It has been almost half a year (173 days, but who is counting) since we were scheduled to close on the purchase of our new home. Today, at long last, the excruciating wait has come to an end. Jeanine and I signed documents in the office of our real estate attorney this morning to finalize the transfer. Most of the delay was related to settling the seller’s estate in probate court and having a 45-year-old lien on the title removed. We are now at liberty to file for the necessary permitting to begin our reconstruction project.