The Week in Pictures: 8.27.10
This week was busy for some good reasons and some bad. Good: My mom was in town from Phoenix to visit! We showed her around the Doug Fir, Jupiter Hotel, Saint Cupcake, various bakeries and more. She got to meet Rocky and try Joey’s famous Pumpkin Ale. And in bad news, my beloved grandpa was in the hospital. More on that later.
Awhile back, I mentioned that I would try to show more photos of Wolfgang Manor. House renovations / modifications have been slower than expected but with a few more updates, my bedroom will be complete. A new overhead light, headboard and a few smaller things and it will be done. And, then I can give you a legit tour instead of mysterious little snapshots!
This week, Mama Nubs was in town! We’ve come a long way, baby! Above: 2010 and 1982, respectively. We had lunches, dinners, shopping excursions, coffee runs, cleaning marathons (on her part, not mine!) and it was good to catch up on my home turf. She actually grew up in S.E. Portland as well so it was fun to hear all of her stories. At least our next visit isn’t too far off since I spend some time in December with her every year.
I made sure that Mama Nubs got to try Saint Cupcake, my all-time favorite. I’d devoured two vanilla cupcakes with vanilla frosting by the end of the night. Oops!
We also did some walking through the Hawthorne / Belmont neighborhoods.
So, here’s a heartwarming story.
Over the weekend, my 83 year old grandpa was rushed to the hospital with a blood clot on his brain. We were so worried and visited the emergency room at OHSU that night. Amazingly, he was totally coherent. He just wanted to get in his truck and go home! See, my grandpa (everyone calls him Sharkey!) isn’t any ordinary grandpa. He’d never had to stay in a hospital ever. He didn’t understand why he had to stay — he’s used to being up in the mountains, chopping wood and drinking beer!
The prognosis didn’t sound good — any surgery near the brain is inherently dangerous. And, even more so at his age. We worried the days away, visiting him almost every night after work. The whole time, I just kept thinking, “This can’t be it. He has so much life left in him!” This is a guy who doesn’t have a cane or glasses. Who seems to have less wrinkles than my dad. He’s Super Grandpa. Just last year, we were in Reno celebrating my grandparent’s 60th wedding anniversary (!!!) and while I was sound asleep by 10 pm, they were up drinking and gambling till 2 am! I can’t seem to keep up with them.
Anyway, he had surgery on Tuesday. He made it through and by the evening, he was awake and asking for me and my brother. So, I get to the hospital and he’s sitting in bed, watching a baseball game, eating a huge dinner and drinking a beer! And, my grandma is talking to us and forgetting things and he’s correcting her! I have no idea how any of this was possible but it really is a miracle. When he’s rested, I think it’s time for another Reno trip — a little gambling with the grandparents for old time’s sake!
Above are a few of my favorite snapshots with Sharkey. He only owns cowboy boots. In his free time, he enjoys sitting in his cabin, having a drink and listening to his 8-track collection. Favorites include Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash.
We are so happy that he’s back to feeling like his (young) self and he should be back home in the next few days. We told him to take it easy on chopping wood for awhile, though. 
In case you can’t tell, my grandparents are the best in the universe.
Peace, Love & Nubs,
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23 People have left comments on this post
So glad about Sharkey! That is great news & he sounds so rad. & omg! Momma Nubs was such a fox & you guys look so similar! I love seeing pictures of people’s parents. My dad & I look like identical twins, hahah. I love you lots & can’t wait to see you again!
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I’m glad to hear your grandfather is doing well. He sounds like a wonderful man. Your blog is so inspiring and always makes me want to accomplish more in my life. Thank you.
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I’m so glad to hear that your grandfather is on the mend! I love the photo of the four of you.
And wow, your mother looks SO young…almost like she could be an older sister.
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Aw I’m so pleased Sharkey is better! That is wonderful news! Your grandparents sound like so much fun!!! Reno should definitely be on the cards to celebrate Sharkey being better!
And my god, he looks fabulous for his age! Love the fact that he only owns cowboy boots! What a legend.
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Your grandpa is adorable! Glad he is okay. <3
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wow he really is super grampa! Glad he’s ok! Sounds a stressful week, try and have a nice relaxing one this week!
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I’m glad your grandpa is okay! He sounds awesome. My gran (I never knew my other grandparents) is a very regular grandma – she knits, cooks & is slightly frail (I still love her though!).
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Your Granda is so cool! Please tell him that all your readers wish him a quick recovery, but by the sound of it he already is! I love the photo of you and your mum.
Hope you have a stress free week after all that!
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Darling Nubs, so SO glad your Sharkey is okay. I know how scary that can feel sometimes, especially when it’s unexpected. It’s amazing what doctors can do these days! I hope he enjoys many more days filled with beer and Johnny Cash (can’t go wrong with that combo)! Remember to slow down and take a break just for yourself. Seems like you’re really bombarded with work and personal stuff…take time for you! As a reader, I love being part of your life from afar. You truly give me inspiration and the reason to keep going in school…when it gets tough, I think of you and your blog…adds a lot of sunshine to my day!
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Awww, that WAS a good story
So glad to hear he’s doing better. You and your mom look a lot alike, by the way.
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Your family seems so interesting; I love it! And I’m glad your grandpa is well; to lose a beard like that in this world would be a shame!
Do you live in SE Portland? I live just a few blocks away from that big flower painted on the street! I’m just off Belmont! I moved here 3 months ago but have yet to visit Saint Cupcake… I should really do that.
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So glad to hear that your grandpa is okay – he sounds awesome! And whoa – you and your mother look SO similar, so cute! Have a great week, Nubby!
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your family rocks! your grandparents are the coolest, your bro seems awesome and your mum is a fox! glad your granddad is okay, he looks fighting fit!
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I really love the photograph of the yellow shoes on the green painted ground. Fantastic.
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BTW, Happy to hear that your Grandpa is okay! You really look like your Mom!
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Good to hear your grandpa is doing well. May he continue to recover!
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I am so glad to hear that your grandpa is okay
Your whole family seems wonderful.
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Nubby, thanks for sharing such a wonderful and personal story with us. Illness is about attitude isn’t it? Sharkey is an inspiration! (Guess it runs in the family
)
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Sorry to hear about your grandpa’s ill turn but great to know that he’s on the mend. Hope he’s back to his cabin, beers, and music in no time at all. He looks fantastic for his age – I would put him 20 years his junior. You should definitely do the trip to Reno with your grandparents – do it soon, do it while you can – the other stuff can wait, really. Was nice to see a photo of your mum – I love seeing pics of friend’s parents and grandparents. Looking forward to seeing you here soon gorgeous! xx
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Your granddad sounds like he’s indestructible! I’m so glad he’s alright. I Love that pic of your mum and you when you’re little. You look like her! She looks great now too.
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Thanks everyone so so so much for the sweet, thoughtful comments about my grandpa! He’s home now resting and feeling much better. I really appreciate the kind words — it was such a long week and I am so relieved that he pulled through.
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He is one seriously cool Grandpa, I can’t believe he’s 83, go Sharkey x
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So, this is why you’re so amazing Nubby … your mom is beautiful (I hope you don’t mind if I say I have a little crush on her) … your grandparents seem like remarkable people … Sharkey has to have a good movie script in him … I mean, look at the man … wow.
Anyhoo, like so many of your readers, I really enjoy your work … the blog … the fashion (although I’m hardly the ideal target demographic for such things) … you are a true Renaissance woman … an inspiration.
You are loved … by people you don’t even know.
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