#34 Backyard Chickens

So I have been dreaming about having chickens since we decided to move to Texas in 2015. Well guess what y'all...It's happening and soon. I have been feverishly learning about the in's and out's, do's and don'ts of backyard chickens (don't Google chicken illnesses...eek no thank you).

I just can't wait to get them. From all that I have read they are much like other pets. Individual personalities along with crazy sometimes just outrageous behavior.

So I have decided to get them as chicks so they can get to know us better. I feel like if they were older it would be much more complicated for them to understand exactly the hot mess that is Casa Gentry if you know what I mean. Understandably younger chicks should just assimilate to the Gentry ways. I think? I hope.

These little's will grow up and become these stunning ladies. Gosh aren't they something?  Minus the rooster. Ain't nobody got time for a Rooster. 

pictures via Google 

Oh my goodness aren't they adorable? I am going to be a great chicken lady. I will love them like the mother of dragons. 

I will keep them warm and safe until they are able to take care of themselves in the coop. 

THE. COOP.  Lord have mercy there are like a million designs to choose from. I spent the better part of a day just looking at my options. Panic ensued. Not to worry though. With the help of some peanut butter by the spoonful and a little prayer I found the one. 

 Wouldn't you feel mighty fine if you were a chicken living in this amazing home? I can buy the plans online and then have Mister tweak it just a touch. You know make it just a bit more cozy for my little ladies.

More to come on the chicken front so hold tight.  I am sure tonight's dreams will be the visions of what uninvited slithering guests Google says to expect when I am collecting eggs. NO THANK YOU!! I must learn the ways of Daenerys Targaryen.

P.S. This may turn into the daily happenings of our chickens journal. Consider yourself warned.

P.P.S This happened as well today. What in the world? What dog sits on their behind like this? Lawd have mercy with this guy. It is an entertaining life we lead.

#33 Country Drive

There is nothing I enjoy more than an afternoon drive. Today we might have taken that a little too far but hey there are no rules to Saturday country drives. We headed out around noon and decided to explore the north western part of central Texas. I had heard about this great little place that has a water park. So off to Whitney we headed. Oh my word Lake Whitney is beautiful. I think we might have found a new place to add to our fishing rotation.

Lake Whitney view from the car passing over the bridge. 

I swear I will get better at the whole photograph and documenting my day stuff. 

Isn't this just amazing! I saw if from the shore line and couldn't figure out for the life of me what it was until I got home and Googled it. Lordy Lordy that's some fine living. 

Then we went in search of Bosque Resort with the water park I had heard about. We found it but just drove by. It looks like lots of fun to be had here. I can't wait to tube the lazy river and swim up to the bar. God Bless Texas.

Image via Google

Then we headed in a Southerly direction...I think?  We drove through a small town called Meridian. Isn't this courthouse just something else? I love that about all the towns around here. You won't find many buildings like this in Cali. 

We also learned they have a BBQ Cook Off in October that is on my Calendar as we speak. I love getting out and learning about our new home. I love exploring and finding all the little hidden gems nestled among the rolling hills, corn fields, pasture land and dense tree lined river bottoms.  It's something to behold for sure.

 Erected in 1886 according to Google the best I could find out

Back in to Wacotown for dinner at Whataburger with Mister and Mama. What a great day to be alive. 

#32 Little Gifts

Breakfast was from the thoughtfulness of a friend. Nothing beats a morning treat to start your weekend off on the right foot.

Then lunch was again gifted to me through another friend. I've never eaten Thai food before so I played it safe. It was really good. Next time I'll try the Pad Thai.

Isn't it amazing how food can be the tie that binds us all together. Sharing your lives with each other over a meal.  Sharing in joys and triumphs, consoling each others worries and fears. There is something so magical happening around a table that must make God smile.  I am ever so grateful for all the people placed in our lives...just one more gift that made its way through my day.  The very definition of #mycuprunnethover

Happy Friday y'all. Have a great weekend my dear friends. 

#31 Hot Bath + Clean Sheets

Today was a great day until late afternoon. My head started to feel fuzzy and ache. My nose started to run and my throat got that all familiar tickle in it. Cold or allergies? Tomorrow morning will tell the tale. Feeling completely spent and achy, I quickly made dinner and headed for the only place that can make me feel better.

Oh hot bath how I love you. I am a hot bath lover. A connoisseur of hot steamy water and bath salts. I haven't yet tried a bath bombs but I'm sure they are divine.   What is it about a hot bath that soothes what ails me?  After a long soak I did the only thing remotely plausible...I got into bed. Isn't there something magical about the welcoming comfort of freshly washed sheets? The coolness of them wrapping around you. Glorious I tell you, just glorious. As I melted into the my bed this was on TV.

I love this show! The games they come up with. Doesn't it seem like the best party ever? I imagine how fun it would be to have a dinner party and play games like this with close friends. However my intense awkward nature always gets in the way of fantasies and reality.  Crazy I know. I have always imagined that I would be the best girlfriend anyone could have. Dinner parties and couples vacations would be my forte. And then my insane, awkward, introverted inner self rears her ugly head and talks me out of it all.  Who would of guessed that I am shy by nature. I know it doesn't seem plausible right?  It is not the image I project. Smoke and mirrors y'all. Smoke and Mirrors!

It would seem that I thrive in social settings. Not a stranger in the room. However, I am actually going spastic in my mind. A vortex of thoughts swirling around in my mind while I do my best to make conversation. How do I look? Did I say the right thing? I'm making a fool of myself!  It's exhausting the thoughts that ramble around in my head. So, I just avoid these settings as often as possible and stay to myself.  TOTALLY CRAZY I KNOW!! The struggle is real y'all. Oh well self help will be next thing on my ever growing lists. Ah lists, another joy of mine. If you've been following along you know of the attachment I have to them. Hmm I really should probably start to seek some profession help right?  As I am typing this all out I can plainly see that I am truly a HOT MESS! Touched and a little damaged if you will. Oh well thank goodness Jesus & Mister love me just the way I am...flaws and all.

So with benadryl in my system I bid you all goodnight. Until tomorrow my sweet readers.

P.S. It may have been still daylight out when I settled in bed for the night. Gosh I do live on the wild side don't I?

#30 Short Hair + Winter is Coming

Lordy Lordy!! I totally forgot to mention that I got my hair cut. There is something so great about short hair. I think when you reach a certain age they call it mom hair.  I don't care what they call it...it's pure magic for me. I hadn't cut my hair since November. It was so long and straggly looking drastic measures had to be taken.

With the summer heat and Texas size humidity I went short. It feels so awesome to just blow dry and go. It takes me 10 minutes tops to style it now versus at least 20 before. There is something to be said about short hair don't care.  Ain't it funny how now it would seem that I care more.  Short and Sassy is my summer theme.

P.S. In case you haven't heard yet...Winter is coming on the 16th. I love me some Game of Thrones.  Who will die this season? Who will die and live again? Who will fall in love? Who will kill their beloved? Sansa and Cerci have to go y'all! They are just too much. Their evil glares and conniving ways.  I am slowly rooting for the Mountain...he's grown on me. Aria and Jon Snow need to rule them all. Gosh I love this show. I may or may not have watched almost every episode since season one over the span of three days. One has to be up to date on all the happenings in the Seven Kingdoms. BTW no I have not read the books. I just can't even with those giant books. They make me feel overwhelmed just looking at them much less making sense of what's happening inside. Short and sappy are my kind of books. Long attention spans are not my forte.

P.P.S I might have also had another piece of that cobbler with vanilla ice cream. Soooo good y'all. 

This plate is just divine. 

After two bites I was done so Mister finished it off for me #sameteam 

#29 Happy Birthday America

It's July 4th y'all!! This is my Mister's Christmas. He absolutely loves this day! It wasn't exactly the same without the little ones here to share in his excitement for explosives, fire and food. The fact that we are now in Texas and he can legally use the BIG stuff makes him giddy. We bought a few fireworks to set off at the house.  I think it was just enough to tide him over until New Year's. Did I mention we can set fireworks off on New Years in Texas and NOT go to jail.  I think it does however take just a little of the fun out of it for Mr. Bill.  He likes to dabble on the rebellious side of life every now and again. Bad boys are fun am I right?

My little Yankee Doodle kiddos in El Paso 

I had a craving for burgers and dogs, so dinner was super easy. Isn't there something magical about eating simple food. The food you had when you were a kid. You could grab it and go. Sparkler in one hand and hot dog in the other. That just about as american as it gets. We even had apple cobbler. Well apple and peach cobbler made specially by WalMart. It was pretty darn good if you ask me. I might have to have another piece tomorrow night with some vanilla ice cream...even more American.

Gosh don't you just love summer time, when the breeze is blowing, the fireflies are floating around careless and fireworks are lighting up the night sky? Sitting in our lawn chairs looking up into that big Texas sky. Watching it light up with amazing colors. God really is good isn't he? So with a full hear and satisfied bellies, I say goodnight and Happy Birthday America.

America! America! God shed his grace on thee. And crowned they good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea. 

Night Y'all...

#28 4th of July weekend

So as y'all know I am a little behind on my posts and I haven't been feeling my best SO suffice it to say I need to get back on track.

This weekend was simply great. My son and part of the family were in town for a quick visit. I didn't get any pictures except for Lexi using snapchat filters. Isn't she just beautiful?

It still amazes me that she is almost a teenager. Where has the time gone? We laid on the bed together and just spent time talking, taking pictures and being present in each others life. Sonny Boy spent his weekend getting to know #WacoTown and all it has to offer. I think they just might be hooked.

They left early this morning and headed back to El Paso to meet up with the rest of the kids and spend time with Diana's sister and her family.

It always makes me nervous when they drive out. It's such a long way and the road is so hard on cars but I am thankful and my heart is full when they arrive and my spirit is renewed until the next visit.

Please say a little prayer for them for traveling mercy. I know God has them right in the palm of his hand.

P.S. Tomorrow is the 4th and It's Mr's favorite holiday. I love to see him in his happy place.