It's wonderful to be part of such a terrific family.

The intent of this, separate, "Bulletin Board" page is to make it a little easier to share our experiences, thoughts and even jokes and stories with one another. While my goal from the beginning was to include a BB like this, events overtook plans and we went in a different direction. I did learn a lot, however, from getting Grandma's Update Page organized, so it's time to move ahead here. Please feel free to use this page as a sort of Sticky Yellow Note, as a postcard to family, or whatever. Just keep in mind that EVERYONE can see what you write, including all of our Grandmas, if they so choose.

First order of business. Family chat: Date and Time suggestions, please.

What a cool idea!I suggest Sunday evening say 7pm my time for a chat. Weekends work well. Also a big hello to everyone from Josh in Taiwan. He can get email, check the secured section of the site for his address. He would also love regular mail, a letter can go with a normal first class stamp. Call me for a mailing address.

Tom, I started looking at Medicare and have more questions than answers. Cindy says mom has part B insurance. If I understand right, she must be paying a monthly premium for that, correct? Also, does she have Medicaid? I think she would be eligible. I know Jane does. I looked into the care center in Afton. They are not a Medicare participating facility. Also if I'm getting it right, Medicare will pay for skilled nursing needs ie respiratory/dialysis etc, but not custodial care like dressing,bathing,bathroom assistance etc in a nursing home setting. It looks like the longer she stays in the hospital, the higher her share of the cost will be. It goes up significantly after 60 days. Maybe we should be talking to someone with experience like a billing person at the hospital. What do you think?

I agree with Nancy. What I've learned so far here is that Medicare pays for up to 20 days of rehab after the hospitalization. After that it becomes the family responsibility. What does it mean that the Afton Care Center is not a medicare participating facility?

George, did you mean May 22nd? Is time slipping away from you so quickly?

All you artists out there. We need a logo. A picture or drawing that uniquely captures the spirit of the family. My artistic talents are amply on display already, so you can easily see why I need help here. Thanks in advance.

May, June, Who's keeping track? Besides, I have the power to EDIT anything you say…..

I have a great photo of Mom and Dad that might make a good logo for our site. It was taken up Grover Park many years ago, I was about 14 years old. Jerry Chandler Sr took pics of all of us, you may remember the day. Problem, I have no way to scan it and send it on. Suggestions?

Nancy, Mail it to me, I'll scan it and send it back.

Nancy and family. The person I spoke with was the medicare/medicaid biller at our county hospital. She explained to me that medicare is the federal medical program we get at age 65. Medicaid is a state program, each state is a little bit different. Previously she plugged in moms medicare number directly into the medicare system and it showed she has both A and B which can be taken directly out of her check so she does not need to make a payment. That is what the system showed. She said A pays inpatient for 60 days and B pays the doctor with a $912 deductible. After 60 days up to 90 days there is a daily co-pay of $228 and 91 to 150 days a larger co-pay. After 150 days mom is responsible for all cost inpatient. She said medicaid will often pay the copays so we need to contact the Wyoming dept of health and welfare and apply. She said we may be able to do that on line. Again each state is different. She should quality for the medicaid services. When mom goes to outpatient services everything changes. She suggested going to the medicare.gov website and looking at that information. She said it also has a great search and question area. I called Jenny again today and had her pull mom up in the system and it does show her having both A and B so unless mom cancelled the B $78.20 is coming out of her social security checks each month to pay for that. It is quite complicated and Jenny is very helpful but suggests we apply for the medicaid through Wyoming. I will look into this when I get back to work Monday. My indigent department can help as they deal with medicare/medicaid in Idaho. This should get us started and if I can help answer anymore questions let me know. I would have gotten back sooner but I just spent a wild four days with my 93 year old grandmother. My mom and I ended up having to call 911 and after spending some time in the hospital with her we had to put her into a long term care facility so we are learning many things about the care system. Maturing is pretty interesting. Cindy

Oh, mother also has a perdiem policy through Physicians Mutual that I don't know a whole lot about but they said it paid a flat $82 per day room benefit/accute care. Jenny said to check with them. Sometimes you have to bill that yourself but she said the check should go to mom so that could possbily be used towards her co-pays as well.

Thanks Cindy, that is good news. I didn't know about the other policy. I spent some time on the Medicare web site yesterday. It is quite helpful but I couldn't find anything on what may happen to Mother's personal assets, ie would the government seize them and under what conditions.I'll keep looking.

The Physicians Mutual policy is long-term care insurance (which is what the company I work for sells). LTCI is purchased, much like life or health insurance, as an indiviudal policy.Here's what I've learned about "Asset-Grabbing". The gov't. pays the monthly bill for nursing facility costs, but, at the person's death, they will attempt to recoup as much of that cost as possible from the person's estate. So, if the stay was 12 months at $5,000 per month, they'll want $60,000 from the estate. If the costs exceed the estate, the feds eat the difference. The trick is that any transfer of assets out of the person's estate prior to death is only valid if it occurs 3 years or more before thedate the person enters the facility. This is called the "Look Back Period".

Would a sale of the property at fair market value be considered a transfer of assets? Would the "look back" rule then apply?

Probably not. The idea is that they want to prevent sham gifts.

Hey all, I may have to leave early from the Sunday evening chat. But I will be there. 6pm PDT, correct? Love to all!

Jack, Your math is impeccable

Wait a second I'm becoming confused. Who is the smart one in this family? I suppose every 5 years we should run a consensus to determine thoughts and opinions regarding who is who and what roles they fill. Perhaps I’ve gained enough age and a small degree of wisdom, compared to you all, to nominate myself as the fisherman of the family. I know that you’ll argue pops however I did spend the last weekend of April catching 61 fish on the green river. It was for the most part a feisty catch and release outing, I can say I didn’t starve. And I agree Unca Jack, your math skills are putting you a nose ahead of competition in the running for the smarts of the family!

Allan, your opening remark in the last message is very telling. Becoming confused automatically puts you out of the running for smartest. As for best fisherman, I have never felt the need to pit myself against the wits and abilities of a fish so I don't really care who gets that honor. Seriously, I am not the oldest or youngest or even middle child. I am not the smartest, most successful, most talented or most accomplished. But I have a title, luckiest. I get to be a part of this amazing family.

Well Allan, I think you have earned, or deserve the title of fisherman in the family. Aunt Nancy, being a parent automatically puts you into the 'smartest, most successful, most talented, and most accomplished' catagory in my opinion!! For those of you that are pesty-mistic about luck, learn to live...

I agree that being part of this family is a very good thing. And I concede that Allan is a better fisherman than I am. It is important, though, to keep in mind who it was who taught him to fish. And also who it is who has the power to EDIT any and all posts here. I suppose that calls for a promise to use that power only for good--things like correcting spelling or removing a post if you change your mind later. As I get more experience with this stuff, I should be able to make an editing function available so you can do that yourself.

Nobody has ever said that about my math skills. I must show this to my wife. Impeccable! I've never been impecced before.

I'm working on the edit function, but it turns out I overlooked a critical point back there when I was setting all of this up. Apparently, I'm losing ground in the "Smart" department. So .... while it will eventually be possible to edit/delete posts individually, it's not going to happen today.

Ahh so, it appears that I've dubbed myself as being the "confused that can fish" in the family. Aunt Nancy you certainly put a smile on my face. The evolution of those smart fish has really come a long way since the last time you dueled the species. By the way, when are you going to bring those lads of yours out to the country? Your welcome any time and it’s only about 2.5 hours N.E. of your fine city. It's an amazing time of year here with 75 degree temps and 10 feet of snow in the high country. Locals say this hasn't happened for 20 years and they are very excited at the prospect of hopefully avoiding the flood and putting a damper on this drought for a while. Uncle George, you sure are asserting your power of editing here lately. Don't let the power go to your head! Hehe, anyway it's really good for me to be able to stay in touch with you all as I've found myself bogged down with work along way from family.

Well Allan, if you caught 61 fish in one weekend in the same place i don't really think that you were "deuling" the smartest ones so, just keep that in mind. HAHAHA

Good stroke Bill, Do you think he caught the same fish 61 times?

I know that I cannot quality for the "smartist" title untill I can remember to hit the tab and not the enter key to start my messages. I found that I can get out of bed at 1 a.m. Phx time, catch a flight on a two prop plane, sit around in Pittsburg for a couple of hours, sit on a flight full of barking dogs and screaming children for 4.5 hours, and return to 110 Degrees of heat and not die. I will refer the fishermen children that are mine to comment, Allan. You may receive some flak from Jerry and Jim, deserved or not. Sure do love and miss all of you. Will keep you posted on the kitchen progress. The cupboards look weird without counter tops. Teaching what I do to a group of doctors and assistants proved to be scary, mostly fun, and really rewarding. I have been invited to return in September, so I think that means that I did okay. Is the chat 6 pm mt or pacific time? Jo

The chat is at 7:00PM Nancy time, so if you are in the same time zone she is, that's also 7:00pm for you. If not, it isn't. My plan is to log in around 4 and wait to see what happens :)

When you all learn how to fish, and learn how to spell, (Jo it's qualify not quality) and learn how to do math,then you will be half way to the level I left some time ago.

Still wrestling with the intermittent problem of the dreaded "Appointments Only" page when you try to submit a post. I finally experienced it myself and have a little better insight into it. The post is actually being submitted even though you get the error page. So, if you hit "Refresh" button, or if you go back and submit the same message again from the same page, you'll end up with multiple copies. Until I find the culprit and fix it, please try this instead, if you get the error: 1. Use the "BacK" arrow to get to the page where you composed your message and copy it (just in case it didn't get posted). 2. Return to the Home Page. This will clear the message. 3. Return to the message page to see if the message actually did get posted. If it did, you're golden. If not, paste it back into the message box and try again. Again, my apologies for the inconvenience.

I'm waiting, on this site until 7:00 NST so that I don't space it off and remember tomorrow morning. I just like fishing and am lucky to be able. I realize the title doesn't belong to me, just casting a bit of fun. Really just trying to lure everyone (and your poles) to my home for a visit. Ok read you all later!

I think I found my problem--apparently spelling does count. :( Please let me know if you get the error again.

The same back at you, Allan. I know two guys who are more than willing to take you salmon fishing.... And they both know what they are doing.

Unka, would love to try fishing for those good tasting salmon. I think some day me and the old man will have to take a trip to visit you and fish! What time of year is best? Hopefully late late fall or early early spring.

I'll have to ask Alex and Alex what's best. BTW: What do you consider "early, early spring." Two months ago?

Yes, Catching 61 fish is impressive. But, catching 1 fish in a place and time where no one else is catching any, that is priceless my friends. Watching the fish come up and take the bait, is worth leaving with only that one fish. To be a fisher of souls like our fine young Josh, is to leave we ordinary men behind and step into a new level lifes great pursuits. For Amanda and Emma, god bless you and my love and best wishes to you and your families. We mere men think we are strong and impressive. But, the women of this family and any other are the glue and the true strength. Allen. I will see your 61 fish, and raise you 62 when I get a chance to meet you on the green river. 'Give me a couple days head start' ;-P Gramma. There is not a more pure or simple love than that of grandchild for their grandparents. Words cannot express how loved and appreciated you. Get well soon. My love to all. Jim

Somehow I've been kicked out of chat and can't get back in. Bummer! Twas nice while it lasted. Take care everyone!

That's great news, Em. Please give her our love.

I just spoke with a Health and Family Services rep in Afton. she says the process for applying for Medicaid is quite lengthy and will require 2 or perhaps 3 visits to her office to go over all the material and resources available and a health assessment on Mom will need to be done after she is back in Wyoming. If she stays in Idaho, all this would need to be done there. She can provide us contact info if needed.I will contact Sam and see if he can go in to see her.

Can you please pick a family chat time that does not coincide with my favorite tv showtimes! Just kidding! LOL! I would like to participate, but Wednesday night at 7 just happens to be my favorite tv night. Well, maybe I can sneak in on the commercials. Could this be a hereditary condition?

Renee. If you sign in, you can influence when we schedule the next one.... And just out of curiousity, what is on TV at 7PM on Wednesday in AZ?

Amazing. Absolutely amazing. I just spend the last hour 'catching' up on this new (it is new, right?) board. I am quite impressed by the amount of wit and wonder this family can 'catch and release', wouldn't you all agree? Love being able to keep in touch with you all! HBWM, thanks again for those brains (yes, to me, you will always be the Smart One). Love, DnA~JnT P.S You were kidding when you said you got the error message too, right? Come on, don't let me down HB!!

Yes, Amanda. It caught me finally and that is a good thing, because it helped me figure out at least one part of the problem. Let's just say that spelling really does count, especially in code. ;)

Rock and I are planning a trip to Cody to see his mother and then to Afton for memorial day. I will miss the family chat but I will leave my oldest son to fill in for me. Seeing us close has made him want to visit his mom and his father's grave.

Congratulations Beth!!! I am very proud of you dear one. It hasn't been easy for you to go through this special time in your life with the other happenings around you. My very best to your Mom, I love her and hope she is getting better.

This is a list of things that I found out to report on: 1. Hospice is not an option for mom for in home care, they only deal with terminally ill people. 2. There is a company out of Idaho Falls called Apprea who provide durable medical equipment i.e. oxygen suplies, and send rep. to home to train patient. They are also on call for emergencies. 3. There is an assisted living center in Thayne who have CNA's available for skilled nursing in home. Medicare pays for this skilled care. 4. As we allready know, medicare will not pay for custodial care in home. 5. Nita Hirschi is a former CNA who has offered to contract with us to provide limited custodial care for mom in her home if needed. 6. The application for medicaid needs to be completed in office in Afton and will require two to three visits they also provide info on all resources available for long term care. they prefer to speak to us face to face not over the phone. I will have one of my boys sit in on the family chat tommorow.

Thanks, Nancy.

I wanted to tell everyone that for the first time in 6 months I actually made it into the forest and utilized muscles I'd forgotten existed. There was a time I could put it out of mind... leave it all behind... that time is gone. Sad story. Love you all! Oh and Amanda and Em, just because you kids are pretty much my hero's, don't let it go to your heads. I'm still bigger (just kidding Ike & Derrick!), but I am. :)

Allan, just wait. It gets better with each passing year. Pretty soon you won't even want to walk to the mail box alone. :)

Hello, I finally figured this page out. I think I am the blonde of the family, but I guess there has to be one. I'm hoping that Dad and I can get chat on Wednesday, but with graduation pracgice and everything else, helping mom, and wedding plans for Katey, who knows. Plans have changed, and hopefully Dad and I will come on Sunday or Monday. I send my love to all my gifted family members.

I want to climb up on my soapbox for a minute, if you'll indulge me. On Grandma's page, Amanda made a reference to "Uncle George's website" and I want to set the record straight on how I feel about that. This is, in fact, OUR website. And there is a practical reason for making that distinction. Because it is ours, we can all participate and contribute in any way we see fit (within the boundaries of good taste and civility, of course) and to any degree we want. Over time, it should evolve with input from everyone; if others want to get more involved in maintaining or developing things, I'd like to see that happen as well. On the other hand, if it really were mine, it would very quickly become "all about me" and it would lose most of its value to everyone else. And that would mean I'd failed in one of my goals for the site. So, while I get to have all of the fun of pulling it together, it really isn't "mine". Of course, I can't help putting my stamp on the look and feel of things, but one of my hopes is that someone with more artistic bent will want to make it look prettier. Thanks, and now I need to get down off this soapbox, which is starting to look a bit shaky, and even a fall from this low height would hurt a lot.

Wanted to say happy birthday to Amanda. Sorry I'm not there. I'm hiring, training, and burning bug killed slash in two of our flooded campgrounds. I hope you have a good 30th sis and don't worry about it! Life happens! I'll try giving a call tonight if we get in early.

Happy Birthday Amanda!! We love and appreciate you. There are lots of jokes about getting older, but in our hearts you will always be a little girl called Manda Goose!

Happy Birthday Amanda. We love you.

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Amandy Sue, Happy Birthday to YOU! Love you!

I'm working late. I may not be home in time to sign in.

oohh, thank you guys! So sweet of you all! I had a great day with my family, and just got home from a hot date (derick fed me snake bite jalapenos, wow spicy hot!!!)and I only feel a little bit older (massive heartburn from dinner; i guess i oughta get used to it!). If i could only wear my age as well as my brother does, i would be just fine! love to all. . .

Reference: George's post on Wednesday 5/25/2005 (PDT) Fact is It may be "our" website, but George is paying for the server capacity. I think whoever feels appreciative of the design and work and love put into this might want to send a few $ to help defray his expenses.

Because of my business, I would have to have the server anyway, so this is not a significant extra financial burden on me, at least not till we increase the traffic by a factor of about 100 times or so and they start to charge me more. However, I really appreciate the thought. If you want to make a contribution somewhere, how about a donation to the American Lung Association?

Of course I missed the opportunity to wish Manda happy b-day so better a day late than never. hope dinner did't keep you up all night. Again, we love and appreciate you more than you can imagine. Kiss the girls for us. Love Auntie Jo

Amanda, sorry for no call sis! Will try again tonight. So how does it feel to have breathed 30 years of atmosphere? Take care!

Hey, sorry we missed you. Question for U. George. Do you have to have Outlook Express to chat? Graduation was great, I've never stayed up all night before!!! Love to all!

Hey, Beth. Congrats. I thought graduation was tonight, though.... You only need to click the link, register and log in to chat here.

I added a few links to Grandma's page. Check them out and let me know if you think they are appropriate. Thanks. Also, I'm trying to "fix" a few things today, so if you get strange pages every once in a while, be patient.

If you find something that doesn't work right, please let me know. I fixed some things until they didn't work any more and then I had to re-fix them again. I'm tired and it's hot and I need to go play in the sun for a while.

One of the features of the hosital website that George has linked to is that you can email Grandma Hepworth from there. There is no means for the patient to respond to your email, and there is no privacy with yours to her; the staff print it out and take it to her. All you need is her name and room number. If you don't have the room number, contact one of her children.

Doh. I didn't even see that link on the IERMC page yesterday. Thanks, Jack, for spotting it. Let's flood her with messages.

Let me know what you think of Jane's page.

Where is Jane's page?

Check your email.

In case the email doesn't through to some of you... I emailed the state of Wyoming about the state song. They responded and are going to be sending me a copy of the music to "Wyoming" (if that is what it is). Hopefully I will be getting it in the mail soon.

I don't remember Elmer's Tune, does anyone remember any of the words?

disregard previous note, I found the lyrics on line, now I'll just need some help with the tune so we can sing it at home

What is an "Elmers" tune?

Hey all! Hope everyone is doing well. i am planning on taking the girls to see grandma sometime tomorrow. Wanted to go today, but am spending the day washing every bit of laundry that might have went camping with us, thanks to a skunk I named 'Smelly A*%' (it was our terrier named Roach that got sprayed oh my disgustedness). Uncle HB, do you think you could, when you get a sec, make this page printable, as well? I think Granda would enjoy reading about the 61 fish-in-one-weekend 'tale' as well other kind words of family gospel! Thanks and love to all!

Wow this is great! Every day is Tuesday...if you like Tuesday's! LOL

One or two minor bugs ... Thanks for noticing.

Thanks Unc HB! Only 3 pages front & back this time! love to all!

Hey again. Sorry I missed your kind words during the latest chat! I wanted to say something about Memorial Day as I was trapped here working and unable to give anyone a handshake or really do much more than remembering those I've loved. I wish that grandma's brother Jack would happen to read this as I say thank you sir for those years of your life you gave to this great country. Although I've missed many chances of shaking your hand in appreciation, I've always known you as my grandma's brother the soldier! I'm sure you and my Uncle Bubba have so many good and bad stories, but Uncle Bubba did once say that those who talked the stories weren't really there. I'm not sure if any of you have watched a series of HBO movies titled 'Band Of Brothers' but you should if not. It's an amazing real life type movie that tells stories of some amazing givers who gave and gave of themselves so that we could all enjoy this love and freedom that sometimes takes gifts like this groverhepworths page to remember! Well I hope is well and I'm thinking about you all!

Thanks, Allan.

Yes, Thanks HB. You're awesome!

Next Project--Picture Pages. Send me YOUR pictures, please.

When a door is opened, I can't resist walking through it. Jack, tell us about the UHP on that long ago trip. I've never heard that story.

Amanda,try tomato juice on Roach if he is still aromatic. It is an old remedy but it works. Just rub it into his fur thoroughly and let it sit for just a minute, then give him a regular bath.:)

I'm bored today so I'm spending time at the computer. Please indulge me in a little bragging. David won the coveted "Mighty Trumpet Award" given by his band teacher for outstanding acheivment in the trumpet section of the Eisenhower Jr High Band. He really loves to play.

When Mom, Jane, and I went to Jo's for Christmas the first year after Dad died, Mom complained about how fast I was driving. Mom took a turn in Southern Utah. Needless to say she followed my example and exceeded the posted limit, HOWEVER, her "luck" was not as good as mine, and an UHP soon had her pulled over. Just as he got up to her window, she turned on her "Grandma" charm, and in her sweetest grandmotherly voice said, "Oh dang, oh dang, oh dang", and laughed a sweet granmotherly laugh, totally disarming the officer. "Do you know how fast you were driving, mam?", "Oh, yes officer, and I am sooo sorry and embarrased." "Well, slow down, and I'll let you go this time." I am in the backseat swimming for dear life to stay above the sticky, grandmotherly sweetness, and wondering how she got away with it. Mom never complained about my speed again.

Oops! Ok I officially have declared to my boss man that I'll be leaving duties behind to head for big wonderful Wyoming for the weekend. I have yard work, window washing, and some indoor cleaning on the agenda and now ask for you all to send any needs or ideas this way. I'll bundle up a rake and weed eater and head for god's country come friday evening. In the last 16 years of being away from home I've never looked so foreword to returning! I hope to find the clippers and gloves that don't fit in the same spot. How about entrance? Perhaps Uncle Sam?

Hey! Itis great to hear for you all. Dad I and Visited Grandma on Sunday, but this is the first chance I have had to write, because I have had to work at Chevron. It has been soo busy, with everything 50% off. For those of you who don't know, Chevron and Subway ARE CLOSING! Kind of sad, I know. Subway should reopen somewhere else though. Allan C. I am looking forward to seeing you, so you better stop by and visit. My Dad does have the key to the house and shed, so you will have to stop and visit to get them. Uncle George and Uncle Jack, sorry I missed you guys calls. I was at work and my phone at home, I got them about 9:30 that night, a little late for the chat. Love to all!!!

Beth, can't you just put the key in your mailbox or something? Hehe, not really! If all goes according to plan I should get into Afton sometime tomorrow evening (anywhere from 5:00 - 8:00). Thanks!

I think I forgot to pass this along but Bob McKuen tells me they are not currently providing any email service to clients at MRSI in Evanston. Sorry to those who tried sending email.

Hello to all! A really big (better late than never) CONGRATS to Beth and to David!! It's something else, little cousins growing up. My 'little Bubba' will be one on Wednesday, and I just can't believe it. What a year it has been for everyone, full of happiness, and heartache. But as they say, what doesn't kill us, only makes us stronger... and might I say Damn, what a strong family this is!! Oh yes, to Allan, you Rock bro! My love to all