Wednesday, October 1, 2014

A Wooden Wheel, A 60's Hit, and A Life Change


"What goes up, must come down.
Spinnin' wheel, got to go round.
Talk about your troubles, it's a crying sin
Ride a painted pony, let the spinnin' wheel spin...."

Some times life feels like you're strapped to a wheel that's turning in directions that you have little or no control over. All you can do is hang on for dear life and try to make sure that the wheel carries you along, rather than spinning you off or, even worse, runs you right over as it goes down the ro

For over a year. that's been me. I was between jobs, and the search for a new position was extraordinarily frustrating, taking regular smacks at my self-esteem and confidence. I tried hard not to let it affect how I acted in daily life, but it did affect the enthusiasm with which I tackled things like my beading, blogging, and general online friendship maintenance.

"You got no money, you got no home,
Spinning wheel, all alone,
Talking 'bout your troubles and you never learn,
Ride a painted pony, let the spinnin' wheel turn"

But I recently got a job.  A dream job. I am thrilled! The only hitch is that it will require my husband and me to live a commuter marriage for a couple of years until he retires.  But the new job is in Chicago, which is one of those places we always thought would be a fabulous place to retire to. So I finally feel like I've gotten a little more control over the wheel of life, but in the meantime, I've had to find an apartment, figure out what needs to move up with me, and do all the things that come with relocating.

In fact, as you read this, I will be in my new apartment, hopefully directing the movers on where to put all the boxes of beads I packed!

"Did you find the directing sign
On the straight and narrow highway
Would you mind a reflecting sign
Just let it shine within your mind
And show you all the colors that are real"

When Janet invited me to be one of a group of people to create something with some little wooden wagon wheels she had found, I was happy to have the challenge.  My first thought was that it was perfect for a color wheel. And that's about as far as it went for a couple of months. But it's amazing how motivating it can be to have to pack all of your beads up for moving -- I sat right down and figured out how to turn my wagon wheel into a color wheel, first painting the wheel black and then using flat circular peyote stitch that I anchored to the spokes with whipstitch now and then.



It's not a masterpiece, by any means, but it is a talisman for me -- just like there are infinite shades of colors, there are infinite possibilities in life. Sometimes it just takes the wheel a little longer than you would like to slow down enough, in the words of Blood Sweat and Tears, to show you "all the colors that are real."
"Someone's waiting just for you.
Spinnin' wheel, spinning true,
Drop all your troubles by the riverside,
Catch a painted pony on the spinning wheel ride"

So, a little more melodramatic than most of my posts, but I'm hoping that this wheel helps me turn the corner (see what I did there?) into being more active on my blog, more regular in reading your posts, and altogether more like myself! (Oh, and credit to Blood Sweat and Tears, whose song I've shamelessly used here.)

Here are the others turning wheels into something fantastic -- go visit and enjoy!

Beadsong Jewelry:  http://www.beadsong.blogspot.com/
Crafty Hope:  http://www.craftyhope.com/
Honey from the Bee: http://www.honeyfromthebee.com
Therese's Treasures:  http://theresestreasures59.blogspot.com/   

11 comments:

Christine Altmiller said...

I can see this propped on a windowsill in your new urban apartment ~ a reminder of the Spinning Wheel you are on because you are alive and thriving ~ while David Clayton-Thomas sings in your head. A wonderful and timely talisman. I like what you did with it and what it means to you. All good things for you, Bobbie, as you start this new adventure! By the time your husband retires, you will know the ins and outs of Chicago and the neighborhood you will want to live in when he moves up. I will let you know the next time I come to town :-)

AntiquityTravelers said...

First, congratulations!!!! that must feel like such an accomplishment to land a dream job! Fingers cross for you that it will be everything you hoped it would be!

I think we've all had moments, periods of time, even years where life feels this way. Sometimes it helps to lean on friends, and sometimes the solitude is all that helps. I can tell you that I had a year exactly like yours beginning in Sept 2008, right at the crash. I don't talk about it much, but I deeply understand. So happy to see you on the other side.

Spin that wheel of yours and let your new life take you somewhere you hadn't even dreamed yet my friend.

Therese's Treasures said...

Hi Bobbie,
So glad to hear that you are getting settled in Chicago and loving your new job. The song and the wheel fit in perfect with your life right now. Oh and thank you for putting the song in my head now I will be sing it all day LOL I loved that song when I was a child of the sixties. I also love that you turned your wheel into a color wheel cool idea now when you spin it around the colors will blend into a beautiful colorful blur.
Therese

CraftyHope said...

First off. . .and I know I've already said it, but CONGRATS on the dream job. Next, I love how you worked in the song with the post. It's perfect.
Lastly, your wheel ended up so cool. I do love me some color (despite the lack of any in my own wheel), and a color wheel is the epitome of color. What a fabulous idea and beautiful execution!

Divya N said...

its so cheerful and seems like the thing that you should put in your new house signifying change

Bits of Learning said...

Bobbie, you have yourself a wonderful tailsman!
I have this overwhelming urge to reach into the screen and spin the beautifully beaded color wheel to see the colors flow into each other!

Honey from the Bee said...

What an inspiring post. The wheel as a metaphor for what's going on in your life as you just keep rolling forward. I know being away from your husband (and he away from you) is going to be tough, but how cool that where you'll be working is still a move forward for both of you. You'll be able to scout out where you want to end up when you're retired. Happy for you that it's your dream job, too - as that makes it an easier decision doesn't it? Rainbow of hope and best wishes to you. Look forward to seeing more jewelry and just more news from you. Thank you for participating in this tough challenge! I love what you made and that it is a talisman for you.

Karin Slaton said...

So happy that you found a dream job. And it's in Chicago - how exciting is that!!! I always love to see a post from you pop up in my reader - listening in on the soundtrack of your life is always an adventure!!

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

I was wondering where you were! I was born in Oak Park, IL - spent my first 8 years there and have only been back about three times. I miss it!!! I hope your new job and living digs work well for you!

I am posting almost the same comment to all you wonderful ladies - how and the heck do you even come up with a design for these "things" you find in craft stores! It amazes me! I do love your color wheel - amazed that you could stitch inside of that!

Best of luck to you - stay warm this winter, because, if memory serves, it is COLD there! :)

Alicia said...

I really love what everybody came up with for this challenge - yours is as charming as I could imagine! So happy for your new job (especially a dream job!) - and wishing you a good transition and an easy 'commuter time' for your marriage. Enjoy your ride up the wheel with infinite possibilities :)

Becky Pancake said...

Hi Bobby, your color wheel is great.I think it is wonderful that you made it a life symbol. Congratulations on your new job.