My Lexington nightmare!

I was asked by my RVP to go to KY this weekend and "help" out a store that had just opened. Well I was very reluctant to go because I hate being by myself and I did not want to leave my kids. After many bribes and phone calls I finally gave in and said yes. So Friday afternoon I dropped my kids off at a friend’s house for a few hours and headed on down to KY a phone call from Michael let me know that the kids had been picked up and all was well. So a bit of ease came to me as I settled in for the 2 hour drive. Traffic was good and we were cruising at 75. I found the hotel with ease and checked in. It was a beautiful Hilton hotel and I was very happy to see the room was only on the second floor but very close to the front desk. That helps put my nerves at ease just a bit. I walked around the room and looked behind the curtains. It was beautiful and had two flat screen t.v.'s Now time to get my but to the store and see what I had really got into After a few phone calls to my GM and then the store its self I finally pulled into the crowded parking lot. I got kind of nervous when I saw people had parked outside of the parking lot and were walking across the street to get them some Cracker Barrel. Sure enough the store was popping and they had no clue who I was. After a quick scan of the dining room I spot my RVP and head over to see what he wanted me to do. "Hey Rachel we want you to shadow my redshirt tonight. Get a hair net and get going" Sure I was ready. I had just spent two hours in a car and needed to blow off some energy. So there I go back to the grill line and into the lion’s den. “Hey guys my name is Rachel" "Hi Rachel can you get me a 2" "Sure where’s the hot box?" "........." Yep it was going to be a great night...and it was for the most part. I ran back and forth from backup grabbing stock, biscuits, and cornbread. I broke people out so they could use the bathroom or just take a quick break. The whole time I had t pee! So finally at 9:30 we went off the wait and started to get our people out some of them had to work a double the next day so it was okay you, you and you get out of here. “Rachel you did a great job tonight I will see ya in the morning" My trainer said as she took off for the night. So time to get the place cleaned up and ready for business the next day. I did not think that a five hour shift could last soooo long. By the time I was allowed to leave it was 10:45 and I was kind of eager to get back to the hotel room, take a bath and call my hubby. "See ya guys around 9 tomorrow?" I asked as I was walking out the door. "Um actually we were thinking about 6 we want to get this place set up for the DM's and I am sure we are going to be busy tomorrow it is Sat." "Sure, then I will see you at 6 have a good night" Bone tired and dehydrated plus I was starving and had to pee. First things first.....a big glass of sweet tea! Oh yeah. Supper in hand I climb the few steps to my room and call the hubby. Kids are in bed and all is well. Time for a shower and then bed. Quick phone call to my sister to tell her how tired I was and all the happenings and then off to bed.....well that’s what I thought. By the time my eyes even felt like they were tired it was 4 am. My mind ran wild with all kinds of stuff....someone could break into my room or maybe there could be a fire.....shhh was that a noise? When I did sleep I had dreams of working and just all kinds of stressful stuff. So by 4:45 my alarm went off and I was up and ready to meet my day. Shirt pressed and makeup on, bags packed and time to check out and get to the store. Quick stop at the big M for some OJ and a burrito. "Hey good morning guys." "Good morning nice to meet ya I'm Kim." Ahhh a friendly face. The morning went great for the first few hours because we were slow and I was able to get to know the people I was working with. "Hey Rachel, umm you’re going to be running the grill line today because they called me back to home office." "HU????" "Yeah, do you think you can do it??" "Yeah I can do it." "Okay just don't forget keep your team moving and remember don't move off the line." The words I hate the most. DON"T MOVE!!! If anyone knows me they know that I just can't sit still. I was determined to do what they wanted and NOT MOVE! 9 am rolls around and the tickets start rolling in. We are cranking out the food and then all of our DM's and RVP's and every one that wears a suit for Cracker Barrel roll in. Time to really crank it up. I have six cooks pushing out the food and it’s my job to make sure it goes out right. If there is stuff missing on a tray I'm the one to blame. If we are running 10 min checks I'm the one to blame. We rock it out!!!! When 12 rolls around I am hoarse and dying of thirst. I know my crew needs breaks but they are pushing hard. And I must say it pays off because the big wigs only stick around for 1 hour instead of their 4 they had planned on. After they leave we can all relax and breathe. My partner in crime on the other side of the window gives me a high five and we crank out the rest of the shift. No guest complaints! Mission accomplished. When 3 rolls around I am beat and not really looking forward to a 2 hr drive back to Ohio. But getting to spend the night with my family is motivation enough. Now comes the hard part! Sitting in a car for two hours when I have only had about 45 min of sleep. Phone call to hubby, ice, and some lemon heads get me home. “I never want to do that again" I say as I just crash on the couch!