Friday, June 27, 2008

Saturday, April 19, 2008

This Girl is Amazing...

If you know Michaèla, the sweet Brit gal from Waverly, you probably know about her creative gift of painting and design. Once again, she amazed me yesterday when she spent a couple of hours at my house "performing her magic" on a redecorated bathroom. As I left for work, I told her, "Here is the shower curtain....just do something with this."

So I had to share and brag and gloat a little over how this amazing new look was created by my sweet friend, Michaèla. She started with this...



...and "Abra-ca-dabra, Al-ika-zing,
Magic paintbrush, Do your thing!"
Honestly, THIS GIRL IS AMAZING...






I am quite happy with the new look--I know, I know, it's only a bathroom. But I just love seeing the results of color and shape and design and God's amazing gifts being used by Michaèla-- all of this coming together to create. Feel free to stop by the Pekkalas the next time you need a bathroom break!



Sunday, April 6, 2008

God's Great Outdoors

Today was an awesome day to enjoy God's great outdoors. Our own rvcc Club 345 visited the Brewers at Milestone Lodge and Lake as we did a little fishing, cooked up some hot dogs, soaked up the beautiful sunshine, and relaxed as we hung out with good friends. The breeze was blowing, the bobbers were bobbing, the bluegills were biting....well, it just doesn't get any better than that.

Monday, March 31, 2008

Yellow....again


What color is your soul painted?

Yellow

Your soul is painted the color yellow, which embodies the characteristics of joy, happiness, optimism, idealism, gold, hope, liberalism, sociability, friendship, death, courage, intellect, confidence, communication, travel, movement, attraction, persuasion, and charm. Yellow is the color of the element Air, and symbolizes the sun, grain, and the power of thought.

Personality Test Results

Click Here to Take This Quiz

quiz
Quizzes and Personality Tests

Monday, March 17, 2008

...start your engines!



This past Friday night, about 100 kids (and over 100 others who LOVE kids) at River Valley Community Church came together for the Amazing FAITH Race. Some guys in the church and I (although reluctantly myself) started this tradition in 2006. It is a spin-off of the Pinewood Derby where kids get a chance to build wooden 5 ounce cars from a car kit and race them down an aluminum track.


Saturday, March 1, 2008

High School Musical


Robbie Crace and I played Emile and Nellie in 1976.

My friends Nancy and Anna and I attended Piketon High School's production of Bye Bye Birdie tonight. It brought back a lot of very cool memories from my high school musicals in 1976 (South Pacific) and 1977 (Showboat). Same excitement...same stage....same LONG scene changes....lol

When I was a junior in high school, I was cast in the role of Ensign Nellie Forbush in the great Rodgers and Hammerstein musical play, South Pacific. Prior to this, I knew NOTHING of musical theater. Showboat (senior year) was equally as satisfying when I played the role of Magnolia Hawks. Bob Frey was the choral teacher at Piketon then, and he encouraged me to join the HS chorus. I remember taking voice lessons from Mr. Frey (for free) after I was cast. I remember Jean Way teaching me some simple dance steps for "I'm in Love with a Wonderful Guy." I remember strangers coming up to me months and a few years afterward and telling me how much they loved the production.....the musical experience was such a memorable part of my high school years.

Playing that role in South Pacific helped me to discover just how much I loved music and the stage. Since that time, the passion has never left me. God was SO preparing me to serve him in the future. And now, whether it's organizing and encouraging the cool kids in River Pure, leading a musical production at River Valley, enjoying Broadway Across America shows with my girls, or being part of the worship team at church, I owe my love and connection to musical theater to those experiences in my own "High School Musical."


"I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair" (and send him on his way!) This was such a fun song--I REALLY had to wash my hair--yes, that's a towel in my hand...


Nellie's soliloquy after hearing that Emile may have been killed. (Dear Mr. Connett played the upright bass in the orchestra)

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Happy Birthday to my Beautiful Mom



Phyllis Jean Dotson in 1944

HAPPY 70th BIRTHDAY to my beautiful mother today. Without a doubt, Phyllis Higgins is the one person who has molded and shaped me more than anyone else during my lifetime. Even though my children are nearly grown and I am definitely at the age where I should get along quite well on my own, I still rely on Mom's advice and I talk to her nearly every day about something. She is gentle. She keeps me on track. She helps me appreciate life's most precious gifts. She forgives. She builds me up. She finds the best in every situation. She shows me grace. She is Jesus, like no one else in my life. I love her so much and I THANK GOD every day for the gift of a mom like her!


Mom and Me in 1960


Mom and Me in 2000

My precious mother bore 4 children in less than 4 years....(wha??) Yes, I was not quite 4 when my sister was born. We didn't have much materially, but I sure didn't realize it. I remember Mom putting coal in the stove in the middle of the night so the fire wouldn't go out and we could stay warm. (Maybe Dad was sleeping???) I remember Mom sewing culottes for me in Jr. High (now we call them skorts)...I liked to dress up. I remember Mom would always make a small bowl of slaw for me at supper WITHOUT the dressing (I was a picky eater) and sit it next to my plate. And I remember getting surprises in the mail when I was in college....a check for $25.00! Those were the days!


Mike, Mom, Mitch, Jane, Me in 1969


Wedding Day - July 17, 1982

My mom worked in the Piketon schools as the treasurer for about 20 years. She retired in 2000. So many people are STILL telling me stories of how she went out of her way to help them (that's important when someone writes your paycheck!). When I see an old friend, they always ask, "So how's your mom doing?" My mother left her mark in so many ways. I WANNA BE JUST LIKE HER WHEN I GROW UP! Happy Birthday---I love you, Mom!

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Long Road Ahead


I think we are quite lucky in our small town to have our own music store. Prussia Valley Music Shop of Waverly is in the old Arrowood Jewelers building at the corner of Market Street and Emmitt Avenue. They stock mandolins, banjos, fiddles, guitars, hand made dulcimers, CDs, books, and accessories. If you're a musician and you need strings, a tuner, or other small stuff, this little shop can help you there as well.

We purchased my new violin/fiddle for Christmas from Prussia Valley. (Check here to read about the difference...or the lack of difference...) I am also taking lessons on Thursday nights. I set a goal for myself to be able to play a song or two along with the band at church by Easter....and now I am having doubts. I consider myself fairly musical with my experience on piano, sax, and voice. But an instrument with strings is an entirely new arena.


My violin/fiddle teacher is a very sweet girl by the name of Stephanie Stanley. She has a lot of patience as I make these strange sounds during the lesson and is quick to compliment me when I don't! Honestly, I should practice more often.....I remember when Trent was learning guitar--he played it for pure enjoyment! He played it ALL THE TIME....even took it in the car on vacation. Now I wish I could be that dedicated.



I think there are 9-10 weeks until Easter. I love the violin part on "By His Wounds" and I have already completed the notation for the part using my piano. If I can only remember "raise the elbow"..."control the pressure"..."let the bow work for you." I so want to do this as a way to bring beautiful worship to my Heavenly Father. But--don't worry--if it stinks, I'll stick with something else. It might be a LONG ROAD AHEAD...

So do you know the answer: What's the difference between a violin and a fiddle? "A violin sings, a fiddle dances." "A fiddle is a violin with attitude." And I love this one... "No one cries when they spill beer on a fiddle."

Monday, January 21, 2008

His words stirred my soul...



Last May, I was privileged to be part of a school trip to Atlanta, GA. We visited the Martin Luther King National Historic Site, which includes a Visitor's Center museum to bring awareness to MLK's amazing story, his unforgettable Ebenezer Baptist Church, MLK's gravesite and reflecting pool at The King Center, and Peace Plaza--beautifully landscaped grounds with sculptures and other decor offering tributes to various peacemakers throughout history.



Early in the day, we took in the "Courage To Lead" exhibit inside the Visitor's Center which follows the paths of MLK and the Civil Rights Movement. As I walked along looking at scratchy, B & W videotape, the voice of the great Martin Luther King, Jr. filled the room. WOW! His words stirred my soul! I have read his speeches/sermons in the past....but hearing that voice moved me to tears. His calm confidence and humble spirit together with the words he spoke gave evidence of a heart focused on others. No doubt...this man was a true Jesus-follower...and, thankfully, I really discovered more of it that day.


I also fell in love with Freedom Road--an exhibit which memorializes everyday people known as the "foot soldiers" of the Civil Rights Movement. These statues look so real as they "walk" along the road, smiling, cheering, chanting.. ordinary, believable people who took unbelievable chances to stand for their cause.

Ebenezer Baptist Church where King and his father and grandfather pastored...ahhh, such beautiful memories. (They also have built a new spacious Ebenezer Baptist Church up the street...) We happened to be taking the tour with an all-black boys prep school from nearby.


If you ever get a chance to go, you won't soon forget its impact. On this holiday, I remember Martin Luther King--and this year I feel good because I know my brother's voice, his words, his soul a little better.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Empty Nest Blues


Bill and I are very proud of our 18 year old son, Trent. He has participated in the PSEO (Post Secondary Enrollment Options) program since sophomore year of high school, and will graduate both HS and (be very close to) an Associate's Degree from Ohio University in Electronic Media in May. I realize this requires real academic commitment on Trent's part as well as often sacrificing the social perks of his high school years. (But, of course, we think it's worth it since it is TOTALLY FREE -- even books!)

Since September, Trent has been attending OU Ironton full-time, and has even landed a university job this quarter, working for the EM department. The experience is invaluable. But, because of the threat of Ohio winter weather, and the 75 minute drive to Ironton, we decided to rent a small upstairs apartment for him next to the university. He will "move" there tomorrow....YIKES!!!


1510 S. Tenth Street, Ironton, OH

I am not sure if it's moving a high schooler into an apartment or moving "my baby" out of the house or losing Mommy control, but I feel like I am beginning to suffer from ENS--empty next syndrome---and I am freaked out.

Hopefully, it won't take too long for me to realize that I am not spending so much time picking up wet towels, stepping over guitar cables, and lowering the toilet seat. Then, at just about that moment, Trent will be back. RECESS OVER.....

PS - I LOVE THAT BOY!!!