Week 16 Day 5: A new beginning

Finally!

Not so sure how many readers are still out there, but I'll keep posting a little from each simday, knowing a few will enjoy it. This story will no longer be updated every Wednesday, and chapters will probably be a bit shorter than in the past, but that might actually be a good thing :-)

So, like I posted previously, a break was forced because of build+save=crash problems, which have now been solved. Also, I came up with a new way to keep track on each household's funds and status - a much more generic system. Less details is good when the Maccaroni Island community is growing. I might explain the system later, probably on some forum rather than here.

You might recall the falling temperatures on the island, bringing Godrian Greench, head of Greench Farm, lots of worries for the future harvests. Seasons are new to this corner of the world, and the population that lived here for 3 generations (or is it 4?) never knew anything but Summer. This morning was mild though, and it actually seems like Winter was skipped - moving from Autumn to Spring! That's great news to any farmer!

Greench Farm is located in the southern region of the island. The piece of road on the picture above is called Greench Farm, and there are 5 lots. The main farm contains the two buildings to the right. Richelle and Godrian Greench just had their 2nd daughter.

To the left reside Godrian's uncle, LaShawn G. Gladiston, and aunt, Carie G. Peel, each with their families. The white house at the end of the road is brand new. Godrian's cousin Gaspar Hedgewood from the eastern region just married Carla Black from up north, and moved in at 5 Greench Farm. Because there is already a Hedgewall family on the island, Gaspar and Carla took the new name, Blockwell.

There is still one vacant lot, owned by Godrian's older brother, Bertil, who lives in the western region.

Godrian and Richelle had their 2nd daughter, Dorine, last night. Their first daughter, Bonny, is still a toddler.

Richelle has been biting her nails a lot lately! She ordered new furniture and wallpapers from stores in Galucca, they will be delivered today!

Godrian has been planning for the farm's future, but it's been hard making a final decision. They will focus more on a few species, preferably something that might grow better here than on farms of Galucca town. Richelle plans to export the crops, but they both realize it'll be a long run.

A few apple trees are dead from the cold period. But today it seems like the plants can be watered again. Godrian is hydrophobic, but has learned to deal with the watering can...

The visitor is Jack Batfield. The Batfields arrived Maccaroni Island some time ago, they work as festival fixers, and Godrian doesn't really know them. Somehow they seem a bit different, keeping to themselves...

Jack Batfield wanted to sell a chicken coop to Greench Farm. Only §1.600 which Jack says is less than the normal cost. Jack has contacts, and already got the coop delivered, but he wants the money now.

Godrian was not quite convinced, but he found the idea of a chicken coop quite attempting, and accepted the offer. Jack was paid §800, and left.

Then Godrian's twin sister Boletta arrived, bringing both her kids. Boletta has to deal with a tough secret taking place in the barn long ago. One of the escaped prisoners, or builders as they were referred to back then, tricked Boletta, resulting in the birth of her daughter, Doriette.

Boletta did marry before anyone knew that she was pregnant, and Godrian was not even sure whether her husband Yesador Y. Wimster knew that he was not the girl's father. Actually, Boletta did probably not even know that their sister Eileen had told Godrian... Anyway, Boletta had avoided the farm ever since she moved west, and this was her very first visit in ages.

They stepped inside, and Richelle was just done with her redecorating. Some of the new furniture was not exactly like she expected, but it was a great improvement anyway.

Richelle used to be a member of the local Pets Club, but growing up she had lost some of that engagement, and honestly, I don't even think Richelle would mind using fur from animals. Being able to shop all the new stuff won her over.

Boletta is a green thumb person, and if she had been just a little better skilled, she would have inherited Greench Farm, and not Godrian. There are no obvious hard feelings, but Boletta do grow quite a bit at her new address. She also works at the Greench Market.

Both Godrian and Richelle listened carefully, but truth is that Boletta's daughter Doriette got all their attention. It was hard to deal with, knowing that girl was the result of a crime, and that it should not be talked about. Who knew, who did not?

If Doriette had been a nice looking girl it might have been easier. But she probably looked more like her real dad than Boletta. Richelle hated to admit it, but she didn't like the girl at all.

Boletta's son, Asterix, got a darker version of the Greench skin. The skin DNA actually can be traced back to Plant People, and they normally love gardening.

Guests left, and Godrian insisted on doing the dishes while Richelle completed the new wallpapers upstairs.

They are not very wealthy, but they do fine. They do struggle a bit financially after the cold period with no income. They finally upgraded the livingroom, but the kitchen needs some fixing too. The old wooden stove is hardly working, and some of the chairs have been repaird a few times too many.  Godrian did not tell Richelle about the chicken coop that will take their last savings.

Later at night, Godrian decided to give it a go - the main produce on Greench Farm will be pumpkins! He played with the idea for some time already, and had a few pumpkins put aside in the barn. He knew they were filled with seeds, and before he went to bed he planted 6 of those seeds. If days are getting warmer, they will grow in no time. It will take a generation to fill the field with pumpkin plants, but it's the only way to do it in order to improve quality.

This day came to an end - just like they always do. Tomorrow the chicken will be delivered and soon Bonny will start school. When the girls get older they can help on the farm, and everything will become easier.