For those that worry...

We are safe and sound in the Flying J Truck Stop near LaSalle Ill. Traffic was quite heavy around the Des Moines area this morning but other than that it hasn't been too bad.
We will be smooth sailing through the Chicago/Gary area very early on Sunday morning. After 7 years of doing this we have learned to do cities on Sunday. Makes for a lot less hassle all the way around.
Next stop: Somewhere in Michigan...maybe even Hillman!

In a few

I have just a few minutes to say we are off for Michigan this morning. I tried to find us a place to stay in Illinois this evening but all the campgrounds I tried were full due to the holiday weekend so plan B is boondocking in the Flying J near LaSalle Ill. It isn't the first time we have done that and it sure beats paying $34 for a campground when all you plan to do is sleep 8 hours and continue on your way.
On the road again.. 

Jan Durlam Mitchell

Today a car pulled into the driveway. Butch said, "Oh ,it is a Hyundai and then went to investigate who it was. In a few minutes Butch came back and said somebody wants to see you. I said," Am I going to recognize them?" He is so much better at recognizing people we haven't seen for 30-40 years than I am. I didn't recognize her but she was kind enough to tell me who she was. Jan Durlam was a classmate of mine. Class of '61. When I think of her I think of big brown eyes and a very pleasant disposition. Jan's husband Jack Mitchell's parents used to be the owners of Leo & Keri's property so they had stopped by for a quick look. It was nice to see her again. Wish we could have visited a bit longer.

To Catch Up

We put a bid in on a house in Jefferson last week. On the way back from Missouri we learned that not only did they not accept the bid they would not even counter. So I began investigating. The lady who lived in the house moved into it in 1995. In 2003 she moved into the nursing home and in January of 2009 she passed away at the age of 98. She was never married and did not have any children so her sister and a nephew inherited the property. The sister is 85 and lives in Ottumwa Iowa. She is the block to the sale. Apparently she thinks it is worth far more than it is and has turned down several offers all in the same price range. This tells us she is not being realistic as to the value. So here we are. BUT miracles happen everyday and you just never know when things might change.
We are shaping the future by dealing with the present. And Saturday next will find us on the road to Michigan.
Stay tuned for further adventures of Barb & Butch.

Jared Hall performs in Atlantic

Our friends Randy and Sherri Clarks son Jared Hall played in Atlantic last Thursday evening. This small bit of the performance was on the Atlantic News-Telegraph website. I snitched it and I hope we can play it from here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhdQlcnosIM&feature=player_embedded

Sweet Love Elise

Personalize a free photo slideshow

Brad, Amanda & Elise Teeter

9 Days old