Justin Barillas ch 8- The never ending degree challenge

Justin (33) his wife Lashawn (42)
Their children: twins Candice and Cameron (6)
Narrated by Justin.

We still wake up and marvel at how quiet the house is. The twins are now six and pretty much can get up and play with their toys. Even though we can sleep just a little bit more, we still tend to get out of bed early.

Lashawn and I have been happy these past years that we have been married. The other day Lashawn came up to me and hugged me. It had been a while since we did something as simple as give each other a hug. We have been married 14 years. I still can not believe that we have been married that long.

14 years ago I did not have as much weight as I am carrying now. I try to work out but with the kids and our store it is hard to find time. I do not like working out but I know it has its benefits.

Finally the fishing season has started and the fish are biting like crazy in our lake. Lashawn likes to take a break from studying her finals to hang out with me. She still can not believe that I like fishing as much as I do.

She finds time between her job and getting her masters to play with Candice. Candice is six now. I still can not believe she is actually in school now.

The store is open every day except or Sunday. I still gave my employees job evaluations. we have been doing great these past few years. Sometimes I remember how I wanted to close this store down. I am grateful I did not because we are now finally out of the red.

LaShawn always complains that it is taking her forever to finish her master's. There have been plenty of times where she wants to just plain quit. I tell her to take it easy and before she knows it she will have finished.

I want to make sure my kids know how to fish. Candice is more into it than my son Cameron. When I look at my kids I wonder if we should try to have more. Lashawn says that she is fine with the twins but sometimes I wonder. Don't get me wrong I love having just my pair of perfect little kids.

Now Lashawn is finally doing her papers for her degree. I take the kids out so they wont bother her. We are all on the right track and I am happy for our drama free life so far.

Justin Barillas Ch 7

Justin (31), his wife Lashawn (40) Their kids: Cameron and Candice (4)
Narrated by Justin.

The twins have finally turned five and Lashawn and I are planning to have a party. We have decided to invite everyone. I literally mean every single one of our family members. I don't know how she is going to plan it since she is still trying to finish her masters degree.

This is a beautiful age because it allows me the opportunity to work in my store full time. The kids go to school and by the time they come home then I am almost ready to close shop.

Lashawn recommended this college student to work in the store. I needed help and I agreed to hire him immediately.

It was a beautiful spring day when we decided to have the twins birthday celebration. I did not think it would go off without a hitch but it did. I was happy to see that not everyone was freezing in the spring weather.

I do not think our family has been together like this in a long time. It was amazing to see my whole family there. I was also sadden because a lot of the cousins do not know each other as they should. That has to stop.I made it a point for Candice and Cameron to meet and get along with all of their cousins.

It was a long night but when we finally got to bed it felt good. I looked at LaShawn and was happy to have our little family. She shocked me a little when she asked if I wanted another baby. I told her I didnt mind either way but deep down inside I am fine with my two kids. I don't know if the business would survive another baby.

Justin Barillas ch 6

Justin (29), LaShawn (38)
Children: Cameron and Candice (twins)(2 )
Narrated by LaShawn

Publish Post

Now that the kids are toddlers, Justin has decided to reopen his business at home. Just-in-case is getting much more customers than before.

I still work my magic as a dazzler seller on the floor. I still tell Justin that maybe now that he's earning more he might hire another employee. I know Gordon was happy to get his job back.

Justin asked several people if they wanted to work at his store and many turned him down flat. Finally a teenager by the name of Ivy Cooper decided to join his team as a sales person. Justin held his first meeting and introduced Ivy to Gordon. Gordon got a little raise since he now restocks the inventory.

Business was booming but Ivy seemed to come on a little strong. Justin was worried and talked to her and she just smiled. Hopefully she will work on her aggressiveness.

I am still into pottery and now even manage to make some of my tea sets. I have to admit its nice when Justin tells me that I need to make more. They are so in demand right now.

We finally got Ian and Marcos to come over with their wives to have a little party. It was awesome that Adam and Cara managed to tag along. I sat by Justin and asked him why he looked so down. He told me that he received yet another complaint from customers regarding Ivy.

Ian too chimed in his opinion later that night. Justin is sometimes too nice but we all agreed that Ivy needed to go. In the end it is Justin's decision whether he retrains her or not.

Justin called Ivy in and informed her of her aggressiveness. She refused to change and even said told Justin that his business would fail without her selling skills. No need to tell you that she was fired on the spot. Justin now is worried about hiring another person.

I am 38 and that makes me 8 years older than my husband. I cant believe that I am about to turn 40 in a couple of years. I look in the mirror and I see the wrinkles starting to set in. I also started thinking about having more kids. I am almost at the cusp.

My little mid-life crisis landed me on the sofa looking at the newspaper and something caught my eye. Apparently Viramontes is offering a new Master's program that costs $9,000. Can you imagine? I immediately wanted to sign up. Not to mention the auto bonus added to my salary.

I mentioned it to Justin and he agreed that I should go ahead and do it. He himself didn't finish college and I asked him if he wanted to do it. He told me that he was too busy with the store but maybe in the future.

I signed up for the classes and instantaneously received the material to get started. Apparently its 7 courses and for each one I have to write a term paper. Ugh!

I found a glitch in the system. I have so far finished a course but I got the material for the second course. Its no wonder that I have to still do my exam for the 1st course. I cant believe that I really wanted to do this??? EEEK!

ch 5--Justin Barillas

Justin (27) his wife Linda (36)
Children: Cameron and Candice (Newborn)

Linda and I are so happy to be parents. She has a great job as a university Lecturer and I have a pretty good home business. I sell decorative items and I do admit that Linda is a big help to my business. Now that we have the twins it seems that I am being pulled in two directions

I stay up late night to try and finish some projects that are the big money makers at my store. FOr example the blanket on the wall beside me? I made that and it brings in about 3000 simoleans. I need that to break even. I want to take my business to the next level. When I start working I tend not to look up until I am basically asleep on the sewing machine.

I come inside and help feed Cameron. I usually try to feed Canice as well but she ends up asleep in bed with Linda. Now that the twins are one its pretty hard to keep up with their feeding schedule.

Linda continues to help out the best she can but still it still is not enough. My one employee is noticing the drop in both merchandise and in our sales. I know that if I dont dedicate enough time then it simply wont succeed.

The dreaded talk that I was fearing actually occurred. Linda told me that the latest numbers for my shop are way below the average that I have been maintaining. She says that I have to consider hiring someone else to manage the place. I dont have the money to do that. Right now Linda needs to get back to work and that means hiring a nanny that we can not afford. I told her that I will think about what is our next step.


Sometimes its hard to think and that when I love that our place has its own small lake. I come out here and fish whenever I need to think. I want my business to succeed but at the same time I think Linda is older and she sometimes feels she can tell me what to do. She's 36 and im 27. She has a successful career and I am a struggling shop owner. In the end I know that she is right. I need to make a choice.

I came up to look at our children and the choice was simple. I laid of my employee and gave him a great recommendation. I put a closed until further notice on the door. I am going to keep the shop closed until the kids are a little older and we can afford to have a nanny.

Justin Barillas---Chapter 4

Justin (25) and his wife, Lashawn (34)
Narrated by: Justin

Lashawn and I have been trying to get my home business up a few level and have been unsuccessful. We now have been living together for six years and my business has been running for about four. I never thought that it would be so hard to make a successful business.
I know that Lashawn is getting tired of me and the business. She is now a university lecturer and is earning enough to pay the bills for now. In the business im breaking even.

I guess now I really have to consider my business. Lashawn suspected she was pregnant and had it confirmed. I guess im going to be a father. I cant believe that were actually having a baby. Im happy but scared at the same time.


I think that knowing that im going to be a father has helped me in my business. I have a cashier that I hired a while ago and I gave him a raise. Now I spend my time talking with our customers and trying to see what it is that they want to purchase.
It has worked because my business finally went up a level. Im so happy that I want to scream with happiness.

Lashawn's pregnancy has not been good. She was ordered on bedrest and hates every second of it. Now that I have to do everything its harder for me to attend my business so I closed it for a while. I just want to take care of Lashawn.

Soon she was cramping and told me it was time.

I was so scared but I had to keep it together for her.

We had twins. My family is full of triplets and twins. I was not surprised. We have a baby girl and a baby boy. We named them Cameron and Candice.

the boys keep us both up at night and Lashawn is more active than ever. I commented on how hot she looked in her PJ's . Can you tell i love my wife. She blushed and told me to focus on feeding Candice.

When I look at my babies I just cant believe that they are really my children. This is when I most miss my mom and dad.

The business has remained closed for now since I am going to be a stay at home dad. We can not afford to spend money on a nanny right now. Maybe when the boys are a little older I can reopen my shop.

Justin Barillas--Chapter 3

Justin Barillas, age 23, Wife: Lashaun age 32

Justin had heard the rumors but didnt want to face the truth. He had a job as an intern for the city planning department of Viramontes. He had heard there were going to be some major lay offs and he crossed his fingers and hoped he was not one of them. As the saying goes, "last one hired is the first one fired." He opened his email and saw the email from his boss marked urgent. He told himself that it was just an announcement on who lost their job. It wouldnt matter now how much he and Lashuan wished it because it wouldnt work. There was his name, the fourth one on the list. It read, "Sadly we have to make some budget cuts in all of our departments. The following people will have the opportunity for an exit interview plus severance pay depending on their seniority. Please see your manager tomorrow at 8am. It pains me to let any of you go. I want to take this opportunity and thank you for your service and wish all of you much success in your future endeavors. Signed, Kevin Bingley CEO". There it was he was now unemployed.
Things could be worse but he looked on the bright side. He could now dedicate his time to his business which hopefully turn around. Now he just had to let Lashaun know.

"Alright so your unemployed. Baby we have a business. As long as we have that then were fine. Im still employed as a university lecturer so were good." said Lashaun.
"I know but still. Lashaun business is not doing so well."
"But now that your off it will turn around. We will have ups and downs. Trust me were fine."

"Im here for you Justin. We are going to make it. How many 23 year olds do you know have a booming business running?"
"I dont know but I do know that im one 23 year old lucky man to have such a good woman by his side. Thank you for your support."
"your welcome. Now I have to run upstairs and prepare some lectures."
"Ill be in the shop. Lashaun...I love you."
"And I love you Justin".


Justin gave his all to the shop and a year later he was still trying to get things together. He had to lay off one of his workers and decided to start selling . At first he would only supervise while his workers sold and checked people out. Now with no additional income he just couldnt afford the employees.
As much as he wanted to let both go he just couldnt. So he kept one employee and managed to get himself a little more sales experience.
Lashaun tried to help the best she could but needing to make the extra cash therefore stayed at work longer.

Justin did make some improvements on the shop. He added some wall paper to give the place a warmer feel. He also managed to sew a quilt. He still remembered the first one he did. It came out terrible. This is the reason why he hangs it u p there. Who knows maybe some day some one will want to buy it out of pity.

Instead of just having home made items they decided to purchase some items from a local warehouse. Justin was happy that he could restock shelves quicker without having to sit and sew numerous things.

Lashaun was worried that they were neglecting their friends. Its bad enough that Justin's family hardly ever came around. Now they were both too busy to socialize with their friends. They agreed to have a party to invite their friends over. Some were her collegues and others were friends from the past.

Gratefully their friends understood their busy schedule. Joe carr (with the brown shirt) was amazed when he receive the phone call to stop by for dinner. Lashaun was greatful to have an army of support by her side.
Justin on the other hand, kept thinking about the shop. When dinner was over he excused himself and headed straight to the shop to reorder supplies.

When the party had ended, Lashaun cleaned everything up. She hoped that her husband would be OK. It almost seemed that the shop had grown so little the past two years. No matter what she hoped his business would succeed. If not then she wouldnt know what to do.

Justin sat there by the bad quilt that he made. He tried to give himself a pep talk. He needed to chase these demons of failure away. What if he didnt make it? What if Lashaun became disappointed and left him? He needed to make this business work but with people around him losing their jobs it was too difficult. He needed to get out of the shop.

He went into the kitchen and poured himself a drink. He thought back at the recent years and was amazed at how much he had grown. Lashaun and he were now married four years. Before his lay off he was thinking of starting a family. Now his main concern was being able to provide for them. He gulped down his cold drink and went upstairs to show his wife how much he truly loved her.
****Authors note*****
I was a little bored with Justin's story this round. They were just so busy with their business that the five sim day rotation passed before I knew it. I almost got rid of their business but being that I only have one sim owned one , I decided to keep it. I just have to invest more time on Justin and his lovely wife. The good thing is that despite their age difference they are so attracted to each other. I promise the next update on this family will have more spice...hopefully.