STATUS REPORT

First, I have a new guy in Sebring handling the zoning process which is necessary before doing anything.

Then, while I may go ahead with the barn (given the enormous pressure I am under), my plan is to do a large farm improvement project after the company is sold (i.e. “next year”). That would include not only a new Guest Cabin (that term may change) but a new dock, new fencing, a new entrance gate, skeet shooting range, horse riding field, possibly an enlarged garage/storage and anything else that would bring the place up to where we want it for the next thirty years or so.... but keep the traditions and old "farm feeling”.

The new Guest House is designed to match the existing but is still thought of as a second house. ... even though it is quite a bit larger that the Main House. Admittedly as that design grew I began wondering if it should be even larger and become a new Main House. Jinjer, for example suggested it include a “rec room” so there would be a place to send the kids on cold and rainy days.

The way I have it, however, keeps the relative coziness of the Main Cabin and the Guest Cabin - with it’s split bedroom wings - can house several families and provide ample room for larger indoor dining events. Since the porch in the old Guest Cabin was never used I have designed only a small porch in the new one.

I think, the way I have the new house designed, the farm will work well for various sized groups from small to large sometimes using only one house or the other and sometimes using both.

With the new ATVs the garage is now very cramped so I am thinking about enlarging it or adding a carport.

What else ....

The fill was brought in to raise the shoreline and eliminate some soggy areas there. The canal was filled as we had excess fill available from the pond we dug and I believe that someday we will want to bring the driveway in between the two houses. Also the canal was an eyesore in my opinion. It was either dig it out again or fill it.

As we improve the fields, fencing etc I would like to work on the east shoreline somewhat.

I don’t think we need any more beach but I do plan to trim back the bushes on the east end of the island lakeshore to improve the view from the Guest Cabin.

I am thinking it is time to really upgrade the dock. It would be made of some of the newer simulated wood products and include a permanent roofed area at the end for shade as well as an open area for getting sun. I am also thinking about a roofed boat storage with boat lift. That would also solve the garage storage problem. Also a new slide either on the dock or in the lake would be on my list.