Small mountain

Driving back to the Tri-Cities from the vicinity of Asheville, this small mountain beside the Interstate attracts my attention each time. It is so cute! :3

©2012 Tiffany Reed

Train

I had been at my parents' house caring for them for the better part of a year, with only a couple of very brief visits in-person with Don. We talked on the phone for HOURS every night, and exchanged text messages throughout the day, but it wasn't the same as seeing his smiling face and feeling his touch. Then Mom acquired another Urinary Tract Infection and was hospitalized. Dad and I had been up there, spending about eight hours a day visiting her, and eating our lunch at the hospital. After lunch one day, I wandered outside to smoke and decided to call Don while I was outside. Several cars rolled past me during our conversation, as this is a popular time for family & friends to visit patients. One of the cars looked just his BMW and I spoke into the phone, "OMG, there comes a car that looks like yours!" Next thing I knew, the car rolled to a stop and I saw the great love of my life grinning at me as I stood there, dumbfounded! Never let it be said that this wonderful man has no idea how to transform me, through an incredibly romantic surprise, from a woman into a babbling idiot — he certainly did it that day! *swoon* We retreated into a very quiet, private corner of the hospital's cafeteria, got some food into him, and spent some time talking. Then we went upstairs to spend some time with Mom & Dad. Shortly before supper was scheduled to be delivered, we went back downstairs to his car to wind up the all-too-short visit and say our goodbyes. What a FABULOUS day this was! :) The hospital's cafeteria had a odd 'railroad' motif for their decor, possibly to entertain children who are visiting there. The train mural — with working light! — shown in the photo, below, reminds me of that wonderful, romantic visit.

©2012 Tiffany Reed

OPI

Don's car broke down on the Interstate near Fountain Inn, SC, not far from Greenville. I went to meet him and keep him company while we waited for the mechanic to arrive in the tow truck. Oxidized Polyethylene Industries, Inc. was right across the Interstate from where we were waiting, and I snagged this shot because of all the pretty lights. We sat there for quite some time, maybe a little over an hour, I think, because the tow trucks were backlogged. After the tow truck driver got Don's BMW going again, we were hungry so we hit the next exit for Pecan Waffles at Waffle House. It was crazy, but it was a little more time we had together! :) By the way, Oxidized Polyethylene Industries (OPI) is not the company that makes the fabulous nail polish — they make chemicals for use in the plastics industry.

©2012 Tiffany Reed

Plantronics® Explorer™

This was the Bluetooth that Don bought for me on eBay, just like the one he had, the Plantronics® Explorer™ 560.

©2012 Tiffany Reed

Food in Kingsport

There were/are so many good restaurants in Kingsport! The ones that come to mind, where we actually ate, are: Molcajetes (Mexican), La Carretta (Mexican), Cocula (Mexican), Milano's (Italian), Amato's (Italian, now closed, sadly), Pal's, Chef's Pizza, Fisherman's Dock, China Wok, Broad Street BBQ, Bone Fire Smokehouse (BBQ), Moto Japanese, Cheddar's, Rush Street Grill, Woodstone Grill, The Little Steakhouse... I am sure I am missing a couple. One place where I never ate was Purple Cow, but Don buzzed-through there sometimes to get their authentic Reuben Sandwich, which he loved! And then there are all the places in Johnson City! But that is for another day. LOL

©2012 Tiffany Reed

Pecan Waffles

Don loved the pecan waffles at Waffle House. We only went there two or three times because of his diabetes, but it was certainly a treat for him when we did. :)

©2012 Tiffany Reed

Sunset in the mountains

The sunset I saw in the mountains, driving back to Kingsport to care for Don.

©2012 Tiffany Reed