I haven't been able to post an update because my work schedule is getting in the way of my Sims time (I commute 4 hrs a day during the week) and what little time I have to play I've been working on the new challenge. Fortunately I have a long weekend and my husband will be working the whole time so you can guess where I'll be.
Right now Jackson and Jessica are in the middle of a 9-day trip to Egypt, the sole purpose of which was to get a top of the line camera, a chest (best invention in the game, I think), improve Jessica's photography skill, and get as close to a level 3 visa as possible. Right now father and daughter are holed up in a pyramid. Jessica is cranky because she's tired and frankly the dirt and bugs are getting to her. Jackson is really pumped about tomb exploration and is faced with two sarcophagi that I won't let him open because I can't afford to have him get cursed by a mummy. I've also decided that while Egypt may have the best tombs, it is my least favorite vacation spot because they are so treacherous to explore.
I briefly considered cutting their vacation short so I could get Jessica and Sam married, but have decided instead to let them spend the rest of their time in Egypt. The only thing Jessica is going to do is work on her photography and I think I'll send Jackson out to start making friends and collecting things to hopefully keep him away from any wandering mummies. Their dreams of a vacation home will have to wait for the next trip.
Jackson will age up to elder on the day he and Jessica return to SV and I made a bad discovery. He had a life fruit plant ready to harvest...
...but right before I sent him on vacation I noticed that the fruit was gone and I can't seem to find it in any of my sims inventory or the refrigerator. I checked to see if Agnes is having her own dreams of immortality, but her life bar is right on track, so I don't think she was the culprit. I don't know if one of these characters stole it...
...but it seems Jackson will have to wait for more to be ready for harvest. He still needs 3 more best friends so this won't be a big setback, but some of his friends are getting pretty old so he can't afford to take too long for his first ambrosia meal.
Agnes is pretty excited to see Jessica and Sam married and is already thinking of her grandchildren. I don't have the heart to tell her she probably won't be around to see them. She is halfway through elder and I really need Jess and Sam to focus on their skills so they are ready to take over the painting and sculpting responsibilities as I don't think Agnes will be around to do the honors for Jessica's adult pieces.
She has been a devoted wife and mother, sacrificing everything for her family. If it weren't for her selflessness, talent, and wealth, there would be no dynasty. It will be sad when the Grim comes for her. Fortunately the Starrs have a room full of her artwork to remember her by and Jess is the spitting image of her. I wonder how Jackson is going to handle that constant reminder of Agnes when she is gone.