Tag: Applebees

Happy 6th Birthday, Ella

Sorry I am late. I was off yesterday and just now am getting around to writing …

It was 6 years ago yesterday that my first and only daughter was born. At that time, I remember the excitement and all of the unknowns. Six years later, she has blossomed into such an amazing little girl. She is smart as a whip, a friend to all, a comedian in the making, and everything a dad could want in a daughter!

I got to spend the majority of the day with her, which was awesome. Her school has a program called Watch DOGS. Dads, big brothers, uncles, grandpas, etc … can volunteer at the school for the day. I signed up for her birthday and a day a month afterward.

I got to spend the morning in her classroom before shuffling to a couple other rooms later in the day. I also got to eat lunch with her, which she thought was cool. I got to go through the line with her, order some dry chicken tenders and then go out to recess with her.

After school, she had girl scouts. My wife took her there. Her cookie orders were in. We have a lot of cookies to deliver!

After girl scouts, she got to choose where she wanted to eat dinner. She chose Applebee’s. She wore her birthday hat there, so they all new it was her birthday. When she found out that she got a free dessert, she was so excited. She had to order the Triple Chocolate Meltdown.

After chowing down dinner and dessert, we made our way home. Normally, the kids are in bed early, but dinner took us a bit longer. You would think that a full meal and dessert would have filled her up. Well, she reminded us that she hadn’t had her cake yet.

Nana made her a Wicked cake, which fit the theme from the Daddy Daughter Dance last weekend.

We wrapped up the night by singing her happy birthday and, of course, having a piece of cake. I love the way this picture came out.

As I tucked her in last night, she told me it was the “best birthday ever!” I was so glad to be able to spend the day with her and that the family all got to share in her special day.

I hope that it was a day she will never forget!

NOT Eating Good in the Neighborhood!

It is my fault. Sunday night, I was going through some things and found a white envelope with my name on it. My radio name. I opened the envelope and it was a Christmas card from my old boss at WCRZ – Cars 108. I must have just returned to the station as she had written, “Glad to have you back as part of the team.” This was probably from four years ago. Inside the card were two gift cards. Two Applebee’s gift cards.

I turned them over and the area for the pin number had not been scratched off. In my mind, this means that I never used them. My first thought was that I would be able to use them to take my wife out for dinner on a date night. I had no idea how much was on each card, so I called the number on the back of the card.

Each time I tried to call, the call would not connect. I tried numerous times. I thought maybe it was something wrong with my phone. So, I decided to try to check the balance online. I typed in the numbers on the first card and entered the pin. The website stated that there was an “error.” I tried the second card and it did the same thing. I decided to try the number again. It still wouldn’t connect.

I decided to see if someone at the local restaurant could look up the balance. I called the local restaurant and they were happy to help. I gave them the numbers and the pin numbers of both cards. Both times I was told that nothing was coming up. I had to chuckle. Of course they couldn’t find anything.

According to all the Applebee’s sites, the cards never expire. I really find it hard to believe that our boss, who gave these cards to everyone on the staff, would have given us all cards that were never activated (which is what the restaurant suggested). If that was the case, I am sure I would have heard about it.

I have no idea how much would have been on the cards, I’m sure it was probably no more than $50. But it sure would have been a nice little treat to have found out that they were still good. I’m glad I didn’t take my wife there and find out as we paid that there was an issue with the cards.