#starandsims

I grew up in a bustling city, with a privileged life, which felt like a cage to me. The constant social engagements, the elegant soirées, and the relentless expectations of high society stifled my spirit. I was the belle of society, the center of attention, but it was a role that never quite suited me. My heart yearned for something more, something beyond the confines of ballrooms and galas. 

My parents never truly accepted me, but it still hurts that they’ve disowned me over my decision to leave their way of life behind. I was never serious or academic enough for them, the only thing they valued in me were my looks and my natural musical talent. They didn’t want children, they wanted trophies, so they shoved me in every music class they could. I love music, so I didn’t complain, but their “gifts” to me were never about their love for me, but rather their love of themselves. 

My younger siblings, Edwin and Cordelia, much more fit the mold of their expectations, so when it became clear that I would never be the type of woman they wanted, they practically ignored me in favor of my siblings. My older sister, Eleanor, rest her soul, was like me though. Our senses of humor were perfect for one another, we loved having our duo adventures and playing together. She was the only one of them that ever truly felt like family. A family of the adventurers, the mischief-makers, always seeking the thrill of our next escapade. 

Then she was taken from me. My parents married her off to an awful man. Even though she didn’t even like him, she was so excited to go and start her family. Unfortunately she never got the chance. When she was gone, I knew I had to leave. I had already met George, my angel sent from heaven, my sturdy, grounded oak tree. A man who would provide me with much needed acceptance and practicality. We made a plan together, for me to run away and join him and his parents at his farmhouse. I am sure that my parents, even though they never mentioned it to me, were also in the midst of planning my own marriage, which I had no interest in. 

Leaving my family behind, knowing they’ve disowned me for following my heart, weighs heavily on my soul. The guilt is like a shadow which clings to me. But George, with his smile, his calloused hands, and the warmth of his embrace, has captured my heart in a way that no one from my old life ever did. 

My name is Star (she/her) and I've been simming since the Sims 2, I have a lot of nostalgia for the old console games since I didn't have a computer until Sims 3 and didn't have a gaming computer until Sims 4. I'm mostly Maxis Match, I like to think I don't use a ton of mods and CC but in reality my mods/cc foster is overflowing.

Please feel free to ask me anything or comment about my characters and stories! Constructive criticism is welcome but please always be positive and encouraging in your delivery! I'm an adult but I still get my feelings hurt sometimes! I would say I'm WCIF friendly but the truth is I might not able to figure out where something is from. I don't use reshade or gshade or photoshop, I just edit my photos in Canva so my screenies don't always look professional but I strive to do my best and focus more on writing and story!

I am NOT a builder, most of the builds in my game are downloaded from the gallery. I do so appreciate all the builders out there and will always post somewhere what build I'm using, but I won't put it on each and every post! My playstyle is to use random traits and follow the whims of sims, for example I never try for a baby unless at least one (or sometimes even both) person has the whim for it (I do lock in the whim though lol). I never save and start over, whatever happens happens and I live with it and try to use it in the story.

I use a custom lifespan with MCCC in which every four sim days is a year, I use 14 day seasons and generally have at least two holidays in a season. This is just what makes the most sense to my brain and I have a personal handwritten timeline for each save to keep up with when things happen and use that to inform when relationships should progress and precisely how old sims are.

I focus on a lot of family gameplay, I rarely play just one sim unless I'm just starting a save - and even then I usually make some sims to be their family and friends going into the save. I do a minimal amount of rotational gameplay through my saves, I usually focus on one specific household and then occasionally will go through other households in the save to clean them up and things like that. Maybe spend a day or two with them just to see what's going on and then return to my main household.

Rosalie’s first stop was the animal sheds, with a bucket in hand she expertly navigated her way among the cows, chickens, sheep, goats, tending to their needs. Her once nervous hands had become confident. Although she still preferred to let George milk the cows and gather the eggs. The animals seemed to recognize her as part of their world now, responding with gentle clucks and contented moos. All of course except for the goat, Pippin, but he didn’t like anyone. 

After the morning chores were complete, Rosalie headed to the farmhouse kitchen to prepare breakfast. She wasn’t what Jane would call “skilled” yet but she managed to make some hearty morning meals, using the farm’s fresh produce and eggs. The aroma of the freshly baked bread filled the kitchen, providing a comforting start to the day. 

The garden had become her sanctuary, Rosalie spent hours among the rows of vegetables, fruits, and herbs. She cultivated the lush greenery that would soon grace their dinner table. She had learned to recognize the needs of each plant, coaxing life from the soil with careful attention. Her fingers, once accustomed to such work, were now beginning to form the calluses of a seasoned gardner. 

In her spare moments, Rosalie had taken up the art of cross-stitching, a skill Jane had introduced her to. While her stitches were a bit uneven and she often poked herself with the sharp needle, Rosalie found solace in the repetitive motion of the needle and thread. Her evenings were often spent with a sampler in her lap, slowly crafting intricate designs by the dim glow of an oil lamp as she laughed and swapped stories with Jane. 

As Emily, pregnant with her fourth child and in need of a respite from her husband and other young children, arrived at the family farm to assist Rosalie with learning the myriad of farm chores, she could sense the frustration in her brother’s eyes. She understood better than he did that Rosalie’s upbringing likely wouldn’t have taught her all the things they had learned as children. She needed more patient guidance than he could give to help her adapt to their way of life. Emily, cheerful as always, was more than ready to lend a helping hand. 

Their first task was taking care of the horses, a task Rosalie had found particularly daunting. She had never been around them much growing up, and found them too large to trust. Emily led her to the stables, introducing her to each horse with a warm smile. Emily taught her how to groom the horses, demonstrating how to use the brush in strokes, using soothing words to calm them. With patience and a soft touch, Rosalie learned that horses were not as intimidating as she initially thought. 

Next, they moved onto laundry. Emily showed Rosalie the old-fashioned washboard and explained the importance of clean clothes. They soaked, scrubbed, and rinsed the laundry together, sharing stories and laughing as they worked. Rosalie’s apprehension started to melt away. 

Cleaning Daisy the cow’s shed was another task on the list. Emily and Rosalie sorted through tools, organized supplies, and swept away the filth. Emily’s encouragement and guidance made the work seem less tedious and Rosalie began to feel a sense of accomplishment. It was easier to listen to Emily than it was George, since they had a different kind of relationship. Plus, George was more impatient and only showed her every other step, whereas Emily walked her through each step while explaining its importance and purpose. 

In the garden, Emily taught Rosalie about planting, weeding, and harvesting. They knelt side by side, tending to rows of vegetables and herbs. Emily shared tips on how to nurture the soil and identify when something was ripe, making the task feel like a shared adventure. 

With the produce harvested, cooking was the next lesson. Rosalie had watched Jane cook a few times, and now watched Emily demonstrate the art of preparing hearty, rustic meals, emphasizing the use of farm-fresh ingredients. Rosalie watched in awe as her sister-in-law effortlessly created delicious dishes.