That forest is huge and very rugged. Easy to hide a body if you can get it in there far enough. And if you can't, some unfortunate hunter finds it eventually.

They put a lock down on the Cannibal Killer news and probably won't allow press at the trial but I understand the evidence, what little I have heard about it, turned even the sturdiest stomachs. If it goes to trial it will be real horror movie type stuff.

So far so good here south of town.

And blankets. Blankets, blankets, blankets. You never have enough. They are so useful for comfort and shelter and moving injured people and covering up people. If your house does not survive the wind, your clothes will not either.

Stash some blankets.

I'm someone who likes to stand outside with a cold drink and a pair of binoculars during tornado season, but if you're nervous, make sure you have weather alert notifications set for your phone.

Maybe make a little bug out bag - spare set of clothes, flashlights, energy drinks and some water for your car.

Might not be a bad time to review/update your homeowner's insurance. Put all that stuff in a secure, heavy, locked box. Make a list in your phone of your insurance policy numbers and download and install that company's app if it's available.

Make a list of your medications and your doctor's name and number. Make the same list for your elderly parents and your kids.

Make sure you have a rally point or meeting place if your family is separated during a storm and if your phones aren't working. Make sure everyone knows if the house is demolished, to meet at this church or the school or Grandma's house. Make sure it's someplace everyone can find, even with a lot of landmarks and street signs missing.

It's maybe just a good time of the year to think about family safety in general and make a plan in case of any disaster or emergency.

But I know the price of the car, what it looks like, how it works and the dealer doesn’t sue me the minute I drive it off the lot. I can choose my car dealer. My car insurance company doesn’t dictate the type and model of car I need. I’ve also never had to purchase a car or be permanently disabled. I’ve never been given a car and then told I have to pay for it in ten days or risk losing my house. No car dealer has ever told me I was buying a Kia and then given me a Porsche and expected me to pay the difference. Our medical billing system is arbitrary and predatory. Buying a car is not.

What the shit?! They can’t do that!

I just can't imagine another business model, besides the mafia, where you just have to pay arbitrary amounts of money to some third party in order not to die.

I'm curious. Who estimated the amount due and did they refund any amount you overpaid for this "estimate."

The whole thing just sounds so scammy. Like "Here's what we think you are going to owe us after your insurance (that you pay for) pays us the amount we agreed this procedure will cost. Now you pay this arbitrarily determined difference or we'll wait a few months to remove that funky looking mole."

Is your surgeon going to offer some assurance as to the outcome of the surgery? I'm guessing not.

I super hate our health care system.

What? Rescheduled or cancelled? Can they do that?

They want you to make a deposit on your bill before your surgery? Is this a thing now? I've never heard of this.

Idk, I think we're a pretty well-heeled (healed?) group.

What you're feeling is part of growing up. You are in the process of creating your own identity apart from your parents. But yeah, JRA is pretty shallow for the most part.

You may not be able to convince your parents to change churches but you might have a friend who goes to a different church and go with them?

My parents go to Ridgecrest and it's pretty nice - big church, lots to do and they have an active youth ministry.

Okay, so I looked up Bear Book and Records on the Missouri Secretary of State's website. It shows Bear Book and Record Store was formed 5/1/1974 with a business address of 538 S. National Ave - which would be at the corner of S. National and E. Cherry.

I can hear this picture!

Do you have a certified copy of the judgment where you changed your name? I don't understand why they won't issue you a new transcript and diploma with that on record.

It's not in Springfield, but the Goodwill store on South Street in Ozark has a good selection of quality used clothing in plus sizes for men and women.

He was very gracious. We met almost all the celebrities and there were so many we had to split up. Mick Foley was a hoot! My husband met Corey Taylor (said he was super nice!). We met Keone Young (a joy!) and Doug Jones (lovely person)!

We prepurchased but one of our friends didn't so she was in that line FOREVER on Saturday morning.

So great! We had so much fun! I met the actual Hulk! It was a great Con and I was so happy to see it was so well attended. I can't wait for next year!

Nanu nanu.

The shield one! I'm not even crafty and mine turned out great!

You could visit the art museum. The Library Center usually has stuff going on. Catch a movie. See Avatar - that's almost four whole hours indoors with some tasty popcorn.

Or, do one of my favorite things and play Mall Walker Bingo. Make a little bingo card and fill it with things like: Lady Who Has Way Too Many Kids, Old Lady Mall Walking Group, Dude Holding His Wife's Purse, Clandestine Job Interview, Couple Holding Hands, Awkward Dad at Hot Topic, Embarrassed Guy at Victoria's Secret, Drug User Nodding Off. It's fun!

Where will all those homeless tacos go?

It’s a Hotel. Of Terror. What should it look like?