The Herendez Family_Royal Gala Drive

Love in the Air?

2009-03-01T18:56:00.000-08:00

Peacar 2000 Watching your preteen son court a young woman must do something to your libido. Verde has had S'Ahmisa over a lot lately. She's no stranger to our family, the two were inseperable as children. Always playing outdoors, watching the latest game or reading the newest sports magazine over an afterschool snack.

But things have changed. The two spend hours talking and chatting, not as much time tossing the football and more time holding hands. I guess the sight of young love has done something to me.

I can barely keep my hands off my wife. We have to fight for alone time with the new baby, but thankfully Verde thinks it's fun to watch his new baby sister. Rojo still craves his privacy to compose his music. That boy reminds me of my father, so passionate about one thing that all else fades away.

My Best Friend

2009-02-27T18:52:00.000-08:00

Peacar 2000

Let me tell you about my best friend, S'Ahmisa. She's great! Honestly, there's no one else in the hood that will play football with me and then hold hands and stare at the clouds. Mami and Papi tend to keep an close eye on us or send Rojo out to play with us, which he hates. He would rather be in his room working on his electronic keyboard and composing new songs.

Fairly Warm

2009-02-25T18:44:00.000-08:00

Peacar 2000 This winter has been fairly warm, no snow on the ground like last winter. I have grown out my hair and work with the hood council has been fine. With the return to the ancient SimLonic calendar we're debating changing the term of hood council members. There are not a lot of sims interested in the hood council, but who knows what the future holds...soon more sims might be interested. So we're sending out a survey to the residents to find out thier opinion on the issue and we're considering adding a poll to the website to see what other sims in other hoods think.

The hood council work is going well, a lot of new construction projects have started. Feedback with the new calendar has been fairable but I still need to keep my finger on the pulse of the hood.

Family life is going well, we finally adopted! A little girl named Serendipity and she is growing bigger everyday it seems. Meanwhile Antonio and I tend to find ourselves in the bedroom a lot more lately. :)

Hood Council

2008-11-26T07:31:00.000-08:00

I am on the hood council! I am the new Community Director and it feels so good. Already I am trying to push my ideas for more entertainment options in the hood for teens and small children. With the recent baby boom, we are looking at a teen boom and if they don't have enough entertainment options...well...they could experiment with other "entertaining" actions that families may not desire. The homelife is going well, we are close to adopting a little girl to join the family...finally a little girl!

Prepping the Future

2008-11-24T18:58:00.000-08:00

The more I talk to my sons, the more I see that I should be training Rojo to take over the businesses one day. I mean, with three fairly successful businesses, we need a heir to manage them. Rojo's more interested in making music and dreams of rock bands and creating soundtracks, but he could always hire a manager to run the stores.
The paperwork for the adoption is finally complete and we are expecting our new family member soon. We have prepared the boys by explaining that we're adopting another child and they seem ok with it, especially since it's a girl. I think they're too old to really care. Verde's in junior high and a teenager already while Rojo is a 3rd grader and engrossed with his synthesizer. Ah, well...we'll see how they respond to thier new sibling.

Holiday Prep

2008-11-22T19:02:00.000-08:00

Whew! I spent just about all day in the cocina preparing meals for the holiday season. Spicy pollo con arroz, grilled fish stuffed with mango salsa and flan. I've also been stocking the fridge with other meals since I will be busy once the new baby arrives. We want to buy a nursery set from ATS2 online and we're getting the boys to help us prep the room with paint and cleaning the floors. I am nervous, it's been so long since we had a baby in the house. I still wonder about Blancita sometimes...she would be a teenager now, a few simdays older than Verde

Yee Haw!

2008-11-17T18:51:00.000-08:00

I learned that phrase from Bobby of The All Sports Show. I love that show! My best friend , S'Ahmisa and I watch that show almost every afternoon after school. They show the best sports clips and then after the show is over we either play soccer (if we're at her house) or toss the football (or baseball) around (if we're at my house). Mami and Papi said that for Christmas I would be getting a basketball goal, so that will be fun. S'Ahmisa and I could play one-on-one then.

O! A little bit about me. I'm about to enter junior high, I LOVE sports, after university I wouldn't mind playing for a professional sports team, but that would mean moving away and I'm not sure I would like to move away from my family and friends. Especially S'Ahmisa, she's the coolest sim around. I mean, who else is willing to listen and contribute to a three hour conversation about the merits of faux leather or real leather for footballs.

These changes

2008-10-30T06:57:00.000-07:00

Antonio has been more affectionate towards me, I wonder what caused this change? I'm not complaining of course, but I am curious. Before he would work for hours in his studio, only speaking to me over dinner regarding the children, but now...he's searching for me and leading me to corners of the house to be affectionate. Backrubs and caresses and much more. He even gifted me with a box of deluxe chocolates. The same kind I noticed in the window during our walk.

Last few days

2008-10-25T06:52:00.000-07:00

The boys are trying to enjoy the heated pool before winter sinks its claws into the hood. The air is a lot cooler and there is the occasional snow flurry in the air. I am thinking about installing a fireplace...to be honest, I saw photos of the ancestoral Herendez home from TS1 days and it was an amazing house. I loved the stucco and large yard and fruit trees. I'll have to talk to Antonio about that. We could either do a very massive remodel or move into another house. I would like to do it soon, either right after Verde's birthday or before.

Changing Feelings

2008-10-20T06:48:00.000-07:00

I've been seeing my wife in a new light. Maybe father was right about growing into love. At first I saw Carmela as someone to bear my children and manage the household, but now...now I seek her out for dicussions on art and the businesses we run. Maybe because of her involvement with the hood council...maybe because we're getting older...maybe because we're itching for another child. We're thinking about adopting a little girl from Hacienda Bay, we'll see how that goes.

Thinking

2008-10-18T08:25:00.000-07:00

I toured the Medical Centre today, overseeing the facility and thinking about any changes I would make if I won the election. Expand the gift shop probably to increase traffic, create more exam rooms and get rid of the rehabilitation room. Let some other resident open a gym instead.

Hard Gallery Work

2008-10-12T17:11:00.000-07:00

It's hard work supplying the work for the gallery. I need to find another artist to help fill the shelves and walls. Right now customers come to view historical finds from the island and occasionally buy artwork or place orders for photographs, but I think if I had another artist's work to add, then I could focus on my paintings more and not so much on getting lower quality work out there. Thank goodness for the salon and the clothing boutique, they are making a bit of money at least.

Concerts

2008-09-18T08:22:00.000-07:00

I attended the grand opening of Smokey Jane's

with Rebecca, the candidate for Financial Director. She's nice and we debated the merits of classical piano vs jazz piano. It was a lot of fun, I wonder if the Homemaker Society would enjoy a show?

Listening

2008-08-02T17:15:00.000-07:00

I am very aware of the pulse of the hood, what residents want in thier community. The election is almost over and I feel success at the tips of my fingers. Residents are approaching me saying "when you are on the council, please remember..." I feel very confident.

I have almost convinced Antonio to buy a vacation home near Hacienda Bay. We are going to take a vacation and visit Hacienda Bay so the boys can see the home of thier ancestors and I...well, I can show them that I survived and that they can not keep me down. I escaped and so can they...maybe, maybe I can find information about my daughter...or maybe we can help a young girl who is in the same situation I fought and escaped from...we could bring her back, there is room. But that means telling Antonio what I went through...am I ready for that?

School Days

2008-07-28T13:08:00.000-07:00

The boys are older and Rojo has started school, which he is excited about. I need to contact the school and set up a time to come in and do school photos. That would be a nice thing for parents to have, but how often? Each simweek and upon graduation from each level?

Brr...cold

2008-07-10T13:04:00.000-07:00

Winter is fast approaching and finding appropiate winter wear is hard. I need to work fast since, can you believe it!, it snowed! Not very long, but a few flurries. Yikes! I wish we had a fireplace, not to mention the layout of our home is better suited for the tropics than for snow. We have to put on snowsuits to cross the entrance. I suppose we could wall it in, but then that ruines the view...maybe a temporary wall.

Plays

2008-07-01T15:16:00.000-07:00

The boys are in a play that thier school is presenting. Little Rojo is so excited, it's his first play (he's in the youngest class) and he's playing a tree. He thinks that maybe he could win the Gold Canister Award. Ha! I explained that the Gold Canister was only an old dimensional award. He was sad for a minute, but Verde told him that they could make a model Gold Canister after dinner if he wanted. Cute.

Party

2008-06-20T15:12:00.000-07:00

I hosted the baby shower for three women and gave them gifts as well. It was fun and hopefully it will help my campaign a little bit. I am not too worried since I have a lot of experience-not with politics, but with the community aspect-and I am very involved. But we shall see, there are speeches soon, so I must prepare.

Skiing?

2008-06-18T15:15:00.000-07:00

The boys want to go skiing...where did they even find about about the concept of skiing!?!? I told them that winter will soon be here and they can ski all they want...in the backyard!

Time Alone

2008-06-15T08:01:00.000-07:00

I've managed to get some time alone-which is rare. Bewteen cooking and cleaning at home, managing the Homemaker's Society and visiting with friends, I barely have a moment to simply enjoy my own company and think or ponder my life and it's direction.

Well, I was able to do just that and enjoy some yummy desserts at CupaJava when I did a secret review for the paper. I need some new clothes, it's getting cooler-in fact, the boys need new clothing as well. I need to go shopping.

Smart Kid

2008-06-13T07:41:00.000-07:00

My son is smart and all he wants to do is play sports all day. I mean, we have a telescope and he discovered a new star-named Verde53-he's at the top of his class in school, and yet he wants to spend all his free time throwing a football with that girl from down the street.

My Loving Family

2008-05-30T07:51:00.000-07:00

I love my family. I must say, that things are much much better now. I have a husband and he actually loves me...I think. Two healthy happy sons and a video game console to play the newest games. I can not believe that I never played a video game, but Verde and I played and it was great!

Homemaker's Society

2008-05-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

One of the members is expecting her first child and it seems like the farther along she gets-and the other pregnant women in the hood-the more phone calls I get. Is it ok to crave cheesecake? Can I exercise while pregnant? Will standing on my feet for hours at a time harm the baby? I've become the unoffical baby expert!

Teaching

2008-05-13T07:35:00.000-07:00

Verde has started school and now I have been helping him with his homework. Apparently they're learning about bugs so now I have to learn how many legs a spotted beetle has. This is crazy! Shouldn't he learn something useful...like painting.

I have volunteered to help out with the school yearbook club. I met with the club and help them with thier photos. We also discuss layout and design. It should be fun...I think.

Happy Homemaker

2008-05-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

I am back in the home, cooking meals, cleaning and teaching Rojo. I have to make Verde's lunches for school since the school doesn't have a proper cafeteria and lunch sim. It's hard planning his meals so that he doesn't have only deli sandwiches, but sometimes some authentic chili or baked fish. Every now and then I allow him to have a dessert for lunch, spiced cake or a tart. That reminds me, I must start taking Rojo off the bottle, his teeth will be ruined soon. I need to buy a high chair for him to have his meals with us.

Learning

2008-04-30T07:26:00.000-07:00

I've met a fascinating woman who knows so much about painting techniques. I sat down with her as she taught me how to hold my brush to get more of a glaze effect. I think I can use this information on some of the paintings I got commissioned to do. Speaking of paintings, the work is going slow, I hope to finish them within three simdays.

Shopping

2008-04-01T11:52:00.000-07:00

Carmela sent me out this simday with a shopping list miles long. Fresh produce, fresh honey, fresh fish! Aghh! I don't know how to chose these things. I gave the list to Grex-the owner of The Farmer's Market and he helped me pick out everything. I think he led me to the expensive items, but I didn't care, I simply wanted to get home and finish working on my paintings. I have two commissioned pieces from the Sweeny family and one in a series of three that I am working on.

Helping

2008-03-16T13:32:00.000-07:00

I attended the Bridal Shower for Fiona. It was a nice event, I was able to help two women who had questions about babies. I guess they knew that as leader of the Homemaker's Society I would have the answers. I think it would be good to write an article and send it to be published somewhere like Simmerville. Maybe even have a parenting book! Wouldn't that be wild!

Business

2008-03-04T11:44:00.000-08:00

The Blossom Salon is doing rather well, but I miss the gallery. I am thinking of installing a permenant gallery. That would require some remodeling as right now the salon and boutique is the bottom level and I have a private gallery and photography studio on the top floor. I would move the massage room and hair salon upstairs and have the boutique downstairs. Then the gallery could take up the right side of the building. It would only be open on certain days and only include my artwork, nothing else, only custom paintings and photographs. I might start an art series...I wonder of what? Verde asks about Hacienda Bay, the home of our ancestors. I think a trip might be in order for the family. Once Rojo ages into a child.

Night Out

2008-02-22T11:33:00.000-08:00

I was invited to Li Yoo's bachelorete party this simday. It was very nice actually. I haven't had this much fun in simweeks! I drank plenty of Bebidas de Pina, danced and generally had a very nice time. All the ladies decided to surprise her by getting a very nice wedding gift. Guess who's in charge of buying the gift? Well, not me :(

Growing Family and After the Storm

2008-02-18T11:43:00.000-08:00

Well Carmela delivered a healthy baby boy, Rojo, in the shelter. Verde is about to start school and we decided to reopen the Blossom Salon and close the art gallery (for now).

We are back on dry land and trying to piece our lives back together, slowly but surely. Hopefully things will continue to get better...they can't get worse, can they?

Verde

2008-02-01T13:30:00.000-08:00

Little Verde will soon have a new sibling. I'm not showing yet, but I can feel it, especially with my visits to the bathroom. I am pregnant. I feel the new life within me.

I browsed around the Toy Shoppe for something for my son and also something for the new baby. I am excited, I love children and my life is shaping out to be a bit better than I thought it would be.

Trying

2008-01-12T09:16:00.000-08:00

Carmela and I are trying for another baby, perhaps a little sister for Verde. Mariposa would be a nice name,

President!

2008-01-08T13:33:00.000-08:00

I am now the leader of the Homemaker's Society! Cassandra passed the reigns over to me! I am so honored! I can't believe it! Antonio and I have been discussing the fact that now Blossom Salon brings in more business than the art gallery and perhaps he should look at running the salon and I would be able to stay at home with the children until they started school.

Family

2007-12-29T09:16:00.000-08:00

Family life is going well. I am thinking about hosting an exhibit in the gallery. Not for sale, but something to encourage sims to visit and browse. Perhaps even expand the gallery to include a second floor, we could even rent it out for special events and parties and weddings to bring in a bit more income. Yes, that would work. O, back to the exhibit. Perhaps a nature exhibit since fall is approaching. I could visit the botonical gardens and take some photos and gather ideas for some paintings. Perhaps a contest.

Salon

2007-12-10T09:20:00.000-08:00

Business is better at the salon, I hired a cashier and I am thinking about expanding the salon to include a small massage parlor and tea room. That would mean at least one more employee but the revenue would increase as visitors would stay longer lingering over tea and then browsing through the clothes and artwork.

Job

2007-11-17T07:41:00.000-08:00

I am now a nurse at the Medical Centre. I manage the gift shop and assist patients in finding thier way around. I am training to take over the pharmacy as well, eventually I would like to become the head doctor. If I was head doctor I'd hire a physical therapist and nutrition specialist. Too many sims are much too fat-they don't care about thier health and thier weight.

Bigger

2007-11-07T07:38:00.000-08:00

Litte Verde is getting bigger, perhaps Carmela and I should consider having a second baby. She wants to wait until Verde is a toddler or even a child, but I don't see why we shouldn't expand our family before the fall season arrives.

Review

2007-10-26T14:00:00.000-07:00

I was chosen to review the Big Round Pizza, so I went there and ate for free. I can't say much since my article is in the paper, but it was fun. Antonio and I are discussing having another baby, I must say, I am fairly content with Verde. Maybe once he gets older.

Vacation

2007-10-11T14:00:00.002-07:00

Father is dead and Jorge is married-Julio will be married soon, I want to buy a vacation home so I started browing through the packets of information at the hood's welcome center. I think I may have found one, I will show Carmela.

Working

2007-10-02T07:37:00.000-07:00

I'm working again, the salon is back open-thanks to some errors, we had to rebuild and start our clientaile from scratch. It's alright since I'm able to design the salon how I desire it. I've done quite a few makeovers and helped women and men chose corrective clothing. I've even cut my own hair as well.

Errors!!!

2007-09-24T07:52:00.000-07:00

Aghhh, for some reason The Herendez Art Gallery's lot was defined as buggy. I don't want to believe in curses, but this has happened to the gallery's lot on multiple occasions since the OFB deal. Aghhh! We had to sell the lot back to the hood-they demolish it and then we brought the land and rebuilt. Thankfully they sold it to us as a discount, but hassle nevertheless. I'm getting too old for this...when will I join my lady loves?

Fatherhood Part 2

2007-09-14T08:54:00.001-07:00

Carmela had a little boy, we named him Verde due to his eyes of course. I am rethinking the art gallery, with the introduction of personal cameras, we will no longer sell photos, but perhaps portraits and other custom paintings. Thankfully my license allows me to sell custom artwork, Carmela is anxious to get back to the salon. I'm thinking of remodeling the facility into two stores side-by-side. Her salon and my gallery. Who would watch Verde?

Engaged

2007-09-04T13:08:00.000-07:00

It happened so fast - it had to. Rebecca entered uni during my last year at uni. We quickly reconnected and thankfully she feels the same about me that I feel about her. I decided, why wait! I called papi and got one of mami's old rings. Then we took a walk in the snow covered campus and I proposed! She said yes!!! It will be a long engagement, since she must finish school, but I will wait for her. Other news, I start work at the Medical Centre-I will start with managing the gift shop and learning my way around the hospital.

Proposed

2007-08-22T13:08:00.002-07:00

I proposed-Jolie had been hinting...very strongly actually, that we should become engaged. I figure-why not. I like her, she likes me, I need a place to stay, she inherits her family's home, sounds good to me-why not! She said yes, then she fussed at me for proposing over breakfast and not thinking of something more creative. Ugh, women!

My Little Family

2007-08-19T12:02:00.000-07:00

I'm due to deliver soon, this pregnancy is very bad on my body. I'm always tired, hungry and cranky. Antonio has been good to me, I think I might like this marriage thing after all...but still...I'm not sure. I see Pastor Lyndon on a regular schedule now to discuss my past...not very fun, but I have been doing better...coming to terms with what...happened...

Jail?

2007-08-17T12:05:00.000-07:00

The hood council is building a jail, I think it will cause bad things to happen in this hood, why must we have a jail, simply slice off the fingers of thieves. Wait...I did have problems with shoplifters, they take things from the store, yes, a jail is great!

Wifey

2007-07-31T12:01:00.000-07:00

Carmela is becoming a good wife, perhaps father was right in chosing her. We're expecting our first child anyday now and she just glows. However she is often tired and cranky from the baby, she's not having a good pregnancy. I wonder...will we have another?

Goodbye

2007-07-16T13:36:00.000-07:00

Antonio and his father said that Blancita had to go. She would cause trouble later with the heritage issues and it was better to "get rid" of her. I don't know how I feel. She wasn't concieved in the best of circumstances, but that wasn't her fault. I still loved her...even though looking at her made my mind creep back to that dark desolate place. I hope she brings another family joy, another family that won't see fear and sadness when they see her face.

O, I am pregnant. I hope this child brings me a bit more joy than my last.

Fatherhood

2007-07-06T13:30:00.000-07:00

I am married and will be a father. Has dad given me the art gallery? No! Why won't he turn over the deed to me, do I have to wait for him to die!
I am curious about the baby...we decided to give Carmela's other baby up for adoption, wouldn't be good to have competition for the estate. I wonder if I will have a little boy to train to run the store, or maybe a little girl.

Ladies

2007-06-22T07:45:00.000-07:00

I started flirting with the new freshman, Jolie and she hot! H-O-T!!! Sizzling! Then Faye, the chick I tried to flirt with got mad! Ha! Can't she see, she snooze she loze!

Grandchild

2007-06-19T12:05:00.000-07:00

Carmela annouced that she's pregnant. There's hope that I might live to see the heir of the family.

My other insolent son, Salvador, has immigrated to another hood. Good riddance. I would probably pay to have him out of the hood, embarassing me and the Herendez family. His ancestors are probably rolling over in thier grave!

Stepping Up

2007-06-14T09:39:00.000-07:00

I think I will join the military.

The hood council promises to pay off my student loans if I join and I get a salary and one time living award. I don't know if I would need to move to a military base or if I would need to fight in any wars, but probably not-there hasn't been any conflicts in Apple Valley in eons!

Job

2007-06-14T09:37:00.000-07:00

I talked with Jan of the Medical Centre, I could work there after grad. She said that she will train me and I will be a nurse. Helping patients and managing the gift shop. Mostly managing the gift shop and filling prescriptions. One day, I could be the Chief of Staff there.

RA!

2007-06-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

I'm the RA! This will be great for my nursing career! Helping sims in need. I have my own private bedroom and bathroom and I am available to all students for help.

This is great training if I want to become a nurse. Already students trust me and they come to me with thier problems and I help them.

I wonder how Rebecca's doing? I'll email her.

The Birds Here

2007-06-09T09:34:00.000-07:00

don't dig me. WTF! Don't they realize how hot I am, how much I rock?

Bebe

2007-05-29T07:43:00.000-07:00

Ugh, why won't this bebe hurry up? I-oh oh!!! Well, the baby came late this simday. A little girl named Blancita because of her pale skin. My father-in-law took the baby from me and sent me to bed with my husband. He said "Hurry give me a grandchild before I die!" I was so tired! Did I just leave one abuse to come to another?

Sweet Rebecca

2007-05-25T09:07:00.000-07:00

Rebecca's so cool! I want to ask her to the Apple Dumpling Ball, but Jorge and I are headed to university this simday. I must leave her behind. Will she remember me? Will she still like me? I want to be a nurse, she wants to run her parent's toy store. Can we have a future? She's so young, I wonder what will happen.

Baby Hurry Up

2007-05-21T06:37:00.000-07:00

I wish this child(ren) will hurry up. I am very clumsy while pregnant. I am not used to this weight in front of me, pulling me down and keeping me off balance. I know that Antonio will want a child of his own, so I will have to endure this state of pregnancy again in the future. Good news, Luis and Antonio have installed a small salon and clothing store in the art gallery. I give makeovers to the residents. Right now the make-overs are free so that I may get more practice, but I like it. I like picking the perfect haircut, the perfect shade of blush and making a sim look spectacular!

I'm Married

2007-05-15T06:34:00.000-07:00

I'm married, she's pregnant, it's not my kid. The pastor stopped by the house and married us. Dad was estatic, but made me promise to produce an heir with this woman. I barely know her! Dad said I will grow to love her. Grow to love her? We shall see about that.

I've Moved In

2007-05-04T07:15:00.000-07:00

I've (Carmela Lopez) have moved in with the Herendez family. It has been a scary trip. Thankfully I tracked down a distant relative here in Apple Valley (Elaine Dawson, we're related through a common ancestor-Maurice Dawson) and I was granted a temporary visa. I had to leave that place as quickly as possible. I probably would not have survived much longer-they were not using me as much and I could tell that I had become a liability. I couldn't take the abuse much longer.

Antonio Herendez agreed to marry me-thus making my visa permenant. His father is pleased, I'm hispanic-apparently that was the only requirement for his daughter-in-law. I tried to cook, but the omelettes caught on fire. I contemplated tossing myself into the flames to end this misery.

I'm pregnant-there's no way to tell who the father is, especially since I was used so...shamefully. But I survived...I think. My pregnancy means that Antonio and I will marry in a quiet ceremony in the garden. I don't know if I would do the same if I were him.

My Dad Refuses

2007-04-23T07:55:00.000-07:00

Dad refuses to transfer the business over to me until I marry! This is getting ridiculous! This past simday, dad suffered from a heart attack. We thought we were going to lose him and Dad even said that he saw death face-to-face. He doesn't have much longer to live and I would get control over the business anyway, but...I wish he would hand it over to me now instead after I find a wife. Dad has sent letters back to relatives in Hacienda Bay and apparently there's a woman coming here soon. I don't care. I'm willing to marry just about anyone right now in order to get the business.

My Son Needs a Wife

2007-04-01T19:42:00.000-07:00

According to the memo I'm supposed to introduce the family:
Me (Luis)-elder
Antonio-adult
Julio-teen
Jorge-teen

Alvaro (Antonio's twin) immigrated to Simborough for the Gender Exchange and Salvador (oldest son) is living with his wife and daughter.

I am sending a letter to family members still in Hacienda Bay, Antonio needs a wife. He will do well managing the family business, he has an eye for art and is very wise in business. However, he needs a wife, a latina wife. Once he is safely married I will transfer the business over to him. Not before.