The Chicks are back from a major road trip- we were attending the 14th Annual Partnership Dinner and Dance benefiting InsideCatholic.com in Washington, D.C.  Somehow we landed an invitation to this swanky event, and with the blessings of our husbands we took off for a 36 hour adventure.

If we twittered- which we don’t – this would have been the running commentary on some of the details of our experience:

Night before trip- reviewing guest list of attendees.  Apparently we will be seated at a table with Eduardo Verastegui, the “Mexican Brad Pitt,” and a young blogger called The American Papist.

Day of trip…8:20 am- driving to the airport wondering what we are qualified to talk about with movie stars, bloggers, intellectuals, and political insiders.  Chick A suggests  subjects we know something about include shopping at Costco, middle school sports carpools, laundry, household logistics, elementary school homework, and meal planning for busy families.  Chick B concurs and reminds Chick A that we also know a little about paying bills online.  What is a Southern Catholic Chick supposed to do?

Noon, The Daily Grille on M street- going over dinner conversation and possible questions that will keep conversation rolling with movers and shakers.

2:00 pm- looking over schedule wondering about the 6:30 wine reception featuring the sacred icons of Sister Eliseea Papocioc. Very strange reception theme for 2 former protestants.  Wishing we had brought a copy of Butler’s Lives of the Saints to confirm identity of Sister.

3:00 pm- getting ready.  Could be a fashion crisis brewing.  Looking over several outfits, wanting to strike proper balance of Catholic modesty and the hip Washington scene.

5:00 pm- end of mass.  Amazing how a meeting room can be turned into a beautiful sacred space.  Wondering what hotel guests in lobby are thinking about our singing Now Thank We All our God.

6:50 pm- awards ceremony concludes with convicting reflections by Archbishop Raymond Burke.  Time for dinner and icons reception.

7:15 pm- all mixed up about icons and relics.  Were thinking that icons were relics and that we were going to be seeing some bones next to the bar.  Instead, just received a quick lesson on icons from an Aussie named Patrick of the Archdiocese of New York who is a very enthusiastic “cradle” Catholic.  Realized that Sister Papocioc is alive and well and is actually an icon artist.   More on icons later…

Artist Sister Papocioc second from left

8:00 pm- star-studded dinner with great food, swing band, and interesting table companions- move star, political blogger, right-to-life lawyer, and entrepreneurs make for interesting conversation for two Southern housewives.  Just thanked EWTN star Raymond Arroyo for his news commentaries and books.

Raymond Arroyo

Watching guests taking swing dance lessons.  Deal Hudson of InsideCatholic.com claims that dancing is part of his penance.

The Chicks with Deal Hudson

10:30 pm- strategically placing ourselves in hallway outside ballroom to see all the movers and shakers.  Finally get up nerve to take pictures.

Eduardo Verastegui, star of the movie Bella

11:00 pm- back in the room taking off heels.  A chick can only wear 4” heels for so long.  Reflecting on the event, we decide what a fantastic night it was to be among Christians who love Christ and the Church and who want to be a powerful force for good in our society.

Check out the InsideCatholic.com website for great articles on faith, politics and culture.  Their fundraisers aren’t bad either!

Chicks A and B