Home Free Christmas Songs!

Hi one and all!

Now that that Thanksgiving is finally over I thought now would be the appropriate time for me to do a post highlighting some favorite Home Free Christmas songs of mine. These are in no particular order, but enjoy!

Full of Cheer: I honestly love the video for this song. It is right up there with Thank God I am a Country Boy in terms of pure silliness, by five grown men no less.

Oh Holy Night: The most beautiful arrangement of this song I have heard.

Angels We Have Heard on High: Again, beautiful.

Colder Weather: Not a Christmas song per say, but I liked the version by Zac Brown Band and love this version by these guys!

I'll Be Home For Christmas: Reminiscent of Rascal Flatt's acapella version.

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer: Again, pure silliness.

What Child is This: Haunting and absolutely chilling.

Some non Home Free Christmas music:

Jingle Bell Rock by Rascal Flatts: Does this song not make you want to break down and dance around the tree?

Saving Camelot Part Nine!

I just realized the last two parts I posted were in black font. That has been corrected and you can go read those parts now!

We both stare at each other from across the kitchen table. Neither of us have spoken a single word since my arrival to his apartment almost ten-or was it 20-minutes ago.

It is funny how this chaotic mess Victoria and I have found ourselves in has brought me right back to square one.

At least he has yet to launch into his usual tirade about me being a Soviet Spy. We are making some progress here.

"Jarrod called," he finally said, breaking the tense silence between the two of us.

"Oh," I say casually. I want him to be the one leading the conversation if there is any chance of me gaining his help for the next part of this mission.

"He said nothing other than to listen to what you have to say, and that you are telling the truth about whatever you are about to tell me".

Great, this won't be easy then.

Another long, pregnant pause follows as we both continue to stare at each other. The vintage (or not, considering where I am) clock ticks the seconds in an almost annoying loud fashion.

"Well, say your peace, or get out," the man says gruffly across from me. I can't help but smile at his usual attitude coming through.

"I am from the future," no response there. Not even a raised eyebrow. I take that as a sign that I should continue.

"We were recruited by the American government, not the Soviets, to stop the assassination of JFK that is supposed to take place when he visits Dallas for a campaign stop around four months from now".

Another pregnat pause. I wish he would have more of a readable expression. A rock would have more life than Nick Barkley.

"Sooo," he finally says, letting out the 'so' like a breath of oxygen. "You are a spy, just not for the Commies".

The tiniest of smiles flash across my face, relieved that I am apparently getting through to him and pushing aside all forms of question as to why he should be believing me in the first place. I mean, the fact of me being a spy for the Soviets would be easier to believe than the fact I was sent from the future to stop the JFK assassination.

"Kind, or, well actually yes. I have gathered intel though that suggest the Kremlin will possibly be the ones behind the assassination".

"The Kremlin, eh," for as loud and boisterous as Nick was when I first met him, he is being awfully quiet now, lost in thought I suppose.

"Being an investigative journalist, your brothers say you will be able to help me spy and gather intel on the people involved".

"Sure, sure, anything to take a crack at the Kremlin".

The silence that follows kills me and my impatience begins to show. What comes out of my mouth next though has  nothing to do with the case I am working.

"Why do you believe me? After going for so many days of thinking I was a Soviet spy!? Why bother? I would not believe myself?"

I mentally kick myself. Me and my big, snippy mouth.

He finally looks at me, his expression serious. "Cause the government kinda, shall we say abducted my brothers and I from the past. About 97 years from the past to be exact".

The manor of which he says this is so non-coincidental, almost casual and nonchalant that I have to believe him.

What is the government trying to do?

Fall Tag!

I was not tagged for this, but I thought it would be a fun thing for Turkey week. Plus, Mom has let me use her picmonkey account, so I am having fun with playing around with photos, or simply adding headings like the one above :)

Just an FYI to my regular followers (the few of you there are) Kennedy will be up this week, just a bit later than normal. Plus, I thought it would be fun to give you guys a snippet from my NaNo project on Thanksgiving that does not have so much to do with the actual holiday other than having a general theme of thankfulness :)

Anywho, now for the tag!

1. Favorite Fall Holiday:

Thanksgiving, because food is one of my favorite words in my vocabulary :)

2. Favorite Fall Dessert Ingredient: Caramel, Pumpkin or Pecan?

Caramel, which kinda surprises me. I don't actually like it by itself, but I discovered Caramel apples are yummy.

3. Favorite Fall Movie:

Fall movie? Is there really such a thing? I suppose I will go with a tv series instead and say Gilmore Girls. Mom says it is the perfect show to binge watch for fall, and I tend to agree with her. Check it out if you have not. :)

4. Favorite Fall Candle:

I am not really into candles.

5. Favorite Fall Drink:

It used to be the pumpkin spice latte, but now I find it to be quite disgusting. Now I would have to say a vanilla cappuccino. I love a foamy cappuccino. Then there would be any type of apple cider.


6. Favorite Item of Clothing for the Fall:

Boots and my leather jackets.

7. Favorite Fall Outing/Activity:

Seeing my school football team play.

8. Favorite Candy:

Almost anything chocolate or sour. Please don't make me pick (cringes).

9. Favorite Fall Weather:

Sunny with a crisp feeling in the air. I don't like being too cold, or even being outside when it is cold, but I don't mind being out in warmer fall weather.

10. Favorite at Home Meal:

Anything with chicken.

I have decided to tag some of my NaNo buddies who have not done this yet. If y'all are too busy with your books, don't worry about it ;)

+Jesseca Dawn
+Jonathan Trout
+s.m. b.
+Emily McConnell

Saving Camelot Part Eight

“It is the real bona fide deal all right. With all the potential for terms to be negotiated for both sides that would easily be passed here at home and agreeable to the Soviet officials”.

Heath finally chimes in. “Why now? What do the Russians want that make them want to propose peace with the United States?”

“You have the KGB too,” I add. “How could it be in their best interests to agree with something like this?”

“What if it is not?” Tory ponders aloud. “What if this really is just an elaborate scheme to incapacitate the President?”

I nod along with her. “That would make the most sense”.

“Where do we go to prove this though?” Jarrod asks, looking directly at me. “You are basically doubly undercover right now. That will complicate things when it comes to keeping an eye on both Johnson and Hoover at once”.

“That Is why I want Heath to tail Hoover. You have more access to places he is liable to be found at,” Heath merely nods his head in acquiescence in Agent’s direction.

“You Jasmine will keep an eye on Johnson, while Tory will stay at the White Hose as much as possible in order to keep an eye on the president and his safety”.

I bite my lip, earning yet another disapproving glare from Tory. I swear she is more like a mother and less like a big sister at times. As much as I hate to admit it, this new plan by Agent is good. The only question is whether we can gather enough intelligence quickly enough to stop the assassination from happening in November. That put us in a bit of a crunch for time, but it is not like Tory and I have done more difficult tasks and succeeded in the 21st century.

I finally nodded. “Okay, let’s do this. There is only one thing..”

“Nick?” both Heath and Jarrod say. Victoria only smirks.

“We were thinking we may actually recruit him on this one, though it may be hard to believe, with his background he could be useful,” Agent said.

Jarrod nodded, but was quick to add “Only if absolutely necessary”.

“You seriously think he will believe the truth?” I almost roll my eyes at the thought.

“Now we have tied the Soviets to this, quite possibly,” Heath mused. “Though it still will take a lot”.

I sigh, not wanting to even think about the prospect of Mr. Paranoid helping me out with this case. Taking a last handful of golden brown, utterly delicious French fries, I stand and make my move to leave.

“Gentlemen, it has been a pleasure, but as it has been a long day and will be bound to be a equally lengthy one tomorrow, I believe I will go to get some rest”.

The men around the table nod and say their goodnights. Tory stands to embrace me, whispering a promise to find somewhere quiet to talk soon.

I then make my way out of the hazy bar and out into the night street. Bur, as I make my way to my apartment, I cannot help but wondering if this whole assignment really is futile.

After all, can one really change the past?

Music Saturday!

Hello to all my friends out there on this lovely Saturday!

Today we are going to do another top ten (or in this case twelve) post.

This time though it's going to be the top twelve songs from my favorite band, the country acapella group Home Free!

So without further ado, here they are!

12. Thank God I'm A Country Boy; (Let me say I love me some John Denver, but these guys put a totally hilarious spin on it.)

11. Die a Happy Man

10. Sold! I honestly did not know this was a popular country song back in the day, but Home Free's spin on it is better than the original and this is quite honestly hilarious as well.

9. Everything Will Be Okay

8. Crazy Life; Home Free and legos (I know a certain someone who would like this video)

7. Wake Me Up

6.What We Ain't Got

5. I've Seen

4. Fishin' in the Dark/Boondocks (Mashup)

3. Ring of Fire; I love Johnny Cash and I love this cover!

2. God Bless the USA; Let me just say, the whole band is awesome, but the beatboxer (whose name is Adam Rupp) goes above and beyond in this video.

1. How Great Thou Art

Honorable Mention; I know! I am up to thirteen music videos now (Music to listen to for NaNo? Maybe at least for me!), This one is NOT by Home Free (though I would love to see their rendition of this song.) This is Hallelujah by Pentatonix. I never had really liked Pentatonix (and still don't love them to be honest) but I love their rendition of this song.

Hope you enjoyed and that NaNo is going well. Have a safe and blessed weekend!

Saving Camelot Part Seven

Later that night, I found myself in a smoky back room of a place I would never in a million years think of frequenting had I actually been born in this era. But, it’s the only place we can actually meet discreetly without drawing too much attention to ourselves here in the city.

“This does not make any sense,” Jarrod the attorney had joined us and was currently pacing back and forth, puffing at a cigarette like a man trying to make sense of facts that quite frankly did not make sense to begin with.

“Kennedy will have to have the support of the Senate if any kind of treaty is to be ratified between the US and the Russians. With Johnson figuratively the leader of the senate, he could very easily stir up opposition to this movement if he and Hoover were so against it in the meeting”.

“Would that not run a high likelihood of Jack Kennedy giving Johnson the boot on the ’64 ticket if that were the case?” Tory comments dryly, her feet kicked up on a blue upholstered chair that has frankly looked like it has seen better days. She looks more than tired. There is something in her features that give a worn down, almost sad air to her. Since this whole mess has begun I had not really had the chance to have a private talk with her. I wanted to see how she was holding up working like a dog as housekeeper, what she thought of our mission, and most importantly, how was she holding up to the racist strongholds of the era. But, it was because of these strongholds that I almost could not meet with her without the risk of being caught. Even in Washington there were harsh laws enforced for crossing the lines of segregation. How anyone in America back in this time could be so hateful is beyond me.

“You know Kennedy needs Johnson if he has a fat chance in Texas in ’64,” Heath chimed in, munching on a basket of crispy (and surprisingly good) deep fried wedges.

“But what if he has another running mate up his sleeve, like, say, his brother?” I wonder aloud, taking another handful of golden brown wedges from the basket.

“Then how do you suppose the re-election to be really in the bank for the President with the country almost equally divided in proportion to those who both love and hate the Kennedy brothers?” Jarrod counters, sparing me a glance.

Heath still has yet to say a word about any of this, merely following the conversation while picking up another handful of fries.

“Sorry I am late,” the grey haired man who calls himself agent enters the room. The air of seeming significance he gives off around his person irritates the heck out of me. I have come to like both Jarrod and Heath (nosey middle brother of theirs aside) but I simply cannot stand this guy.

I can tell that Tory has been reading my mind with the look she sends me, almost reapproaching and warning me not to go off with my sarcastic mouth as I usually do. I just can’t help myself though. It is too much ingrained in my personality.

“Oh, nice to see you care so much about this break that you leave us waiting in a nicotine enhanced barroom”.

Tory glares. Jarrod raises an eyebrow. Heath Almost smirks.

Agent does not seem affected by my remark. I think he has gotten used to me to the point where he is willing to let my remarks slide. Kind of a wonder when you consider the gender stereotypes of this time.

“I wanted to check out the credibility of this offer form Krusev with informants I have inside the Soviet government”.

“And?” both Jarrod and Tory say at once, Jarrod stopping his pacing and Tory sitting up a little straighter as they both lean in to face Agent.

Top Ten Movies

Here is a quick and easy post as we are wrapping up the first week of NaNo. The following is a list of my top ten movies and their trailers!

10. The Hobbit Trilogy

An Unexpected Journey:

The Desolation of Smaug:

The Battle of Five Armies:

9. Moneyball

8. The Rookie

7. Flicka

6. Secretariat

5. Divergent

4. Princess Bride

3. You've Got Mail

2. Star Wars Original Trilogy

1. War Room

There you go. Here is to writing and movie watching during these long winter months!

Saving Camelot Part Six

A/N: "I will keep up with this blog, "bangs head on table". Anyway, Kennedy is finished! Here is part six. Very short I know but it has Nick in it for all your BV fans. By the way, happy NaNoWriMo! Who all is doing NaNoWriMo and what are your projects? A Christian romance/drama is mine!
It’s easy enough to blend into my surroundings. Pennsylvania avenue, the street where the White House is located, is a buzz of activity. Literally no one on this street works regular 9-5 hours, as most work for the executive office in some fashion. It makes my job more easy as I tail Johnson and Hoover, being sure to keep just enough distance so that they do not notice me, and prepare to round the corner they have only recently disappeared on when..

“Dang!” I run head first into none other than Mr. Paranoid himself.

“Just where do you think you are going?” his voice booms, making me cringe.

“Home,” I respond, trying not to let his tone rile me as I glance around the corner. Too late for anything now.

“Well you seem to be in an awful hurry for someone just heading home after a day of work,” Nick crosses his muscular arms in front of him. I briefly wonder how he was able to get in the shape he is in for only being an investigative reporter, but I immediately push that thought aside.

“Look, can you please just let me pass, I had to work late and I am hungry,” a little white lie mixed with a truth, but what could it hurt?

“Not until you tell me what the FBI chief and Vice President were doing acting all chummy coming out of the White House just now. I know my brother’s set you up with a job there. Tell me what you know”.

Now it is my turn to narrow my eyes at him. “You are an investigative journalist! Find out yourself!”

“Maybe I will! I can always wheedle information out of Heath over a game of pool and a few beers,” he leans in closer to me, jabbing a finger into my face. “I am still watching you.”

“Yea, I’ll bet,” I mutter under my breath as Nick disappears around the corner where Johnson and Hoover turned. I chew my lower lip, and then make a beeline in the opposite direction toward my apartment. There is nothing more I can do tonight since I lost the two men. May as well go home and get some rest.