It's with a heavy heart that I am writing this. My best friend of 45 years is in the hospital fighting for her life. She had a stroke last week and is now in ICU at MGH. This happened so fast and I'm still in shock. Not really wanting to believe this is true. 

She is sedated and doesn't know what is going on. I saw her and pleaded for her to continue to fight and to not give up. She's been through so much in her life. I told her that she's from the projects and is tough. I prayed to my mom to help. Need some positive vibes so she can beat this. Please keep her in your prayers.

Visited Por on Sunday and noticed she was congested and coughing. Told the nurse and they gave her the nebulizer. My uncle who normally visits her on a daily basis is away so I thought I would check on her again last night. I couldn't go until after work so it was later than my usual visits on the weekends. She was so cute and was saying it's too bad there wasn't an extra bed for me to stay over! I told her why would I want to stay over with a bunch of old people when I can go home? Hahaha, she got a kick out of that and laughed. 

Poor thing, she was still congested and coughing and again they gave her the nebulizer. Of course, she won't complain that she's not feeling well. She chalks it up to being old. I tried tricking her and told her she was only in her 60s. She didn't believe me....

I was rushing to meet a friend for dinner in Chestnut Hill. And thought I would open the window in my bedroom cos it was a little stuffy. Unfortunately I opened the side without a screen! I got to the restaurant, sat down and ordered dinner when I got a call from my neighbor. She said the cats were outside - one on top of the awning by the front door and the other one outside the window on the 2nd floor! OMG, I frigging had a heart attack! I asked her to keep an eye on them and that I was coming home. She is not physically able to chase after cats but I thought she could point me in the direction of where the cats may take off. 

After 10-15 excruciating minutes, I pulled up and I see my neighbor holding Bailey. Which is a miracle cos Bailey hates to be held! But she must have been traumatized cos she fell through the awning. She did scratch my neighbor's finger. Choco was good and apparently went back into the house. So I brought Bailey back inside and closed the window. 

My Mom must have been looking out for the cats despite disliking cats in general. It was trash day and my neighbor just happened to go out to grab her trash barrels when she heard Bailey crying on top of the awning. If she didn't, who knows what would have happened? I wouldn't have gotten home til late and Bailey could've been gone and killed by a raccoon or run over by a car. Anyways, all is well - whew. I'll never do that again. So thankful my cats are alright. 

Just got back from New Orleans and realized I'm just too old for these drinking towns. Bourbon Street is sleazy - don't mind the restaurants and bars but not too crazy about the strip clubs. The only saving grace was Harrahs and I was able to play a couple of games of blackjack and 3 card poker. My friend won over $500 as a first time player! 

So not sure what that says about me? Maybe it would have helped if I drank? And I thought the food was pretty bad. Not that I'm a 5* dining critic and most likely ordered the wrong stuff. But creole/cajun style doesn't really do anything for me. I did make a trek to a local spot called Willie Mae's Scotch House for their fried chicken. It was really good but there were FLIES everywhere! Hard to enjoy my fried chicken when I'm busy swatting at the flies. It's not a good sign. :(

Overall, I enjoyed my time due to spending time with my friends but give it a thumbs down for visiting again. Just my opinion! Next trip is the DR!