Quick Update

Mom's surgery went GREAT! Really, it couldn't have gone any better. They didn't have to do the "yucky" part (trust me, you don't want to know) – and she is in minimal pain considering what they had to do.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!

Just for You, Dad...

Since you weren't able to be there with us on Saturday, the family figured we would share with you some pictures of everyone else enjoying your favorite Texas Sheet cake.

The $4000 Smile

Here it is folks! Alex finally got her braces off. What-a-beauty!

We spent a fabulous afternoon in Cleveland today with the whole family, except for Dad and Tina :( . We celebrated Thanksgiving a couple weeks early this year because mom is having surgery Tuesday and we were afraid she wouldn't be well enough to go to the "real" turkey day. As usual, there was WAY too much great food and we all made absolute pigs of ourselves. 

A first for our family, we decided to get a group photo. I don't know why we don't do this every year. I do wish we could have found a better location because the porch was a little cramped with so many people, but it wouldn't stop raining.

Anyway, as I  mentioned before, mom is having really yucky surgery on Tuesday morning – so if you could all say some prayers for her I would really appreciate it!

Who Says a Menu Can't Be Fun!!!

Just completed the menu for a new seafood restaurant in Green Hills, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE them! Luckily the client did too, 'cause I really wanted to see these babies go to print! How fun are they?????

Hey Look! Brandi Actually Posted Something Today!!!

You just wouldn't believe how busy it's been. Krista and I are getting dangerously close to our big launch, and things just snowball near the end. (or is it the beginning? hmmm...let's hope!)

Anyhow, there has been absolutely nothing to write about. Eric is keeping really busy, the kids are always busy/gone/texting and my butt has literally grown into my desk chair. Seriously, I can update you on the last 3 weeks with one picture.

This is it. All of it. This is what it looks like at my house. Nobody's around, and I'm just sitting there in a design frenzy at my desk. (oooh I love my job!) 

Well, today I DO actually have something to write about! On Monday my hubby celebrated the 20th anniversary of his 18th birthday! He got a TomTom, which will be great for getting him to all those home inspections. Happy Birthday E!!!

I've also got some pictures today! Hooray!

Here are the girls in their 2008 Halloween costumes.

HOW CUTE ARE THEY!!!!

 

Incase you're wondering ('cause I sure was, costumes aren't as obvious as they were when I was a kid!) – Alex is a candycorn princess, and Megan is a skull fairy. Strange but true.

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The End of the Road for Big Green

Yes, big green (the old expedition) has finally kicked the bucket. Eric dutifully drove the wheels off that old thing, and earned himself a new truck. I'm so happy for my man – it's the perfect truck for him!

Friday Funnies!

Redneck Smoke Alarm

The New One Dollar Bill

Halloween 2008

Anyone Know a Good Pest Control Guy?

See anything wrong with this picture?

Here, let me zoom in a little for ya. We seem to be having a little spider problem...

He he! Aren't these guys fun! I NEVER, EVER decorate for Halloween, but I just couldn't resist these.

So, I'm thinking about getting some professional help for Alex. She can't even make it through one of her chores without texting. And check out what she's wearing! What's up with that?? Teenagers...Maybe there's a support group out there.

My Dog Wants to Go to China

In an obscure corner of the backyard, we have discovered Casey's "project". Apparently, she's trying to dig her way to China. Bad girl!

Alex displays her Panther Pride on pep rally day.

The eighth grade won the spirit contest!

Megan's science project is to create a new species of animal.

Today, we introduce the Herbishee.

More foam ball projects to follow – Alex has to create a model of the atom...)

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Slacker!

Okay, so it's been almost a week since I've posted anything... I've been so stinkin' busy! You'd think I'd have a jagillian pics to post of a bunch of awesome stuff, but I just don't have time to pull all that together right now. Even this logo/business card design below was done a while back...just getting around to putting anywhere. It's not even on the website yet. I swear I'm not a slacker. Just stinkin' busy.

Meet John. He's the owner of Home Helpdesk, a computer repair business. John was searching for a logo that was very simple and "clean" – which hinted at computers, but without the typical super techy, cold, graph-like look of other computer companies. (everybody's wanting blue these days too, weird...) Anyway, if you're in the Huntsville area and have a computer that is causing you to question your sanity, give John a call.

How to Create a Sidebar Button with Code Box

Ever wondered how to do this with your sidebar buttons?

It is sooooo easy! Just copy the code below, paste it where I've listed below, and make the changes that I have color coded. Wa-La! You have a sidebar button with "grab" code!

Green: Change this to the website that you want your button to link to.

Orange: Name your button something.

Purple: Type or paste the location of your button graphic.

Side Note: I have found that my button graphic doesn't show up if it's hosted by Picasa Web Albums. Either use Photobucket, or I really like Tiny Pic for generating a link. (choose the "Direct Link for Layouts" option...)

Copy code below.

____________________________________________


<div align="center">

<a href="http://brandicamerondesign.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Brandi Cameron Design" src="http://i37.tinypic.com/2uoopq9.gif"/></a>

</div>

<div align="center">

<form><textarea rows="6" cols="20"><a href="http://brandicamerondesign.com/"><img src="http://i37.tinypic.com/2uoopq9.gif"/></a></textarea></form></div>

______________________________________________________


Sweet!

Fresh off the press! Check out Krista's business cards! 

Kinda has the same look as the brochures... I just love them!

Mom! What in the world happened to your birthday cake??!!

Mystery solved...

Happy Birthday Me-Maw!

(See the big box back there on the right? That's Cole's new fort! Cool!)

Girls! What Were You THINKING????

Oh...

He He! Brian wins the "Uncle of the Year" award for finding these for the girls! Yea Brian!

Menu Design | Corner Pub Midtown

Time for new menus at the Corner Pub down on Broadway! If you've never been there, it's a really cool little joint with great pub food and a fantastic atmosphere. Plasmas everywhere with the game on, huge wall of windows facing the street that are always wide open when the weather's good, fun Vandy crowd, and a great bar if it's been that kinda day...

They always insist on a one page menu, and with all the great food they offer – things get a little tight...but I always seem to squeeze it all on there somehow! :) I swear next time I'm going to talk them into a bigger folding menu...

Look no further if you're ever in the mood for a good old fashioned Meat & Three!

What the....?????

No, it's What the Font !

Ever seen a font that you just LOVED, but couldn't figure out what font it was? I was doing a little work today, and once again resorted to my "go to" website when I find myself in this situation. I use this site so often, I figured I'd share – because surely I'm not the only font freak out there!

When I Say It's Big...I Mean It's BIG!!

Okay, I just don't think that last picture conveyed the size of these bulbs people. (yes, I'm still talking about the bulb...) So here's a picture of my head to put it in perspective. Wait a minute! That thing is bigger than my head!!!! And my lights consist of 4 of these big-o-bulbs. Fire it up baby!

And here's all the other stuff. Yes, it's set up in my foyer :) – it's just a matter of seconds before Eric boots me to the garage, which will actually be much better. I couldn't even extend the backdrop and lights all the way because there just isn't enough room...

Oh look, there's little Miss Nosey Butt again...

IT'S HERE!!!!!!!!!

Ol' nosey butt had to investigate the new arrivals...

The funniest thing to me is that I didn't realize how BIG the bulbs for these lights were going to be! I don't know if I mentioned – the lighting that I chose is a new "eco friendly" studio lighting product that uses compact florescent lights, using much less energy and producing 90% less heat than traditional lights. Love that! So, here is the very first photo taken with the new lights...a picture of the actual light – side by side with a standard compact florescent bulb used in your home. (took it right out of my living room lamp) Can you tell how gianormous these things are??? Hilarious!

Anyway, I'll post some more pics of the whole set up later. Right now I have to go play!

YES!

Now that's what I'm talkin' about! 

An all edges brownie pan!

Whew! It's a super busy week around here! I'm working on a bunch of cool projects, so I'll be showing off soon! :)

Also, guess what I finally ordered this week???? I'll give you a hint – it kinda goes with my camera and I'll be able to do some really cool stuff with it... (those weren't very good hints, were they?) Okay, I'll just tell you.

Drum roll....

Studio Lights! Hooray! I also ordered a background stand and one of those cool "green screen" backdrops. Ooooh, I've got some crazy fun plans for it! It's not all play and no work though – I was able to justify the purchase because I've found myself shooting clients a lot lately for their print work and websites. This will make life a little easier. (and prettier) I'm so excited!

Are You a Blog-O-Holic? Maybe a Comment Junkie?

Ran across this short test while cruising around on davidairey.com – fun stuff!

Click on the graphic of my results to take the test for yourself! (just be sure to click "No thanks, take me to my quiz results" at the end, unless you really want to join an online dating site...)

Hmmmm...perhaps I should start a "support group for bloggers" blog...

Whoa, Whoa – Wait a Minute Here...

How did I possibly miss this one? It's been such a busy week that I'm just now sitting down to really look at the pictures that I took at the reunion last weekend. Oh, did I ever find a little hidden gem. Well, maybe not to you – but it is to me. It's got all my favorite elements in a picture: 1. Cute baby with blue eyes. 2. Flare (I just love flare!) 3. Proud Grandma in the background smiling, watching her grandbaby play.

And now for the grand finale....

That Copertone girl ain't got nutin' on my Godson!

Oh My Gosh! :)

Look how CUTE Krista's Wedding Package Brochures turned out! I had created these by hand for her several months ago, and when she [too] quickly ran out of them, I decided to order them from the printer. Volume Baby! :)  (they took FOREVER to make last time)

I'm thrilled with how they turned out. 

Bet You Didn't Know

...that I'm a collector of what I consider to be "super cool coffee cups".  At the moment, my collection is extremely small because I don't purposely go out and shop for super cool coffee cups, they have to find me. Soooo, check out the latest cup to find me...it's the first one. Got it at Starbucks of all places while in Indiana. I love how the inside is painted too. The other two are just samples of my collection that happened to be clean and in the cabinet. The second one came from the annual craft fair at Centennial Park last year, and the third I'm sure came from T.J. Maxx – my fav-o-rite store in the world. :) You may be thinking "who gives a crap about your stupid coffee cups, Brandi", but I don't care – they make me happy!

Indiana or Bust

Another year, another Krazy Kramer Reunion.  We had a great crowd this year! I think the only one missing from this picture is little Evan, who was napping. I'll have to photoshop him in later. :)

(I love it, check out "Hulk", bottom right) 

Every year before diggin' into lunch, everyone gathers in a circle to say grace and then each family has an opportunity for announcements. This year there was a new marriage, a new house for Pam and Dale, a new baby for Andrea and David, new jobs for Julie and Matt, and we even had one that announced he had joined up to serve our country.

...and you thought your mother-in-law was tough! :)

My little Godson, Zach. :) mmmmm...cupcakes.

Megan was a winner in bocce ball – prize being the hat...

Yea Megan!

The newest member of the clan, Evan.

How cute is he! 

Also in the family news, Grampa recently turned 80 years old. The numbers are in, he received 53 birthday cards! Can you imagine!

After the big picnic, we went back to the hotel so the kids could swim, then to Ben and Mary's where a card game quickly erupted. I was the biggest loser, being the first one out in a game of quarters. My firstborn redeemed us though by winning the game and collecting the big $11 pot. Go Alex!

Alright, seeing as how I cannot seem to sleep in hotel rooms - I am now thoroughly exhausted and am going to bed! Good night everybody!

People Are So Cool!

My great friend Heather Sullivan sent this to me this morning, and it is just too awesome not to share. 

A Little "Ha Ha" for Your Weekend

We're getting ready to hit the road to Oaktown, Indiana for the yearly Kramer Family Reunion. WoooooooooHoooooooooo! Let me tell you, the Kramer's are KRAZY! This is my husbands family, and they are a fun and competitive group. Always lots of games and contests, and nobody in this family is going to "let the kids win" anything! You've got to earn yours in this family!

Anyway, had some great stuff in my inbox this morning so I'm going to share it with you because it is FUNNY!

Here we go - you know you have some photos just like this hiding in a drawer somewhere... now you can send them here and provide laughs for others. You must check out the Sexy People blog!

Also for your viewing pleasure – this came to me from the Print blog (a design blog)

Crazy right! Believe it or not, there is a "World Beard and Mustache Championship". Click here to see more of this madness.

Poor Little Fella...

Awwwwww! Look at the little hummingbird that's trapped in my garage – I have no idea how to help him get out. He just keeps flying up and bumping into the ceiling like the wasps do.  :( Poor guy! Anyone have any ideas? (and yes, the door is open!)