Where in the World is ANK?

So, you've probably been wondering where we've been and if ANK is still around. We'll, we are! We're here and we're coming out of hibernation! Due to some personal issues and LOTS of moving around, ANK shut down temporarily. I didn't bring much with me to knit with other than a custom I had been working on right before I left Texas, at Christmas time. And, well, now that it's finished...I haven't had anything else to knit and with bouncing around so much until I found a place of my own, I haven't had time to do any custom work either.

For now, ANK has re-opened the HC store with our patterns continuing to be available and occasional YYMN custom slots available as well. Since, I am no longer a full-time SAHM I am only a part-time WAHM/SAHM and will be offering slots based on my new schedule.

It has been quite an experience, getting back into the workforce after 5 years of being a SAHM. I know that's just a few seconds for some mom's or dad's who have had to return to working outside the home after being a SAHP for more than 10 years!! But, boy is it sure different. I'm glad that I still have the skills to return to working. Looking back, I should have already been an RN or engineer by now!! But, I took 5 years off to be with my son and now my daughter. Sadly, I had to put her in daycare sooner than I wanted but, she is doing as well as can be expected. She still has morning separation anxiety...I have it too because I don't want to leave her but, I have to or I'll be late for work! In the afternoons she's hard to pick up, so says the evening baby sitter. Yes, I have 2...at least until September when she will be in the daycare on the hospital campus. I think she'll like that one much better though, especially since I'll be dropping her off AND picking her up in the evenings...that will make us much happier. It's hard dropping your child off at 630am and not seeing her until sometimes 9pm and then having just an hour to spend with them before going to bed (unless I'm off the next day of course). So, being able to pick her up at 730pm will be a blessing!! Hopefully soon I will be able to get my car back from the ex and won't have to ride the bus. I worry about rainy days and the winter this year. Waiting for a bus with a 3 year old isn't fun anyday of the year, let alone when you're cold & wet!!

Stay tuned because there's lots in store for ANK's return!!

Mom and Dad, Ugh…

Guest written by our friend Gladys Fuentes

My mom and dad have been complaining forever about how they never get to take a vacation – so much so that us kids were just plain tired of hearing it! Wouldn’t you know it, though, they won a vacation in a raffle last month! They’re going on a 10-day cruise at the end of September and you’d think they’d be ecstatic but no, now they’ve just found something else to complain about. They’re worried about leaving their house for so long! I don’t know what they’re scared of but I’ve really tried to be helpful. I suggested they look into http://Allhomesecurity.com and talk to the post office about stopping their mail and even volunteered to feed their dog while they’re out! Maybe one of these days they’ll stop complaining and get excited about this trip of a lifetime they don’t even have to pay for. Afterall, vacations aren’t supposed to be stressful, are they? Leave it to my parents to find a way to make them more painful than getting a root canal at the dentist!

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