Oh my gosh ladies, going through this thread has made me feel so much better about life and love. I have been struggling with this "losing a friendship" thing but you all have reaffirmed why I decided to end my friendship with her- negativity should not be cultivated or nurtured. I feel by staying friends with her I would be supporting her negativity. It is difficult to not be friends with someone that I have known for so long but at this point I am walking away and not looking back, and it feels free!

Thanks so much for all of your kind words and for all of your insight. It has been very refreshing. Sometimes its easier as an outsider looking in than being someone stuck in the muck.

Thanks again for the support. Anne-- what an amazing forum.