Hey, everyone!I'm 14 weeks pregnant, and stumped for baby names, so I decided to have a little contest over these next few months. Message me if you're interested in participating, and I'll give you the names of my girls, if you don't know them already. (I'm very private online with my girls, so messages only) This is serious, so no My Little Pony names, etc.I will occasionally post and update the top contenders, and announce the winner this summer if not beforehand.Thanks so very much, and good luck!Love and Blessings,Sarah

On October 25th, 2007, I left on an amazing journey that would forever change my life. Until then, I had traveled most of the U.S., lived a place or two, and met many amazing people along the way. I am fortunate enough to have the greatest friends & family anyone could ever wish for, who have stood by me through tragedy and triumph, but it would be new friends that would lead me across the sea. And what an amazing journey it was.

I kissed my beloved family goodbye, tearfully, in Scranton, and made my way through the gate. Even I questioned why, and was on a quest to find the answer to that question. I boarded the plane, waved goodbye, and took off for the sky...like a butterfly, opening it's wings for the first time. Unsure. Uncertain. Alone.

I have been many places in my lifetime, but never alone. I was always one of those people who made excuses not to do things, rationalizing it in my own thoughts. Always afraid to face the world alone, giving up countless opportunities. As I began my journey, I questioned why I was doing this now, and why had I not done it 10 years ago?

When I boarded the plane, I was seated next to a man named Jim, who was an engineer, here for work, and going home to Michigan. We hit it off right away, and that conversation made the flight pass quickly. We laughed about life, kids, even cancer...and somehow I think I may have made his trip a little easier, too. We exchanged e-mails, and hugged each other goodbye, and his warm smiled stayed with me as I found my way to the A & W booth.

Detroit airport is an amazing place! The biggest airport I've ever seen, with colorful lights and fountains, and endless shopping, it seemed. On my way to catch my trans-atlantic flight, I started to get really emotional. I called home to wish everyone sweet dreams, goodnight. I began to second-guess this entire trip once again, when I looked out the window and saw the full moon. Sometimes, if you look to the heavens, the answer really is waiting. The moon, for me, was my sign.

I waited at the terminal, over the hustle and bustle amongst the crowd, when I overheard a woman named "Sarah" be called...then another...and yet another. I thought this to be a bit strange, and then my name was called. I panicked briefly, then held it together, approaching the terminal. "What did I screw up, now?", I wondered. It was then that I was approached by a young woman, just beaming at me...sweet-faced, wearing a "Salzburg, Austria" shirt. I smiled back, as my sister spent some time there a few years back, and is a place where my mom found her own soul-searching journey. She handed me a bag, and told me that the gentleman who I shared my first flight with wanted me to have this gift...a token of my "positive attitude", which really inspired him. Can you even imagine that? I opened the bag, and it was a shirt with a glass on it that read, "half-full". How amazing is that? www.lifeisgood.com As fate would have it, she and her grandma would be seated behind me on the flight to London.

In the morning, I saw Ireland from the sky. We came down into the English countryside, beneath the magical mists of Britain, and there I was. It was even more spectacular than I had ever imagined!

I came through the gate to hundreds of tiny American flags, and thought, "wow! They did this just for me!" Alas, no...it was for the Miami Dolphins, who were coming in at the same time I was! There they were, my father-in-law's favorite team, complete with cheerleaders and all! (you can spot them a mile awy...REALLY hot blonds, big boobs, and 5 bags of luggage each!) And, yes, they were the only chicks who still looked hot after an overnight flight across the sea!

I got a bit choked up waiting for Alicen and Neil, as I had never met her in person before, or their children...and, there they were, atlast! My dear friend, who I met at Spoutwood so unexpectedly, and his amazing, beautiful family. I couldn't believe I was finally there!

We drove down to Be & Drew's, where we were meeting some other artist friends that night. Let me tell you, it was like pure magic, despite my exhaustion. Everyone was just incredible! I was welcomed so warmly, and what a beautiful night we all had. Their house was just amazing...stone cottage from the 1700's amidst the rural English landscape. Artwork and warning signs everywhere...it was just fabulous! After a few glasses of wine, I retired to Tim's room, which was so graciously lent to me, where I had the best night's sleep I've had in years! In the morning, I was truly blessed and honored to share in a very magical, beautiful moment, before heading up to Alicen's folks' house. I was sad to leave, and wish it could have lasted longer. It is no surprise that Be & Drew's sons are just amazing, and I am honored to know them all. I met some really beautiful people that night.

I was in awe of the English countryside. So beautiful and unspoiled...no Wal-Mart...no Burger King. Just countryside. We drove through the outskirts of Oxford and on to the lovely, quaint village of Amersham. It was so great to get to know Alicen better, and to spend so much time with them all in person! No e-mails, no phone calls.

Alicen's family was just amazing. Talk about English hospitality! I had Granny's suite, while she was away, and two fluffy Persian kitties to keep me warm! I felt terrible, since most of the evening was spent trying to find me a route to the ferry, as I unknowingly forgot to book a ticket before I left. Chris & Neil got me sorted, though, and all was well in the end. They were all so warm and lovely, and I hated to say goodbye to them as well.

The morning began my Scottish journey. Neil saw me to the terminal, and off I went to Edinburgh. I sat by the nicest lady on the plane, and we decided to share a cab in Edinburgh, as she and her husband were going to the train station as well. They were the sweetest folks, and paid for my cab fare! Like I said, talk about your English hospitality! Everyone I met in or from England was just friendly as can be! Scotland, on the other hand, was a different story.

I boarded the train beneath Edinburgh Castle. Edinburgh was exquisite, and I will be sure to return there one day and stay a while. I was hollered at very nastily for supposedly "being in someone's seat", and I heard someone laugh behind me. It was a cowboy, straight outta Texas, if you could even believe it! And the one thing I know about Texans, is that if you yell at them, they will laugh in your face! So, I sat by him, and he was able to call his wife on my phone, which was nice. We had a lot in common, as it turned out, and a long trip to Aberdeen to talk about it all. He was very much into sci-fi, and is busy completeing a book. Vietnam vet, married for 30 some years...nicest, nicest guy. I didn't want to say goodbye to him, either. That was one hell of a day, let me tell you...and the Scottish coastline was just breathtaking!

Aberdeen....hmm...I should sort of skip this part. Luckily it was short and sweet. Let's just say it was all a big misunderstanding, and leave it at that.

I arrived at the ferry terminal, and waited for Neil & Alicen, before beginning the 6-hour voyage across the North Atlantic. And, yes...that was some voyage. Thank the Goddess for Dramamine...that's all I can say...and for Neil, to tell ghost stories and scientifically explain the supernatural. The ferry was like a cruise ship. It even had movie theaters! We watched Shrek 3 and ate candy and ketchup flavored potoato chips. It doesn't get much better than that, does it?

We arrived in Kirkwall late. It was cold and rainy, and we spent the night in a hostel there before taking the little ferry to Westray in the morning. That ferry was a bit more like the ones I'm used to, small, cold, industrial. The sky cleared up a bit, and we even saw a rainbow! Apparently that happens much more often there. I even saw two seals bobbing up and down in the water! There it was, Westray. The beautiful, green, Scottish isle...awaiting me. I was breathless.

Westray was beautiful. Nothing but wide open spaces and farmland, stone cottages, and the sea. Neil took me to Noltland Castle, which was spectacular. I took a walk with Alicen and the horses, which was so beautiful. She has two Shetland ponies and the most exquisite Icelandic horse. I even saw their girlfriends up the road...flirty Welsh ponies! The Orkney Faerie Museum, which is run by Neil & Alicen and a gallery for Neil's artwork, was amazing. Even though the paintings are away for the season. I was able to see the other exhibits and faerie sculptures, and Neil showed me all of his originals privately. There is nothing like seing an artists' originals, and let me tell you, Neil's are spectacular! Even his early work is brilliant, and some of the paintings are just massive! What an honor it was to see them first-hand. I also had the opportunity to meet Martin the Potter, and visit a little boutique called Hume Sweet Hume, which has lovely handmade textiles. I spent some time with Neil & Alicen's children, who are so beautiful and magical. Their daughter is very fey, and has the longest eyeslashes I have ever seen! She is a remarkable young woman. Their son is adorable, and very sweet, and performed a drum solo just for me! I was thrilled to get my own private concert! On Halloween, the kids had some friends over for apple-bobbing, and everyone waws dressed up in their costumes! It made me really homesick, since Halloween is such a big deal in our family. It's like our Christmas, really. Then, I fell down the stairs.

Neil & Alicen's life was as magical as they and their children are...a stone cottage along the sea, horses, and wide open space. I loved my time there, and I didn't want to leave. I miss them all terribly.

Neil and I then made our way back down to London for Witchfest. We arrived in Kirkwall, where we had lunch at a little cafe before he showed me the sights. The first and most impressive being St. Magnus Cathedral. I have been in many large cathedrals and buildings, but this was the oldest and biggest I have ever seen. It was absolutely indescribable. We then went to the Orkney Museum, where we saw some lovely Orcadian paintings and objects, before being kicked out for lunch! The weather got bad, so we missed out of some other neolithic sights, which I was still able to see from afar on the bus. Gotta leave something for next time, right?

Stromness was another nice little town. We had a very nice dinner at the hotel there before turning in for the night. In the morning, we started our trip to Inverness, which was an amazing journey. The sun was shining, Neil was passed out, and I was captivated by every moment. We rode for 3 hours through the highlands of Scotland, and that journey within itself touched my soul so deeply. I now see why so many people visit Scotland and never go home!

We arrived at Inverness, where we boarded our plane back to London. I had the opportunity to meet some of Neil's family, which was great. His younger brother, Jason, and his wife, Clare, welcomed me very warmly while we awaited Neil's dad to bring us Neil's car and prints. Clare cooked us a delicious meal, let me use her phone to call home, check our e-mail...again, nothing like English hospitality! They were such nice folks, truly. Neil's dad arrived with another of Neil's brother's, and his brother's girlfriend. (Neil has a lot of brothers!) They were all so nice, and more people I didn't want to say goodbye to!

We arrived in Croydon, exhausted. Witchfest was amazing! I met some of the coolest people there! I met Terry the Gnome King, who is a subject in one of Neil's paintings, and his little cohort, Artura, who tried to get me drunk on spiced wine! There was Chris Down, an amazing Celtic artist, Mark, the jewelry guy next to us and his hysterical posse! sarah and Paul, who were awesome! He had the best laugh ever, and I would have taken them all home with me if I could!

The next day, we went to London, where we did the typical tourist thing. As fate would have it, we found a map of London on ground! I was really tired, but perked up after lunch. London was a fabulous city, in fact, my new favorite! The subways were really nice, and the whole city was so spread out , clean, and open. Neil played a nasty trick on me in the subway, but even I had to admit it was brilliant! He told me that it is customary in England to bow before a performer, so as we tossed our coins into the guitar player's case, I bowed, of course, so as to not be rude. Then, he told me that he was just kidding! We walked to and across Tower Bridge, went to Parliament and Big Ben, and then to Buckingham Palace. Everything was even more ornate and bigger in person, and it was a lot to take in all in one day, really.

We ended the day with a visit to the V & A Museum, which left me speechless. I could hardly speak the entire time. There were beautiful Pre-Raphaelite sculptures and paintings, loads of midieval art, silverwork, religious art and sculpture, stained glass, and more marble than I have ever seen in one place. It was not only exquisitely beautiful, but you could walk right up to all of it, and see it all up close and personal. Just amazing. What a beautiful end to my journey!

The following morning, I said my goodbyes to Neil, and boarded my flight back home.

Sometimes, in life, you never know just where the road will lead you, or why you're on it in the first place. My journey to the UK taught me a great deal more than I had anticipated, and ended with much more purpose than it began. I found myself in many ways through that experience, and proved a great deal to myself along the way. I was thrilled to get home to my sweet family, but left a piece of my heart and my soul behind, along with the trail of sweaters and other objects I left across Britain! I found myself as a woman, a mother, an artist, and came back truly inspired and a better person because of it. My eyes were opened, and I came home with a new appreciation for all of the things in my life that I thought were scattered. This journey helped me piece all of the puzzle together, and for the first time in my life, I know exactly what I want.

During my time alone, travelling, I thought of all of you, and how each one of you has affected me in some positive way. I thought of where I've been, where I'm from, how far I've come. Each one of you, new friend or old, my mother, my sister, my husband and children...each friend I've ever known. The good and the bad, because I am grateful to those who have hurt me as well. My art...my life...I am grateful to each and every last one of you, for you have given me more than you can ever imagine, and have made me who I am.

Like Dorothy so famously says, "There's no place like home". And, as she learned herself, I, too, found that I did truly have it in me all along.

 

Merry meet, all! I am so thrilled to be here meeting new friends, and to have old friends here, as well! My sister, Beth, is here, who makes exquisite doll clothes. She is adorable, but beware! For there is evil beneath that cute exterior! My oldest friend,Tiff, is here, too! (Can you even believe we met all those years ago, me with my coke bottle glasses, and you looking like Wednesday Adams!? And here we are, all these years later! and I'm still a dork, & you still look like Wednesday Adams!) Speaking of Adams, my dear friend, Giovanna Adamas is here, too! So check her out!  Neil Geddes-Ward is here, too, who is a dear friend and one of my favorite artists of all time, so go bug him. Do it now.

 Love & Blessings to everyone, and have a fabulous weekend!

~Sarah Co.~