August 2011

Usually, we all look forward to our annual Toga Party @ Spanky’s. Unfortunately, this year, we had a party crasher! Her name was “Irene”! A few days before our party, the news started telling us scary stories about rain, flooding, winds, etc. Friday through Saturday afternoon, we watched the news as the storm got closer. We moved the time to have an early start @ 4. It was already raining all day, so any idea of relaxing in the pool was quickly washed out! Amazingly enough, all 8 of us made it to the party! Kate left after about an hour or so…just enough time to make drinks (hurricanes of course!), eat, win the Mystery & split! The 7 of us played on. I had to take over calling duties which made Phyllis happy because that meant she was next!

We dined on pulled pork sammiches, cole slaw, fried tomatoes, orzo pasta salad, fruit salad, cupcakes & other various snacks. We only played 3 rounds with Patt calling the Cover All at the 6:30 mark. Peg & I split the pot for $7 each. We took a break for coffee & dessert. Marge left. We kicked around the idea of playing another round, but Patt & Debi wanted to roll out. Peg, Lori & I hung out for about ½ hr & left. Everyone got home safely & avoided the worst of the storm! At the end of the night, Spanky handed out parting gifts to everyone. They were mini hurricane survival bags that included: a bottle of water, a rain poncho, a candle & a lighter! You can’t say we weren’t prepared! After all was said & done, we got a lot of wind & rain, some places got flooded, lots of downed tree branches, but it wasn’t anywhere near as bad as the weather people predicted. Here’s to surviving Irene!

MYSTERY BAG

As previously noted in the opening section, the Mystery this month went from Patt to Kate. The theme was home entertaining/hurricane survival. There was a set of card design plates, napkins, cups & tablecloth. This will come in handy for the September party! Funny story about these items…Patt found them in a store on clearance. The cashier didn’t know how to ring up the order, so he gave her the whole lot for $2.50. This left Patt w/ 50 cents change (in dimes) which she also tossed into the bag! The rest of the bag included a heavy duty rain poncho, damp rid, flashlight, candles, an all-purpose stick (glowing/flashlight/whistle), and a pack of cards to have something to do in case the power went out!

TIKI BAR LUAU

I can’t believe it’s the end of summer already! It seems like just the other day we were kicking summer off @ the Tiki Bar, and now…we’re waving goodbye! Please come to Kate’s house SATURDAY 9/17 @ 6:00. Weather permitting – the hot tub will be open!

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

With an unheard of earthquake hitting our area on Tuesday (we are still on the East Coast, right?) & Irene blowing in over the weekend, we had to have a discussion about what to do in the future if we have another weather emergency on Pokeno day. It seemed like a million phone calls went between my house & Phyllis! Not to mention mass text messages to the rest of you! Thank goodness for an unlimited data plan!

So, here’s what we all decided to do in the future…

Step 1: Adjust the starting time. If it looks like bad weather will be hitting in the evening, we will move the start time to earlier in the day (like we did this time). If that doesn’t work…we go to plan B.

Step 2 (or Plan B): Change the date. In the event of a blizzard, hurricane, earthquake, fire, locusts, plague, zombies, etc, we will reschedule the party all together. The only problem w/ trying to reschedule the date is sometimes people only have a day or 2 available that month which would push that party into the following month, which might eventually lead us to having Xmas on St. Patty’s Day! The date reschedule will be the last resort for emergency planning.

Above all else, safety is the most important thing! Use your common sense/gut instinct. If you don’t feel comfortable braving the storm or zombie apocalypse, DON’T COME OUT!!! I can’t stress this enough! Your attendance is NOT mandatory. Of course it would suck if you didn’t come because we like being together (most of the time) & we would miss you, but we all understand that some people have a long drive, and others just don’t like zombies... So, one more time, if you don’t feel safe driving – don’t do it! And, if you DO insist on coming out (even after people have
told you not to), don’t whine about it after you get to the party!

RANDOM FUNNIES

Five of a Kind? Or What’s It Called? For the record, it’s called a “flush”! This is when you get 5 of the same suit. I think Lori asked what it was called & Patt yelled 5 of a kind as she was trying to count & call cards at the same time!

Oh! The Frightening Places You’ll Go! During Phyllis’ call she said, “I had to go back in my mind!” Is that as scary to the rest of you as it is to me? I don’t think I’d like to go into the dark, deep recesses of Spanky’s frontal lobe…

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

#1 – Happy Birthday! We have 2 lovely ladies celebrating birthdays in August. Sister Cosmo was at the beginning of the month. Sister Giggles celebrated a few days before our Hurricane Party!

#2 – Happy Anniversary! My how the time flies! With all the craziness that was this month’s game, I totally forgot to announce that this was Lori’s 2nd anniversary as an official Pokeno member! Way to go Giggles, you’ve survived all the wackiness that is Pokeno!

GOT POOL HAIR?

There's nothing better than taking a dip in the pool on a hot summer day, but chlorine & chemicals can be harsh/damaging to your hair. This potion will protect your locks - and help blonde hair from turning green.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons baking soda
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon mild shampoo
*Yields 2 ounces -- enough for one treatment

Mix together all ingredients until well blended. Wet hair and massage the mixture onto your hair & scalp, making sure ends are coated. Cover hair with a plastic bag or shower cap and leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse hair well and shampoo as usual.

THIS IS THE END

So, we survived 2 natural disasters in one week! Pshew! Let’s hope Mother Nature’s done with her need to strike down upon us with great vengeance and furious anger so we can have a nice, sunny, happy Luau! Until next time, may the foxiest bitch win!