Insect and Spider Identification: Brown Recluse?, 1 by verickson

verickson wrote:
Hello,

I am a single mom who bought a house 2 years ago in Iowa. In the last 2 days my daughter and I have found a large spider that is dark brown, big bubble butt and no real distinguished markings in our garage. The things are huge. I have not seen them on the walls only running along the floor. Everyone I've talked to points to a Brown Recluse. Any idea if they are right? Spiders (even the tiny ones) scare the heck out of me as it is so I'm hoping the suggestions are wrong.