After the big cancer scare in May, Alfredo is now recovering nicely from the benign tumor that was removed near his tail. Surgery went well, although he was completely out of it when I picked him up. Major kudos to James who helped bring him back home and also got him a little get well soon package. While he was under anesthesia, he was given another deep teeth cleaning, even though he wasn't really in need of one. As a result, they gave him fun dental chews, which he chomped on the entire way home.
The following day wasn't easy for him. Even when he broke is leg at only a few months old, he didn't cry or sleep as much as he did this time around. The three most absolute best things for him via recovery were snuggling, taking his pills which were secretly wrapped in one of his favorite things ever- turkey, and lots and lots of rest.
After one day of major relaxation, he was back to his normal self again, which was glorious, because I was a tad worried. And speaking of get well soon packages, a few weeks back I signed Alfredo up for a three month trial of the BarkBox, which is one of the coolest online companies. I typically don't promote anything unless I am totally sold, but the BarkBox is different. I mean, why would I? A. I get $0 for endorsing anything, and B. I have no major influence that would significantly help any company with their revenue. Anyway, Barkbox is awesome, and it means a package full of toys and treats arrive on the doorstep every month. For Alfredo's first package, the timing worked out too perfectly....two days after his surgery, when he was back to feeling himself again.
I happen to think this company is so neat, that I even purchased a BarkBox care package for Jack, my favorite Pitbull, after returning from dad's wedding extravaganza in Michigan.
I'd like to think he enjoyed this, even though he doesn't look thrilled while posing for this picture.
Moving on...
Since Nanee's passing a few weeks back, I have been progressively getting into better spirits. Interestingly enough, very bizarre and unusual things have happened since her passing that I firmly believe are telltale signs that she is near me. Now, I never really asked her as a child what some of her favorite things were, which is something I regret not knowing, but one thing I knew she loved was the color yellow. It was her absolute favorite. With that being said, I walked along some hibiscus plants a few days after she passed, and the only ones open of all the colors were the yellow flowers. It was dusk, which is unusual, because hibiscus plants open and close depending on sunlight. The following day, I ran by the church and stopped to pray (as I often do) and discovered a yellow rose bush had been planted by where I always sit. This was quite fitting. After all, her name was Rosemary. Then, a few days after both of these encounters, I went to my go-to gas station and couldn't go to my go-to pump because it was occupied. I went to the only one available, and these just happened to be laying there:
I really couldn't believe it.
As if I hadn't convinced myself already with the flowers, one thing I happen to love are pinecones. For those who are avid readers of this blog, you may remember the pinecone story I wrote during my "chopping down a Christmas tree for the first time" experience last fall. Long story short - I found a cool pinecone idea on Pinterest that never really worked out (let's face it - Pinterest DIY crafts always look so much better than what it appears I am capable of creating), leaving me with very unique looking (and several) pinecones from Heber, Arizona. Now, on another recent run/church visit (I run there often), there was a perfect looking decently sized pinecone that appeared as if it had been strategically placed right in the middle of the sidewalk. Had there been any trees in the area that produced pinecones, I wouldn't have thought anything of it, but the fact of the matter is that there just aren't any of these types of trees at the church. Needless to say, I ran home that night with the pinecone in tow, and when I drove to the church approximately a week later, there was another smaller one (not as nice looking, but still purposeful), directly next to the yellow rosebush. That one now rests in a cup holder in the Mini. Finally, for the Fourth this year, I took a trip up to Flagstaff for good company, fantastic music, fun games, great weather, wonderful hiking, and spectacular food. I must admit, hiking was my favorite. For the first time in 8 years of living in AZ, I went along a trail specific to another one of my favorites, Aspen trees.
I just love them!
So continuing on with the presence of Nanee, as soon as I began my trek on the trail, there was the largest pinecone I had ever seen in my life laying right on the path. I ended up seeing several more once I got deep into the woods, but the fact that I saw one immediately made me think she, again, was right there. So now, the collection of pinecones begins.
The one of the left is from the church. The one on the right is from the trail. This picture really doesn't do any justice in relation to how big they actually are.
I hope the presence of my grandmother continues. I'm glad Alfredo is healing physically, I am healing mentally, and we are on the path of celebrating a life worth lots and lots of fireworks.
