New Blog!

I'm so excited to have a new blog with large pictures. Please click HERE to go to my new blog www.suzannereidphoto.com/blog. There are still a couple items I'm trying to learn on it, but the new picture size is a huge improvement. I was able to upload all the posts from this blog into the new one, so the new picture size started with November 8, the day of our engagement.

Wedding Plans

Yesterday, after getting engaged, we did some wedding planning. We went to Wayfarer's Chapel (see below), then went to a couple potential honeymoon locations, then went to Trump Country Club for a food tasting. The food was five star delicious and the service matched the food.

We're Engaged!

Today, Bob and I got up very early as he had planned a surprise in Temecula. He drove me to a vineyard, and from there we went up in a hot air balloon. As a surprise, he arranged for Hanssie Trainor and Matt Saville to photograph the event.

We helped inflate the balloon, then drifted above the vineyards. I looked down and saw the man that drove the "chase" vehicle (a vehicle that follows the ballon to where it lands so you can ride back to your vehicle afterwards). The man was carrying a big piece of plywood so I asked if he was showing us the place to land. The balloon operator said no. Then I realized that was a silly question as there's not much control as to where to land a balloon...and certainly not on a small piece of plywood. I looked around some more at the scenery, and when I looked down again, he had flipped the board over and it said "Suzanne, will you marry me?". Then Bob got down on one knee, opened up a ring box and asked me to marry him. I said, "Yes!"

We landed near some old fire engines, so the photographers got some pictures at the fire trucks. We went back to the vineyard and changed clothes for an engagement portrait session. Afterwards, we went for a tasty brunch at Vineyard Rose Restaurant.

Princess "B" Photoshoot

On Sunday, I had a photoshoot with "B". What a great baby. Last night the parents watched the slideshow with the pictures. Both were in tears...a good way!

Fall Colors

After living in CA for a couple years, it was nice to see some fall colors in NC.

After living in CA for a couple years, it was nice to see some fall colors in NC.

Two Nuts for how much?

Today, when Bob, my parents and I were in New Bern, we saw a little boy on the side of the road selling something. We stopped to see what he was selling. He had fresh pecans in the shell. My dad handed him and dollar bill and asked him how many a dollar would buy. The boy thought for a moment, then said "Two" as he put two in my dad's hand. One was rotten when we opened it, but the other was fresh and tasty. So, at the rate of one good pecan for $1, how much would it be for a pound?

105' Yacht

It's great working for a company that makes such an awesome product.

Raleigh, NC

This evening, Bob took my parents and I to the Symphony in Raleigh.

North Carolina

On a flight today, I loved how the sun beams were shining down through the clouds. My SLR was in my baggage, so I took this one with my iPhone.

Work Anniversary

Yesterday marked 13 years since I started with my Corporation and today marks two years in my current role with them. What a lot of changes! The prior group I was in had 3 presidents during the 11 years and my current group has also had three, but in just two years. During the 13 years, I've had 8 bosses...Tim, Tricia, Dan, Matt, Kristi, Austin, Scot and Bob. Besides that, there have been dozens of dotted line bosses. I've held four different titles of Senior Financial Analyst, Plant Controller, Director of Financing and VP/CFO. Our corporations stock has been as high as almost $50, then dropping this spring to less that $2. I've also had 15 people directly report to me...Lisa, Steve, Bret, Dwayne, Angela, Flo, Joy, Maria, Jen, Mark, Karen, Tom, Memory, Christina and Tracy, and numerous other non-direct reports. I hired four, laid off two and four have been following in my footsteps of promotions (three of which I hired). Only half of them are still with the company. Yes, a lot can happen in 13 years, but it's been a good run!

Clean Car

This evening, I had to get a couple items from Costco. Afterwards, I noticed that they now have a car wash there. I went through and it did an amazing job. The tire rims had no black brake dust and the tires even had a shine to them. The washer worked on an assembly line so several cars were going through at the same time. My car looks sparkling clean again! Even though it doesn't take the best of pictures, I do like always having the iPhone camera with me (used to take the picture below).

Six Months

Today is six months since Bob and I started dating. To celebrate, Bob sent me this interesting arrangement of flowers. He asked me if they were bright colors when I called to thank him (which is what he had asked for). I replied, "No not really, they are more like a fall arrangement". But they are pretty and make my office look very cheery.

Rancho Palo Verdes, CA

This evening, I was in Rancho Palo Verdes. I just missed the the sunset, but the sky was still pretty.

San Clemente Photoshoot

Yesterday, I went to San Clemente for the Orange County Shootout. I met up with some photographers I'd met before and also met some new ones. We started by photographing bridal gowns and ended up with a "trash the dress" session. Here are a few more pictures.