2011 Goal Progress

In January 2011, I blogged a little list of goals that I hoped could be accomplished by 2012.  Although I didn't get them all done, I'm pretty pleased with what was done.

Here is how I did...

1. Pay off $10,000 of our debt. We have been on a true budget (yep, Excel spreadsheet and all) since August and it is one of the best things we ever did. This goal should definitely be accomplishable. Is that a word?

We have paid off a little over $16,000 since beginning in August 2010, so this goal was met - yay!


2. Blog twice a week. I started this blog as a way to keep up with my children and sadly I am seriously lacking in that regard. There is no reason I can't do better. I need to remember that not every post requires pictures!

One word - FAIL.

3. Join Weight Watchers and get serious about losing weight. My goal for the year is 40 pounds lost. When you are fat plus-sized like me, it should be attainable.

Yep, FAIL again.
4. Spend a week in Florida with the family (with minimal Blackberry usage). We love Okaloosa Island and it's an ongoing goal that we be able to spend a week there every summer while our children are at home.

Done - it was awesome as always!
5. Have the shower in our master bathroom tiled. I have hated the shower stall in our bathroom since day 1, but have done exactly zero to change it. This year I would like to bite the bullet and make it great.

We are pressing the "Pause" button on this one until the debt is paid off in about 18 months.  Can't wait!

6. Finally decorate my master bedroom! We have lived in our house for two years so it's definitely time. I recently purchased new bedding as a jumping off point so I hope to get this done in the first quarter of the year.

This room may forever be a work in progress.  I did get some things hung on the wall and we added some new accessories, but it still doesn't make me really happy.  But, I would be so bored if the house were all done!
So, that's how it all panned out.  I am working up the new list for 2012.  Did you get your 2011 list done?

Who cares about Angry Birds when I have Pinterest?

I, like everyone else, have become OBSESSED with Pinterest.  If you aren't doing it, well, you should.  It's that great.  It is basically an online inspiration board site.  You make your own boards - things like style, parties, food, etc and then link up pictures from the net as inspiration.  You can view my boards here:  http://pinterest.com/tupelonikki/ and if you want an invite, send your email address to nikkiabney@comcast.net and I will hook you up!

I found a "pin" that sums it up perfectly.

Summer Vacation - iPhone Style

Since I am the worst blogger ever and haven't done the second half of our vacation, I thought I'd take a minute and share the pictures from my phone.  Hey, it's something!  Enjoy!

What we did on our Summer Vacation:

Watched tv (Chloe & AnnaLauren in pool floats)

Rode Mechanical Sharks

Drove the dolphin cruise boat

Hung out with a couple of really pretty girls

Posed for some cute pictures

We had a great time!  Can't you tell?

NAIW Region III Conference

I have mentioned lots of times that my day job (for now) is in insurance.  So, I have been a member of Insurance Professionals of Northeast MS for a few years and am privileged enough to be serving as our president this year.  So, in that capacity, I decided to attend the regional conference in Montgomery, AL.  It really was a great time!

Mississippi Council attendees at the antebellum themed Welcome Party

 Opening night of the Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Team from the hotel balcony

 Me, sporting the required First Timers accessory

 Region III First Timers

 Harriott II Riverboat on the Alabama River

Venue for Friday night's dinner cruise - so fun!

 We stayed at the fantastic Renaissance Montgomery on the corner of Tallapoosa and Commerce.
Tallapoosa makes me think thoughts that make me giggle.  Yes, I'm a child sometimes.

It was a really fun weekend full of great people, food and lots of learning.  If any of you are in insurance, seek out your local chapter.  You don't know what you are missing!

Another Year

Yesterday was my birthday, but I'm not telling how many this makes.  Ok, well 33.

My sweet  husband, friends and family made it really special.  I am truly blessed far beyond what I deserve.

First, Tommy got up early and headed to my office.  When I arrived, he had balloons, birthday banners, and lots of St. Patrick's Day fun stuff.  Yes, I know I'm lucky to have such a sweet man.

Then, he gave me this little goodie.  I died!

iPad 2

Between the calls, texts, 50+ messages on Facebook and the other happies I received, I really felt special yesterday.  It's good to be loved!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you!

Flip-Flop Weather

The weather on Saturday was nearly perfect.  I would have never believed it was January. 

So, I wore these.  I said a little happy prayer of thanksgiving that I live in the south.  I do love it here!

Obviously, my feet are not really flip-flop ready, but it still makes me excited! :)

Yabba Dabba Do

Ok, so it's not October yet, but I am already in a Halloween state of mind.  I have seen some pretty darn cute stuff out there in blogland that I plan on showcasing tomorrow. 

But, in the mean time, here are Tommy and I as Fred and Wilma Flintstone last Halloween. I am a fool for costumes and my sweet grandmother and I made these together.

Have a great Tuesday!

I Blame You, Jim Cantore

Ok, I'm not dead, sick or injured - I'm just lazy. I promise a get a little more consistent - soon.

I think it may be the heat!  We have only had one day below 90 degrees since the first week of JUNE!  Seriously!  My brain definitely possibly has melted.

Coming really soon - posts about Noah's first day of high school, the fun we have at small group, the joy of playing in puddles and our new budget.  Don't die from the anticipation!
XOXO,



My name is Nikki and I might possibly melt your popsicle.

Shameful, Just Shameful

So, I cleaned out my closet.

These are the clothes that needed to go.  Not too bad.

But, this is the garbage that was kicked into corners and shoved onto shelves.  Shameful!  Just shameful!

Thankfully though, it now looks like this. 

For a little while at least!

My name is Nikki and I am clueless about closet organization.

Sweeeet - A Blog Award!

Y'all guess what?  I got an award!

The sweet Becky from Our Peaceful Home

http://ourpeacefulhome.blogspot.com/

was so sweet to present me with this award

And in honor of my versatility, I'm going to change the rules a little.

Thank the person who gave it to you, tell 7 things random things about yourself, and give this award to at least one other blog.

Thank you Becky!  Y'all go see her cute blog.

7 Things About Me

1.  My favorite desserts are Key Lime Pie and Cherries Jubilee ice cream from Baskin Robbins.

2.  My birthday is on St. Patrick's Day.

3.  I'm so ready for a weekend getaway with my hubby!

4.  I should live near the beach, but I don't.

5.  My future aspiration is to open a children's consignment boutique.

6.  I'm totally Team Jacob!

7.  I make all my daughter's hairbows.

I am presenting this award to:

Trish @ Me & My Boys

What's in a Name Part 1: When I was a Little Girl

Lately, I have had several friends to have new babies.  My first question is always, "What's the name?"  I have always liked names and the reasons behind them.  So, when something has been on my mind, what do I do?  Write a post about it, of course!  In fact, this is going to be a series of several posts about some of the names in my life.

Ok, to completely get this story, you have to know two things.  The first thing is that my given name is Krystal Nicole.  Yes, Krystal, like the little hamburgers!  Second, my mind works in the strangest of ways.

Now on to the story...

When I was a little girl I was enamored with two things - the tv show Dynasty and anything to do with the ocean. 

Random, I know. 

However, the patriarch on Dallas was silver-haired Blake Carrington who was married to the glamorous Krystle (like me!).  Yep, totally 80's!  I absolutely wanted to be Krystle Carrington, so every time I played house, Blake Carrington was my husband.  We had a mansion and a pool and went to all sorts of fabulous parties.  I always wore a fur coat.

I also watched a show called Danger Bay on the Disney Channel.  One day, as I watched the opening credits, I realized that my two favorite cast members had names that were water-related.  The son on the show was Jonah, but his real name was Christopher Crabb.  Jonah like with the whale and Crabb like, well crab.  The daughter on the show was Nicole (like me!), but her real name was Ocean Hellman.  Ocean!  It was like fate.  I had never heard such a beautiful name.  It then became a quest for me to think of the most beautiful water-related name I could.

So, let's put it all together now shall we...

Me - Krystal Carrington (I spelled it like mine)

My Husband - Blake Carrington

and

Our Only Daughter - Ocean Marine Carrington

Warned you, I was a strange little girl.  The sad thing is that my obsession with the name Ocean Marine lasted into middle school where thankfully, I moved on.

At least I'm good for a laugh on Friday.  And, if your name happens to be Ocean or Marine, let me know.  I am still looking for some validation!

Have a great weekend!

A Fun Thing to Do in Spring

Every year, in the Spring, we pick a lovely day and head to the Memphis Zoo.  I love the zoo and my family will tell you that the trip is mostly for me.  However, it does give me the opportunity for some gratuitous family snapshots.  Forgive the photography, but it has been a while since I put some new pics of us up. 

I won't bore you with the ones of animals!

Noah and AnnaLauren outside Cat Country

(note how excited an almost 14 yr old is to be at the zoo with his family!)

See he gets more excited in every shot!

AnnaLauren and Mommy on the tram

She LOVES to ride the "choo-choo train"

The Hubby and I in front of the Yukon Trek fireplace

AnnaLauren's Everyday Look

Yes, the paci is tied on - it would be B.A.D. if it got lost!

And lastly, proof that the zoo really is fun for the whole family!

Hope you are making time to have fun with your family this Spring!

My Ride

In November of 2007, I had a 3 week old baby and was lying flat on my back in the hospital with blood clots in both lungs. 
I was 29 and not sure I'd see 30. 

But tomorrow, I'll be 32!

God bless you all, happy birthday to me

and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

photo credit

Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to slide in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, screaming "Woo Hoo! what a ride!"

~unknown~

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens...

It's officially February, so in honor of Love Month, I have decided to blog about some of the silliness that I love.  I know you didn't ask for it, but doesn't it help us bond? (insert tongue in cheek) :)

Random Things I Love
(links are provided as necessary for you to view the awesomeness)

1.  1000 tc Sheets - so worth the ridiculous price

2.  Stalking Reading blogs everyday - this one is a personal favorite! 

3.  V-8 Spicy Hot

4.  Edam Cheese & Muscadine Ripple Ice Cream from Mississippi State University

5.  Shopping in thrift stores, consignments shops, junk stores, Etsy, etc.  I drive my hubby crazy searching out stores every time we are out of town!

6.  My awesome church!!!

7.  SITS - so I know that I'm not just talking to myself

8.  Tropical vacations - especially at Atlantis

9.  Melissa & Doug wooden toys (for AnnaLauren, I promise)

10.  Helping Noah pick out high school courses and seeing him so interested in college.  Not going is the one thing in life I regret most!

Happy February, Y'all!
XOXOXO

Facebook :)

We have officially joined the Facebook frenzy! Look us up because we want to be your friends!

Nikki Raines Abney

Tommy Abney

Noah Cox