2020 Christmas Lights List

 🎄🎄 2020 Christmas Lights in Our "Area" 🎄🎄

Author: Juli Maichle 

      (List is Work in Progress, North to South, in & around Delaware) 

‼️‼️Edited- 12/18‼️‼️

✅Legends Ct, Mickleton, NJ

      (The Griswolds of New Jersey) 

✅895 South Concord Rd

      (donation, walking path, West Chester Christmas Light Display) 

✅304 Dutton Mill Rd, West Chester

      (6abc “West Chester’s Griswolds”) 

✅1900 Prior Rd & Silverside Rd

    (Smith's Christmas lights at Top of the Hill, Wilmington) 

✅ 4651 Washington Street

      (Rockwood Park, drive thru, Wilmington) 

✅Santa Claus Ln, Rt 71

        Red Lion 

✅6 Hudson Ct, New Castle 

       (Near Red Lion, Musical, Mussers Christmas Light Show) 

3 Castle Run Dr, Bear

   (Near Red Lion) 

✅505 Janvier Dr

       Middletown 

✅137 Pine Valley Dr, 

       (Lights for A Cure, Middletown) 

✅Coldwater Dr & Snow Branch & more

      (Providence Crossing, Clayton) 

✅Radisson, Riverdale, Tracer & More

      (Huntington Mills, Clayton) 

✅Climbing Vine Ave & Fox Trail Rd 

      (Hickory Hollow, Smyrna)

Leipsic Lights

     (I hear there's a decorated boat!) 

✅ 278 Newell’s Creek Dr

      (Wygant Light Show, Camden)

✅131 W Lucky Estates Dr

       (off Milford-Harrington Hwy)

✅654 Corn Crib Rd

       (Harrington, across from the fairgrounds)

✅Rt 13 & Hopkins Cemetery Rd 

       (Turn right at Callaway Furniture, Harrington) 

✅High Stump Rd

       (Use Greenville Dr, off Rt 14, Harrington)

✅ 2 Costa Bella Ct, Milford 

✅Elks Lodge Rd & Evans Dr, Milford 

✅Winter Wonderfest, Hudson Fields, Rt 1

      (Drive Thru, $, Winter Wonderfest, Milton)

✅Carpenter Farm Ln, Milton 

      (Tractor Lights Display) 

✅Apple Electric, Rt 24

     (Musical, Toys for Tots, Apple Electric, Rehoboth) 

✅13607 Fountain Rd, 136th Street

       (Caine Woods Christmas House, OC)

✅Winterfest of Lights, 127th Street

       (Walk Thru, $, Winterfest Of Lights, OC) 

✅6685 Friendship Rd, Pittsville 

       (Christmas Town Pittsville Md, Off Rt 50 30mins from OC)

✅6515 Morris Rd, Pittsville 

      (Winter Wonderland on Morris Rd, 4mins from above)  

✅ = 2020 Confirmed

Mine! Mine! Mine!

 YAYYYY MEEEE!!!

🏡🏡🏡

My house is mine! This Single Mom just did it! 

September 1st, 2020!

It's been a 3.5year challenge, but ya! I did it!  

Rewind- December 20, 2016 our family dynamic changed in an instant. That morning I became a single mom. Not the single mom I am today, but none the less, that's when it began. 

A "few" (sounds better) trials & tribulations later and this girl just refinanced her family of three's HOME, on her own, with a hella better interest rate, no need for mortgage insurance, better points, better credit, and a lower monthly payment than ever before ON HER OWN! Yes, I repeated that part twice in that sentence! Because it's important. Crazy important. ON HER OWN! 

I quickly skated over that trials & tribulations point up there. Did you see that? Did you notice? You know why? Because we not only survived those t&t's, we THRIVED. 

I am the PROUDEST Mom of two of the most polite, caring, giving, smart, strong, helpful, resourceful, empathetic, creative, confident, assertive, humble, loving children I could ever have, in my wildest dreams, imagined! They are destined for great things and they are working hard to get themselves there (with Mom's help & guidance always). 

That leads me to the Single Mom I am today. I'm damn proud of how far I've come! 

And with this, the final nail in the coffin, we're putting those t&t's away for good. They're gone, they're dead, they're in the past. Never again can anyone hold MY HOME over my head as a threat. NEVER EVER AGAIN! 

YAYYYY MEEEE!!!  Cheers! 

Wish They Got Along

 Enjoy the little things...

                for one day you will look back 

                        

                                    and realize they were the BIG things! 

Looking back through photos as my oldest turns 16 in less than two weeks. 

Reminiscing through first day of school pictures on the front step (oh the decorations I've placed on that step), the beach pics, the funland pics (man, I miss those tea cups!),  the charity walks and muddy muddy mud runs, the birthday parties (themed and spontaneous),the zoos, and cities, and fireworks, and tournaments, and games, and holidays, and the every day life pics! 

One repetitive theme throughout them all was these two. These two kiddos that think I don't know how well they get along. 

Their bond is indestructible. Growing even stronger the last few years. UNbreakable! 

Their patience (more times than not) with each other, their teamwork, their pride, their care & concern, and their love is unmistakable. 

Even when they're ganging up on Mom. 💜

Sweet Sweet Sixteen

 

It took me forever to be able to look at this pic without crying. And yet, still, I struggle holding back the tears. 

One week from today, this gorgeous baby begins three college courses she is adding to her schedule for fall semester. 

Two weeks from today, this gorgeous baby begins her Junior year in High School. 

And smack dab in the middle of those two big dates, on a late summer Saturday, this gorgeous baby turns Sweet Sixteen right before my eyes at 10:49am on September 5th. 

Cue the cliches: 

            Where has the time gone?                                     

            My how time flies! 

            How quickly they grow! 

Don't blink, Mamas! That's what they tell us, right? Don't blink. 

I've been told that since her pregnancy. I obeyed it, swear. Still, she's turning 16 right before my (held open by toothpicks) eyes! 

Sixteen! Sixteen!?! Sixteen years of mommy-hood thanks to this beauty. Sixteen years of hugs & kisses that melt my heart like the first time every time. 

Madylin Elizabeth, you are my world and I love you more every single day. Watching you grow into your own and be your own strong, independent woman has made my light shine, too. You put a smile on my face and warmth in my heart. 

You will rock this school year. And each and every year after. You will soar as a teacher and I'll be the first one in line watching you take off... every single time! 

Go get em, baby! I believe in you always! 

Your #1 fan! 

Want A Lick?

I can laugh now. Well, giggle. Slightly. 

Wednesday night we made Crack Chicken Sandwiches for dinner. Our regular five at the house for dinner. 

After dinner we cleaned up the table and I headed to empty the crockpot of the leftover chicken. Finishing up, I do what I've done a hundred times prior. I let Daisy lick the spatula. The bright red, on a long wooden handle, silicone, harmless spatula. One that many in this family have licked before. 

And along comes Duke. 

I move from one begging dog mouth to the other to give him a lick...
and in ONE QUICK GULP--- GONE! 

The head of the spatula-- GONE! Like magic! Poof! 

So fast I couldn't grab it, couldn't see it, couldn't believe what happened to it! 

And this Houdini Dog is looking up at me for more. "Wow, Mom, that tasted great! More!?" 

I stood shocked. I must have said something because everyone came running back into the kitchen to see me standing, dumbfounded, wooden handle in my hand, staring at the dog. He's wagging his tail, licking his lips, begging for more. 

Thankfully Evans knew to induce vomiting and googled right away. Peroxide. 

For the next hour we tried and tried. To no avail. I gave in around 9pm and called an emergency vet. The first one- a four hour wait. She told me she didn't advise waiting that long. The second one- no surgeon on duty (yes, sadly, we already guessed that was where we were headed).

The third one was a success.  Talked to Megan on the phone and she was wonderful. She agreed with what I already knew, helped assure me he would be in good hands and told me to ask for her when we arrived. Evans & I took off with Duke immediately.  Megan took Duke from me at the door and promised to take care of him. She really was great! 

After another failed attempt at inducing vomiting Dr. Lohmann called me as Evans waited with me in the parking lot. 

Surgery was our only option. This was a 2x3 flat silicone spatula that had no way out. 

She sent us home after hugs and kisses to Duke at the hospital door and I practically cried the whole way. My poor baby (and poor Evans, such a trooper). Surgery at three years old for a dumb, fluke accident Mommy should have prevented. 

Waiting by the phone, we all fought sleep and watched a movie. At 2am Dr. Lohmann called with great news! She had gotten the red spatula head removed from Duke's stomach, in tact, with no issues. Right where I said it would be. 

She even sent the video. 

(You're welcome)

The next morning the day shift of Amy & Dr. Kupprion updated us on Duke's progress. They were all wonderful angels at VCA Newark helping my baby boy. God blessed us with amazing care! We were even able to pick him up by lunch time. 

I Miss My Mommy

Can I Take This Home with Me?

 












Duke is now resting for two weeks. He's on three medications and a bland diet for now. He sports a tee shirt while we're with him and a cone when we can't be to keep him from the incision. He is quarantined (imagine that) to the family room as he is not permitted the use of stairs. He is, most of the time, a zombie, very tired and subdued. The medicine helps with that as they don't want him running around opening his stitches. 

Resting Pup

Zombie Pup

Daisy.... is miserable. She wants to play. She wants more attention. She wants the spoiled snuggles Duke is receiving. And, we're trying. 

Duke has two AMAZING nurses at home with alarms set, leashes at the ready, rice prepped, medication notes, and all the attention he could possibly need. 

Oh, and that red spatula? It's going to be framed! 

Don't Try This at Home! 

It Matters to This One

....I told you of an employee of mine that almost died septic at KGH several years ago. She’s my age. 

I sat with her daily. I read to her, I Prayed, I talked, I supported her. I was at ICU so much they assumed I was her sister. I care for my employees like family. Most of us became family quickly. 

I believed she would get better. When I saw signs of life in her I was giddy and exited and admittedly proud that I got her to respond. 

I asked my team at the time to color pictures to decorate her hospital room. It was so blah in there. I told them it would be awesome for her to wake up to. They did, although they thought I was nuts. My husband thought I was crazy and that I would soon realize it didn’t matter. He told me I was wasting my time and causing my self too much angst. 

Somehow I still fit it all in to my days and never strayed from my Mommy duties, work duties, or home duties. When things like that happen I think somehow you discover more time in the day to fit it all in. I really don’t know. 

What I do know, is it did make a difference. She awoke to see those a few weeks later. She improved day after day. Not because of some silly little butterflies cut out and taped in her room. But because of Faith, Care, and Support (however that looked). 

She is the miraculous Mama of two little girls now. In cute pink and purple bedrooms in their new house. Mama & Daddy busy decorating and building a home for their precious blessed family that went through so much to get there. 

Check out her oldest’s room and what hangs on the wall framed for safe keeping. 

So proud of you, Amy & Jeff! 

Crisis Learning- My Learning

This isn't how I envisioned any of this.

That statement seems dumb. It seems obvious. But the truth is, I thought I had this. I thought I could handle this. How hard could it be?

I arrive at these crazy moments in my life and think "this is the hardest thing I've ever gone through."

BAM! Why did I say that!?

I'm coming to realize that it's not any ONE thing/crisis/tragedy/change/loss that you experience and conquer that shapes you. It's all of them. It's every single one of them.

And I have to continue hoping and Praying that they come to me in the right order. Each one forcing me stronger than I was prior.


Today, this is how we handled school at home.

And I am A-OK with it. 

Delaware Proud

Delaware’s QUAINT Villages indeed. Never have I been prouder to be a Delawarean.

Amid a nation in crisis, somewhat chaos, I am witnessing silver linings throughout Kent County and the entire state. From Delaware State Parks waiving fees in an effort of nothing more than to give you fresh air, open space, and the beauty of nature to small town businesses opening their doors to children that rely on school for their daily meals. Delaware is once again proving through its communities that we are that quaint destination with so much uniqueness for which to be thankful.

Our businesses are branching out and utilizing what they have on property to help. Instead of panicking, Marissa at Easy Speak is working her distillery’s equipment to make hand sanitizer. Most of which she is donating back to the hospitals.

My Sister’s Fault is handing out, through a car line, 200 free meals a day to local children. All in an effort to keep them fed in this unfamiliar time. Known for their sweets and their empanadas they are expanding their cooking skills to feed the masses and keep them nourished.

Main Street Market & Brickworks in Smyrna are also giving out breakfasts and lunches to school children. No child left hungry, no need for parents to keep that worry. Parents are breathing a small sigh of relief on that front.

Kent County Parks and Delaware State Parks have been reaching out to remind you that your mental and physical health is important at this time, as well. Take a walk, walk the dog, go for a bike ride, skateboard, comb the beach, collect some pine needles. Remember to breathe.

This too shall pass with all of us doing our part. Thank you for coming together as Delawareans to survive this together.

It’s the Little Things

They’re not so little to me. They’re important. 

I’m not a fancy girl. Never have been. I can get dressed up if I need to but it’s not my favorite thing to do. I’d rather throw on jeans and a hoodie. 

I’m more into the little things. The idea that what makes me happy doesn’t have to be outlandish, planned, or out of this world. 

I treasure memories, and photos, and the gift of time. I treasure family. And friends. And friends that are family. 

I like hearing I inspired you. To do anything really: take a walk, explore a park, watch the sun, take a picture, call your Mom, walk the beach in the rain. 

It makes me smile to know I’m remembered in some way. 

That you can look at a pack of M&M’s and know that plain is my favorite. Or you sing in the car thinking I’d quote just that lyric. How that awesome basketball play would be watched on repeat, over and over. Or that every hug you gift to me is the best hug. That my kiddos getting along makes me crazy, in a good way. Or my dogs on my lap smothering me warms my heart. 

I’ll forever be the girl who makes mountains out of mole hills. But that’s a good thing when it comes to memories and feelings and love of life. 

These things you call little, are huge to me. 

Invincible

Sometimes life throws these little reminders at you. In the face. With rotten tomatoes. 

Reminders that you’re invincible some days and needy others. Strong on a Tuesday and not so much that Thursday. 

Windshield vs bug, I suppose. 

Today was a reminder. Many reminders, actually. 

*I AM invincible. 

Tomorrow though. Not today. 

*I’m Mom. 

And nurse. And counselor. And coach.  And teacher. And jack of all trades. 

*I make the decisions. 

On my own. For the best. 

*I don’t know which is best, bug or windshield. 

*I cry. 

In anger. In frustration. In sadness. In pride. In joy. 

Pfft, all of the above. 

*I’m human. 

*I got this. 

Oh! And... 

*Those tomatoes taste good on a hoagie. 

That's Just Me

I felt that.

Well, I feel everything.

I type and retype and reread my texts three times before you see them. And yours, I re-read them probably twice as much. That's just me.

I overthink it, rethink the overthinking, then analyze that. I can't change it. That's just me.

I feel every word, every comma, every emoji. I feel the thought, the meaning, the reason.

I'll take the time to emphasize the tone it would have if I said it aloud to you face to face.

I'll read yours in three different ways. Actually, most likely, more than three. That's just me.

You know what else is just me?

I'll mean it. I'll sincerely mean it. When I say it, it's meant. It's real.

You will never get a one word "sorry" form me. You won't get a "gotcha." You won't get a half-assed answer or a picture perfect response every time. Maybe, you may not even get the answer you want to hear. But it's me.

You will never get an offer to help that I don't truly wish you would take me up on.

You will never get an "I love you" that I didn't mean with all my heart.

And I promise you that when I tell you I will Pray for you, I am already.

That's. Just. Me.