Happy Birthday!!!!!

Today is my wife's birthday and I wanted to take time today to tell the story of how we met. I joined the social networking site myspace back in 2005. I wasn't on the site a lot in the beginning but in 2006 I started getting a little more active on it. I fixed up my profile page, added my picture and joined a few groups. One day I got an invite to a group called "Over 40 and Fine". I figured I was over 40 so I joined the group. The group had a message board area where people could post topics of discussion. There were some serious threads and also many fun ones as well. Some were word games where you had to change one letter in a word to make it a new word. There was also a couple of flirty threads as well...like "would you hug the person below you?" and "would you kiss the person below you". It was on this message board I first spotted Sharon. I saw her profile picture and thought WOW! She is cute. I found myself spending more time on the board an responding to her posts when I saw them. I started trying to be the first one to hug or kiss her on those threads. This was late February early March 2006.

We started interacting on the boards more and soon started sending private messages back and forth. We definitely hit it off and soon exchanged phone numbers. I guess I should mention that Sharon is from SE Pennsylvania and that I am from SE Wisconsin. We continued sending messages to each other as well as started talking on the phone on a regular basis. We spend time talking and getting to know each other.We then added web cams to the mix and would have web dates.  Soon I realized I needed to meet her in person. I asked if it would be okay for me to come out to visit her. She enthusiastically agreed. We made plans for me to drive out the weekend between Mother's Day and Memorial Day. I still remember the mix of excitement and nervousness I felt as the time drew nearer. Sharon sent me a package that I was not to open until right before I left. We had a web date and I opened the package. It was a music cd that she had made for my trip, some gum and a few tasty cake snacks.

I left Milwaukee around 10pm to avoid Chicago traffic and started my journey to PA. I had used mapquest to plan out the trip and it would be taking me 14 hours to travel the 841 miles from my home to my hotel. I was very excited the first leg of the trip. I put the cd in and listened to the wonderful songs she had selected for my drive. Somewhere in Ohio in the wee hours of the morning doubts crept into my head. What if she doesn't like me? What if we don't hit it off in person? Am I crazy driving 14 hours to meet a woman in PA? I was questioning my decision when my cell phone rang. I was Sharon she was getting up at home and just the sound of her voice put all my doubts to rest. I talked with her for a few minutes as she needed to get ready for work and I drove to Bob Evan's near Akron Ohio to meet a fellow myspace friend for breakfast. After breakfast I continued on to PA. I remember the first sign you see for a city in PA along I-80 is for the Town of Sharon, PA. I took that as a good omen as that was my goal...Sharon in PA. I stopped at the first rest area in PA to stretch my legs and check the map. The was a woman working the visitor area who ask where I was headed I told her and she responded "You only have 5 and a half more hours to go" I don't think she knew I had been driving for almost 9 hours already.

I made it the rest of the way and checked into my hotel. I showered and tried to take a nap as Sharon was going to pick me up after she got off of work to go to dinner. As tired as I was I could not sleep. Sharon called me when she was done with work. She sounded very excited that I was there. She when home to clean up and then made her way to the hotel. I remember standing on a little porch area waiting for her to arrive. When I saw a gray car pull in I thought I think that is her. The car parked and Sharon got out of the car and walked up to me. I remember hugging her and both of us looking at each other saying I can't believe you are here. Sharon told me she had wondered if I was really going to be there when she got to the hotel. I am so glad I was there, as in turned out that was the first time I held the woman that has made me the happiest man alive. I never knew then that September 2nd would become one of the most important days in my life.

Happy Birthday Sharon!!!

Childhood Memories

Sharon and I stop for ice cream on our way home from dinner last night. It was a little local drive up ice cream place, Lee's, that has been in business for 40 years. Lately when we go for ice cream it is at Culver's or Kopp's and I either get the flavor of the day or a sundae. ( I know...both Culver's and Kopp's sell frozen custard not ice cream) When we got to Lee's there was a family getting their order. When I saw the soft-serve cone given to the young boy my decision was made. I had to have a soft-serve twist ( vanilla and chocolate ). Eating that cone brought back memories from my childhood. I can remember eating cones with the ice cream dripping down my hands and chin. It reminded me of those care-free summer days of my youth. Running around playing with the neighborhood kids. The baseball games, capture the flag, riding our bikes, playing in the woods and waiting for the porch light to go on, the signal it was time to go home. In today's hustle and bustle world of work, work, work we need to stop once in awhile and remember the carefree times of our youth. I would like to thank that family and their young son who helped me remember some of my childhood memories.

Scott

Getting Started

Why a blog Scott? You are 46 years old and have never written anything in your life. What to you possible have to write about? Who wants to read about an average middle aged man from Wisconsin?

All good questions. I don't really know the answer to any of them. I guess I am just looking for a place to write some thoughts, vent some frustrations, remind myself of the good things in my life and learn to open up a little. I find that I keep things bottled up at times. I tend to withdraw  when things are bothering me. I am getting better with the help of the woman I love...my wife Sharon. She has been a blessing in my life. I am still not sure what I have done to deserve such a wonderful woman.As the days and weeks go by I will tell the story of how we met.

I guess my first blog should be a little about me and who I am.

I am a 46 year old male from Wisconsin. I was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wi.  I currently live in Waukesha with my wife of almost 16 months Sharon. I have two siblings: older sister Linda and younger brother Mike. If I am honest I think Mike is a big reason for this blog, more on that to come. I am a huge Packer's fan and I am sure we will explore that in the days ahead as well. I was a meatcutter for 24 years for a couple of major grocery stores in the Milwaukee area. I am currently a Union Representative for UFCW Local 1473. After years of being out of shape, I am now going to the gym religiously and trying to get into shape. I am sure a part of this blog will be talking about that journey as well.

You might be wondering why I named my blog "Livin The Dream" it comes from a sports radio host here in town who tells everyone he is living the dream when he is asked how he is doing. I now use it in my daily life when asked, because it is a reminder to myself that I am truly a lucky man. It is also I little pick me up on days I might be a little down. I going to go for now but I will return.

Scott