Culpepper Pals: Autumn 2: McMullen

[beanstalk_sims]

It's the start of a whole new season! I just love being back at the beginning of the rotation, I can't explain it. Anyway, let's see what Autumn has in store for the McMullen family!

Last time, Jo and her partner Mackenzie spent summer happily living together with their cat, Snickers. It rained an awful lot, but Jo still managed to squeeze in a few parties. There was also a trip to the pool with the other Culpepper Pals, where Jo performed a spectacular dive. Snickers ran away but returned home pretty quickly, much to the relief of Jo and Mackenzie. So all in all, a fairly average summer for the family!

Index / Boolprop




We rejoin the family on a completely average Sunday morning.

"The pancakes are almost ready, and I didn't burn them this time!"

Looks like we're just in time for breakfast.




And just in time to witness Snickers smugly standing in two rooms at once.

I was worried she was going to get stuck, but she moved on like nothing had happened.




"Hey guys, I'm bored, who's up for a dance party?"

It's 9:30am on a Sunday, that's the perfect time to dance.




When compiling the guest list, I noticed Jo seriously dislikes Candy. When did that happen?! I don't think I've ever seen them interact!




I figured since it was bright and beautiful in the city, I'd try holding the dance party outdoors.

That was a mistake. Of course, it was raining.




Perfect time to mess around with that weather machine I've never used, right?

What could possibly go wrong?






Oh good, she made it rain harder.




Although some sims seemed to like that, actually.




By the time the thunder and lightning started, the guests were all arguing over who could stand closest to the bar.

I think Father Winter wins that one.




Desperate, Mackenzie steps up to the machine and gives it a go.




I guess you shouldn't mess around with tech you don't understand. Luckily Mackenzie was only dazed, but I did hold my breath for a second.

So the party was called off and everyone headed home. I think I'm going to do what Heather did in her save and put an underground nightclub in.






The rest of Sunday passes uneventfully. Jo was able to catch up with a couple of friends who turned up for the Flea Market, so at least there's that.






The following day, it's time for the seasonal vet trip.

I didn't even notice Snickers was ill until Jo asked her "What's Wrong". I don't think there were any noticeable symptoms.




Shari was also there with Cookie, and taking a selfie to commemorate the occasion.




Jo and Mackenzie don't have children, Snickers is their baby, and so Snickers gets the expensive treatment.




Jo had the whim to make her own pet food after the vet trip, naturally, and I figured why not. Although, even after all this time, Jo's cooking skills are questionable.

I'm just thankful she didn't start a fire.




Enjoy Snickers <3




That night, it was time for an important Autumn occasion - Halloween Spooky Day!

Doesn't Mackenzie look great as a witch? This is the only screenshot I got of her in costume, she went to bed almost immediately after the party started.




Seeing what costumes everyone turns up in is my favourite part!

"Jo! I wanted to be the only fairy, how can you have another fairy at your party?!"




Doesn't Morgyn make the cutest pirate?

They paired the outfit with the dance trainers, a perfect look if you ask me.




And I'm pretty sure Kirby came as a vampire, which is probably cheating.




"Oh hey Jo, nice outfit. It totally matches mine. What a coincidence..."

Salim, please.






"I'm famous, make a fuss over me!"

"Dude we're your friends, you don't have to impress us. Just be yourself."

"But I'm famous!"

"We know!"

(That's Adora in the robot costume btw, totally cracked me up when I saw her)




"I'm famous, everyone look at me!"

I wish there was a way to turn this off. Dusty wouldn't be doing that if I was playing her household right now.




"Make it out to Norah, with an 'h' on the end, please!"

Norah, are you kidding me, you've known Dusty for years! Anyway, all in all I think everyone had a good night.







7am in the city, and where are my sims?




Listening to their eccentric neighbour sing, of course!

This neighbourhood is full of things to see.




Like this spellcaster struggling with her invisible broom above them.

After that, Mackenzie headed out to work - she's working Monday to Friday as a Stem Researcher - while Jo had a whole day to fill.




Time to head out and meet a friend!

Adora called up and invited Jo to the food truck, which is nice. I don't think anyone has been there in a while.




"Waiter, your finest table please!"

"...do you often get famous people dining here?"

"More often than you'd think."




Everyone eventually stopped staring at Judith Ward and Jo was able to snag a table. Looking at Jo's relationship panel, she's apparently closer to Adora at the moment than Mackenzie. Maybe because she's known her a lot longer?

"So how's your new life with Travis going?"

"I still can't believe it's really happening!"




"We like him more than Akira, you know."

"I know," Adora smiled, "But I feel like the whole thing with Akira had to happen first, you know? Things sometimes happen for a...is that Judith Ward?"

"Yeah. Hold on a sec."




They got up mid-conversation to take photos of Judith. And they didn't sit back down to eat, either, they ate standing. The power of fame, right?

Jo went home shortly after that.




You have a comfy pet bed and two couches upstairs, why are you asleep in the street, Snickers?






Morning arrives, and it's time for my favourite Spice Market activity - people watching!

It's my favourite thing about having families live here. There's always something to see!




Like Max taking a muffin for a walk! And keeping an eye on Darling Walsh to make sure they don't steal the muffin.




And Lilith, running around looking sad with what I assume is her breakfast.




In fact, everyone at the food stand is looking pretty miserable.

Fun fact, I've played all of these guys in other saves. I can't say that for most premades!




Jo came down on her own freewill and did an "enchanting greet" on J?? So they have a little bit of a pink relationship bar now?

I kept my hands off, curious to see what she would do next...




Well, she ignored J to make fun of the human statue.

So I guess she's not bothered about him. Tiny bit strange, though. I have no idea why she did that.






That night, Norah invited Jo out to the Narwhal Arms in Windenburg. Being the party animal she is, Jo is very excited about this.

And even though they're inside for this one, it was nice that it wasn't raining.




There were so many familiar faces in the bar that night!

Lilith, Candy, Morgyn, Summer and Adora. I'm kind of glad Dusty wasn't there, she tends to try and steal attention and limelight now when I'm not controlling her.




It did amuse me when Morgyn suddenly stopped dancing to start marking homework. Surely there are better times and places to do that.






All in all, it was a lot of fun seeing everyone out together <3




Jo went straight to bed when she got in, and Mackenzie was just surfing the web on the laptop, but Akira is somehow super upset by the noise they're making?

He really dislikes them now. Luckily he's no longer invited to parties.






Morning arrives, and Snickers is unwell again. It's a little unusual for her to get sick twice in a rotation.

Unfortunately Jo and Mackenzie were both supposed to work.




Jo has no vacation days, so Mackenzie used one of hers to take Snickers to the vet.

I should probably send Jo and Mackenzie out together sometime next rotation, I don't really take Mackenzie out anywhere as she works so much.




"There's something not quite right about your cat..."

"No kidding."

Naturally, Snickers was given the expensive treatment option. She is their baby afterall.




A vampire wannabe dropped by when Mackenzie got home.

But who has she brought with her?




Welcome to the family, Shadow!

I really wanted Jo and Mackenzie to get a second cat, so they settled on an adult female cat, rather than a kitten. And yes, I picked Shadow because she was wearing a jumper. I also didn't change the name the game gave her and now kind of wish I had. But ah well.

Shadow McMullen
Skittish - Free Spirit - Friendly




Two cats called for a few upgrades...




Snickers now has a pretty great view while she naps.




Jo was thrilled to meet the new family member when she got home, even if it did cause a bit of a glitch. And Akira looks like he's judging her for it.

"That's not how you hold a cat."




That's better <3




I changed Shadow's jumper to red - I've always kind of associated red with Jo - and gave Snickers a matching collar.

Hopefully the two of them get along <3




I've never had this happen before - Jo's apartment is haunted because of one of the lot traits, but they normally leave the living occupants alone. This ghost lady decided she wanted to scold the cats!

She should probably leave the premises, those cats are perfect <3






And then Snickers passed away :(

She was an elderly cat, and this was a death of natural causes but it was still super sad. Snickers was my first cat in TS4, and the first one to pass away.




Have you ever seen a cat look so sad? :(




So Jo and Mackenzie woke up to a world without Snickers.

"But we wanted two cats..."

"I know."

"Shadow was supposed to be company for Snickers."




"...wasn't I here dropping a cat off yesterday?"

I really wanted them to have two cats, so Jo and Mackenzie got a new cat the same day they lost Snickers.




Shadow picked that exact moment to hop up on the roomba, which is probably her way of saying "why would you need a second cat when you've got me?"




Even with Shadow's antics, Jo and Mackenzie adopted another cat. This is Rosie. I deliberately didn't choose a ginger cat this time, and Rosie's got some interesting traits...

Rosie McMullen
Affectionate - Frisky - Mischievous




That night, all the usual folk headed over to Jo's for her end of season party. She throws one most seasons. But this one definitely felt a little different.

"Are you sure you want to party tonight, Jo? We can go home if you like."

"No, no. We need to party. To celebrate Snickers's life, and also the arrival of our new cats."

"If you're sure, Jo..."

"I am."




The night unfolded like it usually does - including this gem of a screenshot. There's so much to unpack from their faces!

I think my favourite is Summer's face, she's like "that's my wife!"




And that's where autumn ended for Jo and Mackenzie. They lost a cat, but they've gained two more, and hopefully won't feel so sad in the winter.

Hopefully the rest of autumn will be a bit more cheerful! See you all again soon for our next household: The Titan family!