Dear Diary,

No, I haven't totally given up on the idea of The Scrap Inn - but it is now going in a different direction. At least for now. Instead of The Scrap Inn it is now the Scrap In. Every 3rd weekend of the month starting September 20 & 21. Scrap Friday from 7:00 PM - Midnight leave your stuff just as it is, and come back Saturday from 9:00 AM to Midnight at the Scrappinpsycho's house. $25 fee includes: Your own table, comfy chair, table lamp, use of Cricut Expression & cartridges and other tools, snacks and drinks throughout the weekend Saturday lunch and supper. There will also be some supplies, paper & embelishments available for purchase. For questions or to register contact Kathy at scrappinpsycho@msn.com Pre-paid Registration is required Payments can be made by PayPal or check and must be recieved by the previous Thursday Please forward this to anyone who may be interested in attending

Dear Diary,

Can't believe it's been almost a year since I've posted here.  I have still not given up hope.  Life has gotten in the way of my plans - but God's timing is perfect.  Patience is a virtue.  Working on mine.

Dear Diary,

Okay, once again we're back at square one.  Thankfully, God closed (slammed) the door on what I was sure was going to be The Scrap Inn.  Luckily, things did not progress as quickly as I wanted them to, and in the end we were saved from a BIG mistake. 

As I've said before God's timing is perfect.  Once again I feel like even though things did not go the way I thought they should, that they went just as they should have and we have gained more knowledge.  I thank God, that He saved us from what would have been a terrible mistake, and that He closed the door in a way that there is "no one to blame".

I shared with my sister that if this didn't work out I was going to be very disappointed.  Her response was - "with who?"  I had to think about that one - and realized that it would be wrong for me to be disappointed, because if it didn't work out it was as it should be.  I also believe God prepared me beforehand for the closed door.  I also thank Him, that it was obvious to both Bob and I that the door was closed!

What an awesome God I serve.  Now the search continues - with a renewed desire for God's leading.  

Dear Diary,

Paperwork is in the works!  Please keep praying. Happy New Year!

Dear Diary,

Yesterday, they were talking on the radio about dreams.  And how God wants to fulfil our dreams - because he's the one that places dreams within us.  They talked about the verse that says God will give you the desires of your heart, and how the desires of our heart are placed there by God.

I have to agree with that.  This all started with a dream that God placed in my heart, almost 1 year ago.  There been lots of up and downs along the way - but the desire / dream is still there.  Today the dream may take it's first major step.

We are trying to get a realistic idea of how much repairs and upgrades are going to cost on the house I believe to be The Scrap Inn.  The plan is to make an offer today.  For all to fall into place God is going to have to open doors, that some people would think impossible.  I believe they are possible, but only if God opens them.

Please pray that things go as they are suppose to.  That doors are opened and closed as God directs, and that we walk in obedience to Him.

Dear Diary,

The house met with Bob's approval.  We are going to pursue it - by getting some estimates done & then determining what to offer. 

This morning as I was praying about "The Scrap Inn"  I realized that it may take God moving some mountains for it to happen - but then I was reminded that if we have faith the size of a mustard seed we can move mountains.  And if this is The Scrap Inn - He will do just that.

Please continue to pray that God will lead and direct and give us wisdom and discernment as things progress.   

Dear Diary,

Wow, it's been awhile since I've posted.  Mainly, because nothing has been happening.  The market for homes has kind of dried up - there just didn't seem to be anything out there, until Friday.

I looked at a home on Friday - I LOVE the location - the lot is the perfect size.  The house is 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths and is in pretty good shape. I think it would be the excellent Scrap Inn.  But as usual there are issues, which I won't go into.  But they are things that God will have to work out - if this is in deed The Scrap Inn.  I'm trying not to get too excited about the possibility - I hate disappointment. 

On Friday on my way to work I was reminded of God's timing - how it's ALWAYS perfect.  So my prayer continues to be that God will open and close doors as He sees fit.  That I won't run ahead of Him or lag behind.  And that I will rely on Him and His timing. 

Oh my God, He will not delay My refuge and strength always I will not fear, His promise is true My God will come through always, always Troubles surround me, chaos abounding My soul will rest in ... ...my God, He will not delay My refuge and strength always I will not fear, His promise is true My God will come through always, always I lift my eyes up, my help comes from ... http://www.klove.com/music/artists/kristian-stanfill/songs/always-lyrics.aspx  

Dear Diary,

Sunday was quite an adventure.  My new friend Mary Beth and I did some real cross country trekking in our search for The Scrap Inn.  We found some very interesting houses - one of which was almost eerie!  It was way back in the sticks - to the point we had to honk the horn to get the chickens out of the road (path).  In it's day, the house was probably quite the place to be - but time and lack of attention has caused it to be in very bad repair.  We definitely created a Memory by checking it out.  I will have to say - Mary Beth is a very brave lady. 

Another of the houses was very cute - very old - very run down - and not at all suitable for The Scrap Inn.  Although it has some real charm.

I did find a house that I think would work great for The Scrap Inn - unfortunately, it doesn't look like a possibility at this time.  It is one that I'm planing to keep an eye on though.  Things could change.

The others we looked at were either not big enough, or were in bad repair.  So, the search continues.  Although I'm thinking this area is a possibility.  It's NOT north!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These are the times that make me wonder if I miss-heard the "You can do this" and it makes me want to give up.   It seems so hopeless.  But, these are also the times that I am reminded that I serve a mighty God - and that He will provide the right house at the right time and that I need to have faith to believe that and trust totally in Him.

Dear Diary,

Going House Hunting Today! 

Dear Diary,

Turns out the house below is NOT The Scrap Inn.  The reason I asked for opinions as to whether it was the Scrap Inn - is because it just wasn't what The Scrap Inn looks like in my mind.  When this house looked like it might be The Scrap Inn - I needed confirmation that others could picture it as The Scrap Inn - I wasn't totally seeing it!

I got a lot of emails - saying it looked nice - and then had other questions like - was there a bedroom downstairs, was there ample parking, was it nice inside, was it south, etc.  But my favorite email was from a dear friend - who stated it looked like a very nice house - but not at all what she pictured as The Scrap Inn.  That was kind of the response I expected to hear the most.

So, not just because it doesn't have The Scrap Inn look - but for many other reasons - I decided to move on and keep looking.  So, the hunt continues.

I'm holding on to my belief that God has perfect timing - he's never early and he's never late!  So, I'll continue to look and count on his perfect timing.

Dear Diary,

Does this look like The Scrap Inn?

I really want to know what you think.

Later,

Dear Diary,

No, I haven't given up.  There just doesn't seem to be anything out there right now.  I am watching and praying and being patient!

Hopefully, there will be some news soon!

Later,
Kathy

Dear Diary,

Last Monday I went to 3 houses.  Of the 3 one of them looked promising.  It was in good shape and move in ready.  It was about 60 miles from home - and traffic was horrible at one point.  The next issue was the zoning.  I spoke to the city and found out that I would have to apply for permission from the city council to be able to use the property for The Scrap Inn.  There was also a fee and the neighbors would all be polled... So, I felt like all these things together were a NO.

On Saturday, I went to three houses.  The first of which was a Great Location, Great Lot, Great price... That's where the Greats ended.  The house was in terrible shape - the owners had attempted to remodel - Should I say, some people should not be allowed to pick up a hammer!  The work was very shoddy, not complete, and obviously to cover up the fact that the house had shifted and the ceiling and walls had about a 1/2 inch gap between them.  They had also put in ceramic tile - which was like walking on ice.  Needless to say, we left without even looking at the rest of the house.

House # 2 was an adventure.  We ended up going the wrong place - per the realtor's GPS.  When we did find the place - on Lost Pines - it was something that should have stayed lost... It was very run down, and was literally in the woods - you actually had to walk a path to the house - dodging tree limbs and brush.  There was no parking and the house was Awful.  I decided just by looking in the window, that it was not worth going in.

House # 3 was in a very unatractive neighborhood.  The parking would have been an issue, there was a ditch almost completely around the property. Turns out no one was home, and the Realtor had not provided a key.   By the time my realtor got ahold of the listing agent - the very unfriendly looking dogs were barking in the window - so, there was no way I was going in there.

Once again, it wasn't a total loss.  I now have 2 more areas on my NO WAY list.  And so, the search continues.

Later,
Kathy

Dear Diary,

Off to see some houses today!  Maybe one of them is The Scrap Inn.

I'll keep you informed.

Later,
Kathy

Dear Diary,

Had something interesting happen to me yesterday.  I was driving (or attempting to) down the highway - it was more like a parking lot when my phone rang.  The man on the other end said, "so what's this Scrap Inn".  I asked him if he was on the same highway.  He said, he was right behind me.  (I have The Scrap Inn signs on my vehicle).  I told him what it was, he thought it sounded like a great idea and wanted to know where it was.  I had to tell him, I don't know yet...  Turns out his wife is a scrapper!  So who knows - a traffic jam - may have lead to a future guest at The Scrap Inn.

I'm planning on looking at some houses on Monday AM.  Hopefully, one of them may be the ONE!  We will see.

Later,
Kathy

Dear Diary,

I think I'm in the midst of a lesson on faith, trust and patience.  The search continues - but nothing promising out there right now. 

I did look at a few properties last week - but they just weren't IT!

Patience is a virtue - Right?

Hope to have some news soon!

Later,
Kathy

Dear Diary,

Still looking for "The Scrap Inn".  I know it's out there - just haven't found it yet.  Keep watching and waiting with me!  I'll let you know how the search progresses.

Later,
Kathy

Dear Diary,

Went house hunting today...

The first house we looked at had a room that would work for scrapping - but it is actually a sun porch - and it has no AC or heat - NOT an option here in Texas.  The other rooms were fine - but the house was very chopped up into multiple small rooms.  The area was okay - but not really what I am looking for.

House 2 - by the time we got close - we had already determined it was not the area for The Scrap Inn.  It was in the country - and quite isolated.  We decided it would be a waste of time to look at it at that point.  Sooooo on to house number 3.

I loved the house - it was built in the early 1900s - lots of charm and spacious rooms - tons of storage space - but not practical for The Scrap Inn.  One of the bedrooms was long and narrow.  It was barely wide enough for single beds - and would only have held 2.  The master bed rooms was a decent size.  The third bedroom was upstairs in what I'd call an "Attic" room.  It had the slanted ceilings and would have been very fun to decorate - BUT the bathroom did not have a shower - and because of the slanted ceilings it would not have been an option.  There were several LARGE rooms or combination rooms that would be great for the scrap room - but there were several rooms that would have been just wasted space - not that they couldn't have been decorated cutely - but heating and cooling unused space is kind of silly.  One of the larger rooms could have been converted into another bedroom - but not without a lot of work - and manipulation... Add to all this that it was in need of a new roof and the age of the house - it was added to our NO list! :(

The last house - was cute from the outside - and really nicely remodeled - had a room that would be great for the scraproom - beautiful wood flooring - new carpet paint, remodeled bathrooms and kitchen - just one catch...It had obvious foundation issues... not something you want to mess with in Texas.

Soooo, in many ways it was kind of a disappointing day - but yet once again we feel we gained a lot of knowledge that will assist in the future hunt.  The Realtor was very helpful and assured me that there is that special place "out there" and that he will continue to look!  

I continue to believe (with a reminder from my hubby) - that if this is God's will - He will make away - and will lead us to the right place at the right time... To some this may sound like foolishness - to those of us who know HIM - it's called faith.  

Dear Diary,

Well, the house hunt is back on!  I've been in touch with several realtors - and tonight we took a field trip just to check a place out on our own.  Never did find it - it was very last minute and we were totally unprepared.  We did find 3 of the 6 that were on our list - 1 of which is a NO.  The other 2 are possiblilities - and who knows about the other 3.  It was a fun trip & we really like the town! 

Hope to look at these and a few other possibilities soon!

I know The Scrap Inn is out there! 

Check in to the post below - I'd love to know your here and how you found me!

Later,
Kathy

Dear Diary.

Back from a wonderful vacation!  Now gotta get serious about finding a property!

CHECK IN!

Just wondering who's out there - and how you got here!

Please take the time to leave a comment!

Later,
Kathy