Good on you KingNut. Unlike everyone else here, I totally agree with letting the lbs do the work. I'm assuming they have a good crew and you have been happy with their work before. I would never take time away from riding or, more importantly one's young child, to work on my bikes.

That said, I do feel your pain. Last year I was finally able to replace my beloved '82 Trek 720 touring bike that was stolen by an lbs with a nos of the same year. The build I wanted was quite unusual so I expected it to take a while. After 4 months (long story, and I still had other bikes to ride) the lbs was awaiting only the rear gears to finish the build. When I returned to the shop to pick up my bike, the lbs was out of business and there was a notice of a landlord's lien on the shop contents posted. Fortunately, a phone call to the landlord's attorney resulted in the immediate return of my bike (in OR, preventing someone from using their property is theft). It was oh so nice to be back on "my" bike for this winter's ride down the OR/CA coast. I think the long wait made it even better.