"Dear old world, you are very lovely..."

...and I am glad to be alive in you.” Elliott | They/Them | 26 | Wannabe writer, lover of all things history and all things sims. | WCIF friendly! | Gallery ID: EmSims1998

[kindred-sims]

Hello and welcome! The name's El, I'm a mostly historical simmer with a penchant for storytelling, and I'm very glad to have you here! Stick around a while if you care to, I don't promise consistency but I do try my best. 🤍

📖 Table of Contents

- The Barclay Legacy -

New chapters every Monday and Friday!

On Hiatus!

From the Beginning--Most Recent

The 1890s

- Barclay Extras -

The Barclay Family Tree

Barclay Extras

- Miscellaneous Things -

Answered WCIFs

CC Finds

[kindred-sims]

Hi again!

Just remembered Bluesky was a thing. Might try to post some random gameplay stuff on there, maybe. There's nothing really there right now but feel free to give a follow!

[kindred-sims]

Hello all!

I'm aware that I've disappeared again and I really don't have any other excuse other than life has just been a real pain in my ass lately and I have not been left with much time to do much of anything with this blog. As it stands I've been dealing with a lot of personal and financial issues, as well as moving between jobs and also trying to work on some projects that I can get published in the next year (fingers crossed!). Even just availing myself to post gameplay pictures is getting to be a task in itself and I'm really just trying not to get any more burnt out than I already am right now, if I'm being honest.

That being said, I thought it might be fun to show off what I've been up to in my game lately! I was missing decades simming a ton and going back to reread some stuff on my blog also made me miss my darling Wakefields (who as you all know were one of my first attempts at this challenge) so I decided to reboot them in a personal gameplay for myself and. It has been a time. I added the healthcare redux mod in for an extra challenge and it has almost killed them multiple times so, I don't know. It keeps me on my toes I guess.

As you can see the order of children is a bit different this time around, but I kept all the names the name because I couldn't bear to change them. I'm still doing storylines and stuff as I go but mainly focusing on gameplay, and gosh I've been having such a good time. Its felt good to just focus playing for myself again and its something I've desperately needed in the chaos that is my life. I hope to eventually return to posting on here soon, maybe, hopefully, but I just thought I'd give a little update on whats what in the meantime.

[mwvw]

Happy 10th Anniversary of The Sims 4 to everyone! 🥳

[dyk3bait]

[tychosims]

I love you guys so much 🤍

[flowermilksims]

🌸 Infant Carriers ~ Historical Override 📜

well, not necessarily historical, but can definitely be used in historical saves, unlike the default ones. i even forgot this thing existed because i could never use it in my medieval gameplay, but yesterday i randomly remembered about it and decided to finally give it a makeover. hope you'll like it! 🤍

requires Growing Together EP ❕

default replacement + custom text & icons in selection menu

new mesh

male & female

all LODs

P.S.: if you want to recolor, unmerge the file first as it's a combination of M&F versions + menu replacement 🌿

🌷 Download: SFS | Patreon {free} 🌷

🔍 @sssvitlanz @ts4medieval @ribbonsmedieval @simshistoricalfinds @sims4historicalccfinds

[kindred-sims]

Oop. It seems it's my birthday today.

[kindred-sims]

A letter to Matthew Dailey from his daughter Agnes, 189x

Dearest Papa,

You must give Auntie my thanks for me – though I intend on doing so myself in a separate letter, I’m very grateful for all the extra baby clothes she’s sent us recently. I cannot begin to overstate how much they are needed, you would hardly believe that Tommy was so small when he was born, but that doesn’t seem to be the case lately as he’s begun to outgrow all his old things. Will says its the Barclay in him, all Barclay boys grow to be big eventually – and I daresay he is correct. Both of my boys have been growing so much and so fast, I can barely keep up with them these days.

It has been a change, I’ll admit, going from one to two small children. I don’t know how I would manage without Martha’s help, she has been so wonderful in her visits. Playing with Charlie, keeping him distracted in the instance that Tommy was fussy and needed my attention. I worry that I’m taking advantage of her eagerness to help, but she has told me time and time again that helping me look after my little ones is a delight for her.

Charlie, meanwhile, I would say is ecstatic to be a big brother. He was admittedly rather reserved about it at first, but he’s taken to Tommy much like a duck to water. I suspect they shall be very good friends someday.

The farm is also doing well. We received quite a handsome payout from our recent harvest, and I’m so glad for it, not just for my own sake but especially Will’s. He’s been working so hard lately, I can't think of a time where he isn't out in the crop fields or tending to some other grueling task that requires his attention, I fear I barely see him these days.

I worry for him sometimes, as much as he tells me not to.

I suppose all I really can do is pray for him, in the meantime. I always do, every night before bed I utter a small prayer for him. He’d scoff at it, I know – he’s not a God-fearing man at all, but it gives me some comfort rather than doing nothing.

Yours,

Mrs. Agnes Barclay

[kindred-sims]

Hello, if it's not a problem, could I ask which skin and CC you used on Tommy in the last post? He seems too handsome for a newborn. <3

Not a problem at all!

You're correct to say our dear little Tommy does look far too handsome for a newborn of the Sims 4 variety, which is why I decided against using the in-game newborns for photos like this. No overlays, no skin details, just this prop baby by @josiesimblr! It was either that or use shrunken toddlers and...yeah, I didn't want to want to deal with that. 😅

[kindred-sims]

It was in the late hours of the night that it happened again. Sharp, sudden pains ransacked Agnes’ body without warning, and she knew right away that the baby was about to be born.

Little Charlie lay asleep in his room, watched over by his father while Martha and Dr. Collins tended to Aggie as she labored. This time around, Will was less nervous, but couldn’t help but worry still. It was frustrating to hear his wife’s screams of pain and be helpless to do anything about them, but he didn’t dare show that it was bothering him, less it wake and upset his son.

Still, it didn’t make it any easier for him to listen. This labor was arguably much longer than Charlie’s had been, and Agnes was in more pain than she’d ever been before.

By the time dawn was breaking and the sun began to rise in the sky, another Barclay had entered the world – another little boy. Aggie couldn’t help but feel a strong wave of disappointment as she had so badly wanted a daughter, but the feeling didn’t last very long. For as soon as she looked at her new son for the first time, she’d fallen in love all over again – just as hard, and just as fast as she had when Charlie had been placed in her arms.

She and Will decided to name the little boy Thomas Glenn -- Tommy for short, after Aggie's grandfather. He was a tiny lad, much smaller than his brother, but nonetheless welcomed by his family.

[kindred-sims]

A letter to Winifred Dailey from her grandniece Agnes, 189x

Dearest Aunt,

The seasons are beginning to change here in Chestnut Ridge, as the chill of autumn has come upon us at last. As it has, I have become rounder and far more exhausted, perhaps even more so than when I was expecting Charlie. Maybe it is because of Charlie that I am tired so often, no one ever told me how difficult it would be chase after one child while you’re carrying another. I’m ready to retire to bed before I’ve even finished washing the breakfast dishes, and have found myself dozing off on occasion, certainly more than I’ve meant to.

Its never for long, though, as Charlie is intent on keeping me on my toes. I’m not sure he quite understands that he’s about to become a big brother, even as much as Will and I have tried to explain it to him. I just hope that he isn’t too jealous once the baby arrives, I worry how he might feel seeing me give so much attention to someone who isn’t him. Will says not to expect too much from him, as he is only a small boy, and I suppose he is right. He’s bound to get upset regardless, I only pray that it won’t be a long spell, I’m not sure I’d be able to deal with his tantrums and a crying baby all at once.

Speaking of the baby, I’ve been finding myself strangely excited for this one to arrive. Do not misunderstand me, I was just as eager for Charlie, but now that I know what to expect it has made this whole experience a little less daunting than it was the first time. Will seems convinced we’re having another boy – as he has a brother, and boys primarily run on his side of the family, but I cannot help but yearn for a little girl this time around.

I’ve always dreamed of it, having a daughter, with soft curls that I could brush and braid. Someone to teach how to sew, someone to bake cakes and pies with, someone I could teach to make jams and jellies. Make no mistake, I love Charlie immensely, but it won’t be long before he’s old enough to help his father out in the fields, which leaves me alone in the house again, and I dread the very thought of it. I know that a boy belongs to his father at the end of the day, but a girl? A girl would be my very own, call it a selfish wish if you will but I suppose I just can’t help it.

Even so, I look forward to both this baby’s arrival and the continuation of the autumn season. Both are already so very wanted and welcome.

Your loving niece,

Mrs. Agnes Barclay

P.S. I was thinking of naming the baby after Mama should it be a girl. Do not tell Papa, I would like for it to be a surprise to him.

[kindred-sims]

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🤓🤔💔 feel free to answer for both!

Gladly!

I'll start with Will for this one --

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 FAMILY WITH MOTHER, FATHER, SON AND DAUGHTER — how many people are in your oc's immediate family? how many people are in your oc's extended family? do they have aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc? who in their family are they closest with? are they close with their birth family, or do they have a found family?

So out of the immediate family that I've mentioned so far, Will has his parents -- Margaret and Albert, alongside his brother Samuel who is younger than him by five years. Its an admittedly rather strained relationship, though most of that strain comes from Will's unsettled arguments with his father. He also does have grandparents -- although they aren't living, but he does have fond memories of his grandfather Charles, enough that he would end up naming his first son after him.

🤓 SMILING FACE WITH GLASSES — is your oc chatty or quiet? are they at ease in social situations, or are they more shy?

Will is not really the social type, much as he tries. He's always enjoyed his own space and his own freedom, which is part of why he and Aggie moved all the way out to Chestnut Ridge in the first place. He likes the seclusion, and that the neighbors aren't as nosy as they were back in Brindleton Bay. He's never been one for parties or for social events in general, but he does genuinely try to go to them since they make Aggie happy, and he's always keen to do things that make his wife happy.

🤔 THINKING FACE — what are some of your oc's quirks/mannerisms?

Will can always be found whistling or humming the tune to any old song throughout the day -- My Wild Irish Rose in particular is one such recurring tune. Its a special song for he and Aggie, as it was the one he heard her singing on the day they met. If he hears her singing it -- or any other song before he leaves to work in the mornings, that tune stays with him the rest of the day and thus he can't help but start humming it himself.

Oh, and he also has a rather distinct and loud laugh, though he'll deny it no matter how much Aggie says so.

💔 BROKEN HEART — what are three of your oc's negative traits?

Oooh boy, now this is a good question. Will, while he has a good heart, is admittedly far too stubborn for his own good -- an unfortunate family trait, as his father is the exact same way. Aggie tells him all the time that it'll be his downfall someday and he's fully aware of it, but his stubbornness and pride are things so deeply ingrained him that they're nigh impossible to shake. And while a determined attitude would certainly be a more positive trait, at this point in Will's life its causing him more harm than good, as he has been so wrapped up in making sure that the farm is successful that he's inadvertently been neglecting his family (as we'll soon come to see!) for it. Its not even that he does these things out of pure malice -- he could never, but he wants to prove his father wrong so badly that at this time, he's all too blind to his other shortcomings. Its not really a storyline I've fleshed out yet, but we'll be seeing a lot more of it in the near future!

And now for Aggie --

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 FAMILY WITH MOTHER, FATHER, SON AND DAUGHTER — how many people are in your oc's immediate family? how many people are in your oc's extended family? do they have aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc? who in their family are they closest with? are they close with their birth family, or do they have a found family?

Aggie's family is a rather small one! She was the first and only child of her parents, Alice and Matthew, the former of whom already had a fair share of health issues and sadly passed away when Aggie was a small girl. Her father had been orphaned himself at a young age and was raised by his Aunt Winifred, whom he wrote to shortly after his wife passed and asked if she would come help him raise Aggie. So for her whole life, it was really was just her, her father and her aunt, a very small bubble that she loved dearly but she always found herself wanting for a larger family.

🤓 SMILING FACE WITH GLASSES — is your oc chatty or quiet? are they at ease in social situations, or are they more shy?

Between the two of them, Aggie is certainly the more sociable one. Great-Aunt Winifred ensured this, making sure Aggie attended plenty of parties and social visits while she was growing up, and now its something that she loves. Granted, she doesn't get much of a chance to do these things as much as she used to (provided that being a farmer's wife takes up so much of her free time) but she's glad for any chance she does get, and enjoys getting to talk to her neighbors or have them over for a cup of tea!

🤔 THINKING FACE — what are some of your oc's quirks/mannerisms?

Much like Will's humming and whistling, Aggie will randomly break out into song at times. She actually has a very lovely voice, which again can be credit to Aunt Winifred since she made Aggie attend singing lessons as part of her "proper" upbringing. She would sing during her walks to the schoolhouse back in Brindleton Bay every morning, and it was during one of those times that Will ended up hearing her (I'd actually love to do a flashback post of that moment one of these days shhh).

💔 BROKEN HEART — what are three of your oc's negative traits?

Aw, well, it'd break my heart to say anything negative about Aggie, and its especially hard for me to think of any compared to Will since she's such a ray of sunshine. Though unfortunately her one flaw is that she does have a very old fashioned mindset, but it certainly isn't by any fault of her own, as I mentioned in a previous post its just how she was raised, i.e. a product of the time. Its intentional though, as I really want Aggie to represent that fleeting older generation before the newer and more modern women of the 1900s.

[kindred-sims]

😊 for aggie <3

😊 SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES — what are your oc's career/general life desires? what do they want to get the most out of life?

So fun fact, I actually have it written down that Aggie worked as a schoolteacher before she and Will married! She's always had a big heart for children and for learning, and if she'd never met Will she would've been wholly content to teach for her entire life. However, as a woman of her time, she was also raised with a very old fashioned mindset and has always lived by it -- that is, the mindset that a woman's place is in the home, and that's it. It's what was expected of her, but it was also something she'd always wanted for herself at the same time. She's always dreamt of leading a proper life, being married and having a large family, especially since she grew up in a very small one. She's a very simple person with simple aspirations at the end of the day, and is content with her lot in life.

[noahsresources]

details about ocs!

send an emoji/description of emoji to learn more about a writer's oc! many of these are taken from my munday asks meme, because i thought it would be fun to make a version for characters too! the prompts are categorized by emoji type and given descriptions in case anyone can't see the symbols. can be used for roleplayers and any general writers alike! for roleplayers, these can also be used for your interpretations of canon characters if you so desire as well!

𝐎𝐁𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐒. 💭 THOUGHT BALLOON — what is your oc's MBTI, enneagram, and/or other personality aspects (if known/interested in)? 🚗 CAR — does your oc have a driver's license? can they drive/operate any automobiles/machinery besides cars? ✈️ AIRPLANE — does your oc like traveling, or do they consider themselves a more homey person? 🎮 VIDEO GAME CONTROLLER — what are three of your oc's favorite hobbies? 💍 RING — does your oc have any piercings? do they want any (more) piercings? 🖊️ BALLPOINT PEN — does your oc have any tattoos? do they want any (more) tattoos? 📚 BOOKS — what level of education has your oc most recently completed/is currently in (GED, undergraduate, grad school, phd, etc)? 🎻 VIOLIN — does your oc play any instruments? what is their skill level (beginner/intermediate/advanced/virtuoso/etc)? 🩹 ADHESIVE BANDAGE — does your oc have any physical and/or mental disabilities? 🩸 DROP OF BLOOD — what is your oc's blood type?

𝐒𝐘𝐌𝐁𝐎𝐋𝐒. 🎶 MUSICAL NOTES — what type of music does your oc like? do they listen to music very often? 💯 HUNDRED POINTS SYMBOL — share three random facts about your oc that others may not know. 💤 SLEEPING SIGN — is your oc a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? how are their sleeping habits? 🔱 TRIDENT EMBLEM — can your oc swim? do they enjoy swimming? 🔺 RED TRIANGLE POINTED UP — does your oc know how to use any weapons? 🔶 LARGE ORANGE DIAMOND — does your oc know cpr? do they have any other medical expertise? 🚫 PROHIBITED — does your oc drink/smoke? do they do it regularly, or is it more on occasion or for special events?

𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄. 🌈 RAINBOW — what is your oc's sexual orientation/gender identity? what pronouns do they use? 🎄 CHRISTMAS TREE — what is your oc's favorite holiday? 🐶 DOG FACE — does your oc have any pets? 🐈 CAT — does your oc prefer a wide circle of friends or a few close friends? 🐷 PIG FACE — what is your oc's favorite animal? 🐉 DRAGON — what is your oc's favorite mythical creature? 🍃 LEAVES FLUTTERING IN WIND — what is/was your oc's favorite subject in school? 🌴 PALM TREE — does your oc have a green thumb? do they enjoy gardening? 🍎 RED APPLE — where was your oc born? do they still live in/around their place of birth or do they live somewhere else? how do they feel about their birthplace?

𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒. ❤️ RED HEART — what are three of your oc's positive traits? 🤍 WHITE HEART — what are three of your oc's neutral/questionable traits? 💔 BROKEN HEART — what are three of your oc's negative traits? 💘 HEART WITH ARROW — what and/or who do(es) your oc consider the most important to them? 🧡 ORANGE HEART — does your oc tend to prioritize family or friends? 💛 YELLOW HEART — how many languages does your oc speak? what language(s) are they learning, if any? 💚 GREEN HEART — does your oc prefer being inside or outside? 💙 BLUE HEART — does your oc have any cool/special powers and/or abilities? how are they with magic, if it exists in their world? 💜 PURPLE HEART — what is your oc's ancestry/genetic background? 🖤 BLACK HEART — has your oc killed or seriously wounded anyone before? have they broken someone's heart and/or broken someone's trust?

𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐃𝐒. 🎂 BIRTHDAY CAKE — when is your oc's birthday? how old are they? what are their sun, moon, & rising signs (if known)? what about their tarot card, ruling planet, & ruling number (if known)? do they fit the typical traits of these sun, moon, & rising signs? 🍝 SPAGHETTI — what is/are your oc's favorite food(s)? 🍰 SHORTCAKE — what is/are your oc's favorite sweet(s)/dessert(s)? 🍦 SOFT ICE CREAM — what is/are your oc's favorite ice cream flavor(s)? 🍔 HAMBURGER — is your oc good at cooking? are they good at baking? which one do they prefer? 🥯 BAGEL — what does your oc's typical breakfast look like? do they usually eat breakfast? 🥪 SANDWICH — what does your oc's typical lunch look like? do they usually eat lunch? 🍛 CURRY AND RICE — what does your oc's typical dinner look like? do they usually eat dinner? 🍸 COCKTAIL GLASS — what is your oc's favorite alcoholic drink, if they can drink? ☕️ HOT BEVERAGE — does your oc prefer coffee, tea, hot chocolate, milk, water, or some other drink? how do they like to take this drink (ex. coffee with milk, hot chocolate with whipped cream, a specific kind of tea, etc)?

𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄. 😊 SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES — what are your oc's career/general life desires? what do they want to get the most out of life? 😖 CONFOUNDED FACE — is your oc an introvert, an extrovert, or an ambivert? do they let people in easily, or are they more reserved? 🤔 THINKING FACE — what are some of your oc's quirks/mannerisms? 🧐 FACE WITH MONOCLE — is your oc more logical or emotional? 🤓 SMILING FACE WITH GLASSES — is your oc chatty or quiet? are they at ease in social situations, or are they more shy? 🤩 FACE WITH STARRY EYES — is your oc a planner, or are they more spontaneous in their actions? 😥 SAD BUT RELIEVED FACE — is your oc prone to getting stressed out, or is it easy for them to keep their cool? 😓 DOWNCAST FACE WITH SWEAT — is your oc open-minded or stubborn? are they inquisitive or do they prefer to keep to their bubble of knowledge? 😞 DISAPPOINTED FACE — does your oc attract others, or do they tend to be left alone? 🤒 FACE WITH THERMOMETER — does your oc get sick easily? 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 FAMILY WITH MOTHER, FATHER, SON AND DAUGHTER — how many people are in your oc's immediate family? how many people are in your oc's extended family? do they have aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc? who in their family are they closest with? are they close with their birth family, or do they have a found family?

[kindred-sims]

It wasn’t long before Agnes had once again to feel out of sorts. Only this time, she knew what such ailments meant.

It meant that she was about to become a mother again.

It was welcome news and she was all the more glad for it, as she had grown up an only child and had often wanted for siblings of her own. For that, she’d always dreamed of having a home filled with as many children as she wanted, and knowing that Charlie would never be as alone as she was delighted her.

Will received the news just as enthusiastically as he had when she’d been expecting Charlie, if not more so than last time. It seemed his intuition to double the crops was paying off so far, as the upcoming harvest was proving to be quite the large one, and would no doubt be incredibly beneficial to their financial situation.

At least he hoped so, maybe the money wouldn’t go as fast as it usually did in prior harvests. But then again, you never knew, especially now that they would have another mouth to feed…

Regardless, he wasn’t going to worry. Things only had to go up from here, with so much good news inbound in their lives. Their next harvest would be successful, and they’d soon have two children to share in that joy with.

Yes, they had a good life here, and neither Will or Aggie wanted to take it for granted.

[simblr-question-of-the-day]

📩 Simblr question of the day: any other simblrs that you love?

answer in whatever way is most comfortable for you and feel free to share this SQOTD around, make sure to use the hashtag SQOTD and tag me in separate posts ~ 💛

This question was contributed by : @/missmoodring ~thank you for the SQOTD contribution~ (This is question 7 out of 10 that they have contributed :))

[kindred-sims]

There are so many lovely folks here whom I've had the pleasure of talking to myself and have read the stories of, so I may be a wee bit biased here. Chances are if you closely follow the decades challenge tag on here then you'll already be very familiar with these simblrs and their legacy stories, but even then, they're certainly worth a second or third, or even fourth read! <3

@pixelnrd

@antiquatedplumbobs

@aheathen-conceivably

@sasaofastora

@alainas-sims

@elderberries-and-honey

@applesaucesims

[kindred-sims]

Now that Charlie was old enough, Agnes felt it was only right to start entertaining guests in her home again.

As she lived right nearby, Martha was one such frequent guest at the Barclay home – only she would spend more time fussing over little Charlie versus actually talking with Agnes. She’d become something of a surrogate grandmother to the boy, and Aggie didn’t mind at all, especially seeing as Charlie’s own grandparents were miles away from him, not to mention Martha hadn’t seen her own grandchildren in ages. It was a comfort to see the two of them interact, and once again Aggie felt incredibly blessed to have someone as kind and wonderful as Martha for a neighbor.