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Volume 146
December, 2018
President’s Message Season’s Greetings!
I hope the holidays find everyone happy and well. If you’re like me, you look forward to this
time of year and celebrating traditions with family and friends. Your TMAA family has decided
to start a new tradition of our own.
Our December TMAA Newsletter will be a little different. Each member of your TMAA Board
is submitting an article with their favorite traditions. Additionally we are sharing our favorite
Christmas recipes.
In my closing address as your TMAA President, I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday as
well as a prosperous and bright New Year.
Excelsior!
Gaye McClellan, RN
President
New Christmas Tradition
A few years ago as my son became an adult and spent more time at the girl friends’ house over the holidays, our usual Christmas traditions changed. In fact, I got really sad when there was nothing happening for us on Christmas Eve. So my brother in law (and neighbor at the time) suggested we go downtown for dinner and see the lights. Well if you know anything about San Antonio and its’ downtown, then you know there’s always a party happening there. It was absolutely wonderful! I really thought we’d be lone rangers at dinner on Christmas Eve, but OMG it felt like the whole city was there celebrating. We had drinks, soaked up all the decorations and holiday cheer, and ate a delicious Mexican dinner at Mi Tierra before walking the streets to enjoy all the lights and city excitement.
Everyone was in holiday dress and had cheer galore, which was just what I needed. This year we plan to include a horse drawn buggy ride as part of our evening fun. Plus, there is the river barge ride to enjoy too where lights are abundant. So if you find yourself with feelings of emptiness or just need a change in traditions, drive down to San Antonio and enjoy my town. Its excitement is contagious! Now I look forward to this new tradition every Christmas Eve.
Debbie Braddock Website and Membership Chair
Christmas Memories Baking Christmas goodies with my mother is one of my fondest childhood memories. When school let out for the holidays, we would go to the grocery store and stock up on flour, sugar, eggs, chocolate chips, nuts, and butter. We made fudge, cookies, and banana nut bread. Our house smelled wonderful! We used recipes from my mother’s Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. I can still picture the red and white checkered cover on it and pages stained from stray cookie batter. I recently told my mother that I would like to inherit that cookbook. She seemed surprised that I would want something so old and battered, but the memories associated with that book are priceless to me. Below is a recipe from that old cookbook, that I still use:
Banana Nut Bread Ingredients: 1/3 cup of shortening 1 teaspoon baking powder ¾ cup of sugar ½ teaspoon salt 2 eggs 1 cup mashed bananas 1 ¾ cup sifted flour ½ cup chopped nuts ½ teaspoon of baking soda Cream together shortening and sugar; add eggs and beat well. Sift together dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture alternately with banana, blending well after each addition. Stir in nuts. Pour into well greased loaf pan and bake in a 350 degree oven for ~ 45 minutes, or until done.
This is a favorite photo of my mother, Linda McCutchen (left) cooking with my Aunt, Joyce Posey.
Shonna Macaulay Vice President and Bylaws Committee
More Christmas Traditions and Recipes
Our tradition dates back to 2004 and our first Christmas in our new home. Due to scheduling
issues, we couldn’t leave town to celebrate with my family. In the course of commiserating with
coworkers we both found out that others were without Christmas Eve plans. So we invited our
coworkers over for cocoa and cookies. Unsure of how easily folks from diverse fields and
backgrounds would converse, we put one of my favorite movies on The Whiz to play in the
background.
Our cocoa recipe has been handed down from generations harking back to our Great-Grand
Uncle Internet.
Spiked and Spiced Hot Chocolate Recipe
Serves 4
4 c whole milk
5 oz bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 tbsp regular cocoa powder, plus extra for sprinkling
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp ground chili powder
Finish with a shot (3oz) Baily’s Irish Cream or Godiva chocolate liqueur.
Place all ingredients in large saucepan and stir to combine. Set over medium heat and bring to a
simmer, then lower heat and whisk vigorously with a balloon whisk to froth up slightly. For a
creamier texture use an immersion blender for 30 seconds. Once mixture is steaming hot, serve
in mugs with marshmallows and a sprinkling of extra cocoa powder.
To make a cocktail: Add one ½-ounce shot of the spirit of your choice above per cup to the hot
chocolate mixture just before removing from heat. Whisk well to incorporate then pour and
serve.
Likewise, the Mexican Wedding Cookie (these cookies are served more at Christmas time than
weddings) recipe is off of a bag of HEB all-purpose flour.
1 C Butter, softened
½ C Powdered Sugar
1tsp Vanilla
2 C Flour
¼ tsp Salt
½ C Pecan pieces
Additional powdered sugar for dusting.
Preheat oven to 350 and line two cookie sheets with foil.
Combine butter, sugar, vanilla using an electric mixer on high, about 2 minutes.
Slowly add flour, salt, and then pecans, folding with a spatula.
Shape into two rolls about 1.25” in diameter. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the freezer for 30
minutes.
Cut dough into ¼” slices and roll into balls. Place the balls 1” apart on the cookie sheet. Back 15
minutes or lightly brown. Watch closely as these burn quick.
Remove from baking sheet and roll in powdered sugar. Allow to cool for 15-30 minutes and then
roll in powdered sugar again.
Oh, one additional note. Everyone got along well and conversed freely. So, the following year we
decided to dispense with “The Wiz.” Our guests were not having it. Now the movie is as much a
part of our tradition as the cocoa and cookies.
Gaye McClellan, RN
President
Stay tuned for more info about our new social
media pages.
Shop Smart
The holiday season is upon us. If you’re like me, you prefer on-line shopping to battling the crowds at the mall. Shopping online is convenient, but it comes with risks. Below are some tips to consider while surfing the net for that perfect gift.
Tips to Protect Yourself from Fraud & Disreputable Sellers
Update your computer. Avoid
potential threats by installing the
latest updates and patches for your
Internet browser, operating system
and anti-virus/malware protection.
Shop with familiar retailers. Make
your purchases from companies with
whom you have a good history. If
your gift search leads you away from
these stores, buy only from websites
that have a good, established
reputation for high-quality customer
service and security.
If it seems too good to be true, it
probably is. Not all deals are scams,
but if they’re offered by unknown
companies, consider whether the
deal is worth the gamble. Before you
buy, do a quick online search to
confirm the vendor’s legitimacy and
reputation.
Use credit cards for online
purchases. Most credit cards offer
guarantees against fraud that debit
cards do not, giving you an extra
layer of protection against would-be
thieves.
Remember – “S” means secure.
Check the retailer’s URL for either
https or shttp at the beginning, e.g.
https://www.exampleshoppingsite.co
m or
shttp://www.examplediscountshop.c
om . If you do not see the “s,” cancel
the transaction.
Remain vigilant after the holidays.
Review your credit card and/or bank
statement for unauthorized
transactions. The sooner you take
action, the more likely you are to
recover your funds.
Report Fraud
If you have problems during a transaction, try to resolve them directly with the seller, buyer or site operator. However, if you continue to have trouble, file a complaint with:
Federal Trade Commission
Your state Attorney General
Bureau of Consumer Protection
Better Business Bureau
Additional Resources Shopping Online – OnGuard
Online
Avoid the 12 Scams of the
Holidays Infographic – McAfee,
Inc.
Shonna Macaulay Vice President and Bylaws Committee
Sausage Egg Casserole Ingredients:
1 package refrigerated crescent rolls OR 1 can Grands Jr biscuits (10 in can)
2 – 1 pound roll of sausage, crumbled, seasoned, browned and well drained (choose your own heat on sausage; I used 1 hot and 1 mild)
7 eggs, cracked and whipped
1 cup milk
2 cups mozzarella/cheddar blend
Unwrap crescent rolls (or flatten and stretch biscuits) and place in greased 9 x 13 casserole. Press together perforations to make crust on bottom and push dough up onto sides of dish. Place browned sausage on bottom crust. Mix whipped eggs and milk and pour over sausage. Sprinkle top with cheese. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake uncovered at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes. Remove dish from oven and allow to set for 10 minutes before serving. Variations: Can add green onions, mushrooms, spinach or tomatoes to meat when browning. Serve with fresh fruit and have pico or hot sauce for additional flavor.
This would be great to have Christmas morning. It could be baking while you are opening all your presents with family, or while sitting around the tree and enjoying the lights and your company.
Happy Holidays from my table to yours. Be safe and feel blessed! - Debbie Braddock
I have been a nurse for 25 years, but I am constantly amazed at the technological advances we continue to see in our healthcare. I recently moved to Longview, Texas and I have learned about a new procedure that is being utilized at the Center for Breast Care of Longview Regional Medical Center, in addition to the typical screening mammography and it is used for women with dense breast tissue. It is called ABUS, which stands for Automated Breast Ultrasound. ABUS – What is it and what does it do? The ABUS creates ultrasound images of the entire breast. The procedure is designed to display cancer in dense tissue that may not be seen with mammography. How does it work? Automated Breast Ultrasound uses ultrasound technology to quickly produce images of the breast and does it in a comfortable manner. The increased advantage of this tool is that it captures images of the entire breast. Together these images create a comprehensive view for the radiologist to review; and increases the chance of finding cancer early. Steps for this procedure:
1) The patient lays on their back on an exam table. Foam/towel are used in strategic areas
to evenly distribute the breast tissue.
2) A layer of lotion is applied to the breast.
3) The ultrasound scanner is firmly positioned on the breast but the difference with the
ABUS compared to a typical mammogram is that it is comfortable and doesn’t create
the expected pain or discomfort we have come to expect with our yearly breast exams.
4) Excess lotion is removed, and the exam is repeated on the other breast.
5) The whole procedure usually takes about 30-40 minutes.
Things to know/understand: The ABUS is not necessary for all women but if you have heard your physician say you have dense breast, it would be a good idea to discuss it with your physician. If this procedure is ordered for you – be sure to discuss with your insurance provider to confirm they provide insurance coverage for this procedure. In addition to be such a promising new technology that can help find breast cancer sooner in women with dense breast tissue, it was approved by the US FDA in 2012 for screening use. The ABUS can be used by women who have silicone and saline breast implants but can’t be used by someone who has a pacemaker. The ABUS hasn’t been around very long so its existence is not known by all physicians.
Coding information: The codes to use reimbursement need to be verified with the facility as one code may apply to breast ultrasound but doesn’t distinguish between screening or handheld and automatic. CPT 76641 – Ultrasound breast, unilateral, real time with image documentation, including axilla when performed, completed CPT 76642 - Ultrasound breast, unilateral, real time with image documentation, including axilla when performed, limited Modifiers:
ICD-10:
Julie M. Diggins, Nominations
Thrifty Tip
While doing your holiday shopping, did you know you can earn cash back on online purchases at many popular stores? Next time you decide you want to place an order you may want to consider using eBates or TopCashBack. Both of these websites offer anywhere from 1 – 10% cash back on your
online purchases, and sometimes more. Just start from the eBates or TopCashBack website, and click on or search for the retailer you’re looking for. It will take you to the retailers website, just like you’re used to seeing, but they will track your purchase. You can even use coupons and promo codes to save even more. Once you reach a certain threshold they’ll cut you a check. It’s that easy.
Katrina Fleming Newsletter Chair
DIY Sugar Scrub
Homemade gifts can be some of the best, most thoughtful ones you can give (not to mention,
easy on your pocketbook). Here’s a recipe for a DIY Sugar Scrub that your friends will sure to
love.
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup oil (olive or coconut work nice)
Essential oils (peppermint will make it festive)
1 small wide-mouth mason jar
Mix ingredients and pour into mason jar. Decorate your jar with Christmas ribbon or gift tags.
Bam, you’re done! Get more recipes on WellnessMama.com.
Keeping in Touch
Please take time out to drop a line, a card, an email, or make a phone call to Linda Hempfling, our TMAA member and previous treasurer. She misses her TMAA family and all the interaction she had with us. She was so happy to receive the card we signed for her at the seminar, and the seminar treats I sent with it. She can be reached at: Madisonville Care Center, 411 E. Collard, Madisonville Texas 77864. Her phone number is: 936-349-0651. Also keep in mind and reach out to Neta Morse, another retired TMAA member and past president. She is doing much better physically, but misses her TMAA friends also.
Her address is 1512 Tulip Drive, Arlington Texas 76013. I know both of these ladies would love hearing from you when you can squeeze in minute to reach out.
Debbie Braddock Website and Membership Chair
Membership Memos
Happy Holidays to all of you! We wrap up the year having 41 members. All of you should have received your directory and membership cards, if not please let me know. We had one additional member sign up at the time of the conference, so please transfer her name and contact info into your directory. I will have it listed at the bottom of my article for easier cut and paste. I learned that I mis-spelled a street address on Julie Diggins, so please correct that to read “3808 Summerset Court”. If there are any other mistakes, please email me so we can get the word out in the next newsletter. Would like to send a Thank You out to all of you that attended the Fall Seminar. It’s always so good to see and visit you once a year. Especially thank you to our out of state members that made the trip. I hope you learned a lot and enjoyed our Texas Hospitality…we surely enjoyed you! Reminders to renew your membership will be sent out in January 2019, so after the holidays, put TMAA dues into your budget and make TMAA a priority! We look forward to having everyone back next year.
Hope you have safe and happy holidays, and remember how blessed we are so give thanks every day.
Louise M. Allen
RN, CMAS
11823 Rue Saint Lazare Court
Tomball, TX 77377
Ph: 281-320-7542
Cell: 832-265-7444
wzywoo@gmail.
Conifer Health Solutions
20171 Chasewood Park
Houston, TX 77070
Ph: 832-534-5920
Fax:
Email:
Debbie Braddock Membership Chair
PRESIDENT Gaye McClellan, RN [email protected] 832-248-5144 PRESIDENT ELECT/ EVENT COORDINATOR Debra Moore [email protected] 281-437-4499 VICE PRESIDENT/ BYLAWS & STANDARDS Shonna Macaulay, RN, BS, CCM, CPHM [email protected] 210-386-7593 TREASURER Barbara Thompson, RN [email protected] 210-846-2736 SECRETARY Sharia Stabler, LVN [email protected] 936-394-6030 PARLAMENTARIAN Dr. Martha Hahn PHD
NURSE PLANNER Connie Vaughn, RN, BSN, CMAS, COC [email protected] 832-483-7940 PROGRAMS Shirley Combs, RN, CMAS [email protected] 512-264-0814 HISTORIAN Nancy Odem, RN [email protected] 972-227-4470 MEMBERSHIP/WEBSITE Debbie Braddock, RN, CMAS [email protected] 210-341-7900 NOMINATIONS Julie Diggins, LVN [email protected] NEWSLETTER Katrina Fleming [email protected] 210-663-7610