My hard work is paying off. I finally got the promotion to line cook! It came with a great raise and a bonus. I'm glad I've been practicing my cooking skills when I had a few spare moments at work because I'm going to need all of them now. The boss sent me home with some leftover Stu surprise so I thought I'd invite Ian over to celebrate. On the way home I stopped to purchase a double bed. I'm adult now, time for an adult bed, right? I also found a shower that I could afford. No more quick trips to the gym before work!

Ian and I ate dinner and talked, and I asked him to stay over. He agreed, and we talked and ...did other things through the night. Not that, you pervs! Well I probably would have, but he wanted to take things slow, so we just made out and stuff. He left when the sun was coming up, and said he forgot about something he needed to do at home. It was a little awkward, but I was too tired to worry about it overmuch.

The next day I worked in the garden before enjoying my first

shower at home. It was marvelous! So much so that I was late for work, again. I guess punctuality is not my forte. I got accidently stuck in the freezer at work for 2 hours! Jared was real appologetic about it though. I told him not to worry, it just made me a bit cold. And tired. I couldn't wait to get home and go to bed. The only thing I did before falling asleep was to call and talk to Ian for a few minutes.

I had saved up enough money for carpets and paint, and spent part of the next morning on the phone with the contractor telling him what I wanted. I was able to afford a couple of windows for the front of the house too. It's really starting to come together. Now if things would only go so easy for Ian and I. I'm not getting any younger ya know.

My garden is starting to die off. It'll be time to plant a new one soon. I wish I had more time to do all the things I want to do. I'm thinking about quitting my job, as much as I love it, and focusing more on my garden, and starting a family. There's a couple more things I feel I need first, like finishing painting the bathroom, first though.

Jared, my boss, said that buisness is down and he blames it on the Bistro across town. He asked me if I would go eat there and see what they have that we don't. I told him sure. It'd be a great place to ask Ian to move in with me after all. And with my latest raise I can even afford to go there.

We had a great dinner. The food was fabulous. I got so many ideas for similiar things we could do at the diner, for half the price. Ian seemed distracted through dinner. Later he told me he was just tired, and begged off coming over to my house for dessert. I was disappointed, but tried not to let it show. One more day of work before my days off. Then I planned to really make an effort in this relationship with Ian.

Happy Birthday to me!

I started the day with my favorite pancakes and then off to the gym for a nice long shower. I had hoped to run into Ian there, the guy I met the other day, but I did not see him. Since today was my day however, I decided to give him a call. There's no time in life to wait for a guy to call you anymore. While we were talking I suggested we go for a swim at the gym together. That's when I found out that he's afraid of water, which might explain his lack of hygiene as well. Not to be daunted in my attempts to have a friend with me on my birthday however, I invited him for a stroll in the park instead.

We then spent some time chasing butterflies together, before sitting down to a picnic. We talked about everything, from what we were wearing to our favorite tv shows.










And then I announced it was my birthday. This was over heard by the people around us, and they all joined in wishing me a happy birthday! After all that celebrating it was getting late, but I wasn't ready for it to end just yet. I really wanted to get to know Ian better, so I invited him back to my place. Ok, I know, my place is hardly hospitable, but it's my birthday afterall! He said he loved the view I had, and all the land. He was polite enough not to mention the gap in my walls. We had a lovely autumn salad from my garden and sat and talked for a long time. In fact we talked all night. As the sun was coming up, I felt encouraged enough to reveal my attraction for him. He said he felt the same way and we had our first kiss!

It must have been more powerful than I ever imagined it could be, because right after that Ian passed out on the kitchen floor! I didn't have the heart to wake him, so I let him sleep there and went to bed myself to dream of what might come next. When I awoke later that day, Ian was gone. He didn't leave a note or anything. I hope he wasn't too embarrassed.


My first full day as a bonifide adult. I was so tired when it was time to start getting ready for work I almost thought about calling in sick. But I really do love my job, even when it is more stressful than I would like. I had my breakfast and got ready for the day, then decided to give Ian a quick call to make sure everythign was still okay between us. The blasted toilet clogged up again. I cannot wait until I can afford to have nicer things. One of these days.

I sighed as I walked to my garden before the carpool arrived. It was begging for my attention. There just are not enough hours in the day. I did as much as I could before I had to leave for work. I still held hope that one day the garden would be able to support me and I wouldn't need to work such long hours. The day went by so slowly, and I made it home just in time to fall over asleep in my own bed. The money I made today was just enough to finish construction of my walla though. Yipee! I am in full possession of a real house! Now I just need to make it a home.

When it rains it pours.

I spent the next day harvesting my garden. When I spoke to Gus he encouraged me to sell my produce to the grocery store. I made $250 doing this! Can you believe it? I was able to get almost all of the walls of my bedroom constructed. I spent the evening recycling old newspapers I had been carrying around and cleaning up the house, when the sink sprung a leak! I guess that's what I get for buying second hand plumbing.

Not being able to afford the $50 a repairman would cost me, I decided to try the repair myself. Two hours later, and completely soaked to the bone, I had succeeded in my repair work. After mopping up the floor. I grabbed a quick bite to eat and headed to bed.

By the morning, all that hard work of the day before was apparent in the green haze emanating from my person. After breakfast, I headed to the gym for a shower and then off to the library to get in some cookbook studying before work. I loved my job as a Vegetable slicer, but I was itching to get in front of an oven. I learned to make spaghetti and sushi before I had to head to work. I decided today was as good a day as any to get to know my boss, Jared, better. So I spent as much time as I could talking to him at work today.

After work I headed over to the gym to watch this great cooking show Jared was telling me about. It really helped me wind down after a long day slicing vegetables. It did remind me that I was starving though, so I headed home to my grape pancakes. Unfortunately I had let the pancakes stay in the fridge a bit too long. They didn't set well in my stomach. To say the least it was not a very restful night.

I woke up to a clogged toilet and dirty sink. Not the best way to start the day. By the time I'd made breakfast and cleaned up I was 20 minutes late for work. By the end of my shift I was beat. I made it to the gym to shower the tomato and plum sauce off of me, and sauntered off home. I couldn't go to bed before harvesting my garden though, I didn't want all that produce to go to waste. Plus, I almost had enough money to finish my bedroom walls, and the income from the harvest put me over the top. So I am now in possession of a bedroom and a bathroom with walls. Just a bit more to go before I can officially call this a house.

The next day after work I met a few guys at the park. One guy goes by the name Cycl0n3. He's really into computers. We had a lot in common. He also has a girlfriend unfortunately. When I got home I found that my patch job on the sink had not held. So I tried again. Granny always said "If at first you don't succeed, try try again." After that I worked in the garden a bit before leaving for work.

The work day was grueling, but I really do love the atmosphere. And I must be doing something right, because after work Jared, my boss, pulled me aside and said that a new position had just opened up and would I be interested? Would I be interested?! Are you kidding. So now I get to put my tongue to work instead of my knives, as an ingredient taster. Too tired to celebrate that night though, I rushed home to plan how to spend my bonus, in my dreams.

I started the contract working on the front walls. Only a few more to go before I have a fully enclosed living space. I even managed to find the perfect front door. It was made by a carpentry company from Al Simhara. The artistry is exquisite, and the price was great.

The calendar on my phone reminded me that my birthday is coming up. I had hoped to accomplish so much more in my life before now. Well I guess I have 3 more days to get some of it done.

I decided I really did want to get in shape, so I started the day, after breakfast that is, by going to the gym and working out for an hour, before taking my shower and heading off to work. I am SOO out of shape! I'm going to make a concerted effort to get in better shape now. I want to have kids someday soon, and I don't want them running circles around me!

I'm going to have to plan things better though, because I was late getting to work again. I got a little sloppy while there, thinking about all the things I wanted to do. When a co-worker started talking to me, I forgot to close the oven door and got caught on fire. Luckily my co-workers reacted quickly and put me out...with the garlic extract sauce. Phew! I didn't think I'd ever get THAT smell out of my hair.

So I headed back to the gym for one more shower before heading home. I was so glad I had a few days off coming up. My stress level has been through the roof lately, and I don't know why.
I went by the bookstore on my way home. I couldn't really afford anything right now, but it doesn't hurt to look, right? I started talking to a guy I'd run into at the gym a couple times. It smelled like he'd just come from there himself, without taking advantage of the showers, I might add. We had a great conversation though, and I promised I'd give him a call in a few days to get together. I've not heard from Gus lately, though I did see him coming into the diner with another lady. I guess it just wasn't meant to be. Besides, he's apparently older than I first suspected. His hair has turned all white!


The next day I took the opportunity to sleep in, fix a nice salad, and prepare to work in the garden. My plans were waylaid once again by that darn sink! I am getting better at fixing it, but it still takes time I would rather spend doing other things. After tending and fertilizing the garden, I spent a little time cleaning the house. The toilet clogged up again and I almost screamed. Home ownership is not all it's cracked up to be! One more day before I go back to work. I was determined to spend it doing things I wanted to do. It was my birthday afterall.

All work and no play....

...makes a woman healthy, wealthy, and wise? No wait I got that wrong. Anyway, my day off couldn't come soon enough. I felt so stressed when I left work Tuesday, I tossed and turned all night. I spent the next day cooking and working in the garden, but still felt like I needed some release. So off to the gym I went, and into the pool. Brrrr! You would have thought that they would keep an indoor pool a bit warmer.

The cold water deterred me from swimming too long thought, in fact I think I might be getting a cold, I couldn't stop sneezing when I got out.

I hit the showers and had some soup at the gym. There are some strange people that hang out at that gym. One guy just stood there in the cafe area and wet himself, like it was nothing. I hope he takes advantage of the showers, he sure needs it now. Other people were whining about being hungry or tired, but just stood around complaining instead of doing anything about it. I don't get it.

After eating I headed over to the library for a little more online work. This hacking thing is really starting to pay off!I made $45 tonight in just s2 hours. I can't wait to get my own computer so I don't have to go back and forth. I can't wait to get my own walls either... Oh well! It will come. I think I'll see what Gus is up to tomorrow.

A spark of romance?

I met a man today. His name is Gus Hart and he works at the grocery store. He was just finishing up a delivery and cutting through the park when I first saw him on my way to the library after work. I followed him into a door, not realizing that it was the men's room! I was horrified, but he was kind and we laughed about it. He is very easy to talk to. After a little while, however, we said our goodbyes, because we were both so tired.

The next day I called him after work to see if he wanted to grab a bite to eat. My boss has been at me to bring in my friends and eat at the diner. I didn't have the heart to tell him that I not only didn't have any friends, but I could barely afford the prices that the diner charges! I did want to see Gus again though, so I figured I could kill two birds with one stone, as the saying goes. I do wish I had thought to change out of my work clothes before Gus arrived. At this rate he's going to think it's the only bit of clothing I own. We had a very nice dinner, but by the end I was yawning so badly I don't think I even managed to get out a goodbye before jumping in the taxi to go home. I barely made it into the house to bed, I did consider curling up under the newly grown apple tree, but I resisted.

I have made one additional purchase. A tree light. I just couldn't resist it, it's so earthy and inviting. I think I may make it the centerpiece of my arboretum...whenever I get that built. No more purchase though, until I can get my initial building completed. The lack of flooring is starting to really get on my nerves.


I have found the most cost effective way to cook food is to fix enough for a few days at a time and eat off the leftovers. Although, since so far it has only been me eating my cooking, some of it might go bad, it's still less expensive than cooking one meal at a time.

My boss was really pleased with the fact that I brought Gus in to eat. He must have given me a good referral after I left, because at the end of my next shift he informed me that he was promoting me to Vegetable Slicer! I got a bonus and a raise. The hours still kinda suck but I'm that much closer to being a line cook. AND that much closer to starting my dream home.

I did have enough money to have the foundation poured. The contractor said that the outside walls alone would cost $2,500! Thats a lot of vegetable slicing and computer hacking. I think I will spending many a nights at the library computer.


I was able to afford a couple of walls now though, and decided to go ahead and put up a bathroom, and move my furniture onto the foundation. How better to decide how to layout the house, than to go ahead and move in before putting up the walls? The bathroom is small but serviceable for the moment. And I don't mind sleeping under the stars for a few nights, although I think I'll have to be more diligent about making my bed now.

I spent the next day harvesting my garden before going to work. I didn't have time to run by the gym for a shower before work. I hope I don't run into anyone. I thought I might see if there is a trainer available at the gym after work. It wouldn't hurt to try to get into shape, right? Well actually I guess it could hurt come to think of it. Maybe just a little light swimming instead...on my next day off...maybe.

The Beginning of a Legacy

Having lost her parents, Mary took what little inheritance they had been able to leave her and moved to the big town to start over. Leaving behind the memories of old, she took only her knowledge of farming and her meager ability to cook and bought some land.

Not just any land though, Mary wanted something that would last, something that might span generations of the Winchell family. Mary wanted the best, so she bought the largest empty lot of land she could find. Her Grandmother had always told her that a house can be torn down or re-built, but the land is always there.

The house she was able to afford was barely more than a roof with two walls, but it kept the bugs out. A few items necessary to modern survival rounded out her purchases, leaving her with only a few dollars for food.

While visiting the nearby park, she found that she was allowed to forage for the fruits and vegetables that grew there. This was a goldmine as it not only fed her immediately, but also afforded her the opportunity to start a garden of her own! Perhaps one day this would be the key to her fortune.

Realizing that she wouldn't get very far fast with only the few plants she had, Mary set out to find a job. She did so at the local diner, where she began as a kitchen scullion. The pay wasn't that great, but the job has potential, and it's a field that she truly loves. Mary decides that one day she wants to learn all the recipes in the world. She begins this task at the library, where she spends hours pouring over the cookbooks they have.

One night after work, while using the internet to find even more recipes, Mary came across a website that claimed to be a great way to make loads of money. Not seeing anything wrong with it, Mary clicked on the link and found herself introduced into the world of hacking for simoleans.

About a week after starting her new job, her research was rewarded, somewhat. Her boss, realizing that she knew the difference between garlic and cinnamon, promoted her to a Spice runner. The promotion came with a $300 bonus! This bonus along with the money she made on the internet allowed her to buy a few rugs, a sink, and counter for the kitchen. Next on the list: walls!