Schedule – page 4 | Grandma’s Stories

Oct 23rd Schedule – page 4

What I remember most of the time when in the Orphanage – and, I’m betting that anyone that was there, for any period of time – would agree – that you did not need a wrist watch to know what time it was at any time of the day – or even what is the day in that week. Meals were always at the exact same time of day and the very same type of meal was on that particular day each week. Where you were and exactly what you were scheduled to do – you did the very same each week – for six months. A few changes in where you would be working each 6 months – were so easily put in place – that the schedule really stays the same.

So, when dinner is completed in one half hour – we all stand and stay the same after meals prayer and leave toward the playrooms – and those that had the chore of working in the “DINING ROOMS” would immediately report there as well as the workers for the Kitchen and Bakery. All others would be in the playroom for a short time and getting ready for school – which would be starting at 1:00 PM – we would all be dressed in our school uniforms – in our two by two column – in the Playroom – before leaving for school – a short prayer first and then we march quietly to the Classrooms – which were on the – Boys Side of the building and on the second floor. Four rooms – each room held two grades – immediately at the top of the stairs on the left was the 7^th and 8^th grades and teacher, Sister Gilbert – next on the left was the 3^rd ad 4^th classroom and teacher, Sister Florence – coming up the stairs and on the right was the 5^th and 6^th grades classroom and teacher, Sister Alvira – there was also a small corridor off your right and going down there – past the area for Sister Alvira’s classroom – would be the 1^st and 2^nd grades classroom and teacher, Sister Damien, whose classroom is where I was first placed and began the first of my seven, long years – just starting – in the second grade – in 1945

If this were a MONDAY – the girls would stay in the PLAYROOM on Mondays only and from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM would learn to do needlework. Sister Columba, who also was the NUN in charge of taking care of the Chapel area and making the HOST for Communion – and she also took care of the linens for the alter and all those garments that needed very fine and detailed sewing. I should say she had an eye for perfection – in all things – this I know because when I first started doing the sewing on Monday afternoons – she had made start with a “CROSS Stitch” – a learning piece, which I had to rip out some of the stitches so many times that I soon got the idea – do it exactly as she wants it done – or keep on redoing and redoing!

In the first couple years of learning how to do embroidery work and crocheting – some of the “items” that I made were purchased by my Mother and my Aunt Irene Riley. These items – that they bought – I inherited and still have and all I can say is – that they still look beautiful – and I am very glad to have these items now – for myself and to be able, also – leave to the next generation! Everyone knows that the items that are made by hand “out last” anything “STORE” bought. To learn – to do these creative things to make with your own hands – when you are very young – are lessons that you will never forget and can always be able to make the “BEST OF BEST” gifts at any time you want! (More good information to come!)