Our design team meeting is Monday Oct 1. Seemed like it would never get here. Lots of good suggestions have come from the posting here and some PMs from folks that have gone through it already with everyone feeling good about it after it was over. We have the same anticipation, apprehension and excitement that others expressed before their meetings. So many decisions to be made in a short period of time and no matter how many spreadsheets or wish lists
or advice you get beforehand, you still wonder if you will be up to the task or make a dumb decision about something.
There are some "must haves" on the list: physical size of the house will be expanded as much as the lot will allow, will add more lights in the kitchen, living room and maybe closets(these old eyes need more), full extension drawers in the kitchen instead of lower doors and shelving, moving the washtub to the garage, larger cement pad outside the lanai, add golf cart garage, pocket sliders for the lanai, extra "cubbies" in the shower and extra towel racks. We have ideas for everything else but until you see the rooms again and how things go together, easier to just wait. Well, maybe not easier as that is where the anxiety about all the decisions sets in.
I have a few years to retirement so this will be a second home for us for a while and perhaps a rental for the winters. My wife said if we don't like it, we can always sell it and do it again. Right now we are on Allaire Loop in Fernandina unit 205 but if we find a better lot Sunday or Monday it could be different.
Thanks to everyone for their input both on the public postings and the PMs. It really opened our eyes as to what modifications you can make. It's only $ or perhaps only $$$$. Hopefully we'll be posting later next week about how easy it was and asking for some help with pictures as the building starts!
Chuck and Carol