as a way to make himself look good and did an in-depth interview for the same magazine......imagine our shock and Cassie's embarrassment. Guess it was unrequited love, huh?
I tried talking to Cassie, tried to reason with her.
" What ever happened to kissing? That's what I used to do and it was nice. I was all excited about my first kiss, and here you are out woohooing with some boy! Why didn't you come to me first, Cassie? I thought we were closer than that. What happened?

"Mom, it was just woohoo. I thought Payton cared about me. I mean we had BEEN kissing and so I figured he wanted to move on to bigger stuff."
"Just woohoo? I'll have you know I made your father wait until we were graduating from college. It's a big thing Cassie, as I'm sure you realize now. You're a teenager. You're going to fall in love every other week with whoever you think is the "cutest" boy at the time. Remember when you had that crush on Angelo DeLorne?" I asked.

"Ugh, mom that was AGES ago! Plus, he's with Carla Harris now."
"Ages ago? Cassie, we've only lived here for about 3 years! You see what I mean? Get outside and get started on the yard work. If your father gets here and it isn't done, he's going to hit the roof!"

Tyson was furious about the whole thing. Cassie thought it was because he was upset that she ruined the name of the mayor. Tyson was really pissed because some young punk had taken advantage of our daughter. But Cassie couldn't see that. Would she really be in college in 2 years? How will she survive on her own when she's so flighty?! As part of her punishment, Cassie was to do all of the yard work until Tyson decided that she could quit. And of course she was not allowed to see Payton anymore. It was going to be a challenge keeping them apart since we were going to be opening Crystal Bay Academy soon. With this year's tax money, we would finally have enough to open it.

There was quite a bit of tension in our house, so for the Christmas break we decided to take the kids to Takezimu Village. Fabio DeLorne came with us too. Apparently his wife Gabriella and their son Angelo and daughter Gina had gone to visit Gabriella's parents for the holidays. Her folks don't really like Fabio too much, so he came with us instead.

I was hoping that Cassie would stop sulking. It was really getting on my nerves! If she had just come to me, this wouldn't have happened. We could have talked about it.......we really did use to be close......I hate this stupid teen stage.....they don't want to be around you anymore....TJ is starting junior high soon and this cycle will start all over again.......
Speaking of TJ, he was the only person Cassie still talked to without attitude. I guess that was good. She could have treated him like crap and then we would have had to punish her even more, which I'm sure would have lead to more arguments......don't you just love teenagers?

I got in a little shopping when we first arrived. They had some really cute jewelry that can only be gotten in Takizimu Village. I also got a couple of souvenirs for TJ. I was was Cassie was too "mature" for little trinkets.

TJ was having a blast. It was the fall of the year there and so there were still a few butterflies still flying about. TJ did his best to catch a few but was unsuccessful......poor little guy!

We all sat down for a family meal, although it was still pretty uncomfortable. The conversation was very strained and I hated it. We all used to have so much fun. Something had to be done about Ms. Cassie and her 'tude......

I knew something had to be done when I overheard her making a wish in the little wishing temple: "Please, let me wake up in the morning and be back with my REAL family......this can't really be it, can it?"We all decided to end our first day with a nice long soak in the hot springs......guess who declined to join us........

She chose to instead sulk in the room and daydream.......hopefully her daydreams were not about more boys.......hopefully she was dreaming of how things use to be before she screwed it up........literally that is......

Tyson could feel my aggravation and was pretty aggravated himself by this time. He just gave me a little kiss and suggested that Cassie and I have a girls day out the next day. He would take TJ and Fabio out with him. It was worth a shot so I agreed. I love my husband! Crystal Bay seems to be having quite a baby boom right now. Fabio just had a little girl, and so did Janet Peterson. And Nickoli Frader and his new wife were expecting twins! See all the pretty babies sometimes made me want another one....then I remembered what they would eventually turn into and changed my mind!

But we still had little TJ.......he'll be a moody teen soon.....but for the moment he's still our little baby.......
The next day Tyson, TJ, and Fabio started the day out with a glass bottom tour of the village. Tyson got the better end of the deal. He gets to hang out with his friend and our little angel while I deal with Satan's mistress.......ok, maybe that's a bit harsh......

I decided to start off with a little food. Cassie didn't want to sit next to me and instead took a chair one seat over, leaving this local girl to fill in the gap between us......yea, we were off to a great start.......

The hot springs started off better and we were both relaxed and comfortable and happy......but what is it that they say about good things not lasting........

"I don't understand what you guys' problem is! It's not like I ended up in jail or something. I just had woohoo with my boyfriend!" she said.

Well that wiped the smile right off my face.......I guess it was time that we had it out once and for all.........

"JUST WOOHOO? If it were just woohoo Cassie, would you be able to get pregnant by it? If it were just woohoo, would you be able to catch a WTD from it? For Simgod's sake Cassie, did you even think of any of those things?"

"It was both of our first times mom.........so I couldn't catch a WTD. And who gets pregnant their first time?" she asked shrugging her shoulders.

"Cassie, how do you know it was his first time? I mean, other than the fact that he told you that? You can't tell with boys. And it only takes one time to get pregnant from it. Oh Cassie, didn't you think your first time should have been something special? Something for you to cherish? I wish you would have come to me."

"Come to you when? You and dad have been so busy with your careers, you don't have time for me anymore! Or even for TJ! So I made the decision on my own!"

Was she right? Has we been neglecting her? I mean it was true that I had been working hard to get to CEO status at work. And Tyson was busy running the city......was I a bad mother?

"Cassie's outburst really got to me. I went and had a massage and during it, I realized that I had been neglecting her. I don't remember the last time I asked her about how school was going. And we never even made her bring Payton over to meet us. It was true. I guess that's what you get when you get too wrapped up in your work..........

I went and found Cassie and grapped her up in a big hug.
"Oh honey, I'm so sorry. Me and your father were just so wrapped up with work.......I'm sorry I wasn't there for you."
"Mom, it's not completely your fault. I knew what I was doing. And I knew Payton wasn't as nice as he pretended to be. I'm really sorry mom. I guess I messed up the only first time I'll ever have, huh?" she asked.

"Sweetheart, it doesn't matter. As long as you make sure the next guy you give yourself to deserves it, then everything would be ok."
"You really think so mom?"
"I know so baby. Just make sure the next guy is no time soon!" I said laughing. I vowed then and there to make sure to make the time for my kids.

Tyson and TJ played catch out in front of the hotel after they got back from the tour. Fabio was kind of sulking around. I think he really missed his family. All he talked about was how cute little Gina was and how he couldn't believe she was growing so fast.........

TJ had to take time out to call Jocelyn Arnold to let her know how the trip was going. He was really quite fond of her........I wondered if that would change once she was still in elementary school and he was in junior high school.............

Before our last night was over, Tyson talked Fabio into having a little tea ceremony with him and TJ and some random guy at the hotel. When I asked what they talked about, he simply looked at me and said, "Man talk dear. Man Talk." Yea I'm sure..........

Then it was time to head back to the real world. It was a really nice vacation and I got my daughter back. She would soon grow extremely tired of me because I planned for us to spend LOTS of time together.....after all, she would be gone off to CBU in a few short years!

The tax money also allowed us to open up our city hall building. Now I have an office to collect taxes in. On the first floor is a food stand where visits and employees can grad lunch. There is also a conference room and what will be our counselor's office once we obtain one. My office is also on the first floor. On the second floor is the banquet hall that people can rent out for special occassions such as weddings. There is also an office that will house our attorney general (I'm rooting for Nickoli Frader to get this job!). The bathrooms are also on this floors.

We had two new families to move in and I was finally getting a chance to meet them, although it wasn't under the best circumstances. Who wants to talk to the woman taking money out of their pockets?! Dimitri Ivanov and his family moved here from Russia. He opened a questionable bar called D's Place on Crystal Bay Island. Tyson is a little concerned about it, but I think it will be fine. Cassie is friends with his daughter Halinka. You wouldn't know he was married from the way he was flirting with me though......makes me feel a little sorry for his wife! He has to pay 15% just like everyone else!

Ariyo Mikasi was much nicer to deal with than Dimitri. She actually lives behind us in Larrington Heights with her little brother Kuo. They seem to be pretty nice people.......

I tried to talk to Milton Arnold about the robbery that took place at the DeLorne's, but he got on the defensive, claiming that the police were doing everything they could do to get crime down. Who said they weren't? I just thought it would be a good idea to use some of the city's money to make sure each household had a security system installed!

Nickoli Frader is on cloud nine since getting married. He has a goofy smile on his face all the time now! I'm sure that won't last once he has a few sleepless nice once the twins arrive!


*I accidently invited Fabio and didn't realize it until the Carmichael's arrived in Takezimu Village! So I decided maybe he needed a break. Maybe Gabby's parents hate him.........I had to incorporate my Caught! picture in this update. It was just too good not too! I just want to remind everyone that the deadline for pics for SimSational Quarterly is approaching! So get me those business pics or marriage announcements or juciy gossip pics from your hoods asap!

Just Makes Me Grateful!

Rotation 1 - February 2022

Tyson and Ann Marie are 34, Cassie is 15, and TJ is 9
Narrated by Tyson Carmichael

Simgod J should have mercy on those sims that have teenage daughters! I do not understand my daughter Cassie anymore. I just don't get her! All she does is complain about how she doesn't have anyone to hang out with, even though she has her little girl friends over all the time. What she means is that she doesn't have any BOYS to hang out with. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. If she isn't nagging us about how bored she is, she's on the phone nagging her friends from SimCity about it.........I mean what did I do to deserve this? Haven't I been a good father? And to make matters worse........

She DID meet some little knob headed boy down at the arcade. George something or other. Cassie is only 15, I thought we had more time before she started all this boy crazy nonsense.....I mean really! Where is the justice I ask!

We've seen her standing out in the yard, tell him how smart he is, and how cute he is......she's really testing my gag reflexes! Ann Marie won't let me lock her in her room until she's 18. I mean that would solve all of our problems! She has yet to bring him in and properly introduce him.....guess that would be just too much to ask for right? Cuz her family is SO embarrassing to her!

On a MUCH happier note, TJ is growing up to be a very promising young man. He really has a unique ear for classical music. It's really wonderful to hear the sounds of Bach streaming throughout the house in the evenings. I just hope he stays on course......Cassie was a wonderful painter when she was a child......now she just sits around talking boys and fashion all the time.....
We should be opening the new city hall in time for the next tax season. Ann Marie has been after me to hire a lawyer to work as the attorney general. I don't really think we need one right now, but she's pretty adamant about it. I think she just wants to help Nickoli Frader out. I heard them talking about the position when he was paying his taxes. Her argument is that he could also serve as justice of the peace and perform weddings......but I don't think anyone is planning on getting married at the moment!

We have become really great friends with the DeLornes, and Fabio comes over pretty regularly to hang out. I knew something was wrong when he began talking sports. Fabio is the least athletic man that I know! I knew something was wrong and so I asked him about it. He got a sad look in his eyes and asked if we could talk outside. This sounds bad.....

"I think my marriage is in trouble," he said.

"Oh, Fabio. I'm sorry to hear that man. Look, Ann Marie and me bump heads sometimes too. Marriage can be tough. You guys are still pretty young," I said.

"Yea, I know. But it was never hard before. I think it was this move. I left home to get away from living in my dad's shadow. Ty, we were living off him. Do you know how it feels to still be counting on your dad to provide for you? Not just for you, but for your family? What kind of man does that make me?"

"Come on, you left though, right? You're standing on your own two feet now," I said.

"No, I'm standing on Gabriella's. She's a freaking intern at a hospital, Ty. Do you know how much money she's making? Way more than me. I mean, I'm slowly getting my name out there, but its not happening very fast. Gabby makes most of the money and I feel like I have to ask her about spending it.....I just don't feel like a man anymore."

"Fabio, you have got to stop thinking about money so much. You have a beautiful wife and a good kid. You guys have a nice house in Talum. You need to be more grateful for the things you have," I said.

"Yea I guess you're right," he said.

Wow, it just makes me grateful for all the things I have.......I really hope he and Gabby will be ok........

* So my next few updates will be short. The problem with getting so behind with updating is that I forget what happened when! So I'm trying to figure it all out and catch up to where I'm currently playing so that this won't happen! By the way, Simgod J is me, just in case you were wondering!

A Day in the Life

Rotation 1 - August 2021
Tyson and Ann Marie are 34, Cassie is 15, and TJ is 9

Narrated by Cassie Carmichael

My mom has been getting more and more promotions at work and we're all really proud of her. She worries sometimes about working and not spending time with me and TJ, but she's always home when we get home from school and she even helps us with our homework sometimes. We've been in Crystal Bay for a full year now and I guess it's ok. I mean there aren't really that many people around and it can be alittle boring. I'm sure that will change as it grows, but c'mon, I'm a teenager NOW! I won't care in 30 years!

Mom hasn't really been getting along very well with her co-workers. I think maybe they're jealous that she's doing so well. My mom isn't the kind of woman to let people talk to her any kind of way. Is she always mature about it? No. But I think she gets her point across! I think TJ is really liking it here. I think it has more to do with him and his little girlfriend than it does being happy with Crystal Springs. He and Jocelyn Arnold have been hanging out all the time. I think it's kinda sweet. TJ is like 3 years older than her, but she's a very advanced little girl! You would never know she was only 6 years old! He's doing really well in school. I think he's going to be some kind of scientist or something really smart like that.......
And me? Well I'm just trying not to die of boredom in this slow city. Or town. Or whatever. It wouldn't be so bad if there were cute guys! I mean really! There is this one guy in my class that I think is really cute, but Angelo DeLorne is one of those moody music types. So aside from him being the cutest thing in Crystal Bay, we really don't have much in common!
Mom tries to have what she calls "mother-daughter bonding" with me. It mostly consists of us sitting down and playing a game of chess. Exciting right? She's been talking about us taking a vacation with the DeLornes for months, but it hasn't happened yet. Both mom and dad are busy with work, as are Mr. and Mrs. DeLorne. I was so happy at the idea of going on a trip with Angelo, but like I said, we really have nothing in common. But our moms have become really good friends in the year that we've been here.
She talks alot about her promotions and I can tell she's really proud of them. She works her regular job and also helps dad out with the financial stuff for the city. They're even talking about using the tax money we collected this year either for a city hall building or medical clinic. The medical clinic would be most important, but the city hall would mean that my parents wouldn't have to do city business out of our house. It's gets pretty crowded around here during tax time!

I decide to head down to the Mermaid Skating Arena and check to see if there were any other kids hanging out. And of course, there wasn't! Ugh, I can't wait to go to college. At least then I will be around lots of people my own age. Preferably lots of cute guys! Hmmmmmm, the cashier is kinda cute.....

Of course he wasn't interested......he is a LITTLE older than me......but I'm very mature for my age! I have to be to be the daughter of the Mayor! So far it hasn't been too bad. No one has expected too much out of me just because of who my dad is. Although people do ask if I plan to go into politics. That's a definite NO! My main passion in life is fashion. My dream is to open up my own shop one day. So my college major will probably be business just so I know how to run a business the right way. I'm not really into all that other stuff. Actually, school pretty much bores me to death!

I come home and hear TJ playing with his toys in his room. Our rooms are right next door to each other. I never really minded having a little brother. TJ is pretty cool. I think my mom wanted more kids, but I doubt that will happen now with as busy as her and dad are. I don't really want them to have any more kids. I think TJ and me are enough!!!

My only solace in this whole situation is that I can still chat online with my friends back in Simcity. I just hope things get better soon. I'm young, I need some fun in my life! And a cute guy!!!!


*Cassie has max interest in fashion so my goal is to help her start saving up some money so that she can afford to open a store one day. Her aspiration is pleasure so she constantly wants to hang out and go places! Ann Marie got promoted like 3 days in a row. After that, all she wanted to talk about were the promotions and talking a vacation! I guess after 3 promotions she deserves one huh?! I have the "no friends for promotions" hack installed because it's always pissed me off that they have to have like 10 friends to get promoted! It's good to network and get to know people in real life, but it's very possible to be successful at work without having to have a billion friends outside of it! They still have to skill and all that but the friend requirement is non-existent! I'm still working on picture size.....what is a good size for the pictures? These are too big but the ones that I get with the blogger pic app are too small! What size do you use?