Wisdom with Age?

I made this necklace for a challenge that Beadwork was having, entitled Channeling Cinderella. For some crazy reason I didn't send it in though. Silly me. I'd like to redesign it without the flower. I've had this flower in my bead stash for a few years and it's just so not me.

Back to the necklace, I wanted it to tell the story of Cinderella's transformation. On the right side we see wood and copper pearls. The wood represented her plain and simple start in life. The flowing ruffle bead was her dress that the sisters tore apart. The copper pearls symbolize the pumpkins. The flower was her encounter with the fairy godmother. On the other side we see beads that reminded me of the ball and royal courtyard. I added in the glass beads as a nod to her slipper. You can click on the photo to see the details. I used my Spring Branch disk beads in there too.

On the Art Bead Scene I announced the new theme for this month, Pearls of Wisdom. The prize is a signed copy of Lisa Kan's new beading book, Bead Romantic. I'll be reviewing it later this month. I love Lisa's designs and her amazing beads. This necklace would fit right in for that challenge!

Tomorrow is a bittersweet day. It's the last day of school. I love my children, they are amazing and wonderful. But having 8 hours of guilt-free time to work is so nice during the school year. My girls aren't high strung or demanding, in fact they are both little artists and can entertain themselves with their own projects for hours. But my days are not my own and it's always hard to make the transition. That is life when you are a work-at-home mom, the juggling act sometimes gets a new ball thrown in and you just keep things going.

My oldest daughter is turning 12 on Sunday. What the hey? When did I get old enough to have a 12 year old daughter? For cryin' out loud, I remember being 12. And it doesn't seem that long ago. As I watch her grow and change, I am so thankful for the peace and confidence that comes with age. To accept who you are and love that person is a lesson that takes many years. I hope I'm a good example of that attitude for my girls. I want them to grow up strong, secure in who they are, ready to take risks and make their own way in this world.

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN by Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.