Jeff Pool/Volleyball party 2006

It all started with the arrival of Brian and Ron as they unpacked the components for making a variety of mixers and drinks, and food items pertinent to the cookout. Jeff had just arrived from work minutes afterwards around 3:30pm. Lisa prepared a pizza for us to eat as Keith also arrived. Ron was ready for a drink and poured his first Captain Morgan Tattoo to kick off the events. Keith and Brian followed Ron’s example with a drink of their own, Jeff was happy to open a beer right after work, and Lisa was not far behind fixing herself her famous “precious” mixer. Randy was the next to arrive, with cooler in hand containing the seemingly always cold aluminum-canned IC light, and made it in time to enjoy some pizza. Naiden arrived next already dressed for the pool and suggested we go swimming before she had to leave for another engagement. Ron suggested we all have another drink and go outside, although he wasn’t sure about going swimming. After consuming the pizza, Jeff prepared the pool, the volleyball net, and the audio for the days’ activities. Others followed to check the temperature of the water, and soon changed into their suits as the sky looked grim when dark clouds had rolled near. This sight had made Ron certain about not going in…

Jeff was the first to test the waters and Keith, Lisa, Randy, and Naiden followed him right in. Brian was not far behind, and because the water was cold, easing in was out of the question, so he simply jumped. It warmed up after being in the water for a few minutes. After learning how the “torpedo” toy was to be thrown, all in the pool seemed to have fun, and a little bit of volleyball was played for a short time. By this time, the skies were slowly getting darker, and all in the water seemed on high alert. All agreed to be on the watch for lightning. Jeff’s neighbor, Mark, had arrived next and flipped himself right into the pool, and joined in the activities. Soon afterward, the sky did open up and dropped rain on everyone. Those outside the pool grabbed all the towels and cell phones, and took them inside. Those in the pool continued to play as the rain fell…and it fell for awhile, but not real heavy.

After the rain had let up, Ron came out in his swim trunks and finally joined the others in the pool. He must have been watching out a window and saw how much fun everyone was having, rain or not! Now, a real game of pool volleyball was about to begin. Brian, Ron, and Keith took on Jeff, Lisa, Mark, and Randy. It was a good time for all with some competitive banter and humorous comments on both sides. The sky, however, opened up again and the rain came back.. It did not interrupt the game as they played on until a victor emerged. Ron and Keith claimed some vision difficulty as their glasses became spotted from the rain drops. During other moments, the noodles and the torpedo toy played a role in distracting opponents. By this time, the clouds had rolled through, never to return, and Machelle and Denise had arrived. A break from the pool was in order as most were out of beverages or needed the restroom…

Others were arriving and all congregated in the garage for some time. Of the new arrivals was Dee, Mark’s wife from across the street. A large bowl of jello shots quickly became a hit as everyone tried to be the best at clearing the cups. To the dismay of Randy and Brian, Dee was the winner as she could clear the jello out without the use of her hands! A suggestion was made to soak the corn so all could eat soon. Jeff acted on this quickly and got them all set up. The sky cleared up and the sun was visible again but going down. This prompted one last return to the pool, but with some different people. Ron did not go back to swimming but did prepare his famous “dirty banana” mixers for those that inquired. On this same note, at one point in the evening, Lisa had mentioned that the “dirty b”s” were better than her own “precious”. Another volleyball game ensued until hunger set in and all had left the pool for good. The garage became the meeting point once again and the cookout was well on it’s way to becoming a feast. Ron went back in to make another batch of dirty bananas, and an unknown person had walked up the drive. It was Holly, the newest member of the club! She had a chance to meet some members and try Ron’s mixer. This was a good time for all getting to know a new member and making her feel welcome. Thanks for coming Holly!!

Jeff finished up cooking, and Lisa had all the covered dishes ready to go. There was corn, chicken wings, sloppy joes, varieties of macaroni salad, hamburgers, crab dip and crackers, chips and dips, and desserts. The possibility of leaving here hungry was nonexistent! The corn was some of the sweetest corn ever tasted. The only negative comment was from Ron when he mentioned something about how “sloppy” the sloppy joes were, but he was just trying to get under Lisa’s skin. Machelle and Denise always seem to get a conversation started about taboo topics. Brian is always somewhere near them when this is going on. Randy and a few others had went in to watch the start of the Steeler’s game. Brian followed just to irritate some of the Steeler fans. Others cleaned up the garage and Ron made another batch of mixers. Although interested in staying at the party, Holly declined the invitation and left, as she had committed to help a friend. Shortly after that, a suggestion was made to set up the sun porch for a game called “catchphrase”.

Following a long process of getting everyone on the sun porch, the game was about to begin. With a few comments from Brian about Denise sitting high on the chair, getting all the chairs positioned, placing the shot bowl in the middle, and explaining the rules, the practice round commenced. Ron started the game and his competitive nature overshadowed his normal personality, as he suddenly became loud while talking table trash. It quickly became evident from all players that Mark and Dee know a lot about each other. This was pointed out by Randy during a round when Mark had described eggs by stating them as a spill from the kids. At other moments, players were upset with Ron’s hesitation with easy phrases, trying to let the buzzer fall on its next victim. This strategy did not work in Ron’s favor for very long as he and Brian got buzzed in a few rounds. Before long, players were almost screaming across the table! At one moment, there was so much conversation, partners had trouble hearing each other. Still, some of the phrases were comical and it produced a good time. Overall, each team stayed relatively close in point standings, and it wasn’t until the phrase of the night did everything change….

Machelle and Keith were partners and became stuck on numerous phrases, but one quickly became the conversation of the night! Apparently, only half of the participants knew that “chili and cornbread” are served together! Others have never heard of the pairing. It was explained as a southern thing and as common as milk with cereal. Keith said that he never got cornbread when he got Wendy’s chili! Machelle said that chili with cornbread are very good together! This phrase reverberated numerous times throughout the rest of the night and may still have some in disbelief.

Late into the rounds, Kim showed up from work to support Ron and Naiden returned shortly from her dinner event. Jeff and Lisa ran into trouble on consecutive turns and were the first to bow out of the game. Machelle and Keith were out next, followed by Brian and Ron whose hesitation strategy worked against them in the end. It came down to the pairings of Randy and Denise against Mark and Dee. It was a great few rounds as each pair tried their best until Mark got stuck trying to explain one phrase to Dee as time expired. Randy and Denise became the winners and the game concluded. A motion to eat was supported and the food was great once again as Jeff cooked some more corn. Desserts were more part of the menu this time around and most were done drinking at this point as water was the prevailing alternative.

After talk about road construction, a conversation between Randy and Machelle about New Jersey ensued. Randy explained a story to prove it recalling a time he went to renew his license. He even went as far as to display the actual emotion he felt during that trying time. Machelle was disgusted with the roadways and the lack of a return on the exit ramps off a highway. This went on for some time and at moments become quite humorous and serious at the same time. Keith had added his two cents mentioning something about the chili and cornbread again…

Everyone laughed, gathered their things, got into their cars, and the night ended…
 

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