Right or Wrong?!

I've just had a VERY depressing morning, so I'm typing my way through it...

I would just like to say that it is NOT easy to stand up for your convictions! I've had to do this over and over again at work and once more again this morning. I do not work on Sundays & I never have. However, being a server makes this a big problem because Mother's Day & Father's Day are the busiest days of the year. It's always mandatory to work on those days. I've struggled each year to make sure I could find someone to work for me. For 8 yrs I've done this! Almost all restaurants require you to work Sunday morning or Sunday evening. This is the problem I came across this morning.

Let me give you the background summary...

For the last few weeks, I haven't been happy at the store I work. I've had problems with a certain server & the money has gone down by half - not because of the economy, but because they're hiring more people and we're over staffed. It's been a frustrating & a little depressing to come to work. So I had been thinking about my options & I decided to transfer to a different location. I had really thought it out & was feeling good about my decision. Monday was to be my last day at my location and then I would start at the new store. Well I went to the new location to talk to the GM there and he said that I had to work on Sunday! What!? I told him that I couldn't & that I had never worked a Sunday before. He told me he couldn't budge on that policy and I told him, "Sorry, but I can't budge either." He told me that I couldn't transfer unless I was willing to work on Sunday. I told him thanks, but I couldn't...

So now that leaves me back at my old location with my "tail between my legs" still depressed & broke. It's so FRUSTRATING! I know I did the right thing & I don't regret my decision, but it's still hard not to feel like a loser...

I stood by my convictions but it wasn't easy. Let me rephrase that, it was easy to take a "stand," it's the "aftermath" & feelings that are hard! When we have to stand up for what we believe in, I've always thought it was like a big stand on a battlefield (a one time triumph.) However, I'm learning that it's not a one-time showdown, but little small battles that we will be asked to do over and over again!

It's Prom Night!!!

Friday night I got to go to Prom all over again. Well actually, it was just a pretend prom and bowling...

The hostess at our restaurant was ditched by her "friends" 2 days before Prom, so we told her "Screw it! She can hang out with us for a girls night out." Well, we (the servers) dressed up for an "80's" Prom or just dressed up. We had dinner at the restaurant and then took Lillian bowling. We had a great time and I think Lillian did too! We ARE way "cooler" than her high school friends...

Sorry I look like business attire, but my old Prom dress was very tight and I decided for comfort over appearance...

Me, Alex, Jed Lillian & Alex (sisters)

Lillian & Jed (Jed was posing as "the date")

Me, Malorie, & Alex

Lillian & Me

Matt, Me, & Alex

Me, Malorie, & Alex (they were 80's)

Malorie bowling (Look at those green fishnets!)

Jed with his "Top Model" pose - Flamer!

Lillian & Me with the Yummiest Chocolate Cake The group: Most of the boys crashed the party but it was lots of fun!

Emily, Matt, & Deri (The girls came last minute, so didn't dress up)

Group being crazy:

Me & Jed

The Spirit of Giving...

The "Angel Tree Night" at work was a little disappointing for me. It wasn't because we didn't raise enough money or anything like that. We actually more than doubled our goal for the night by raising just over $3000! I guess for me, I was a little disappointed with the turn out we had. I thought we were going to be so full that we would go on a wait. We were definitely busier than a normal Monday, but I thought we would have more "call parties." We talked to so many people and even offered discount coupons for dinner to get people in the door! There were 14 servers who volunteered to work for free! That in itself is an amazing accomplishments and speaks volumes for the type of people who work at our store. Most of these selfless servers were boys in their early 20's. It makes me feel good and proud of the people that I work with!!!

Anyway, I guess my feeling was I wish more people would have donated a little, rather than a little bit of people donating a lot! Maybe my thinking is warped and I should be glad that we did well financially. But I wish more people would have been excited about the night. One of my "regulars" came in specifically to help out. They wrote a check for $1000!!!!! Hello! - LOVE them!

My night started out a little rough...My first table was pretty rude. One of the guys at the table had stopped eating so I asked if I could take his plate or get him a to go box and his reply was "I'll let you know when I'm finished!" What?!! I didn't go back to the table until he flagged me down. The next table I had was almost as bad. The bill was $96 and I told the gentleman I would be back with his change, which ended up being $14. He took back some of the money and left $10!!!!! Do people not get it? From there it got better and then my regulars came in and made my night. I ended up raising $1150, mainly because of Robert & Charlotte!

I don't want to give the impression that it was a bad night. I had a lot of fun and it was great to be able to make a difference, but my expectations may have been a little too high...

Angel Tree Night!

At work on this coming Monday, I will be working for charity. My Saltgrass Steakhouse location has adopted different families that are in need. In the past, our manager has adopted families for Christmas and each of the servers donate some money the 1st few weeks of Dec. to help buy presents for the kids. Our GM then, gives them a meal at the steakhouse for free.

Well, this year with the economy being so bad he and the staff wants to help as many families as we can. Soooo, on Monday the 8th all of the servers will be donating ALL of the tips they get on this night to our "Angel Tree." We have partnered with different local churches to have some of the community and pastors helping out at the restaurant this night. It will be a night of FUN!!! Please come and help us support as many families as we can. It will be a mad house, but what a great Family Home Evening it could be. Y'all could even talk about what you will be doing for these families for the "lesson."

This will ONLY be at our location so come to the Saltgrass Steakhouse off of 75 & 635 (North Dallas location - 13561 N. Central Expwy) come in and ask for ME!!! :-)

Pass this info on to anyone you know...I hope to be extremely exhausted after my shift is over!!!