Anyone who knows us knows that May is our month to celebrate – Mother’s Day, my Birthday, and our Anniversary all happen during this glorious Spring month. My combo gift from Malcolm is always a trip. It isn’t always elaborate, although some years it is. The idea is to get away, to a pretty place, and have a different experience from my day to day. This year we chose Biloxi, Mississippi.
Birthday: Twenty-five years ago, we stayed at the Beau Rivage, a Casino hotel that sits directly on the Gulf of Mexico. It was their first year in operation. This year for their 25th anniversary, it’s time to return.
We completed the ten-hour drive in one day and arrived on a soggy afternoon. Our four nights at the Beau Rivage (showing its age, but still beautiful) were relaxing and enjoyable. Highlights included my birthday dinner at the BR Prime steak house, (in the hotel) watching the Biloxi Shuckers (Minor League AA) play baseball, and a trip to Traintastic, a miniature train museum.
You may notice I didn’t mention the casino as a highlight. We hung our heads and moved on to more productive pursuits once we lost our ‘budgeted’ entertainment expense.
The game was quite a production, and very enjoyable. Unfortunately, the local team lost.
Malcolm and I love the creativity and nostalgia of beautifully curated old trains, and this museum was a joy. Like kids in a candy store, we pushed every button and pulled every handle as the intricate displays entertained us.
A few of my favorite train displays
Mother’s Day: I celebrated Mother’s Day with seven other mothers by playing a tennis round-robin. Misfortune ensued and I had to bow out of the last round and forego the celebratory Prosecco toast due to heat exhaustion. Bummer. I have come to expect that condition at least once per summer, but since it isn’t quite summer I was surprised when it happened. The universe has a way of telling us to pay attention, doesn’t it?
Wedding Anniversary: Malcolm and I celebrated our anniversary at our favorite ‘Happy Hour’ spot on the beach, having pizza and drinks. We almost forgot it was our anniversary until a text from a friend reminded us. Hello! Big celebrations only happen for birthdays and anniversaries that end with 0 or 5. This was #36 so pizza was entirely appropriate.
Celebrating Family: I have lived far from my family since I moved to Miami for a job in 1978. The eight-hour driving distance makes it hard to stay in touch with growing families but I have mostly been present for the big events – graduations, weddings, and significant accomplishments. Such was the case last week when we drove to Clermont, FL to watch my great-niece pitch her final High School softball game. Her team won the Regional Championship the week before and was in the final four for the Class 1A division. A win would mean back-to-back state championships for her. She pitched her way to the final last year as a Junior and won. That win sealed a college scholarship for her. Another title this year would have been icing on the cake, but it was not meant to be. Families celebrate each other, in times of accomplishment and when they fall short. We were happy to be there for her.
Taking photos was secondary to sitting on the sidelines in full support and solidarity with my family, so I have nary a one to share. I had hoped to snag a few ‘celebration’ photos, but oh well. I took these photos in 2017, the last time I saw her play ball. Even at that young, tender age, she possessed fierceness and determination.
All grown up and graduated.
Photo credit – stolen from her Facebook page
Florida schools celebrate their graduates in May each year. Malcolm and I celebrated four graduates (1 college and 3 High School) between our two families. They are all accomplished in various ways (musically, academically, and athletically). Two of the high school graduates received scholarships and will continue their education. We couldn’t be more proud of them all.
Another Birthday Celebration: On the way home from Biloxi, we celebrated a ‘true milestone’ – the odometer on Malcolm’s car, aka, the Spaceship rolled to 100,000 miles. Of course, we pulled over to sing happy birthday to the other love of his life.
Getting Ready
With May celebrations in the rearview mirror, our attention has shifted to more pressing matters – preparing the house for hurricane season, attending dental appointments, getting haircuts, staying healthy, and making final preparations for our upcoming July trip. This will be a long month of anticipation.
How about you? Did May treat you well? Are you anticipating summer plans?
Picture Retirement 
What a busy and wonderful May you had! It’s my favorite month. I like to enjoy every day of it. Now the days will start moving very fast and before you know it we’ll be talking falling leaves.
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Dawn, we do try to make the most out of May before the heat and humidity of summer roll in, but this year it’s already here. We definitely have to pick and choose the days we plan to be outside. Have a great week.
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It sounds like it was a really enjoyable little getaway for the two of you Suzanne – and I love that it’s a tradition that gives you so much joy. We spent a few days away in May too – certainly not in warm enough weather to give us heat stroke, but still lovely enough to be out and about enjoying a change of scenery. Happy belated birthday, anniversary, and Mothers Day. xx
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Hi Leanne, the UV warnings are happening almost every day now, and although the humidity isn’t as bad as it was two weeks ago, it is still very hot. I can’t imagine what the rest of summer will look like. I’m glad you had a get-a-way in May also. It’s nice to change the pace of life for a few days.
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Sounds like a very busy but productive month. Congratulations on all the events. I hear ya on the heat. My outdoor walks have come to an end for the next few months. Sigh! Summer has just started and I’m already looking forward to fall.
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Hi Ingrid, I think most of the country is already looking forward to fall. Seems like record temperatures and extreme weather everywhere. Time to find some indoor entertainment. Have a great week.
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Suzanne, what fun celebrations! Pizza on the beach to celebrate your anniversary sounds perfect. Congratulations to all your graduates! Sorry about your heat exhaustion experience. I can relate! Our biggest celebration was a trip to Virginia to celebrate our oldest granddaughter’s high school graduation and had a great time with all of her family.
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Beth, congratulations on your granddaughter’s graduation. It is nice that you could be there with her. It seems we are finally getting a bit of relief from the heat and humidity as the winds have kicked up a bit. Stay safe out there.
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A joy to read your May wrap-up, Suzanne. Back to some more mundane things to prepare for your next trip, it sounds like. Here, winter is arriving in force, so we are starting to prep our “big escape” as well. Looking forward to a real summer with friends and family soon! 🙂
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Liesbet, it does feel good to do some simple things for ourselves – a sign that we are moving forward, I guess. I’m glad you are taking a break from the cold weather.
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Sounds like a great month and I love that you celebrate with a trip away! A break from the usual routine is far more special than most gifts could be.
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Sarah, I couldn’t agree more.
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Suzanne,
I should have visited the train museum instead of letting Harrah’s gobble my entertainment budget. You made the wise choice and the museum looked very interesting. Congratulations to your great niece–where will she attend college? We made it to San Diego, and are enjoying a nice break from the heat! Stay in touch and have a great week. Joe
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Joe, the museum was a lot of fun and a great place for kids and ‘big kids’ like us. Glad you guys made it to San Diego. The weather has been better here the past few days, 80’s instead of 90’s. Have fun.
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Suzanne, Sounds like a fun-filled month, minus the heat exhaustion. Congrats on all the special events. May treated me well. June is off to a great start with a trip to see family and friends on the West Coast. Have a wonderful week ahead!
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Natalie, I’m glad that May was good to you. We too are off to a good start in June – getting things done and feeling prepared. Have a great week.
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May really keeps you busy, Suzanne! A lot of life events with birthdays and anniversaries, as well as the occasional graduation. Your trip to the casino looked fun! We had some favorite places in Sacramento too based on life events. We’ll have to explore some here in our area that are Celebration-worthy!
I winced a little when I read about your bout with heat exhaustion. I suffer from it frequently so I know how insidious it is. Good thing you were well taken care of.
After all the fun of May, I’ll bet you’re looking forward to some down time in June?
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Terri, May is always interesting and usually our last comfortable month before summer heat sets in. The heat exhaustion was disappointing this early in the year. But, it was a good wakeup call.
The thing about being a genuinely happy person is that it doesn’t take a lot to put you in a celebratory mood – a new hatchling, a pretty flower, a sunset or seeing the aurora borealis from your porch. Sound familiar? Cheers to celebrating life.
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You sum up the secret to happiness so well. It’s usually the little things.
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You certainly had a busy and fun filled May, and Happy Anniversary. Hope you have a little down time in June before you head out again. Have a great month.
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Judy, we are mostly ready and will spend June pretending to be indoor cats for the most part. Take care and thanks for stopping by.
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I chuckled at your pizza anniversary dinner. Good thing my May anniversary was also not a big one. Tim’s not one to celebrate most milestones, but I usually can get him out for a nice anniversary meal. This year, he made sure that wouldn’t happen… well, his surgeon did. He had his knee replacement surgery the day before our anniversary. So I got take out sushi, mostly for me. Maybe I can guilt him into a nice dinner for my birthday in August!
Oh dear on the heat exhaustion. It is something I worry about, especially now when we have June temps already in the mid 90s. And congrats on all your grads! Such a wonderful thing to celebrate. Wishing you a fabulous June.
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Pat, that was a highly creative excuse to avoid an anniversary celebration! Seriously, knee surgery is rough (from what I hear from friends) but being diligent with the PT pays off. Make him do his exercises, even when he doesn’t want to.
Take-out sushi sounds good. I hope you had a nice bottle of wine with it. Stay cool over there. We woke up to 71 this morning – yippie!
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How did you get 71 in the morning?! We’re still 80 by 8 am. But rain is coming (we hope).
Luckily hubby’s personality is he will do the exercises without encouragement. In fact, I need to remind him to not over-do. If the PT says 3-5, he’ll try and do 6-7! His 20-30 minute walk, 45 minutes this morning!
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It’s an East coast West coast thing. 🙂
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So much to celebrate in May! Congratulations are definitely in order.
I’m sorry that you experienced heat stroke. I’m afraid that will become more and more common as it becomes warmer, and we forget the power of the sun. We’ve been lucky so far in our little corner of the country. The high temps predicted for much of the south aren’t supposed to impact us… for now.
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Hi Janis, having symptoms early in the season was a good reminder to take better care. June is off to a better start, with 71f this morning, rising to mid 80’s, which is more the expectation for this time of year. Your California weather is the envy of the country. Enjoy!
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You had a fun, fun month. So much to celebrate including the Spaceship’s 100,000 miles. I like the photos of the AA team, those kinds of ballgames can be the best. Congrats on your wedding anniversary. Here’s to many more. 🥂
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Yep, I took my big girl camera to the game and had fun. We were third row, just behind 1st base, so lots of close-ups.
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Well I can see that May was a very busy month full of all kinds of celebrations, congratulations on your anniversary and many more healthy and happy birthdays.
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So hilarious that you pulled over to sing happy birthday to Malcom’s car! As always, you two celebrate life so well. Happy belated birthday to you, Suzanne, and wishing you both many more delightful adventures in your life journey together!
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We did indeed pull over and sing to the Spaceship. She is Malcolm’s rock and has been with him for ten years. It is not often that one gets to see an odomoter roll over 100,000 miles!
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Congratulations on the many milestones you celebrated in May, Suzanne! It sounds like you had lovely celebrations.
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