Sim gets into position to do something, then doesn't perform action

I was having some problems with my game, and ended up deleting my EA folder, uninstalling Origin, uninstalling my games, and I reinstalled everything. I also readjusted my graphics settings to the recommended settings. The problems I had before are gone now. But I've run across a different issue.
I had my Sim move into a home with her dad, whom I deleted using the MC total annihilation command. I'm trying to get my Sim to fill the dog bowl. I've tried 4 times now, and every time, she steps into position in front of the bowl like she's about to fill it, and all of a sudden the action at the top of the screen disappears and she just stands there, the dog bowl unfilled. The same thing happened when I tried to get her to do her homework. She walks over to a spot on the ground, pulls out her homework, then the homework goes back into her inventory and she just stands there again.
I would definitely appreciate any assistance. :)