Meet the Campbell House 1 Residents: Leanne, Stanley, Julian, Michael, and Marianne Campbell.
Update written by: Stanley Campbell
I had gotten an e-mail from my wife’s workplace on the trip here that my wife had contracted the disease which she was trying to find a cure for. It was currently a death sentence if you caught it. They told me she had only a few months to live at most. I decided not to tell my family. At least not until I got word of her death. On a lighter note, we were able to buy and furnish our house with the necessities and a few amentiies with the $20,000 given to us by SimNation.
Marianne wasn’t getting any younger, so I worked on teaching her to talk. That way she would be able to more easily tell us if she was hungry or needed to use the potty. She looks so much like her mother.
Julian spent some time reading a book to Michael while I was teaching Marianne to talk. I really do appreciate Julian giving up part of his own time as a teenager to make sure Michael had a good childhood. Though, Julian could consider this as part of his teenage life. He has always been active in family affairs.
My mother Leanne made lunch for us while I finished up teaching Marianne to talk. I really am glad that my mother did agree to come with us to Spring Valley. Being a single father would have been pretty hard, though I’m sure Julian would have stepped up to help.
After lunch, we had a guest come over to welcome us to the neighborhood. She introduced herself as Ericka Swift and said she had twin kids Michael’s age.
Michael was a great brother to Marianne. He played with her instead of teasing her like my older siblings did to me when I was younger. I just hope he’ll have a good childhood.
My mother suggested that I find a job to earn money. She said she didn’t mind if she died before the house got floors and walls, but that it would be nice that by the time Marianne grew up, the house had floors and walls.
I had grabbed Marianne’s favorite toy on the way out of the house before we left. I think I’m glad I did. We couldn’t afford any toddler toys when we got here and the teddy bear gave her something to play with. I just hope I’ll be able to afford some toys for her when she grows up.
The past few months had been hectic for us. I had found a job in the science field. I was kind of leary of it at first since that was the career my wife had been in, but I soon found out that I did enjoy my position as a Project Leader. I wasn’t out in the lab doing the research, but I was in charge of the research going on. But I always found time to help out in raising my kids as they would only be kids once.
I really do appreciate my mother agreeing to come with me here. I’m not sure I could have held it together after hearing about my wife if my mother wasn’t here to help. When I feel overwhelmed with grief, I feel safe in going outside alone without the house burning down or something bad happening.
My youngest son was making friends quickly. I’m glad he was making friends instead of just sitting around missing his old friends. I know he had made some friends in SimCity and I know he misses them, but sitting around missing them won’t get him new friends to help him succeed as a kid here in Spring Valley.
Soon, it was time for my youngest to become a kid and go to school. I was happy and sad. It was my only daughter growing up. It’s closer to the time where I have to say good bye to her, but it would mean more meaningful interactions could occur. We could actually talk to each other about what we thought more easily.
She grew into a pretty young lady. She really did remind me of my late wife a lot in her facial features. I’m surprised that even this many years after her death that I’m still affected by it, but I suppose that’s the curse of losing your true love so early. Part of me wants to move on so that Marianne will have a mother, but I don’t feel emotionally ready to do so.
A few nights later, I spent some time outside looking at the stars. My father and I had always enjoyed looking at the stars together and I was happy to learn that they hadn’t changed. It was nice to know something at least took ages to change.
The next day was my day off, however it was a school day for the kids. One of the neighbors came over, Milo Hawthorne. He said he needed a break from his house. While he is marrried, he has twin kids who just recently became kids as well. He said a quiet house was what he needed.
That day was also the day Michael came home with his first A+. My mother was happy and Julian was pleased. Considering how much of a parent those two are to him as well as I am, I’m sure Michael knew they were proud of him.
One of Ericka Swift’s kids came over today, James. The two kids got along nicely, even though James was older than Marianne. I’m glad the kids of the neighborhood are all nice. It would be devastating if I knew my kids were not making friends or being bullied.
Julian and Michael did enjoy having fun together. I’m glad Julian was willing to give up his life as a teenager to help Michael and Marianne have a good childhood. I’m sure Julian will make a great father some day.
Marianne spent some of her allowance a few weeks later on some new clothes. She had grown her hair out some in order to be able to do stuff with her hair. She said short hair was boring. She reminds me of her mother so often. Both had a great sense of humor.
A few weeks later, Rosaline Wilcox walked by the lot. I was glad that my mother wasn’t the only elderly person in the neighborhood. The two would be able to discuss things in common with each other.
That afternoon, Titus Bruton walked over and played with Michael. I am still glad that Michael is fitting in here in Spring Valley. I would hate for him to have become shy and reserved.
That’s all that happened since we moved in. This last picture is of Marianne giving me a hug after I came home from work one weekend.
Fall 1 Progress
Net Worth: $19,382
Cash on Hand: $1,744
Lianne’s Skills: 3/1/0/0/0/0/0
Stanley’s Job: Project Leader
Stanley’s Skills: 4/0/0/0/2/0/4
Julian’s Skills: 2/0/0/0/0/0/2
Michael’s Skills: 0/0/0/0/0/0/1
Marianne’s Skills: 4/0/1/0/0/1/0
