GalacticGal
Since you don't know me, LOL, I get what your saying!
Just so you know, I always, before I go online to play, I remove all LastException's which occur simply by entering the game and localthumcache.package. I also will clear the EA app's cache 24 to 36 hours after an update or install. then again periodically just to be sure it's clear of all the advertisements and changes they made to the splashscreen. Because it can build up there too! Your system may try to read files that it no longer needs!
I have had to "repair my game so many times after each new pack it is actually ridiculous as to how many times I have done it. Sad fact is this tho: I have only 1 game, meaning when I play, I always resume playing, I never "choose" a game. I have 1. which means I have 5 saves for that 1 game. Never CC/MOD, Always create a new save once an update is complete, exit game, go back in game and choose to play the new save I created, enter and then delete the old save. With that being said, other than the game play, I should have exactly what the developers gave me! 100% virgin 100%pure. If what I have doesn't match what they have, then I am going to wonder how and why not?? Because everything I have came from EA developers.