First off, let me apologize in advance for the length of this post and it's appalling lack of pictures. You'll understand why if you read on.
So I was reading another dynasty and learned that you can marry Agnes with her car in her inventory, thus starting out with just over $100k. Apparently I did not play my cards right, because no matter what I did, Agnes just left that car sitting in her driveway. After much research on the forums I finally figured out that because Jackson married Agnes at her house she did not have the car in her inventory. In the interest of full disclosure, I decided to end my first attempt at this dynasty last night so that I could start again and take full advantage of all of Agnes's assets.
Instead of marrying her on the evening of Day 1 at her house, Jackson proposed on Day 1 and spent the night there (much better than the fire station - it also gave him an opportunity to put his kleptomania trait to good use - he tried for a top of the line refrigerator, stove, and shower of power but ended up with a cabinet, a food processor, and a toilet - good thing he is not planning on a criminal career!) The next morning he went out collecting and ended up at the consignment shop. He called Agnes and invited her to meet him there - and sure enough, she showed up with her car. Ever the opportunist, he married her at the consignment shop - who says romance is dead! Unfortunately it was before Cornelia showed up, so she did not get to witness her sister's wedding this time. The first thing Jackson did was sell off Agnes's car - which brought the couple's cash on hand up to $108k. He was so happy I think he would have woo hooed Agnes right there on the spot but there was no bed around so that had to wait.
The newlyweds did a little shopping before going home to build their love nest. They were especially lucky and found a really good camera, trampoline, and several skill books for dirt cheap - the camera was under $700 and the trampoline was under $800 - I think those may be the best bargains I've ever seen and Jackson had the moodlet to prove it. Yay, now we can have photographs in the family museum! Then it was back home to spend some money building and furnishing their home. I refined my home design a bit. It is the same shape/size as before but I think the layout is more visually appealing and better set up for future expansion. I was also able to splurge on a really nice bed, a sculpting station for Agnes, and a fireplace (I know it doesn't serve any useful purpose, but it adds so much to the feel of the place).
Agnes got pregnant as soon as the building and decorating was finished. She painted Jackson's YA portrait straight away and is working on her photography and sculpting skills. Hopefully she will level up quickly. I would love to get toddler photos/sculptures of Jessica and, if I'm really lucky, maybe YA ones of Jackson since he doesn't age up for another 13 days.
Jackson is working on cooking (his supermax skill), gardening, and fishing. I plan for him to max gardening, but only fish enough to stock a pond with deathfish. Since money is no longer an immediate issue, he is not spending as much time stealing things (although Nick Alto's car is now sitting in Jackson's driveway). He starts his new job at the Bistro today. Since he already has 3 levels in cooking and the Office Hero LTR, I hope he will get a promotion right away. He also bought his 2 properties. The book store is now 'Aggie's Book Nook' in honor of his wife. Too bad she doesn't seem to get a discount there for being the owner! He also bought the property across the street. The addition of restrooms and a couple of picnic tables brought it to level 2, but further upgrades have to wait for more money. In the meantime he's going to work on stocking the pond.
I wrapped up the night with the arrival of Jessica Starr. Since Jackson was so attentive to Agnes's needs during her pregnancy, he got to pick 2 traits for his daughter. Jessica is artistic and friendly. Painting will be her supermax skill and her career. Initially I had planned to pick Swimming in Cash for her LTW, but since I have a sculpting station and a good camera, I may pick Renaissance Sim. That way Jessica can meet all future museum needs and I only have to have her future husband take care of her museum pieces after Agnes meets Grim.
In other news, Cornelia doesn't appear to be pregnant (yet?), so I may have to rethink my choice of a husband for Jessica. She has some time yet, and besides, marrying your first cousin is kind of creepy!
I'll post pics of Chateau Starr and Jessica as a toddler tonight.
