Yes Rukaya - I always keep my store downloads inside a folder in their own folder I name store downloads - that way I do not have to redownload everything as long as there has not been a new store patch. Of course I am one who actually has numerous folders inside my store downloads folder where I have everything organized - But I am an organization freak anyway - mainly because I hate having to search for anything. I like to be able to go directly to whatever I want without having to search for anything or wonder if that is the right thing. To add extra security (I do go overboard - I am aware of this) I also make a copy of my well organized folders onto my back up harddrive just in case my main hard drive ever fails - so I always have a copy.
When they ever stop making store content for this game - I will do what I did for sims 2 and make backup copies of my downloads and put them on disks so I will never have to worry about losing all the money that has been spent on the store if the store ever ceases to be. But I will not go to that extreme as long as they are still doing updates and still make store stuff.
I know what you mean about the cats not liking the goings on outside. My kitties don't even like it when my husband is outside doing stuff in the yard, I can imagine how unhappy they are about strangers doing things. I do try and make mine relax by not being too uptight about it all and pretty much do my normal things and not watch the goings on outside and such. They see me not getting nerved up and they relax a little better. But I don't care to watch things going on outside anyway, as watching people in trees or with power tools - well is a bit nerve wracking and I would rather be dumb about it all than get stressed about something happening or going wrong.
I am totally opposite of Pete in that respect as he would be right out there - probably running the whole "show" while I prefer just the before and after views of it all.
So I guess it all depends on what kind of person you are. Of course Pete is the type that can stay calm and help when something does go wrong or someone gets hurt - he was am EMT and volunteer fireman when we lived in Maine - so he always has his head on straight - while I on the otherhand has been known to "faint" in a crisis. Not at all useful to anyone. My kids can attest to how many times I have gotten them to a hospital and then fainted out cold while the doctors are running around trying to take care of their injuries. So nope, not watching - and totally ignoring it all seems to work best for me... and my kitties.