It was on the market for the longest time. A lot of potential buyers looked at it and loved it, but the location is extremely isolated and rugged making travel to Sugar Pine quite the tedious ordeal. Most of the Sims that considered buying the rustic estate didn't want to own a place as huge as Sugar Pine or be located so far away from civilization. But then the Goodies, Herbert and Faith took a look-see at it and that was it - they fell madly in love with the place and liquidated every asset they had in order to buy it.
Not only did Herbert and Faith give up and sale everything they owned just to own Sugar Pine, they also aged down to adults in order to devote their lives to making the old homestead a successful "rooming house". I call it a rooming house because Herbert and Faith opened it up to anyone wanting to lodge there. Yes, it's quite a bit of money to live there but it comes with a bunch of wonderful amenities, not to mention the seclusion and breath-taking beauty that Sugar Pine provides.
But unfortunately, Herbert and Faith needed to take on full-time jobs in order to get things moving. With no one lodging there they needed to get a cash flow going. Herbert entered the Medical field and Faith entered the world of Journalism, both accepting job positions at the low of end of the ladder.
No fancy breakfast for them, (like the ones they plan on serving their tenants), it was cold cereal every morning to start their days.
And yes, I now know Faith has black hair, not blond.
She'll be getting a dye job soon,...
When Herbert wasn't working long, weird hours as the hospital or doing the many chores around the homestead he was skilling up hoping for those promotions!
And yes, I now know Herbert isn't a blond either.
They placed ads in all the local newpapers and also online promoting Sugar Pine but for the longest time no one even called or emailed them to inquire it.
And they began to discover little hidden problems around the house and the grounds, like that the pumbing had some annoying problems.
Luckily Herbert was skilled up enough in tinkering to be able to fix the faulty plumbing on his own without having to pay someone else to come in and do it.
They were just about ready to admit that they'd made the biggest mistake of their lives buying Sugar Pine when their first tenant called and made an appointment to come take a look around.
His name was Julien Cooke.
Julien is dedicated to making it big in the Culinary biz, working odd hours like Herbert does, and he wasn't getting any decent sleep in the noisy apartment he was renting in Belladonna Cove. He needed out of there and was hoping to find a quiet, peaceful place to live where there weren't a bunch of Sims having wild parties every weekend.
He took one tour of the old homestead and fell in love with it. He paid Herbert and Faith for 6 months up front, (and that's a LOT of simoleons!!).
Needless to say, Herbert and Faith were THRILLED to have Julien as their first tenent and no longer felt like Sugar Pine was the worst mistake of their lives.
And like life can be, no sooner did Julien move in then there were more Sims that were calling, wanting to come check out Sugar Pine. The next was a father and daughter, Benjamin and Robin Brody, (who just happens to be the father and sister of Pleasantview's Mayor, Brad Simski).
And no sooner did they set foot on the grounds to take the tour then more Sims arrived to check things out. And life get's even more ironic, these Sims were a mother and daughter team, Eve and Shari Noelle that just happened to be the mother and sister of Shaye Simski, the wife of Mayor Brad Simski.
It's a small, Sim world, I tell ya!
Benjamin Brody
(And no, that is not his daughter behind him)
THIS is Benjamin's daughter, Robin Brody.
Eve Noelle
Shari Noelle
So they all checked out the house and the grounds. Shari spent most of her time in the natural stone hot tub, Robin sat in a corner texting on her cell phone and Benjamin and Eve made sure to size each other up.
Neither was too impressed with the other.
Strange how these two hadn't met before now.
Benjamin's son, Brad, and Eve's daughter, Shaye, have been married for quite some time and have SEVEN children! You'd think they would have met somewhere over the years but the truth is their paths never seemed to cross at the same time they were visiting Brad and Shaye.
And they both missed their wedding too.
Benjamin was caught in a severe snow storm over in Riverblossom Hills while on a business trip where he was snowed in his motel room for 3 solid days.
Eve missed her daughter's wedding, (which broke her heart), because she was on strict bed rest after a nasty roller derby tumble that eventually caused her to have to give up the sport, which she really enjoyed.
But here they were at Sugar Pine Homestead, face to face for the first time. They didn't seem to be all that taken with each other but it didn't stop them for wanting to live there. The next morning Benjamin and Robin moved in at first light with Eve and Shari settling in just a couple hours later.
Herbert and Faith were ecstatic to have a full house!
They had room for one more tenant and he arrived very late that night with nothing but a ratty, over stuffed backpack on his shoulders. His name was Elias Riddle and Herbert was a bit wary of the dirty, scruffy looking young man. He looked as though he'd been living in the woods for a long while and when Elias began going on and on about gardening and living off the land, both Herbert and Faith wondered if that was how he'd been living up till now. He sure looked filthy enough and he certainly didn't look like anyone that could afford what they charged to live at Sugar Pine.
While Elias was checking out the greenhouse out back Herbert and Faith had a little talk on the side about him. They just weren't sure about renting to him and both agreed that they would, as nicely as they could, tell him it just wouldn't work out. That's when they heard the downstairs shower running - Elias had taken it upon himself to take a shower without even asking!!!
Herbert was incensed that he would do such a thing and when Elias finally came out of the bathroom he met up with Herbert and Faith's (very) cold looks.
"I'm sorry", he told them, "I just got off a crab boat this afternoon, we were out at sea for 2 months and that's the first hot shower I've had in all that time, I really needed it!!" He passed over $50 to Herbert, "Here, I'm sorry I didn't ask first but when I saw that shower I just had to use it, this should cover the cost of the water and soap I used".
Herbert wouldn't accept the money, it was just too much. And after having a shower, Elias looked halfway decent. Faith decided to make some tea and they'd talk for a bit, maybe they were being too hasty in wanting to turn Elias away.
Elias Riddle
They talked for a long time, over two pots of tea.
Turned out that Elias is working his way up in the Oceanography biz and he took on the crabbing job to be able to study some specific, rare, endangered sea life in the area where they did the crabbing. The extra study gave him a sweet promotion and now he needed a place to live that wasn't out in the middle of the sea. Money was no object, (Elias comes from a very wealthy family), but he relies on his own money and pays his own way. Two months out at sea on that crab boat made him some good money and he offered to pay 6 months in advance.
Herbert and Faith couldn't turn that down. Plus they ended up really liking Elias. He was a man who lived very close to nature and it's why he chose to check out Sugar Pine Homestead, he loved the idea of living in the middle of all the tall pines and far away from the city life, (which he detested).
It was agreed that Elias would have the last spot in the house and he moved in that night.
The next morning everyone got acquainted and also made their way to work!
Julien never wanted a promotion more!
He hated that uniform!
Herbert found himself coming home from work in the afternoon
And then having to go back to work again that night!
Benjamin and Eve liked to complain to anyone who'd listen about how they didn't like each other but they sure spent a LOT of time together for two people that didn't like each other. They decided to play chess one afternoon and all of a sudden every match was the ultimate competition. Neither one liked losing to the other at all!
Elias spent most of his time weeding the greenhouse garden and tending to all the fruit trees - he was rather appalled at the awful condition they were in.
When he was finished they were absolutely thriving!
Shari took on a job in the Intelligence biz.
A coupla years earlier she was engaged to a Sim that decided to have an affair on her and she found out just 3 weeks before they were to be married. It was because of that she decided to dedicate her life to spying on unfaithful Sims. Just her way of of helping other Sims not having to find out about their cheating Sim the way she did, (in HER condo in HER bed!)
It was downright awful!
In the evening Shari and Elias like to relax in the natural stone hot tub.
Are they smitten with each other? Well, there's a 3 bolt attraction but being both of them are Knowledge Sims they aren't rolling any wants to fall in love, (just yet anyway).
Now Julien and Robin, they got a long great! They have a 3 bolt attraction and Robin just LOVES to tickle Julien!
And he loves to be tickled by Robin!
The two of them spent so much time tickling one another it inevitably led to this.
Julien and Robin fell head over heels in love!
Robin and Julien couldn't be happier together.
Robin hadn't dated much in the past, (she's very shy around the opposite sex), and Julien just hadn't met anyone that impressed him much, until now.
They say there's a love-match out there for everyone and it sure seems like Robin and Julien are meant to be together. And Benjamin was very pleased as well and approves of Julien for his only daughter.
And yes, wedding plans are being made!
Both Benjamin and Eve are looking forward to when Brad, Shaye and their grandkids come up for a visit. You don't just go to Sugar Pine from Pleasantview and then back home in one day, it takes too long. The plan was for them to come and visit for a whole weekend.
In the meantime they burn up the phone lines talking to one another. Or at least they try to, phone reception isn't very good with all those tall pine trees all around.
The pine trees are nestled in the back and sides of the homestead. The house actually faces a gorgeous view of Sugar Pine Bay and one can walk to Sugar Pine Beach from the homestead. So not only does everyone at the house get a lot of fresh mountain air, they also get all those refreshing sea breezes that sweep in off the bay.
Yep, it's the best of both worlds.
Although Shari might not agree with that.
She loves spending time outside, (a true Nature Sim), she's a lot like Elias in that way but one morning she woke up to find that all that fresh mountain air mixed with those salty sea breezes had an odd effect on her hair.
And she was NOT a Happy Camper about it!
Yep, that mountain air mixed with the salty sea air curled her hair right up!
Her hair was kinda curly to begin with, (like Shaye's is), and she worked very hard to keep it on the straight and smoothe side. Her mother, Eve, who not only worked most of her life as a hairdresser but owns a chain of highly successful beauty salons, (11 salons all together, called "Salon Noelle"), told her there wasn't much hope, not if she continued to live at Sugar Pine.
All the hair products in the world couldn't go up against Mother Nature.
Shari didn't like that very much and she was all set to brood about it when Elias took her aside and told her that he actually liked her hair better all frizzed up and curly.
She felt a lot better about it after that.
And speaking of hair and changes, Robin decided to change her hair and her clothes.
And Julien changed his clothes too. Guess being in love makes a Sim want to change themselves some. Not sure if I like Robin's hair all that much but I like her clothes. Eve thinks the style is ALL WRONG for Robin and I have a feeling she might just move in and change Robin's hair to something else. Julien picked some better looking clothes.
Both him and Robin looked a tad too dowdy in those bulky sweaters.
It was Friday night when Benjamin got the call from Brad -
him, Shaye and the kids couldn't make it up to Sugar Pine the next morning. Some Mayor type crisis had taken place and Brad would be tied up with that all weekend. Plus one of the grandkids, little toddler, Kendra, was down with a bad cold. Brad asked Benjamin if he'd please tell Eve for him and Shaye and then he promised his dad that FOR SURE they'd be up to visit the next weekend.
It was a HUGE disappointment for Benjamin and Eve.
Eve was especially upset, (rather mad actually), and Benjamin talked her into going off for a late night jog in the hopes of running off some of that anger of hers!!
Eve is quite the fiery female and isn't afraid to express her emotions -
especially when she's pissed off!
Going for a jog was exactly what Eve needed. By the time they returned to Sugar Pine she was in a MUCH better mood!
Actually, her mood was even better than better and next thing ya know,....
Yep, Brad's dad and Shaye's mom fell in love.
Being Shaye is my Simself, I totally approve, lol, but so you know, they fell in love all on their own!!
I guess one could say that if Brad hadn't called and cancelled out for the weekend Benjamin and Eve may not have gone on that jog together and fallen in love.
Or at least they might not have fallen in love that night but I have a feeling they would have sooner or later.
So, by now everyone had been roomies at Sugar Pine for almost a week.
The homestead offered all of them lots to do, inside and out.
And those that that had to go to work everyday were doing really well in getting promoted.
Julien was super excited to get his promotion -
he HATED wearing that other uniform, (although this one isn't much better)
And look who he brought home from work one night -
it's our very own Lily Simski!!
She sure had a LONG way to go to get back home to Sweetwater -
that's the name of the sub-hood that she and Sheldon live in now.
All that way for a two minute conversation with Julien at the curb.
Oh well, she didn't seem to mind.
Herbert and Faith were getting some good promotions on their jobs too. Elias seemed to be coming home with a promotion every day and Shari came home with one too,..finally.
But it sure took her awhile.
For the residents that didn't work, they found plenty to do around Sugar Pine.
And when the ones who did work found themselves with a day off -
there was loads for them to do as well.
Benjamin was on a mission to skill up in creativity by way of the piano -
he plays really well!
Julien rolls a want to sew every day!
Robin doesn't like to go outside very much -
she says there's too many bugs so she gets her exercise by way of using the exercise equipment inside the house.
Benjamin and Eve have tried numerous times to get her out on a jog with them but she refuses to step foot outside.
Now Elias, he prefers to spend as much time outside that he can!
You can always find him in the garden weeding or planting something.
He wishes the garden wasn't inside a greenhouse, preferring gardens that aren't enclosed.
At least the fruit trees are in the open air for him!
And Julien is a bit like Robin -
he doesn't like being outside much either preferring to "garden" inside.
Benjamin and Eve LOVE being outside!
During the day they tag-team talking to the plants
and at night they love to cuddle and play in the natural stone hot tub.
Oh, and they love to be naked in the hot tub!
Wheeeee!
Shari doesn't get as much time as everyone else to have fun and just hang out at Sugar Pine.
Her job in the Intelligence biz has her working all kinds of weird hours and a lot of times she doesn't even get home till very late. By then she's totally wiped out, (being a spy is very stressful), and all she has the energy for is a long sit in the sauna.
Elias always brews some organic tea and waits up for her.
They have a little tea together and then he joins her in the sauna. They have some very intimate, long talks in there. Shari has never had a lot of close friends and Elias is quickly becoming her closest friend ever.
Everyone likes to try their hand at cooking the meals too!
You'd think Julien would be the main one to be in the kitchen whipping up gourmet meals for everyone but after all that cooking at work he doesn't feel much like doing it at Sugar Pine. And that's okay.
Faith, who was doing all the cooking in the beginning LOVES it when someone else does it!
Elias treated everyone to his special lasagna which they all loved and Eve served her infamous rib of roast one night, which everyone also loved.
Everyone cooking up such yummy meals got Robin wanting to do the same.
There was only one problem -
Robin didn't know how to cook very well. As a matter of fact, she's a terrible cook! Yes, she was maxed up in her cooking skills but everything she cooked was,..well...not-very-good. And with Julien working towards being a Celebrity Chef, she really wanted to show him how good of a cook she was.
Benjamin tried to dissuade her from the idea, (he's tasted her coooking), but she wouldn't hear of not doing it. Her father suggested she might want to read up on some recipes first and she did go along with that.
She wanted to make everyone breakfast the next morning so she spent most of the night before scouring all the cookbooks she could find.
The next morning she bounded out of bed before everyone else, even before the sun was up, and ran down to the kitchen to begin preparing her very special breakfast for everyone - Blueberry Blast Pancakes!!
So far, so good
Uh-oh!
Well, one good thing came out of burning up breakfast -
Robin met someone new!
After the fireman left and she cleaned up the burnt remains of the blueberry pancakes Robin jumped right back on that horse and,....yep -
she burnt ANOTHER batch!
And then she tried to serve them to everyone.
Benjamin stepped in and put a stop to that -
they just looked too horrid to even try to eat. He told her it was alright, she gave it her best try and he was proud of her for that.
He went to pour some cold cereal for everyone as they didn't have much time left before the others had to get to work. Robin snatched the cereal away from him. "No!", she told him.
She was going to make everyone pancakes no matter what!
But now they were all out of blueberries.
But leave it to Elias to save the day, he went out and picked some fresh strawberries from the garden and Robin got started on making everyone Strawberry Blast Pancakes!
And this time she actually did it without burning down the house!
And everyone who had to be to work had 5 minutes to eat,..
As each day passes everyone at Sugar Pine get closer.
The one's in love fall even more in love.
And the one's that weren't in love,..
well, sooner or later it was bound to happen.
One of them took that LEAP!
And for these two it was Elias who did the leaping.
And yes, Elias and Shari fell in love
They're both pretty darn happy about that!
As a matter of fact everyone was very happy for them too, especially Eve!
She adores Elias and was almost ready to MAKE them fall in love if they didn't do it on their own soon. Not that we can make anyone fall in love but Eve liked the idea of Elias being her son-in-law so much she was willing to try!
But they did fall in love on their own and the next night Elias suggested to Shari they take off and do some deep woods camping under the clear starry skies.
Shari couldn't agree with him quick enough. Time alone with Elias was exactly what she needed but there was only one problem - she had to work some long crazy hours for the next 6 days straight.
Of course Elias was disappointed but he came up with an idea that was kinda like the next best thing. He found a secluded patch of sugar pines on the property, pitched a tent and led Shari over to it. Granted the house wasn't all that far from them but they could still hear the roar of the sea waves hitting Sugar Pine beach and the night sky was as clear as glass with every twinkling star just waiting to be theirs.
Shari was thrilled!
She didn't care if they were 20 feet away from the house or 20 miles, as long as she was alone with Elias she was perfectly content.
Elias built them a campfire and they settled in around and let all the pressures of their jobs and the outside world fall behind them.
This was their night and they owned every shining star above them!
Elias had something else planned too!
Of course Shari said yes!
That tent Elias pitched for them sure came in handy!
Shari was scheduled to work at the crack of dawn the next morning.
As much as she hated to leave Elias, she had to.
I see Elias gained some nature enthusiasm after his time in the tent with Shari -
I didn't know they gained nature points for THAT?
And this is Shari arriving home from work that afternoon.
Guess more than just a little woohoo happened in that tent with her and Elias.
That's it for now.
Obviously there's a lot that's going to happen with the Sugar Pine Sims in the days to come. I'll be updating on everything soon.
Will Brad, Shaye and their kids make it up there to visit?
And if they don't, will Eve hunt them down and kick their butts?
Will Shari and Elias have a quickie wedding before their noo-boo arrives?
Will Julien and Robin EVER go outside?
Stay tuned to find out!!
