I wasn’t sure what to expect on New Years Eve. I knew it was going to be a long ass day. What I didn’t know was that my day job was letting out early at 2:00. I had to be at the restaurant at 4:30. If I drove 40 minutes home, I’d only be home like 30 minutes before having to drive another 45 minutes to the restaurant.
So I worked out! I really wanted to swim, but the pool was closed because there wasn’t a lifeguard on duty. So I just did an easy 5 minute walk, 5 minute jog, and alternated for 45 minutes to do just over a 5k.
Just as I was leaving they gym, it started to snow. It was predicted that the Chicagoland area would be getting a couple of inches of snow overnight NYE, and then up to six inches during New Years day. I was hoping that the weather would hold off until the wee hours of the morning, but that wasn’t the case. Within the first hour of working we already had at least 10 cancellations. I already knew I was going to be in the bar area, and thought I could eat least get a couple decent four tops of couples wanting to splurge on dinner and drinks and stay to ring in the new year.
Instead, I had tables who ordered pop and water before heading to dinner. When they got back from dinner, they wanted coffee. I am the QUEEN of upselling. Since I am a foodie I am really good at describing specials. One special I’ve talked about is the “Bowl of Heaven.” It’s slow cooked meats – braciole – flank steak that’s been rolled in Italian bread crumbs and asiago cheese, Italian sausage, meatballs and beef necks – all simmered in an amazing marinara sauce. The meat is so tender you can eat it with a fork. I’ve sold that dish at least 10 times, and I think its based on my passionate description of this dish. But with only two tables who actually ate dinner in the bar area, there wasn’t a lot I could do in the upsell department.
In fact, when it hit 10:00 I pretty much knew that this was going to be the crowd at midnight – and interestingly enough, there were two groups of women, six women at the bar and another four ladies at a table that dominated the dance floor all night – at least they were having fun! I sent this picture to Tony a few minutes before midnight!
But I have to admit that without advertising, the crowd wasn’t bad. I know the restaurant has a 90 day game plan and I know it will eventually be packed. I was happy that both the Chef and the GM gave me the bar area because they thought that it would be the most lucrative. But I have to admit when I saw the other servers leaving at 10:30 I was a bit envious! I did end up making good money, although I was on my feet for nearly 9 hours. I got home around 2:00 a.m. Tony was waiting up for me, and we had a cheers drink, he taped a bit of the Kathy Griffin/Anderson Cooper NYE show and we finally went to bed around 2:45.
Tony woke me up around 3:30 because he was having problems. I’ve talked about how his colonoscopy went on Christmas Eve – no new cancer, but he has polyps that have to be removed before they do turn into cancer. We had plans to go back mid-January to take care of that. But Tony isn’t typical. He has an artificial heart valve which requires him to be on blood thinners for the rest of his life. The premise is that they have to keep his blood levels thin enough so that he doesn’t get a blood clot in his valve, but thick enough so that if he cuts himself shaving, etc., he won’t bleed too fast.
The only way to do this before removal of the polyps is to hospitalize him, put him on something called heparin while weaning himself off his blood thinner medication, and when the “magic number” hits, they feel comfortable doing the surgery.
But yesterday he started bleeding a lot when going to the bathroom. Like a lot. Like a really lot. Like enough that it was spooking us! A lot. Our only solution on New Years Day was to go to the Emergency room. We actually were anticipating lots of people there, but we lucked out. We got through triage quickly, had blood drawn, the doctor on call talk to us. From the time we walked in until they actually decided to admit us was about 4 hours – not bad!
By the time I left before 9:00 p.m. last night, the nurse was going to touch base with all his doctors – GP, heart doctor and GI doctor to get a plan of action. My guess is that starting tomorrow they will start him on heparin and do the surgery to remove the polyps now, which is probably the cause of the excessive bleeding. The best news is that we know it isn’t cancer! But staying in the hospital is not a place that you get much rest. When Tony had hernia surgery after his colon cancer surgery, he got an infection called c-diff. C-diff is a bad mofo. Tony contracted it during his surgery for the hernia. Because of that, Tony cannot be in a shared hospital room for the rest of his life! That’s about the only positive outcome of having c-diff!
So they put him in a pediatric unit because that was one of the only single rooms available. It is actually a secured unit and you have to get buzzed in to enter the unit. Tony immediately noticed that he had a DVD player in his room and said “I’ve never gotten that in a room at this hospital before!” Well, kids who are in hospitals liked to be entertained with movies. The nurse said that they had a “media” library in the hallway if he wanted to take a look. When Tony asked “do you have Despicable Me” she laughed and said “no, all the DVD’s are donated so we don’t really have any new release DVDs – they are all older movies.”
So I almost immediately thought that I wanted to pay it forward and buy some new DVDs for the pediatric ward. While we are struggling financially with Tony being out of work, I did just win $5,000 for my chili recipe and thought that I could afford to buy $100 dollars worth of DVDs to donate to the ward. And I thought “I wonder if my blog friends could help?!” If you are so inclined, I would love it if you could mail me just one recent kids DVD to me to donate to our local hospital. I will put a sticker on the back of the DVD stating “donated by your name and state.” If you don’t have time to shop and mail me an actual DVD, you can send a letter with cash and I will do the shopping for you. Tony and I have been so lucky that our kids have had such a healthy childhood, we can’t even fathom having our kids being hospitalized. If you’d like to help, just send me an email at mybizzykitchen@gmail.com. I’d be thrilled if we could donate 20 DVDs! I promise if you send me cash I will send you a receipt and give you full props on the blog!
Alright, time to shovel some snow off my car to head to the hospital before going to work. I need to hold my husband’s hand, tell him everything is going to be okay and give him lots of kisses! Oh, and bring his phone charger too.
Well crum. I guess you guys are getting all of the rough stuff for the year out of the way early, right? I’ll help out with a DVD; more later when I get back home to a real computer.
That’s what I told myself, we’ll wipe out the deductible in January and then everything is covered 100%!
Oh so sorry to hear about Tony…..praying for you guys. I wondered all day, where you were. Wonderful idea about the DVD’s – I’ll look through my collection. Keep looking up!!!
Thanks Louise – keep warm up there!!
Oh crap. So sorry your NY started out this way, but glad Tony is in the hospital and will get these taken care of. They thought I might have contracted C-diff too from my recent surgery, but thankfully I didn’t.
So glad you didn’t get c-diff Randi – it’s horrible. Sadly he suffered about three weeks with it before we figured out what it was!
Saying prayers to you and Tony. You are rock solid andTony is so lucky to have you by his side. You’re so kind and supportive, I always learn from you. The rest of this year is going to be great, I just know it. xoxoxox
Thanks Jan. Yep, I am calming to Tony when he’s in the hospital, he almost always falls asleep when I am there. 😀
Let me look at what we have – I got rid of a bunch a few years ago but I bet I still have some laying around!
Here’s to a better and bigger New Year – it can only go up from here!
I agree Heather – thanks for taking a look!
Ugh, what an awful start to the year. How thoughtful of you to do the DVD thing though, that’s awesome. I hope he’s feeling better really soon.
Thanks Courtney!
Biz, you are one cool cucumber. It is a tough way to start the year, but after this it could be smooth sailing! Glad you got to hold Tony’s hand and came to the rescue with a phone charger! We could use multiples of those! Take care, my little sweetie! And tell Tony, I wish him a fast and speedy recovery! The Dvd’s are a great idea that is something only you would think of! And a wonderful one. If my Manservant lands a job today, which is possible, I will send something. I’m dying to spread some cheer! (Maybe that wasn’t the right word!)
Thanks Abbe – staying positive is what keeps me going. Sending good vibes about your husbands work situation!
Oh my. So sorry to hear this and I’m sending prayers and get well wishes your way! But Tony is cancer free (Yah!) and getting ahead of the game by having his surgery just a little early. Just means he will be all better a lot sooner! 😀
Take care with all the not-so-nice weather you’re having up that way! And yes, I will be more than happy to participate in your DVD Drive!! That is so thoughtful of you to think of doing that for others while you are going through your own trying times. God Bless!! 🙂
Yep, I keep telling myself that “it’s not cancer!” Best news even though he has to go through another hospital stay.
You do have a lot to deal with just starting out the new year. Hang in there. We’re praying for you and Tony. 🙂
Thanks Caron – I appreciate your support! 😀
I’m so sorry to hear this. I’m praying for you guys!
I think that the DVD idea is wonderful, and I’ll be emailing you today about it 🙂
Thanks Sam! 😀
xxo and lots of hugs and prayers sent your way!! I sent you an email about the dvd donation!
Got your email – thanks Renee – and feel better soon!
Oh boy, I’m so sorry about this – but maybe this is actually a great way to start the new year as he’ll be fixed up right away!
I saw on the news that you guys are being pummeled with the snow heading our way. Be safe with all the driving you’re doing.
I was thinking of you Helen since you were just in the hospital on Christmas Eve – we lucked out that it wasn’t busy on a holiday!
Yep, we got about 12 inches, but now the arctic air is on it’s way – Monday our HIGH is -11. Ugh!
Get well soon, Tony!!!
Check. Your. Email. :-))
Got it – thanks Erin!!
That is why you rock! Even in the face of something negative you find some little piece of something and turn it into a positive action. I think action is a good word to describe you. Other people talk about doing things and you do them. Yes, I am in for the DVD idea. I hope Tony’s stay won’t be long and that the magic number comes quickly. Keeping you both in my thoughts and sending postive energy your way.
PS Erica’s idea of pay pal is a good one. Maybe Charle could figure that one out for you to add a button or something.
A button is a great idea – thanks Kym! And I think that’s what keeps me going, because when something goes wrong, I try to think of someway to make it a positive. Thank you for your continued support!!
What a great idea, way to add a positive twist to the situation. Safe driving out there today!
Thanks Jacky – glad that you worked from home today – keep warm!
Thinking of you! I’ll look through my DVDs – I think I have some relatively recent ones!
Thanks Errign – hope you are enjoying all your snow this year!
Praying for yall!! What a fantastic idea-im totally in. Will send $$. Do you have paypal? Or just mail is best?
Paypal is a great idea – thanks so much Erica – I really appreciate it!
GEEZ!!!!!! you were on my mind yesterday, all day, I wondered why and now I know. crap.
Miss E and I will work on your request. I love involving her in this kind of stuff. Send me your address, please and thank you! 🙂
TONY! It will be ok, you have LOTS of people cheering you on and saying many prayers and sending lots of good vibs! So bummed you are going through this, for both of you. 🙁 looking forward to meeting you both at Giordanos, one day real soon!!!
GET BETTER SOON BUDDY!!!!!!!
Thanks Peggy – and what a great life lesson to teach your daughter to pay it forward – love it!
Can’t wait until we are close enough to meet for lunch! 😀
I’m so sorry. Lifting Tony up for quick healing. Be careful with that Cdif…my MIL had a time with it a few years ago and so did my BIL; it is NOT to be messed around with!
Yep, c-diff is no joke. Thanks Suzi!
Oh dear! So not the way to start the new year but it sounds like things are under control. Hope Tony has a short hospital stay and is quickly on the mend.
Best,
Bonnie
Thanks Bonnie – keep warm!! Did you see that our weather Monday? A high of -11 degrees!