Ok, It has been about a month since I bought the property and I have:

De forested the back yard and trimmed the bushes.

Done the Initial tear out which took both a 20 yard and a 30 yard dumpster. (The house smells much better now)

Applied to the town for the needed permits. (I can't get the money from the bank until I have the permits)

Went ahead and did all the electrical work and modifications needed.

Replaced the gutter on the back side of the house. (I still need to attach the downspout)

Bought the new smaller window for the kitchen.

I have spent, just since I bought the house, twenty-two hundred dollars of my own money and have yet to see penny one from the money that is escrowed in the loan that bank is holding. However, as you can tell, I am not holding my breath over it either. If I have to, I will finance the construction though other sources and refinance at the end if I am forced to by my mortgage company not releasing the funds.

In other news, I have found a new and interesting sport to participate in. It is called Geocashing (.com) and it is right up me and my jeeps alley. I would love to tell you more about it, but then I would have to shoot you. :) What I will say is there is treasure everywhere, its all around you but just out of sight.