Sheryl's Blog

Seniors Who Decide to Stay at Home

Giving up the family home and moving is never easy — especially if you're a senior who's lived there a long time.  This is a house filled with not only a lot of "stuff" but with memories — many of them made right there in that house.

Once the kids are grown, it's only natural to start thinking about all the work it takes to maintain a big house.  Raking leaves seemed like fun when the kiddos were diving in, shrieking with glee, but now it's just work.  Painting, mowing, gardening and shoveling (when did that driveway get so long, anyway?) are getting harder to do now that you're older.  And cleaning?  Well, that was never fun — and now you may wonder why you're cleaning such a big house for two people who are probably only using about five rooms.  Right?

The truth is, very few people actually want to give up their house.  It's one of the last symbols of independence — the ability to live on your own.  Livin...

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Renting is a way of life for many of our young adults.  It stands to reason that their first "real" jobs and apartments go hand in hand — representing not only a taste of freedom but responsibility as well.  For some people, that's enough, but for others, the idea of owning their own home is the real American dream.  

What do you need to know?  And how do you decide if the time is right?

Those who are content to curl up in their apartment on their couch in front of basebasll, surrounded by a dozen buddies and armed with couple cases of beer and the closest pizza place on speed dial, can stop reading now.  But if you're at all tempted by the idea of hosting this shindig in the spacious family room of your own home next year, well, keep reading — even if you're still in the thinking stage.

When it comes to buying a house, there are dreamers — who'd like a home someday but maybe aren't motivated to make a move now, just aren't ready...

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April shines a spotlight on #FairHousingMonth

Together, let's build communities where everyone has equal access to housing, creating a brighter and more inclusive future.

Let's celebrate the strides we've made and commit to creating housing opportunities for everyone.

Join me in promoting fairness, inclusivity, and the dream of home!

#FairHousing
#TheBestWearBlue

If you live in Stoughton or Mt Horeb, you may think of yourself as Norwegian.  New Glarus residents are often thought to be Swiss.  English, Scot, and Cornish immigrants were also among Dane County's early settlers.  But on St. Patrick's Day (March 17), well, everyone is welcome to be Irish!

No matter where you're from – or where you're going – don your favorite green apparel (a Bucks or Packers sweatshirt will do just fine!) and show your Irish pride!

In Dublin, Ireland, you'd probably be heading for the nearest pub for a pint of Guinness.  But if you'd rather stay closer to home, you're sure to find one on tap at many of the local eateries.  And if you're on the UW campus, you may be heading to, well, any bar, for a pitcher of green beer.  But there is a better way.  Why not simply celebrate the occasion in the spirit of the Irish, while making a toast of cheer at one the Madison area craft beer breweries or brewpubs.

Here are some great local choices for a brew on St. Patrick's Day – or any day!

And don't worry! If you're more of a foodie than a drinker, Madison has several other St. Patrick's Day options where you can find some good old-fashioned Irish food! Check these out:

More of a DIY type?  Make your own Irish meal with traditional favorites like corned beef and cabbage, shepherd's pie, and Irish soda bread.  An easy way to get started is by scrolling through recipes from the Food Network.

And for dessert (because you can't forget dessert)!  Try Irish Apple Cake, Brioche Bread Pudding With Bourbon-Butterscotch Sauce, Irish Coffee, Baileys Cheesecake, Bailey's Poke Cake, Irish Potato Candy, or Irish Lemon Pudding.  But if the look is more than the fanciness … how about gathering the kids to help you make a pan of brownies?  Ice them with yummy buttercream frosting (tinted with green food coloring, of course) and topped with green sprinkles or sugar.

Cheers – and top o' the morning to ya!  Have fun!

A while back, someone shared with me that one of the things that helped them through a challenging time was working from home – in a space that overlooked a backyard garden.  Even during the long winters, it was a way to bring the beauty of nature inside.  A way to forget about the stress of an unpredictable virus, unexpected lockdowns, and balancing work life with home life — and for some people, even home-schooling.

It's become obvious that home offices aren't just for freelancers, contractors, new parents, and retirees anymore.  Nope. Home offices are here to stay — partly as a result of the pandemic causing workers to work from home.  But maybe working remotely was already a sign of the times — a natural progression resulting from people wanting a better work-life balance and less time spent commuting.   Most likely it's a combination.

So, if you're one of the many workers lucky enough to call your home your office, maybe it's time to make it offici...

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