Frustration and Enlightenment after a 20 yr dream

Well the good news is?
We are building a house from the bottom up.
Joyce bought the land almost 20 yrs ago, with the dream of one day building a house
You know that chinese proverb " build a house, plant a tree, raise a child" something like that
After a long 5 yr process; hiring the right architect, designing a house, passing design review, applying for extensions, and applying for another extension again and going back to design review.
The San Mateo County of building and planning is a big ---- -- --- ---.
There have been delays, but I can see the light ( fluorescent )
Title 24, I hate fluorescent!
We are supposedly a month or two behind.
Which means if all goes well the first shovel goes into the ground around late Oct. 2007.
I have spent the last 5 months learning how to be a general contractor (juggler)
I have bids from, framers, electrician, plumbers, roofers, sheet-rockers, siding, heating, venting, concrete, well driggers, insulation, drainage
I have costs for the kitchen appliances, doors, windows, paint, tile, cabinets, landscaping, lights, vanities, toilets, showers tubs, garage doors, counters, sinks, faucets.
Join us , as we try to build a 2400sq ft house/garage on time and on budget.

Do you know the way to Montara?

Montara is 20 miles( 30 km ) south of San Francisco.
Along the beautiful California Pacific ocean, head Hwy One south,
just after the Montara state beach, you will find the layed back
funky town of Montara.