I bet most everyone on the Board has a story that would not have happen if you had not been on the Board: new friends, old friends, helping and/or being helped, information that changed your decision, etc.

Here’s mine:

Loansum – Al K. and I started the subject “Boudreaux to Boudin (Cajun Connection)” and all who joined was having fun remembering Cajun stuff. I mentioned where I went to high school and college and then along comes Spyder. A few PM’s back and forth and I’ll be damn, we remembered each other. We both went to a small college in Thibodaux, La in 1962-63. It was a “commuter college” called Francis T. Nicholls State (now it’s a University). Amazing, that was 46 years ago!Please share your story.

Those who've known the Otters since the beginning are well aware of the effects this board has had on our marriage.

News of Paisano's passing and the plight of the "Fruit Lady" really caused us to reshape our priorities. Had it not been for the news and fellowship shared on this board, the world would certainly be a different and not so pleasant place for me.

This board has helped my beloved spouse to realize that there are women all over the country who think I'm as strange as she does.

and as loveable

The number of really good friends I have made through this message board is truly amazing. Some of us talk almost daily and many of us have visited in each other's homes. Some of the most fun weekends of my life have been spent with Travelqueen and DivingCowGirl, terrorizing the streets of Texas and California! LaurieMar and I live virtually right around the corner from each other, yet we still talk more on the message board than on the phone! I've met and become friends with other attorneys, and many of us have assisted each other with legal issues we've been up against. It is almost impossible to go to San Pedro without running into a friend from ACMB. It is incredible the impact this board has had on so many of us.

That's a great story azbob. This board has provided a lot of things to a lot of people. Anything you want, from rants to raves can be found here and above all like Leah-Ann said, an abundance of great friends...........Leah-Ann....I love that name!

I have been fortunate enough to travel to other places with 3 gals I met from this board - Seashell and I have gone to Spain and France together, Gela and I have gone to AC, Cabo, Dominican Republic, Panama and Costa Rica together and LeahAnn and I spent a most laid back and fun 5 nights in Zihuatenjo, Mexico recently. I guess I see them more out of the country. LOL.

Cya at my partee on Saturday LA!

I met the "novascotianuts" on the board only to find out they live the same small town where I grew up.

It’s hard to fathom much less appreciate what this board has done for me. It’s been 2 years since I first signed on. The friendships I’ve made and the places I’ve been would not have been possible had I not stumbled upon the ACMB. I (we’ve) terrorized CA and TX with the help of Leah Ann & Travel Queen, South Carolina with Bill and Becky, Houston TX with Nova and Ted (I WON’T get into THAT tale yet) and of course wrecked havoc in SP numerous times with each and everyone of the “usual suspects” (you know who you are, so no hiding!) I thank God for each and everyone who I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, hanging with, staying with and just plain getting to know. San Pedro has become a second home to me. And a sight that still remains a favorite of mine (besides across a Belikin at BC’s) is flying across the reef from Belize City to San Pedro. As long as I am able to see, I will never tire of that view.

Spurs, will you marry me?? No wait, that might not be wise . .anyway, Laura really appreciates all that you said, and agrees from her heart!! Except for the earlier proposal part!!

Seriously, very poetic and very true, for our part at least!! Thank you for expressing it so eloquently!!

Although I have mostly been a reader and not written a lot on the board, it has helped me realize that there are a lot of really great people on the island. I plan to move there full time in just over a year, and at first it was primarily because of the obvious reasons, the ocean, the friendly and welcoming locals, a less stressful life. Now I know that there are many full and part time residents that have diverse backgrounds and are interesting, kind and fun. The beautiful island is all the more beautiful to me now. Thanks all!

Hey, AZBob,

I have a friend who teaches at Nichols State University. And I met him via a message board. Not this one, but one that used to meet in New Orleans every year. The internet can indeed be a wonderful place, and a place to forge life long friendships.

I have friends all over the states, some of whom I have actually met. Joined Marine Moms Online several years ago, and was able to find a great group of Moms when my son shipped to the Persian Gulf in Jan. 2003. We kept each other informed the whole time, and my son was shocked how much we knew about his deployment.

AMEN!!! And Spurs.....shhhhhhhh! LOL

HRUMPH!!!!! :P

seriously, i met my two best friends on this board, as well as some very good friends and numerous acquaintances whom we are extremely fond of.

i tend to see them more often (and certainly TALK to them MUCH more often) than my "friends" up here.

the stories are confidential

spill it janie, i can't wait for the book!

Gay! you and Mr. York are in my book!
hope all is well!

doing well here, how bout you? i get to babysit my brand new grandson tonight for a couple hours. grandkids are so much nicer. you can fill them up with sugar products & send them home to their parents. he is way too little for that now. he is at that precious age where they don't talk back yet or wreck cars.

good here too. enjoy that age - it can't possibly last more than a couple of weeks!

gay, i'm saving them up for a face-to-face story trade with ya!

Ah grandchildren.....they are truly your reward for not killing your children when they were teenagers!

Well, as Laurie mentioned, we have traveled together. First, we met over the message board. A bunch of us on the board were there at the same time so we coordinated the Lamanai trip. I met Laurie in person on AC. Then I ran into Laurie in Cabo the same year, and then have traveled to many places.

Met Leah Ann at Laurie's house (at one of her infamous parties) and finally met Seashell when she surprised us both by showing up unannounced on AC November 2006.

And I am going to take credit/blame for telling Bi1Ls about ambergriscaye.com - I mentioned it to him when Laurie and I were staying next to he and Becky at Xanadu.

And of course there was Debbie's surprise BD party at Caribe - met SweetJane, Hopie, Bill Thornton, and so many others (thanks to our hosts).

Laurie and I were invited to a special dinner at Rojo Nov 2006 by none other than Captain Jeff - who met us in person on that trip.

Cheers to the AC Board

i'm not sure about this, but i may have been half of the first board member meeting. (feel free to prove me wrong)

9/2000 - we made plans and met up with choo-choo and his lovely bride SWMBO at BC's. he & i still write from time to time. we both still come to SP whenever possible.

and hangin out with marty twice was a real treat. what a cool guy!

i have been fortunate enough to meet many, many others afterward. we are quite an interesting bunch!

Met Laurie Mar (ps sent you a pm-call me),Hopie and Dan and would have to go back to pictures to remember all the others for the first Pub crawl; met Hopie and Sweet Jane, Gela, Debbie, and several others at the birthday party (I stayed incoginto cause I had a group), and others that I knew from before.

I made some great friends in Becky, Gay (wahoo) Debbie, Susie, etc.

As Gay would say "I love my little country" and I do understand what she means. As a born Belizean it is sometimes hard to understand why others want to change our country but there are a bunch of you that just fit in to become "Honorary Belizeans."

Luv ya all, keep coming back and I will always see you in Belize.

Without a doubt the message board has definitly changed our lives for the better and what a fabulous resource it is.

As soon I got my first throw together p.c. years back in canada I went right to chat rooms (how tacoboy and I met)

It was only natural that once I stumbled upon ACMB that I joined right away. I figured it would be a good way to meet people. Had no idea what was to follow as a result of that decision ha ha.

We did not really know anyone here at the time. I saw a post for trivia night and told tacoboy we have to go there and I am sure we will meet some friends - boy did we ever.

It is amazing watching friendships grow and getting to know people more from chatting online and with each time we meet in person.

Big shout out to Marty for making it all possible - it is beyond huge what you have done for so many of us.

this is a nice thread. thanks folks. i too have met many friends here. what an amazing board because of all the folks on it. goes back to 1996......

Great idea Bob

gail - i didn't know you were at the b-day party??

you inspired me - i went thru old photos yesterday(on film!!) and found a party pic from 6/02. will have to figure out how to scan and post it.

what fun that was!!!

This is my favorite board. Such a diversity of characters, almost all with a common ground (Belize). I have met a number of members (umm, Tacogirl, Leah-Ann, Travelqueen, KC and his wife, 2miles north and his lady, klcman, and others of course). Enjoyable people all. I have a number I MUST meet. The other bobs, and of course divingcowgirl. Pugwash is another must, as are Reaper and the Otters. This is just off the top of my head, there are other victims that I need to share a beers with.

And share we will my friend!

SJ, you were upstairs...my friend Maureen from Belize had on the Tequillya belt which was given to her by my sister.
Wonder what happened to that cute couple that were on their honeymoon? I can't think of their names but I believe he was in the Army. If you can reprise those pics that would be great.

Gail,
SJ just visited with Maureen on her last trip. I know that belt WELL! Moe and I looked all over Chetumal for another belt, thought we found one, but it didn't pan out.
The honeymoon couple stayed in touch for a while, I think his name was Scott. What a character!! (Wonder if he still has the Belican cap imprint on his bum :)). I know they had a child about a year after BZ, but I've not heard much from them since.