Girls' Lock-in

What another lock-in? This was no ordinary lock-in. We assembled in Gregg House around 5:30 pm. Once everyone had arrived we took off for the Jones's house. This is a house that gives new meaning to "keeping up with the Joneses". The wonderful, lovely Martha Jones welcomed us to her home. We were graciously served punch; our thirst quenched we wandered out into the backyard. The backyard has the most breath-taking view of the Austin skyline and the river. Amazing! We enjoyed the view and the sunset before returning to the house.

The order of the evening was etiquette. Martha instructed us in the proper way to set a table. She had her beautiful china laid out to demonstrate several different possibilities. According to Martha, the whole point of etiquette is to make your guests feel comfortable, and a good hostess sets the example for her guests, "Never belittle someone for not knowing what fork to use".

After the lesson we sat down to dinner. We had vichyssoise (that's cold potato soup for all y'all uncultured folk - and yes, I had to look up how to spell it), a great barbeque shrimp salad (still fancy in spite of the barbequed part!) and paella, all courtesy of Michael's kitchen. Delicious! To top it all off Martha made a chocolate cream dessert that was heaven. We had lively conversation, and almost every lady present had something to add about good etiquette. Many of the girls shared etiquette tips from other cultures, including: India, Japan, and England. What an amazing group!

We finished with Compline, and prayed the wonderful, comforting words, "Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace."

It was awhile before we rested in peace! We headed back to the church for more dessert, movies and pedicures. We stayed up talking and giggling until way too late! The girls did take time (as any true lady would) to write wonderful thank you cards to the spnsors, and other folks who made the evening possible.