The black of the sky before the storm hit on May 14th.
The black of the sky before the storm hit on May 14th.Titan 'Thunder Buns' Thompson James doesn't like thunder storms.
Titan doesn’t like thunder storms.  He doesn’t get his fear from me because I love a good thunder storm.  I especially love the vivid lightning that we get down here in the Lightning Capital of the World.  Titan is better about his fear than he was when we moved here two years ago.  He used to shake and quake and want to pace.  We have been working with him to reduce his fear response; and he has improved to the point of standing still and waiting it out.  He does like to hide in the bath tub from time to time.  As long as he isn’t pacing and escalating his fear, I leave him alone.  Our summer weather pattern is now here which means we have a daily chance for strong thunder storms from now through the end of September.  As the storms pass, Titan relaxes and lays on the floor in a calm state.  We do live in Florida, you know.

Titan 'Thunder Buns' Thompson James doesn't like thunder storms.
Titan 'Thunder Buns' Thompson James doesn't like thunder storms.

Thundr Buns chills on the floor as the storm lets up.
Thundr Buns chills on the floor as the storm lets up.

 

The passing of the storm.
The passing of the storm.

Standing with siblings and nephew before Rosy's wedding.
Standing with siblings and nephew before Rosy's wedding.Wil and I enjoying food at Rosy and Srdjan's reception.

The last time I wore a dress was when I married Wil on November 14, 2003.  Rosy and Srdjan’s wedding was an awesome event and deserved the honor of a dress on Aunt Denise.  I don’t think there will be anything to top Rosy and Srdjan’s wedding; so don’t expect to see this again for many years to come.  I hate wearing dresses; although this one was very comfortable.  I couldn’t let this post go by without putting at least one picture in of me dressed in my favorite attire: shorts and nice shirt.

Me and Stephanie, Lisa's daughter, before Rosy's wedding.
Me and Stephanie, Lisa's daughter, before Rosy's wedding.
Wil and me with Chester's girls, Lauren and Kristen, at the reception.
Wil and me with Chester's girls, Lauren and Kristen, at the reception.Me and Stephanie, Lisa's daughter, before Rosy's wedding.Standing with Wil in S & S parking lot after a day of pigging out.
Wil and I enjoying food at Rosy and Srdjan's reception.
Wil and I enjoying food at Rosy and Srdjan's reception.
Standing with Wil in S & S parking lot after a day of pigging out.
Standing with Wil in S & S parking lot after a day of pigging out.

Titan and Max pose like hams after being groomed at PetsMart, May 6, 2009.
Titan and Max pose like hams after being groomed at PetsMart, May 6, 2009.

Titan and Max are posing like hams because I am holding a dog treat just above the camera.  They look so pretty after coming home from their PetsMart grooming by Sue.  She is excellent trimming their hair, ears, tails, and shaving their under-bellies to help them survive the Florida heat and humidity.  The boys love a good day of pampering.  They were ready for the trip to Augusta to look pretty for Rosy on her wedding day.

The beginnings of my cross dressing experimentation; sitting at my desk with Wil's necktie successfully tied around my neck.
The beginnings of my cross dressing experimentation; sitting at my desk with Wil's necktie successfully tied around my neck.

It has been more than twenty years since my brother taught me how to ie a necktie.  I dressed up as a man for Halloween one year while my good friend, Jeff, dressed up as a woman.  Since Wil  will being wearing his nice suit for Rosy’s wedding, I went internet searching to refresh my knowledge of necktie tying.  It took awhile, but I finally got it (again).  Woo Hoo!!  Playing with hubby’s necktie?  Kinky!!

Titan gives his cutest little beggy face for Lays cheddar stackers, May 3, 2009Max gives his cutest little beggy face for Lays cheddar stackers, May 3, 2009

Titan and Max are spoiled rotten.  They enjoy sharing our chips and other treats.  They were giving me such cute beggy faces last night, that I had to share them with you.  Either, this afternoon or tomorrow morning, the boys will be getting baths for Sinco de Mayo and more importatly, for Rosy’s wedding.  I will put pictures of them sporting their handsome red bow ties at the wedding after we get back home next week.  Gotta love those rotten boys!!

Two jumbo shopping carts from Stacks n Stacks; each with a 250 pound capacity.
Two jumbo shopping carts from Stacks n Stacks; each with a 250 pound capacity.

As Leader Dogs, Titan and Max are trained to guide us pulling a cart behind us.  This makes our lives so much easier and adds to our independence.  When we go for a big load of groceries, we each pull a cart.  I always amaxe the Winn dixie staff by cramming an unbelievable amount of items in each cart.  At Leader Dog, we were taken to Myers or Wal Mart and worked with our dog and a grocery cart.  While at Jeff and Kristen’s I pulled Brynna backwards in her stroller to walk Adrie to her bus stop.  Brynna thought it was the best thing ever!  We sure did need the grub seen in the above picture. 

Max and Titan sit pretty staring at the partial loaf of bread sitting atop my head.
Max and Titan sit pretty staring at the partial loaf of bread sitting atop my head.

Max and Titan sit pretty in the entry way to our kitchen begging for a piece of bread.  I had the partial loaf sitting on top of my head so they would look up for the camera and pose nicely.  As you will see in the picture belor, I just crawled out of bed and look like hammered dog shit (no fuck hair though).  The boys got their bread treats and Wil and I had grilled cheese sandwiches for breakfast.  Yummy!!!

I aimed the camera at myself.  I just crawled out of bed and look like shit.  Welcome to my morning!!!
I aimed the camera at myself. I just crawled out of bed and look like shit. Welcome to my morning!!!

A pyramid of five Rays cow bells sit behind my ticket for the Rays Yankees game on April 15, 2009 where we received Rays Championship cow bells.
A pyramid of five Rays cow bells sit behind my ticket for the Rays Yankees game on April 15, 2009 where we received Rays Championship cow bells.

Wil and I attended our first Rays game at Tropicana Field yesterday.  It was a close game between the Rays and Yankees till the end when the Yankees pulled out the winning run.  Even though the Rays lost, I thoroughly enjoyed the suspense of the game.  The fans were wonderfully rowdy; and I enjoyed watching the Yankees fans get their feathers ruffled.  Titan and Max wore their Rays bandanas and received lots of attention and compliments.  We sat on the Party Deck which looks out over the field from the outfield behaind second and third bases.  With a pair of high powered binoculars, I would be in heaven up there.  We took the radio with us and had no problem following the game.  We received Rays Championship cow bells as opening week for them is also Championship week.  In the picture our two black championship bells sit on the botton as they are bigger than the other cow bells.  Atop those sit our two yellow Rays World Series cow bells.  The topper is a blue Rays cow bell that a relative gave Wil when he was hospitalized last October.  I tried for days to get him a cow bell; but they were always sold out.  We finally got our World Series cow bells while they were playing games four and five in Philadelphia.  We had so much fun!!!  I can’t wait to go again!!

Titan grins proudly as he carries a can of beer in his collar for Mama.
Titan grins proudly as he carries a can of beer in his collar for Mama.

Titan sits before his Daddy using his pretty head to support his beer can.
Titan sits pretty using his head as a beer can holder for Daddy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our boys support us in very imaginative ways.  They share our love for beer; and don’t mind carrying one or two for us.   They also volunteer as beer can holders when table space is lacking.  Their hard work does not go unnoticed however.  They are amply rewarded with their own beer treat on special occasions.  We sure love our boys!!

Titan licks top of cold can of beer in Living on the Edge koozie.
Titan licks top of cold can of beer in Living on the Edge koozie.