The Whittaker Saga

Mid summer, it is time for a milestone as Melanie Preston, Ida's eldest, turn 15. Ida has a hard time realising that her little girl is now growing up. That it's time for her to starting thinking of a future as an adult. "She was just born the other day! How has it been 15 years?" Still, she is proud, and of course Melanie deserves a big birthday party with the entire family present. As Tess, their maid, cleans the house, bakes the cake and prepares the food, all under Ida's careful supervision, The kids take the chance to play outside in the sun.  Then the family arrives. Anna, still in route from Selvadorada, and Alice, living accross the country, are of course not able to attend, but Josephine and Nash are, since they've been staying in Willow Creek as their house is being built. The building is moving faster than Josephine would ever have dared hope. It has gone from just a foundation, to the walls being visible, to paneling in just a short timeframe. ...

  While Josephine dreams of a new house, Emily and Frank's situation has, if possible, gotten even worse. While Emily has gotten into the routine of being a housewife without a made, cleaning clothes and tending the garden as well as caring for their youngest, the married couple lead more or less entirely separate lives, only really talking to each other at dinner time. Emily tries to keep the children, in the dark, but obviously they too notice, and now that summer makes it possible, spend as much of their time as possible outside playing with each other, avoiding the tension in the house. Frank experiment with moonshine in the basement has only grown, and recently shady characters has started to come to the house. These are not people Frank introduces, nor invites over for dinner, but people he meets in his study, and who leaves with a handshake and the exchange of money. Emily pretends not to understand just what kind of business Frank has gotten caught up with, but she is, ...

  While Anna has been in Selvadorada, life has continued for those who were left behind. In Britechester, Nash has just finished his studies in economics and just landed a job as an investor for Dewey, Cheatem and Howe. Josephine is delighted! Not only is she proud of her husband, but now they can finally get a new home and start a family! This is definitely a cause for a celebration, so Josephine has invited their friends and neighbors to celebrate. The women naturally gather in the (small and cramped) kitchen, while the men socialise in the living room. Dinner is served, but as their place is small, some has to eat sitting in the sofa. Josephine looks forward when this is no longer the case. Still everyone seems to be in a good mood, and Nash is in a very flirty mood. Overall, the dinner is a success. The next day, Josephine brings up the thought of a new house. She's been looking in magazines for the latest decorating trends, and in the Sears, Roebuck and Co house catalog to...

Side note: as long as Anna is in the jungle, I have decided to follow only her, partly because I do not know what happens with the expedition if I rotate sims, but also because as remote as the jungle is, Anna would be unawares of what happens to everyone else. This will be the last explorer post, however, and after this I will return to the rest of the family and find out what happened to them while Anna has been away.  ***  The day before her birthday, Anna gets a pleasant surprise as the mail arrives with letters from home. She reads with great curiosity about the fire in Josephine's and Nash's apartment, and how proud Ida is of her youngest son starting school. She especially enjoys reading about Alice and her success as an actress. Taking time off her chores she sets down to pen a reply.  Dearest Alice,  I finally got your letter, and just in time too because I am heading back out into the jungle the day after tomorrow. I am so pleased to hear of your lead, and ...