Dear Friends,
I layed awake for so long last night thinking about my last 5 years being here and all the wonderful friendships and memories I have made. Sometimes it's so hard to let go. But now I feel it's time. I wrote Gayle and asked her to come back and take over being the moderator for me.

If I hurt anyone's feelings, Please forgive me.I was trying so hard to find a medium, smooth things over and move on. But with so many people not posting now, there's no reason to stay either.

I will always cherish the friendship that I made here and I hope that you will email me and keep me updated on your life. I will always love you and I will think about each one of you daily.No one can take away my memories with you or the pain I feel now. Best wishes to you all. Take Care and I hope you'll smile when you think about all of our great years together.

I love You....
Sherry

Sherry - being a moderator is a big job. I understand why you might want to take a break, but I hope you didn't mean that you would not come back at all.

I'm SO looking forward to the end of the school year, as are my students. They kept asking me how many more days we had left, so I finally counted down today: 29 DAYS! Woo-hoo! I still haven't gotten my results from the library/media specialist test. I thought they were supposed to be mailed on Friday, but when I looked on the website again it said they were supposed to be mailed on August 6, which was yesterday. I would really like to get it in Thursday's mail so that I can take it down to Jackson and walk it through on Friday. (We have Good Friday off.)

Sorry to see so many of us wanting to discontinue posting. Sure we all have been let down b/c we post something important and no one responds. If we are true friends to each other here then why are we leaving??

We sure started this group for WeightLoss but isn't being a part of the group is to share our feelings with each other and being supportive and being able to post what we want to post about ourselves.

I think if someone wanted just the movtivation and not the friendship then they shouldn't be here.

Sorry just this has upset me to go back and catch up and see that my dear friends are leaving b/c someone got hurt feelings and didn't feel necessary to talk it out.

Shame.

Vicki

Well....What a fine pickle this Floozie group is in!!!

I'm so glad tomorrow is {Friday} for me. Why do short weeks seem so long? Anyway glad we have a three day weekend coming up.
What is everyone's plans for Easter? We are going to sunrise service where my Grannymom and Granddaddy is buried. I haven't been in 6 years, I like to see the sun rise from my bed...LOL. But Mom asked me to go especially this year, so maybe everyone won't faint.
This afternoon I went for my follow up with my doctor since being on my new meds. She was so impressed with my weightloss. She increased the dosage for my RLS medicine, because it only helped for the first 2 weeks. She also put me on a diuretic, because my blood pressure runs a little high. She thought it might help before having to put me on a blood pressure medication.

Hope everyone is having a great afternoon. I Love you all!! deb

~~~SUMMER COUNT DOWN~~~
42 days down....AND 52 TO GO!!!

Deb - Isn't it a good feeling when the doctor gives you the thumbs up? I am very blessed to not have any of the usual weight-related health problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes. However, I realize that if I don't continue to take care of myself, I WILL have them eventually!

Something I want to throw out there...girls, we should be getting yearly checkups. I didn't go to the doctor for almost three years because I had gained so much weight and didn't want him giving me the what-fer. When I finally did go, he was MORE mad that I'd not come to see him in three years! He told me that things like ovarian cancer and cervical cancer have a high cure rate if caught early, and they don't necessarily manifest any symptoms until it's too late. Now, I have a committment to schedule a checkup every year during my birth month. (I'm not such a sadist that I'd actually go on my BIRTHDAY, though! ) So, go to the doctor!

Debbie, big congrats to you on the good news from the doctor. Have you ever been on a diuretic before?? Watch out, the whoosh fairy will be coming to see you. I have to take them when I retain fluid because of my heart problem and sometimes I lose as much as 3 pounds over night!

Jennelle, you are so right about the yearly checkups. I know it is a pain, but it would be a bigger pain to find out that something could have been cured if it had been caught sooner.

No plans here for Easter other than church as usual. I'll fix a basket of goodies for my little nephew, but that's it for us.

Gotta go wash my hair now and get my beauty sleep...my mirror tells me I've been missing a lot of that lately! LOL

All of this has really got to me! I thought about it all day at work & tonight at water areobics and you know what????

It's going to take a lot more then this to make me leave!!!!!!!!!!! I'm a Floozie and I will NOT leave! My Mom told me a long time ago that it's better to work with a bunch of men then it was a group of ladies! LOL

I know everyone's feelings have been hurt in someway and we cannot undo any of it. We can only move forward and learn from it. Is it possible to move on now?

Gayle,Vicki, Dee, Shelley & Ramona,
You will never know how much each of your letters meant to me.I felt they were all from the heart and I really appricate it.You don't know how much it made me feel loved.I will FOREVER cherish your friendship and hope that we will continue to grow and share many things with one another. Thank you so much for taking the time to write.You are my strength and make me a part of who I am today. I Love You!

Carol,
We are human,We all say things we wish we could take back. (I'm so famous for that!!).We can ask for forgiveness and hope that we will be forgiven and then move on.Hopefully we can get back to the way it was and all be happy.I don't know what else to say.

Debbie,
I wish I was more like you! You try to find peace, post as usual and move on! That's my DEBBIE!! Thanks for all the sweet words and being there for me when I was down. You know me too well.....I would NEVER be the same without all these fine ladies to talk to daily!! Everyone needs a friend like you!!!!!

Jennelle,
Thank you for posting with us through all this.Way to hang in there!!! BTW: I'm so glad you went to the Dr. after waiting 3 years!!

To everyone else: Please come back & post!!! Without all of us, there would be no FLOOZIE'S!!!

All my Love....
Sher

BTW:

Wanna hear something that's VERY humiliating????

During water aerobics tonight, I was really "getting into it" and one of the teachers my school who goes, looked at me real funny and motioned at my swimsuit. I looked down and my boob was completely HANGING OUT!!!!!!

This could only happen to ME! Oh My Gosh! I'll probably be the talk of the school tomorrow!!!!

LMAO Sherry!!!
If my boob had been hanging out...NO one would have even noticed!!!

Tomorrow is my weigh-in!!
Wish me luck!!

Sherry that was so funny, I would have been beet red! I am posting tonight because you have decided to stay. I don't want to hurt you by staying away. There was just to much stress here for me. You have done so much for us and I want you to remeber that. In no way were you responsible for some of us not posting.

Carol I need to say this to you to clear the air so that I can continue to post. When you posted your first message here this month you rocked the boat. I know that you have said that you are sorry but you could go back and delete or edit the post.

You have hurt and insulted myself and some of my friends with this comment:

I didn't feel that posting here was helping me anymore because I feel that no one is really interested in weight loss and helping each other through weight loss anymore. Oh there are half heartedly mentions from time to time, but it seems that everyone is so wrapped up in what is going wrong in their day to day lives that we have all forgotten what we are really here for.

Even when I was losing weight last year, I felt that I was doing most of it on my own. I felt that no one was really interested in whether I was losing weight or not.

For being a casual poster you came on pretty strong. If you are looking just for a ww board maybe you should try bootcamp buddies. This board may have started as a weight loss thread but it turned to deep friendships. For most of us friendship is the most important thing. We will encourage you if you are losing weight but it is up to you for your own motivation. Yes you do need to do it on your own and do it for yourself or you will only gain it back.It comes from with in and no matter what we say it is up to you, not us to motivate you. As I recall when you were losing weight last year most of us made encouraging remarks numerous times about your weight loss. I don't know what more you want. But I am here for the friendship and I do not depend on others to motivate me to lose weight. It is a bonus when someone congratulates me on the weight I lost.

Sorry for being blunt but I needed to clear the air, for me.

I am happy to be home. I missed you all.

Hello group!

Most of you know I've been away from the board the past few days and some of you know why. First off, the only reason I'm back now is because of Sher. I could easily email anyone I care to stay in contact with, but I chose to post because Sher has worked too hard as the moderator of this group. She is deserving of the title and should continue to carry it. BTW: I refused to take over as moderator...okay...now you all can breath a BIG sigh of relief!

There were things said earlier in the week that probably went unnoticed by a few and noticed by most, so I won't get into it. I believe some comments were made to be intentionally hurtful. I wrote to Sher and explained why I was upset, as the moderator of the group she should know. I intend to keep posting here as long as we are allowed to post the sorrows and celebrations of our lives. Over the past 5 years I have became close friends to most of you - due to getting to know you through your writings. If this was just a weight loss board, I would of never known Dee's favorite flower is a bird of paradise, Deb collects pictures of barns, Jennelle made some memory boxes and Shelley's favorite color is pink. I also told Sherry that if personal info is now a no-no here, then I will move elsewhere and start another group that encourages discussions of weight loss and life happenings.

Thank you so much for all of the letters over the past few days, I now truly know I am surrounded by life long friends.

Love, Gayle

I am also returning because of my love for Sherry. Yes, I am able to keep in touch through emails with quite a few of you, as we have done over the last few days.

Gayle-Your post and Dee's post have made made cry, which is hard for me sometimes because of the Prozac that I take! I love all of you dearly and don't intentionally want to hurt any of you. I certainly don't feel that we are here for only weight loss support. I have been coming back because of the deep friendships that I have made with you all. What other "weight loss board" has such friends that send surprise gifts to each other, care so deeply about one another that they may call even if someone lives as far away as Canada? We are a very close knit group, and I can't imagine that any other board has people that have become so close that they could probably pick each other out in a crowd without having ever met them in person. We have all enjoyed Dee's wonderful detailed accounts of her escapes while on vacation. What about the virtual birthday party we had for Dee last year? We have had so much fun together--going to work with Sherry, seeing Gayle's painting classes, Sherry and Debbie's wonderful trips to Fla., praying that Ramona would sell her business and being so happy when she finally did! What about Sherry becoming the owner of the house she so desparatly wanted? We have also cried with each other, as we did last night!

I really have to go to work, so I'll post either tonight if I don't fall asleep or tomorrow.

Love to all of you, and these are true words coming from my lips!

So glad all my Floozie friends are coming back!

As a relative newcomer to this board (I've only been here for a little over a year, for the "newer-comers"), I have felt that it was better for me to stay out of what's been happening here over the past few days. But I do want to say that I'm glad to see that Dee, Gayle, Shelley and Mama Floozie Sherry are HERE TO STAY!!!! I also hope that Carol stays.

It's always good to read a post from Vicki & Jennelle. And what would we do without Debbie and her countdown to summer? Bathing suit time would just sneak up on us!! Except for Sher, of course (bathing suits seem to sneak DOWN on her )! My fellow Arkie keeps us going, too! What's up, Ramona?

Now if Titan Dee and Doni would come around, we'd have a GROUP!!!!!!

Love you guys so much!

Cheryl

Hello group!

I'm sorry things have been stirred up here on the board, hopefully, we can move constructively forward to meet our goals losing weight plus building and maintaining our friendships. I know some have considered leaving this board, I truly hope if you are, please reconsider. We have the best of both worlds! We have an awesome weight loss board to post recipes, motivational suggestions, exercise challenges (which I must say I peeked into a few days ago and you girls are doing great!!!) plus everyone offers support and helpful suggestions to those that ask.

On the flip side, we have an outstanding group of ladies that have became good friends through sharing stories about their lives and sharing things that some of us will never experience otherwise. You girls are going to laugh, but I've never been to a beach! So I love coming here and reading about Deb & Shers yearly trip, Shelley living so close to a beach area and Dee's tropical vacations. I like reading the messages Jennelle shares because she usually just sticks with the program and is a "no nonsense" gal. For some reason, Ramona's messages seem to send a sense of peace over me. Regardless if the message is up or down, it has a calming effect for me. I enjoy Carol's motivational messages, Cheryl & Tina's humor and Vicki's honesty. I like reading the few between messages from Doni (hint, hint), you can tell she has a kind heart. We each offer a unique piece of ourselves which in turn, creates the wonderful board we have. Please, reconsider what you bring to this board and know you will be missed if you choose to leave.

With all the growing pains we have been doing I decided to work on my trip report and share something positive and fun. Enjoy!

March 22-29 My Trip to Puerta Vallarta:

Sad good byes and promises to be good was the start of my vacation. I told Larry that I would call him at work before we boarded the plane. With a bit of a panic and disappointment I realized that I didn’t have a quarter, only pesos. I had to ask at two different stores before someone felt sorry for me and gave me a quarter to call Larry to say good bye. Geez I hate good byes.
I sat with Ken and his adult son Jack on the plane. We found out that he is a distance cousin of Larry’s and he lives in the same small town as Larry’s mom. What a small world.
We arrived on time and I hit the green light going through customs. As soon as I walked through the doors Julie Anne flew at me. We were so excited to see each other. We caught a cab to Casa Yelapa, which is in Gringo Gulch behind the cathedral up the mountain side. Wow what a mansion. It has 8 floors with terraces on each floor over looking the ocean and village. Kevin Costner use to own this house. We had our own houseman and housemaid, Rosa and Garbino.
It was a hot afternoon so we lounged around the pool, topless hoping for as little tan lines as possible. The pool area is incredible. The variety and color of flowers surrounding the stucco and rod iron fence was incredible, there was yellow, white, pink, hot pink, flowers surrounding us with blue sky. We felt we were in heaven.
We went out for a enjoyable Mexican dinner and a beer at Squina de los Caprichos. We took a refreshing walk by the ocean to cool down. The sky was clear and we could see every star shinning. We ended up going to the movie Cold Mountain so that we could cool down. By 1:00 it had been a full day and I snuggled up to Mr Teddy that Larry had packed for me.
Julie Anne had a meeting this morning, so I hiked up to the 8th floor roof top terrace with my coffee listening to the birds chirp, church bells chiming every 15 minutes, and the sun steaming down on me this early morning. I could see whales blowing water up through their blow holes in the bay near the famous arches. How incredible.
I set off for a walk along the ocean that led me to my friends at San Marino Hotel. After hugs I ventured off to see my friend Sylvia at the sexiest male underwear store. Of course I could not resist purchasing my Sweetie a pair of nautical underwear. I stopped off at the new French pastry shop for chocolate croissants, Julie Anne’s favourite. Julie Anne was back by lunch. Our afternoon ritual quickly became baking our boobies by the pool. It was so hot out that we tried to make the 15 minutes between the church bells ringing before we dived into the pool.
For dinner we went to Sand Bar Restaurant. I had a delicious meal of Dorado fish. We caught up with a friend of Julie Anne’s at his restaurant. He was surprised to see that I was back. We visited with him til 2:30. In Mexico you have to sleep with ear plugs if you don’t like getting woke up by roosters crowing at 4:00. I reached for my ear plugs on the bedside table and realized one was missing. I think our Tassie (the dog we are sitting) ate one. Good thing that she is a Rottie or she might get plugged up.
After a wonderful rest we decided to go for an adventurous hike up the mountain to see things that we have not explored before. What a beautiful quaint walk on the cobblestone streets.
This afternoon when we were hanging out by the pool we hear a violin and piano softly play. When they played “My heart will go on.” It made me lonely for Larry.
Julie Anne went to work tonight. I watched the sunset into the ocean from the malecon and then went to the Spanish mass at the Cathedral. Being here brought back a flood of feelings since our last trip. Larry and I spent a lot of time praying for mom and wondering if she would recover. We are thankful that she did. There was a beautiful choir. I trudge back up the mountain dripping in sweat so I could walk Tassie. She was ready and waiting for me. Man is it hot. I was so cooked that when I got back to Casa Yelapa, I said to heck with it, it is time for a refreshing skinny dip. I had my watch dog to protect me from all evil. As I walked down along the ocean to meet Julie Anne at work, I talked to a man with a telescope. He showed me Venus, Mars and Mercury. Tomorrow you will be able to see 5 planets lines up. A pirate ship was sailing past when a load boom blasted off with fireworks showering the bay in a
brilliant light. Wow what a way to get the heart beating. I couldn’t resist grabbing a stuffed baked potato that was being grilled on the sidewalk in front of Café de Olla. Fermin gave me a plate of tacos and salsa to accompany it. I took it down by the shore and enjoyed the evening with sounds of Mariachi music and the waves rolling in. What a pleasurable day.
Gee I could get use to having my strong Mexican coffee on the roof top terrace with the best view of the bay in Puerto Vallarta. Sure do get a good work out going down to 5 floors to get more coffee. That is 30 floors for the 3 cups of coffee I had. Hard to believe that I put on 2 pounds in the week that I was here.
Julie Anne and I went for a walk on the east side of the river stopping in to see John and his prise garden of orchids. One is soon to bloom. We were ravished, after walking for miles checking out properties for sale. We stopped off at a quaint sidewalk café that had only 4 tables. We each ordered a huge delicious shrimp taco with Jamaica and cucumber salad. That sure hit the spot. I was so full that I was happy to walk back in the shadows escaping the heat, to Casa Yelapa to lounge by the pool. Tonight I watched the ruby red, candy pink sunset illuminate the cathedral as it set against a midnight blue sky from the dinning room terrace, while music softly floated up from Central Park. The bottom sliver of the moon is shinning brightly in the western sky. I just can’t get over how in a different hemisphere the moon looks so unusual. Larry and I set up a date to meet and watch the moon at 9:00. I headed down to the malecon in front of the ocean so that I could listen to the waves and mariachi music play while I drew near to Larry in my heart and soul. We made a loving connection even though we were 1000’s of miles apart. Julie Anne and I enjoyed a late night Greek Dinner.
While walking on the beach today I collected shells and made Larry a heart with forever love written beside it. My young amigo said nada, nada before I took a picture
.and drew an arrow through the heart. How sweet. I seen a young man scale a coconut tree with a machete and chop down the coconuts. The Mexican children scurried to pick them up without getting hit on the head. I did some shopping for the kids purchasing some bracelets, necklaces and shot glasses. By the time I got back to the house Julie Anne was back from work. We kicked back and enjoyed our ritual sunbathing. Tonight our Goddess friends were suppose to arrive from Toronto but they were delayed until midnight. With disappointment we have postponed our Goddess Dinner til tomorrow. We gathered with the other girls and went out to Senior Sweeny’s for dinner. It was loud but good reasonable food and excellent company.
We went to Casa Andreas after breakfast to catch up with the delayed Goddess’s. I had the pleasure of meeting Goddess Rose and Goddess Heidi. It was too funny we were all wearing hot pink tops. We became close friends fast as we sat and shared a hamburger lunch at Chili’s. Tonight was the big night. Our coming out as Goddess’s. After lounging by the pool we dresses in our very best, adorned with a tiara, boa and wand. The Goddess’s looked their best as we dinned at Café de Olla drinking strawberry margaritas. What a sceptical we were, receiving a lot of positive attention from everyone. They said that we looked Godly as we dined on our fabulous shrimp platters having the time of our lives. We strolled down the street in our Goddess garb to the Zoo bar where we proceeded to get wilder dancing in the cages til our feet we sore.
If I had one wish I would zap you here with me with my Goddess wand to share this memory. I can see the midnight blue sky decorated with diamonds twinkling, on the glistening calm salted bay. I am watching the half melon colored moon high in the west sky as melodies of romantic Spanish songs drift up with the whiff of jasmine on the gentle breeze on this sleepless village as a cruise ship sails out of port. I thank the Lord for each of my friends wishing you were here.
It is pool party time. We had the Goddess to a pot luck pool party. Boy did we have great food, and loads of fun. After the pool party a few of us went for a walk down to Pie in the Sky for coffee.
Today for my last day we met Heidi and Rose for breakfast at Freddie Toucans. I had a wonderful breakfast of pancakes with almonds and whipped cream. We took one last walk together down the beach to say good bye to Mary Ann, Beatrice, and Cathy. With mascara running down my face I hugged each of the Goddess’s and told them that I loved them and would miss them. Most off all I will miss my Mexican sister Julie Anne that made this all possible for me. We are bonded Goddess sisters. Off to the airport I went. I met up with the Larry’s cousins again. Never a dull moment I tell you. We talked so much that they needed to page us because the plane was leaving, and we had not boarded. That is one story I don’t think that Larry would have believed. I missed my plane, yeah right.