Memorial Day March

The annual town parade was held in Milton this year - a move from Marlboro. Both are part of Marlborough just to confuse you more. The Vets of Marlborough moved it to a different route so Milton could feel a part of the parade and plan is to now move it back and forth each year. Just imagine the drama that unfolded in Marlboro as a result. The ice cream stand on the route was so upset they even started a facebook page. Hilarious. Part of the real reason they moved it is that there were three men from our area killed in the Civil War. They were Quakers and this year the parade ended in the park that was built were they lived. Lest us not forget the meaning of Memorial Day, which some in Marlboro have done. Many boycotted the parade. Grown-up, I know. Needless to say the ceremony at the end was the best attended ever and I thought they did a great job. I heard lots of good things about it. After they served refreshments in the pavillion that overlooks a little lake. Way better than ending in a school parking lot and boiling in the heat I must say.

Here's a few shots...

taste testing - PF Chang's Frozen Meals

We have NO real Chinese places near us. The closest PF's is about an hour away. Not too far for a date night or something like that, but when Mark is gone I'm not going by myself and I really wanted good Chinese tonight. I thought I could get buy on some appetizers from the supermarket, but I scored with PF Chang's new frozen meals. I thought it was pricey at $7.99 for a 2 person entree, but in reality it's cheaper than a meal at the crappy Chinese joint next door. WAY BETTER!
Tried the Orange Chicken. Very good. Real pieces of white chicken breast - not particles and pieces of skin. Upon opening the bag I decided I would cook just a portion for me. Ends up I can get at least 3 meals out of a bag. So I divided up the chicken and sauce chunks and put it in the pan and covered it for 10 minutes. And it was DONE! Nothing else to do except eat it. I had made brown rice last night and it completed the meal. So if you don't have any good Chinese places near you I would highly recommend trying the PF's from the grocery store.
Now to test the chocolate lava cakes... can't go wrong there.

home in one fell swoop!

We made it home in one day - 12 hours on the road including all the stops for breaks and food. Google had told us 13 hours. Way off! It's 10 hours according to Garmin, but we needed gas and such and oh wait... DC traffic. Way before we hit DC. Like 60 miles out of DC it slowed down. Jersey traffic was not as bad this time, but we were on the NJ Turnpike and not the Garden State Parkway along the shore. Found one more good southern restaurant. Zaxby's. Awesome chicken and stuff. Better than Chik-A-Fil. Should have tried it sooner. The south is full of chicken places - fine by me. I love chicken. I hate to say it, but Bo Jangles takes the cake for sides. Rice, green beans, cole slaw - all good there. Never had dirty rice before and it was tasty.
The cats were very happy to see us and will not quit following us everywhere and sleeping on us all the time. Need to keep them up today so we sleep good again tonight! Off to unpack!

How not to sell a timeshare in 30 seconds or less...

As part of our package deal we had to attend a timeshare presentation. Never been to one? Let's just say if you are going to say no just say it. It is ok to say yes if it is something you want and can afford. I mean hear them out so you get your freebie and make them feel you are learning something at the very least. In Myrtle Beach you can buy a condo for under $100k. Why spend $22k on something you can go to once a year for the rest of your life. And not decorate to your own tastes. The math did not make sense in this situation. Don't give any excuses just say no and be done with it.

Famous lines we heard over 2.5 hours...

We had to adopt two kids because my wife had cancer and couldn't have kids.
The oldest was 5 when we got her and 9 when it was finalized. Cutest thing ever.
Let me show you my grandkids. Takes out a picture that is 10 years old of 4 really cute kids. Wonder if they are his grandkids?
I have diabetes and have lost weight recently by mowing my own lawn.
My wife got cancer again 3 years ago and had to spend 3 months at a place far from home for treatment.
I'm so tired from taking care of my wife each night feeding and bathing her that I just can't find time to take care of myself. That contributed to my diabetes.
My Mother-in-law just lost her leg from the knee down. Was only supposed to be the foot. She has diabetes too.
My wife is going to stay a few more days to take care of her.
I got two free nights in a hotel from all my timeshare points in the city my MIL is in the hospital. Took my two grandkids with us for a fun stay. Sounds like fun to me....

Yes, folks all from the same guy. He has an awful life don't you think? We felt so bad for saying no, but this was not for us! So what were we too believe? Were we buying a timeshare or subsidizing a pity session? Boy did he make us feel guilty - then called us stupid for not buying? Then they sent over some guy in a dirty white shirt to try and get us to buy hotel points for $2500. Huh? Then he slammed out of the room and shot us a nasty look. No wonder his close rate is 33%. I'm going to guess it's more like 10%. Was happy to hear that we didn't get the red head that is known for keeping you until you say yes. Her close rate is 66% (sounds like the devil if you ask me!). The day before she kept a couple for 6 hours. I would have walked out on her. It is my vacation time and your 90 minutes of pity is up. What an awful sales tactic.

Nascar Night

Mark managed to snap a few shots at the race, while I was at the pool on Friday. It was 95 and way too hot inland where the race was for me to go. It was 85 at the pool and it was the pool with nice cool water. And I also got Papa John's pizza and breadsticks. I'm sure this is no big deal to any of you, but we don't have Papa John's at home and I love their breadsticks. Wait I watched two movies too. Don't count on me remembering which ones - I don't. They were so-so and totally not how they were described on red box.

Anyway race shots... taken from Mark's seat.

Myrtle Beach - the beach

I'll try to get some pool shots today. Should be quiet as most people check out today. Mark is heading to the race and I am sitting by the pool, ordering Papa John's breadsticks and watching some redbox movies. He is feeling guilty and I'm not sure why. 95 degree heat and lots of people at the race? Sounds fun to him and the pool sounds fun to me! We both have fun and then hit the road for the long drive home tomorrow. Stopping somewhere in PA - not going thru Jersey. NO WAY!

We went down to the beach last night and it is nicely redone with a great board walk and lots of tree's. Palm tree's. They even have stations to rinse off at. I was impressed. The beach in Wrightsville Beach, NC was nicer. Much less broken shells to cobble over there. The water here was a bit warmer, but we weren't there to swim. There are tons of places to stay on the beach and next time we will. While this place is very nice it is not on the beach and this is a beach town. The pool is a bonus, but most of the hotels on the beach have pools too. Off to golf again (mini-golf this time!)