Since we signed with our builder about a month ago, we've been going through the various stages of loan approval. In parallel, our plans have been going through the various stages of City planning approval. Both processes appear to be nearing completion. All we need is a nice juicy appraisal value to secure the big fat loan we want - and the final rubber stamp from the city. Both should come through in the next three or four weeks. I am itching to get started. Itching! I'm mentally moving in, deciding which pictures will go where, and even which drawer the spices will go in. I've drawn up detailed sketches of all our cabinetry, accompanied by fact-based estimates of the cubic footage and hanging space we'll need for all our storage. I've made a long list of native plants. I've found a nook for a desk on the floor plan that triggered a happy couple of hours sketching alternative window plans for that corner. One day I spent an hour putting all my various notes in