turns out it the version of S3pe I was uisng, the latest one.  I'm now using version 0912-13-1729, but it doesn't have the option to import into a .dbc file.  Which is what I want to do.

I'm going to guess that the s3pe is not x64 friendly is it?  I downloaded and installed s3pe_1002-19-1756.exe and when I tried to import as .dbc, the program gives me an error.

I already uninstalled and made sure there were no sims3 related directories in either my documents and where the game installs on the C: drive.  I also ran CCleaner.  I also checked the registry for any sims3 related registry entries as well.

Is this the best method for reinstalling....

Install Sims3 base game...
Do NOT install EADM when prompt.
Manually patch the game to the latest with each individual patch.

Proceed to install HELS
Again, do not install EADM when prompt.
Manually install the patch

After everything is installed and patched, can I install the EA Store CC after I run it through decrapify and s3rc? Or should I do that before HELS?

Don't worry I won't forget!!!    And I will go into great detail, step by step of the uninstall process and reinstall process!

Lol... I just went from bad to worse!  Now my game takes eons to load. *face palm*   I don't know why, but I decided to run all the .package files in my mod folder through decrapify and s3rc.exe, AND, my save game, AND my libraries folder, AND userPresets.package file.  Oh man, what in the hell did I do!  I moved the mods folder from the base game to the HELS game too.

Out of curiosity, if I drag and plop a sims3.pack file through decrapify and s3rc.exe, twice, can I damage the file?

Well I now have no option but to reinstall everything.  Probably better that way.....

I'll admit I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed.  From what my small primitive brain could comprehend, I should use the decrapify tool on my save game and custom content.  

I noticed that after installing HELS and patching it to the latest, that the custom clothing that I made in game are gone!  Do I have decrapify that as well in order it to show up again?  Also, where are the custom colors, clothing that you make in the game stored?  Under Libraries?

I deleted the save file and reverted back to my old save by deleting the .backup at the end.  Same thing, my sims have no skills, even with the mods folder deleted.  I don't understand how a bunch of mods for different clothing would make my sims skills disappear.  It would make sense if I used a mod that dealt with skills.   Is the decrapifying tool and sr3 tool just for .sims3package files? Or can you use them on .package files as well.

I apologize for all the noob questions.  And I really do appreciate all the replies and help.  Thank you!

Did you mean this? http://sublimesims.net/smf/index.php?PHPSESSID=5b6b2bdf0ac0653599c68474b7bdd25d&topic=1748.0

Is there any fix to getting back skills that have disappeared?

I heard that in the latest patch the EA disabled custom content, is that true?

Hopefully I can find my backup save

Too late.  When I my sims were frozen due to one of the mods I had, I saved the game when my sims where unfrozen.  Unfortunately I thought that was the only issue, until I looked at my skills.  Now that I saved, I guess I am SOL and have no choice but to reinstall everything and start fresh!

Are the mods still supposed to go into the mod folder on the base game?  Or do you have to move them to the High End Loft stuff folder?

And thank you very much for the help.  Most appreciated

I'm not sure if its the patch, but when I installed High End Loft Stuff and upgraded to the latest patches and started the game, I noticed my skills no longer have any of the skills they had!

Is there a fix to this?  Or is there a program I can use to edit there skills and the challenges for the skills?  I'd hate to have to start all over again to get the skills!