Is this 40? You Bet!

I found one of my first blog posts from 6 years ago- 34 things to do before I turn 34. 

As I'm on the cusp of 40, I wanted to see how far I have come. Check it out.. What other life goals should I aim for. 

A beach house by 44, definitely!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Then,,,

NOW...

1- Write in this blog weekly.

I DO, I HAVE WEEKLY ‘WRITE NIGHTS’ WHERE I WRITE GREAT CONTENT.

2- Go to Pennsic 38.

I DID GO, IT WAS FUN, BUT I’D RATHER SPEND A WEEK AT THE BEACH.

3- Get another tattoo (where and what tho...dragonfly? too cliché?)

WORKING ON IT

4- Save 5K.

I DID SAVE 5K

5- Teach journalism or a writing class.

I TEACH A SUCCESSFUL WRITING AND PR AND BLOGGING CLASS- SELL THAT SIZZLE© AT NIGHT SCHOOL.

6- Um, get a job!! A great, real, creative terrific job with benefits, decent pay and commute and that I feel my work and skills will be valued.

I’VE GOT A GREAT STEADY JOB , FULL TIME JOB, CELEBRATING MY SECOND BIRTHDAY AND A YEAR AND A HALF HERE!

7- Write my Book!

STILL WORKING ON THIS ONE...

8- Go on a great vacation- Vegas, Key West, Wine Country, the beach- somewhere, anywhere!

WENT TO HARRYPOTTER WORLD ON MY HONEYMOON AND COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG THIS YEAR

9- Become very good at yoga.

NEED TO GET BACK INTO THIS, YOGA WAS GREAT FOR ME, IM NIT THAT FLEXIBLE AND WANT TO BE IN BETTER SHAPE AS I (GULP) AGE.

10- Get 5 more freelance clients.

I HAVE GOTTEN 5 MORE FREELANCE CLIENTS

11- A nice boyfriend would be nice, like Jim from the Office. Yeah, I want a Jim!

A NICE BOYFRIEND. YES, I GOT A JIM. BUT HIS NAME IS STEVE, I'VE BEEN MARRIED TO HIM SINCE 2015, AND HE'S MY HONEYPIE. XOXOXO

12- Take a class- pottery, wine appreciation, photography, meditation.

I HAVEN'T YET TAKEN A CLASS, BUT I TEACH A SOCIAL MEDIA CLASS

13- Get truly healthy and toned and lose 20 pounds.

IVE GOTTEN MORE HEALTHY IN THAT IM WATCHING BUT I EAT, CUTTING OUT CHEESESTEAKS AND FAST FOOD, LESS DAIRY, DRINKING ACV.

14- Be less selfish and really listen, to become a better friend. Because while I know that the world DOES revolve around me and my brilliant thinking...um, most of the time, it probably doesn't....

I HAVE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT FRIENDS OF THE YEARS. SOME ARE FOR LIFE, AND SOME WILL TWIST THE KNIFE. OTHERS WILL TAKE THAT KNIFE AND LUNGE AT THE A HOLES! I STRIVE TO BE A GREAT FRIEND, AND A GREAT PERSON, AND HELP ALWAYS.  TRUE FRIENDS ARE ALWAYS TRUE!

15- Pay off my line of credit already!

YEAH, GETTING THERE

16- Go about getting my Master's degree, at least take 1 class.

HAVEN'T GOTTEN MY DEGREE YET

17- Learn to make lobster bisque.

CROCKPOT  YUM.

18- Learn to ride a motorcycle.

I LEARNED THE BASICS

19- Keep a garden- plant my own tomatoes, lettuce and herbs (on a condo 2nd floor deck!)

THIS IS HAVE DONE EVERY YEAR- HERBS, LETTUCE AND TOMATOES.

20- Replace the kitchen counters and bathroom sink.

I HAVE REPLACED THE BATHROOM SINK AND REPAINTED, AS WELL AS GUTTED AND REDID THE KITCHEN AND REPLACED THE CARETS FOR HARDWOOD FLOORING,.

21- Raise over $2300 for Breast Cancer research.

I DID INDEED THAT YEAR

22- Pray more, go to church more and become just a little more spiritual. Remember to thank God for each blessed day.

I THANK GOD EVERYDAY!

23- Be in another movie (I was an extra in 2 movies while in NYC 07)

AH YES, MY DAYS OF MOVIES ARE OVER, BUT IT SURE WAS FUN SEEING MYSELF IN A MOVIE!

24- Save $$$ towards a beach house.

ALWAYS, ALWAYS SAVING TOWARDS THIS GOAL.

25- Reduce my carbon footprint: Use cloth bags for all groceries, recycle, shop local more, walk and bike more.

U SE THE CLOTH BAGS, I TRY TO WALK EVERYONE, BUT I WORK FAR FROM HOME, SO I MUST DRIVE. I LIKE TO AIR DRY MY CLOTHES, THAT HELPS.

26- Be more patient with my family.

OH YES, ALWAYS

27- Sell all my crap at the flea market (Sundays are best days!)

OUT THE DOOR IT GOES

28- Don’t sweat the small stuff (I never did mind the little things…)

TAKE A DEEP BREATH…

29- Truly enjoy each day and at least one thing out of each day.

I ENJOY AND AM THANKFUL FOR EVERY DAY

30- Go to the Camden Aquarium.

I NOT ONLY WENT TO THE AQUARIUM, BUT I HAVE THE DISTINCTION OF SWIMMING WITH THE SHARKS AND SLEEPING OVER NOT ONCE BUT TWICE UNDER THE SEA TURTLES.

31- Reconnect with old friends.

 OH YES, THAT’S HOW I CONNECTED WITH MY NOW-HUSBAND

32- Utilize the library more often.

 LUV THE LIBRARY

33- Cook more healthy yummy food.

 PANTRY CHALLENGE, ORGANIC FOODS AND MORE HELP ME DAIL.Y

34- Make someone smile each day.

 ALWAYS, ESP WHEN I CAN MAKE MY HUSBAND LAUGH

35- KAYAK THIS SUMMER

36- SLEEP MORE

37- HMM WHAT ELSE?

38- MAKE MORE MONEY

39- LOVE OFTEN !

40- TO MAKE MY 40S EVEN BETTER THAN MY 30S!

On the eve of my 40th w an amazing friend. Life is amazing. 

My Wedding Advice Checklist

Well, Steve and I have been married for about 4 1/2 months now, and it's been pretty great! A lot of good friends got married this year (I'm looking at you Tonya, Amy, and Emily!) and we all had little things we learned throughout the day!

I'm never going thru all that ever again, even though it was a fantastic day, and so here is my wedding advice to new brides-to-be!

My Wedding Reception Checklist:

-Drink a Gatorade at the reception and eat a banana before bed to ward off crippling Charlie horses that make you wake up in terror the next morning. 

- Def have the makeup artists and hair stylists come to your house, relaxing and saves time, and special thanks to S and E!!

- Hold on to your Dadu, it's a special day for him too!

- Eat! Don't get drunk! ( I think I drank maybe 2 drinks) and I somehow had NO coffee all day!! Ppl kept coming up to me while I had dinner but I ate most of my delicious dinner.

- But drink water!!!!

-Don't get shanghaied by old ladies at the reception. This one lady kept commanding me to sit bc she had a picture she wanted to show me. When I went back to her table a second time, she sniffed, you sit down now. When I was called away again she goes you keep leaving! And I'm like yeah. I'm busy, I've got 178 guests to see. Later, she proceeded to show me a pic of ppl who didn't come to the reception. I was like, yeah ok? The next morning she loudly proclaimed I should be in the kitchen cooking for us bc my mommy isn't going to do it for me, I'm married now and have to cook and clean. 
(ha)

- Surround yourself with positive happy people who want the best for you.
I didn't want to believe it, but there will always be people who feel the need to impart their jealousies to others about you. And forget them. Your wedding day is about you- not about others' petty feelings. If they love you, they will be there for you, and talk things out if needed. 

- White yoga pants under your dress feel awesome. (Bc I love my yoga pants, and you can too)they were like bloomers!!

- A limo is not a necessity. 

- Enjoy the hell out of your day!

-Have your reception at a hotel if possible.
Our wedding was on a Friday. We all stayed over at the awesome wonderful Hilton Valley Forge in King of Prussia on 202 where we had the BEST RECEPTION EVER! 200 people had the times of their lives! It was glorious just going right upstairs to relax and change, then we all hung out in the bar downstairs.
Then, we all woke up and enjoyed a breakfast buffet that my parents had included for all our guests. After that us newlyweds checked out, went home, took a nap, then relaxed and had Thai food and champagne. 

On Sunday, my parents hosted a picnic at their house and many of the guests came over and we hung out and grilled and relaxed with family and friends.

- Plan to leave on your honeymoon a few days later! 
We left on Monday, so we had the whole weekend to relax, rehydrate and see visitors and friends. We flew to Orlando on Monday afternoon and arrived in time for a fabulous lobster dinner out after checking into our timeshare at the Hilton tuscany Resort...and then onto Harry Potter World at Universal! 

Honeymoons are glorious.
I suggest you all have one!

Thanks again everyone who was a part of our wedding day!!! Stephen and I thank you and love you!!

Duca Photography: Preserving the Wedding of Steve & Christine in 2015

Duca Came Through in a Big Way on Our Big Day

It was April 17, 2015—a big day for Stephen Trimble and Christine Tarlecki.

Soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Trimble, the couple had all the details sorted, and it was time to get ready for the nuptial festivities. My groomsmen had all arrived at our condo, and Christine, her bridesmaids, and her parents were all getting ready at her family’s home.

Then Tony—my photographer—showed up. Right away, he took charge of the situation, for which I was extremely grateful. He even helped me with a piece of my tux that wasn’t cooperating. He led us through several shooting situations and poses, and made us all feel at ease as we took shot after shot.

I had a sullen 12-year-old as part of my contingent (my cousin), and Tony had him laughing and smiling as we went through all the needed shots. Tony even helped me incorporate my beloved Chow-Chow Leo into some pictures.

In a little while, it was time to go and meet up at the church. One of my groomsmen, Jimmy, thought to pick up some sandwiches at a local deli, and we munched them in the parking lot as we waited for it to be time to go inside. Of course, Tony got some shots as we ate, and they made for some of the more entertaining photos.

Now, as we went into the church and made ready for the ceremony, I was really getting nervous. It was a bit of a blur from here, but I caught sight of Tony and the girls’ photographer, Cassie, as they took shots of the church, the guests, the clergy, and the entering bridesmaids. 

I'm nervous and ready!

Finally, my bride walked down the aisle, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her—and neither could anyone else. Both Duca photographers got some fantastic shots as she entered and approached the altar.

After the ceremony, we were able to get photos of the entire group of guests as well as the bridal party. Soon, however, it became apparent that there was a problem with the limousine, and we weren’t going to be able to ride in it to our other photo location or the reception. “No problem,” said Tony, “Bride and Groom, get in my BMW, and the rest of you follow us in your cars.” Problem solved!

We all met up at the beautiful Valley Forge Park, in full spring bloom, and quickly were able to take hundreds of beautiful shots there. These are easily my favorites of the bunch, as the natural setting complemented our dress and comportment.

From there, it was off to the reception. Both photographers captured the action masterfully as we danced, drank, ate, and sang. It was truly a magical evening, and I’ll never forget it. Thanks to Duca’s skill and professionalism, we have nearly a thousand memories we can look at any time we like as the years pass.

Thank you Duca Studios, and Tony and Cassie!

By Stephen Trimble, special correspondent

T minus 3 Days...

I'm getting married in three days! it's pretty astounding. I went from dating guys I tried to love who certainly didn't care much about me to finding an old boyfriend on FB from 11 years ago and who had moved away...and the rest, as they say, is history.

We went on a couple dates, the chemistry was still there, and after 6 months of dating, he proposed.

It's been amazing- the way we feel about each other is awesome, we are friends and companions and lovers and it is just great!

Planning the wedding has been a struggle, but in the end, I know who my true friends are and those who are truly happy for me! I am always generous and thinking about others and it's been kind of wild with the focus on me, and people are happy to help and be there for me!

We are having our reception at the Hilton of Valley Forge in King of Prussia, and DUCA Studios is photographing and documenting our day. KING Limos is transporting us, and I got my dress at the fabulous David's Bridal and Stephanie's Bridal! Our wedding favors are thanks to Station Bistro Chocolate Creator, Nancy Dill Miller.

 Just about everything is done except the favors, the flowers, and my nails...we still have three days!

And I love Stephen, and marrying him is gonna be awesome!