(Aha, I see I must have missed reading a page. Whatever)
I plan to lift my furbabies up. I have a very high bed now, and little dogs. They can jump up, but jumping down (and the stress it puts on legs, neck, shoulders) isn't good for them. They are getting used to "wait, Mommy lift you." I have seen dogs/cats that get hauled up (one into an apartment) by getting into a lifting device. I've always been the one to sleep on an upper bunk, so I'm used to it.
The back room, is just nice to have the room. I may sleep there, or use it for guests. Or maybe I'll take out the bed and make that a work room for computers. I'm still in planning mode on this, but the good part is I have the room and the flexibility.
My plans are sketchy until November, but I will be heading south with my ultimate destination as FL through the winter. Hope to see you there.