Our mini-tour of the Mid West

Well I haven't had a chance to really update my blog recently. Been pretty busy, and we cut off our internet about a week ago since we were moving.

Let's see, our last week in Chicago was very, very busy. We spent Monday and Tuesday packing and cleaning, and then met up with a few of my co-workers for a final farewell, all you can eat sushi and beer event. I don't eat sushi myself but I must say I was impressed by the amount of sushi that was consumed around me that night. Of course there were little reminders that if you didn't clean the plate each person would be charged an extra 5 bucks. That works as a great incentive!! We had a great time, the next morning it was hot, and typical Summer in Chicago day, the humidex was high.

I was so nervous about driving out rental truck through the city but finally just had to tell myself to get a grip and let's do this! It really wasn't bad at all. Our great friend Chris came to help us load up the truck, and we got most of it done in about 6 hours. which was pretty good considering we had a 3 story walk up apartment on a hot and muggy day. That night we slept on my inflatable bed, with no A/C cause we loaded that on the truck as well. After about 2 hours of trying to sleep on this air bed that felt more like a waterbed, I slept on the hardwood floor. It was around 4am I woke up thinking I heard something around our truck and that woke Paul up who was asleep on the floating mattress. It had at this point lost so much air he was sinking to the floor while the bed bellowed around him, like a soft taco shell. I pulled him out of his shell and refilled the air for him, lol..makes me laugh thinking about it. (the bus)
Next morning with little to no sleep we packed up what was left and hit the road for Muncie Indiana the first stop on our mini tour of the midwest. I felt a bit like a Canadian Red neck, driving this big rig, my husband in the passenger side, giving me directions, and my Cat in between us in her carrier. We hit a detour just as we were hitting the Indiana border, traffic was at a stand still. Lola was crying none to pleased that she was in her carrier,when she really gets going she sounds like a baby being in severe pain, its great..really. So Paul put her leash on her, and let her out. All of the sudden never heard a peep out of her. She sat in his lap and watched the traffic and made herself comfortable. You should have seen the look on the construction men's face as we crept past with this cat staring out at them.
All was going well, we finally arrived at Momma Butler's house about two hours later than expected due to unexplained detours, that would force us to back track, but we made it! She was quite impressed as I back our 17 foot Moving truck into her little driveway. I have to admit I was pretty proud of myself, considering I am not a confident driver on the best of days.

We had a fantastic weekend with the Butler Clan. We went to visit Paul's grandparents, which is always interesting. I adore his Grampa Bob, he is funny, cute but a terrible pack rat. I see now where my husband gets it from. They constantly trying to peddle something our way, this time it was hats and books. Finally we escape without collecting anymore stuff.

The next day we went to my Brother-in-laws house for a BBQ. I love it out there. They have a farm with goats, chickens and cows, kittens and a dog, and two kids. Full house. They just got a new pool, so I got in there with the kids next thing I knowA Auntie Shannon is burnt to a crisp, but it was a great time. From there my brother in laws wife always talks about this ice cream place called Ivanhoe's and how we have to go there sometime. Well it was now or never! So the four adults went while Momma Butler babysat, and I have to say, the peanut butter fudge sundae, fantastic!! From there we took a little drive through the Indiana back roads, it was a really great time.

Sunday, well as we all know I broke my glasses, so Momma Butler saw a sale and thought we should check it out. So we went and she was trying to help me find a new pair. I love her for trying but the things she was picking out looked like something Paul's grandma would wear. Finally I found the pair, got them done in an hour. Which meant we had an hour to pass in the mall. Well Momma Butler found another sale at a store I would normally not go in. But this really nice shirt caught my eye. I will say this, when they have sales in America, they have SALES!!!!!! The shirt was normally $45.00, I got it for $9.00! I never find anything at these sales, but I needed some nice interview clothes. Momma Butler and I started scouring the racks I walked out of there with three outfits, for get this $60.00..that is unheard off!!! Dress pants which were normally $40 were on sale for $8.00!!! And they actually look really good!!! Another fantastic day! Plus I could tell Momma Butler was enjoying picking out clothes for me. I have to admit there were a few things I lied and told her they didn't fit, so that I wouldn't have to tell her I just didn't like it. I didn't want to disappoint her. We had a great time. It was a fantastic weekend. It's always hard to leave, but we had lots to look forward to, we were finally going to see our new home which we forgot what it looked like since we weren't there since April. Champaign IL, would be our next stop on our mini mid-west tour.