Yard Sale Day

The yard sale was a wash. However, I got to spend some time with my family. Papaw was setting up the poses pre-swim.

Day at Ortho Center with Papaw

We started the morning at the Ortho Sports center at STV this morning. Papaw went back into the surgical suite around 8:10am and the surgeon came out to tell me how it went around 9am. He said he cleaned out his meninscus and removed a lot of scar tissue and this should correct the problems he has been having. I pray so. After he heals from this procedure the next thing we have to do is get our eating and exercising program started. Taking pressure off the joints at our age can do wonders.

Congratulations to my grandson Lawson

Lawson,
Congratulations to you for completing daycare K4 kindergarden program at MCBC. We enjoyed the program. You play the bells so good. We are praying for you as you enter the public school system Kindergarden. We know you have a head start and are thankful for your parents and the christian people at MCBC that have taught you about Jesus and how to read. We love you and are very proud of you.
Love Mamaw and Papaw Green.

my childhood memories of my Dad and Mom

Dad loved farm life and even though we did not live in a farming area he created one from his land. We raised flowers and orchids in greenhouses (five of them) we had pigs and horses and dogs. He wanted to raise chinchilla's but mama drawed the line there. Dad was a fun person. He loved to joke around. He was a firm believer that children should enjoy their childhood. He did his best to hide financial difficulties from us. He also believed in hard work. We had to do chores. We did not do the tipical chores, however. Dad hired the house work and yard work done. He gave us chores being the helpers in building the green houses, working in the flower shop by helping prepare flowers for mom to arrange. We had to deliver arrangment to funeral homes, hospitals, and weddings. It was a lot of hard work but it was also a lot of fun. Due to Dad and Mom's health failing we only did this for 8 years (from age 8 to age 16 for me). I was married when they converted from retail to wholesale business. They provided orchids for local flower shops and even sold some plants to individuals. Dad had heart disease and when I was 12 he had his first open heart surgery. He almost died. He was disabled and was forced into retirement from the quarry(his primary job)and from pastoral ministry. He laid around the house for a couple of years and eventually had a second heart surgery. It improved his quality of life the second time. He begin doing a little more around the house and able to help mom. Mom was a very strong woman physically but looking back she must have had an increasing anxiety disorder. She eventually became reclusive only communicating with people by phone or if they visited. Dad did all the grocery, clothing shopping, and errand running. I was married and had 2 children at age 22 when mom was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer with extensive mets to bones. She under went surgery to remove breast, muscle, and scraping of the bones followed by chemo therapy (it was the early 80's and chemo was brutal then). They told her it was palative care not curative and the goal was to increase her quality of life. She soon realized that the quality was not improved for her but more miserable. She decided after several rounds that she had had enough. I was sheilded from the chemo process but my poor dad and brother Van got the brunt of it. She decided to stop and just live the life God had given her and die when he was finished with her. I was 25 1/2 when she passed. Her faviorite scripture was John 17. She listen to it on tape over and over again the last few months of her life.

My childhood memories of my sister and brothers

Joann:
Oldest of the five of us. Joann is 12 years older than me. I shared a bed with her from the start of my life. All was good until she started dating boys. I was about 5 years old and I would get mad at her and the boys she would date because my bedtime was 8pm and her curfew was 9pm. I would act like I was asleep on the couch down stairs and refuse to wake up when dad would try to get me to go upstairs to bed. Most nights he would carry me up the stairs then I would get out of bed and sit at the top of the stairs mad as a wet hen until Joann would come home. Then I would fuss at her and she would pet me or get mad at me then we would go to bed. Then my future brother-in-law came along and messed up my little nest.
He married her at the ripe old age of 18 (She turned 18 in March, I turned 7 in June, and she married in August). I was excited about all the wedding nuptials and being the flower girl and the reception etc... then when I got home I asked dad "when is Joann coming home?" He gave me the crushing report that Joann will come to visit but she no longer lives with us. My whole world came crashing down around me when I realized that from that point on I will always have to sleep alone. Mom and dad had to lock their bedroom door so I would not slip in and try to sleep with them. We grew a part over the years and sadly now she has a memory problem that prevent any meaningful relationship with her.

Van: He is the second of five. Van was 8 years old when I was born. I believe I was the thorn on his stem of roses. Van was a joker and loved to jump out and scare me, play jokes on me and rough house play with me. He didn't have much to do with me until Mom force him to after Joann married.

He was 15 at the time and not interested in his little sister at all except the occasional joke he would play on me. I was obsessed with not spending the night alone. I would try to stay with Van but he would not have his little sister in his bed so he took advantage of the situation. It worked for me to. He would hold a dollar bill in his hand at night and told me if I would rub his feet until he fell asleep I could take the dollar and it would be mine. Well, every night I would rub his nasty stinky feet until he would fall asleep. The problem was that he was a very light sleeper so when I would stop rubbing his feet and reach for the dollar bill he would wake up and tighted his grip on the bill. Needless to say... I did not get rich rubbing his feet. When he turned 16 he became obsessed with Javelin vehicles. Mom made him take me with him every time she sent him on an errand. Well Van obviously resented it and I did not help much because I would mess with his radio, 8 track tape player (yes it was the 70's) and heat or air conditioner. One day, I guess he was fed up with me and my tag along ways, he was going to make it worse to go than to stay. He told me if I touched anything in his car I would be sorry. I did not believe him so I started messing with his radio, air conditioner, etc... He got mad, turned the air conditioner vents on me and turned the air to high cold. He told me he would pinch me if I moved. Soooo I sit there turned blue, and wished I had not touched his precious car. However, I still wanted to go with him everywhere and I did not tell on him cause I knew I would not get to go with him the next time. Neither of us won from that event. We have had a lot of laughs about it over the years and even though I did not get rich rubbing his feet or freeze to death riding in his cars I did get to spend time with my big brother that I love very much. I miss him alot.

Paul: He is the fourth of five. Paul was always the adventure seeking one of the bunch. He would take a boring day and before we knew it we were having a blast. His imagination got him in a lot of trouble with adults but with us kids he was the one to be with. Because of his nature he got hurt a lot. He had more bruises, cuts, and stitches than any of the rest of us combined. We had a Shetland Pony named Champ and a Welsh Pony named Lady. We would ride them after school most days. One day I came home from school and Paul and Scott were no where around. So I saddle up Champ and headed down the road. About 100 yards into the ride, Champ just laid over on me. He was breathing heavy. Mouth foaming. I was scared to death I had killed him. I ran to the house and got dad. He looked at Champ and sent me for a bucket of water and some towels. He took care of champ got him up and settled. Called us all together and asked each of us. What we knew about Champ. Everyone of us denied knowing anything. It was not long until Paul and Scott confessed to playing hookie from school and riding Champ all day. The poor animal was exhausted and had not had a drink of water all day. We had a nother pony named Spirit. This animal gave us fits. He would always get out of the pasture and wander. He would buck us off his back if dad was not around. I would not ride him. Paul was gonna "break" him one day. He put the saddle on him, tightned it up, with sheer determination in his face he jumped in the saddle. Spirit never bucked, stomped, etc... Paul was proud. Then spirit sucked in his gut and the saddle turned around under his belly... with Paul in it. It was one of the funniest things I ever saw.
Paul and I are like sandpaper that keeps each other smooth. When we have a problem with each other we talk or fuss it out. We eventually either agree or agree to disagree, and make up. He has a lot of health problems from injuries over the years but he is determined to keep on going in spite of it all. He is a very special brother and I love him very much. I really need to make a better effort to spend more time with him and his family. They are really a lot of fun to be around.

Scott: He is the baby. He had cute little curls (still does) and a very sweet spirit (still does). However, he loved be the follower. What ever Paul and I would encourage him to do He did it. Paul and I were under the impression since he was so cute and the baby then if Scott did it then it would be ok. Some how we always got into trouble with that theory. Scott was an entertainer. When he was little he would climb on the pool table and sing Elvis or Elton songs with the pool stick or hair brush as a microphone. I wish we had videos of his performances. Dad would put him on the pool table to entertain us sometimes just to have a laugh together. I have to tell the story of the craw fish adventure. Dad had open heart surgery when I was 12, Paul was 10 and Scott was 8. He didn't do to well and had to be on bedrest at home for a long time. Mama was working in the floweshop day and night trying to make ends meet. During that summer we were suppose to be "good" and stay at home unless we were told to go to mamaw and papaw. Well Paul and Scott snuck out of the house and went to the creek down the street. A while later they looked up to see daddy slowly coming down the road. He told them to get to the house and go to their room and wait on him because they were in trouble. They did but in addition they layered in clothing (I was in my room with the door closed and heard laughing and stuff but I didn't pay them much attention). When Dad came up he lectured them a minute got a belt and started the spanking process. There were screams and yells coming from my brothers so bad I thought dad had lost his mind and were hurting them. I snatched open my door set ready to "rescue" them when dad walked away. He went around to corner in the hall way and stepped down a few of the steps and back up. He put his finger to his mouth for me to be quiet and waved me back into my room. I did but with the crack to look through so I could see what was going on. Well Paul and Scott started shedding clothing, laughing, and proclaiming that they really fooled daddy, etc... about the time they got down to their shorts Dad came around the corner. I shut my door because the laughter soon turned to tears. I have a good relationship with my brother Scott. We share a simular love for the word of God. We love to get together to read the Bible and Study. I have let the circumstances and troubles of the last few months to come between me and Scott. I need to make time for him and our study time.

The teenage years of Mamaw Green

This is a picture of our mamaw and papaw Green, daddy, Paul, Scott, and me. We were in the little house that was burned. It was rebuilt by my mamaw and papaw Shaw rented to my grandparent Greens. Very convenient having both sets of grandparents so close. Above is a picture of us with our Shaw grandparents.



This a picture of Dad and Mom in one of the orchid green houses.

Dad and Mom owned a flower shop called "Five Point Orchid Florist" when I was 8 years old. Everyday after school we had chores to do in the green houses or in the flower shop.


When I was 13 years old Dad and Mom would pay for us to go skating every Friday night. Dad would drop us off at the skating rink in Sylacauga beside the 11th Frame. I can't remember the name of the rink but the managers were Mr. and Mrs. Presley. They really kept us kids in line and did not hesitate to call our parents when we misbehaved. During the summer we went to the Lay Lake public Swimming pool at Walco during the day and at night we would skate for a couple of hours. It's no wonder we were all thin and energetic.



When I was 14 and in the 9th grade I went out for the B-team cheer leading squad and to my amazement I made it. I have a loud voice that carried and even though I could not do fancy flips I took an old cheer and throwed in a forward roll flip into a half split at the end of the cheer. The judges loved it.

My fellow cheerleaders and I had a lot of fun learning cheers that summer (it was the year Elvis died) We liked getting everyone excited about the football and basketball games at the pep rallies at school. We could not do any dance routines because I could not keep a beat in a dance routine and I was "too stiff". They tried Beethoven, the Beegees, and many other songs and routines but no matter how my cheerleading buddies tried I could not loosen up to learn how to do these dance routines. They were successful with one routine. It was to the "The Carwash". We preformed it once at halftime during a basketball game. We were so proud that we actually got to do a dance routine.


I did not go out for cheerleader the next year. I got interested in dating and then met Tim and got married during AEA week of my Junior year. 31 years later I would do it all over again the same way.

Early life of Mamaw Green AKA Cindy

These are pictures of our family through the years.




I was born Cynthia Diane Green to John Milton Green and Nellie Christine Shaw Green on June 23rd 1962 (that is me sitting on my mom's lap in picture below).

I was the third of five children and the second daughter.
When I was born Dad and Mom were the pastors of Russel Chapel Baptist Church we lived in Sylacauga (Five Points) in a little house that Papaw and Mamaw Shaw owned. At some point (around 2 years old) lightning struck the house (we were at church) and the house caught fire. It was extinguished but most of my baby pictures were destroyed.




At some point Dad and Mom went to be pastors of Mt. Sharon Baptist church. We lived in the pastoral house, this is where Paul and Scott were born. I turned 5 years old at this home and since Fayetteville school did not have a kindergarden program I did not have the opportunity to attend kindergarden.
Dad and Mom bought a piece of land in Five Points at some point and built a two story house we did not move into it until we left Mt Sharon Baptist Church. I must have been around 6 years old because I started first grade at B.B. Comer school.

My first grade teacher was Mrs. Blackburn. In the third grade the white and blacks were joined in the same school system.
Paul and Scott had to go to the former all black school in Walco and since I was in the third grade I continued to go to the former all white school Comer elementary. I remember the first little black girl in our class was so interesting to me. I wanted to have dark skin like her so I went home and rubbed charco all over my face and arms and went into the house and said "whats you alls a doin?" My dad fell over laughing and my mom grab me by the arm, took me upstairs, spanked me and put me in the tub to wash all that charco off me. My dad told that story over and over again throughout my life.


Because there were not any pictures of me when I was a baby I would always accuse Mom and Dad of adopting me and not loving me as much as the others. It bothered Momma so bad that one day she petitioned all her sisters, brothers, and parents for pictures of me as a baby. Well of course they gave her several... so I had to come up with some other attention getting thing. Dad always said I was the part of the washing machine that stirred up the clothes (the agitator). Yes I loved attention and to be included in what was going on. I guess I still do.


My mom (and many other women in the 70's) wore wigs. One day in the third grade my mom though it was a good idea to let me wear a wig to school. I loved the idea until all the kids at school made fun of me to the point of tears. At recess I took off the wig and sit on the curb crying. My teacher let me go to the bathroom with a comb and attempt to fix my disheveled hair. This attention was not the kind I wanted. I started falling into the background from this point on because it hurt less to be ignored than be made fun of. Paul, Scott, and I had a lot of fun at home playing together.

Meet my Grandchildren

Lawson and Bailey are my first two grandchildren. They are very special to me. We get to have a play date together a couple of times a month. I think papaw and I look forward to this time as much as they do.
Braylen is our third grandchild. We are looking forward to establishing play dates with Braylen when she is a little older. I have already posted a picture of Braylen yesterday on her one month birthday but I need to add one from the hospital that I just love.

Happy 1month birthday to baby Braylen

Happy birthday sweet Braylen. Mamaw loves you. I borrowed this picture from your Mother's blog site. Thanks Jenn.

Day at the neurospine center with Papaw

I am at the neurospine center at stv waiting for papaw to have his epidural. Hopefully this will relieve the pressure and give him his hand grasp back. He should be finished soon. I am looking forward to an off day tomorrow.

I am hoping to reconnect with an old sister chick friend tomorrow. I miss my friend Pam.

Mother's Day

I spent a wonderful weekend with my best friend (Tim, my husband). On Friday, I picked the last of my turnip greens. I was able to share them with several family and friends. I visited my sweet little Braylen. She seems to be feeling much better. Jennifer looks great. She is a very strong young woman. All they have been through in the last month you would never know by talking to her. She is such a pleasant young lady. Tim and Mickey went fishing Friday night and I was honored to play with Lawson and Bailey for a few hours. We played outside til dark then we watched cartoons and played inside until bedtime. Mickey carried them home when the fishing trip was over.
Saturday morning I woke up and was a little blue thinking about all the friends and loved ones through the years that are no longer a part of my everyday life. Circumstances change and so must circle of friends. But as always, Tim is there for me encouraging me. We started working on a project... organizing the dreaded laundry room. We went to the thrift store to donate 5 sacks of items only to return with 2 more... hummmm something might not be right there.
Sunday was a wonderful end to a wonderful weekend. Sandy and Mickey brought the grandbabies over for a visit. It is so good to see them so happy and playing outside together. This mother could not be any happier than to see her children happy. I appreciate Sandy for sharing her mother's day with me. Allen came over for a few minutes too. He played with his niece and nephew a few minutes then the adults went to see baby Braylen (she still needs to be protected for a while longer while she recovers from the respiratory virus). Once again I had the pleasure of one on one time with the grand babies. We played Lincoln Logs (Lawson calls them logo's). When they left Tim and I went to visit Allen, Jennifer and Braylen for a few minutes. Thanks to my Son's and their wives for a pleasant day; and to Tim... YOU are a priceless treasure to me. Thank you for being you. I love you!

My first blog

May 5, 2010: My name is Cindy. This is my first blog. I am not sure what I am going to post or how often. Whatever I share, I hope to save and print for my grandchildren one day. I have three. 1 grandson Lawson Hunter Green and 2 granddaughters Bailey Jade Green and Braylen Kate Green. They are definately a bright spot in my life.