Severe Storm Outbreak/Malts versus Milkshakes

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
A major outbreak of severe weather along and ahead of the cold front pushing into the Ohio Valley and Mississippi Valley. As I write this, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for western Tennessee and western Kentucky. There were 3 tornadoes reported (3 in Missouri and 1 in Illinois) and several hail reports and dozens of severe wind reports. 2 people were injured in a Texas fireworks stand that was blown over with them inside.

Sunday that line of storms will continue marching eastward although I don't think it will be as severe. Look for rain and thunder from the northeast to the southeastern states.

Meanwhile on Sunday, there will be cool temperatures but a moderation in the midwest. I know where I am in Iowa, the high should reach the low 40s. Today we were in the 20s all day, after some snow showers very early.

There will also be snow showers in the Intermountain Region including Boise, Idaho and Montana, and Utah. The coldest spots will be the northern plains with highs in the 20s. The warm spot will be Florida with highs in the 80s.

Houston will be much more cool and comfortable on Sunday with highs in the 50s. There could be a sprinkle or two. Then look for sunshine and pleasant weather Monday and Tuesday with lows in the 40s and highs in the 60s. Enjoy!!!

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
The word is fire of fuego, pronounced FWAY-go. There is nothing nicer on a cold day than to sit by a nice warm fuego.

We had a sale of our English teaching video on Amazon!!! But, if you are reading this, you probably have English as your native language or primary language of use. And, I just know you want your young ones to learn Spanish while it is super easy for them to do so. One of the most entertaining ways is through our DVD for children, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. winner of two prestigious educational awards. So, order it now--from our web site www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, www.dololanguages.com, www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com, www.amazon.com, www.bestbuy.com, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. If you are more interested in a full immersion type product, go to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
Are one of those people who believe that malts are thickers than milkshakes? Well, I have it on good authority that they are about the same. My niece, Lindsay, is an experienced malt and shake maker, a retired Dairy Queen employee. She said that many customers order malts believing that the difference is that the malts are thicker. She wants everyone to know that the difference is simply that the malts have malt powder added. Now, I don't know how much they add, but I would suppose if you add enough, it could (theoretically) make the malt thicker. What do you think? I'm telling you, this is one of those things that could keep me awake at night.

OOhhh, thinking about shakes is making me cold. My in-laws have a wonderful fireplace and we had a rip-roaring warm, toasty fire today. It is sooooooooooooooo nice to set on the hearth and warm your back. Love it!

Stay warm (or cool depending on your preference).

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Bad Weather--Good for Me

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Threat of tornadoes early this Saturday morning across Kansas and Missouri. Looks for storms from the Ohio Valley into Texas on Saturday. It will be chilly with some snow in the midwest.
In Houston, another muggy day and then a cold front arrives by late afternoon Saturday. There will be some storms in the afternoon, possibly severe. Then, cooler weather Sunday through Wednesday.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
The word is birthday or cumpleaño, pronounced coom-pleh-ahn-YO. We went to my brother-in-law Dave's 50th cumpleaño celebration.

Here's a good new year's resolution--give your youngsters an edge through language learning. Order our Spanish language DVD for children, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. winner of two prestigious educational awards. So, order it now--from our web site www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, www.dololanguages.com, www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com, www.amazon.com, www.bestbuy.com, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. If you are more interested in a full immersion type product, go to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
We're in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Our plane was supposed to go through Chicago but because of ice, Southwest called off the stop there. So, we got to shave off that leg of the trip...nice for us but surely a disappointment for folks wanting to get to Chicago or wanting to leave Chicago to go to Omaha. It was a weird flight...only 10 passengers...we hung out with one of the flight attendants, just visiting and passing the time. I've never been on a flight with so few people. Kind of nice--we had all the crackers we could ever want. Ha! Ha!

Happy and safe travels everyone!

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Improving Travel Weather/Next Cold Front for Houston

HURRICANES AND MORE
Improved travel weather today around the country and it looks like Friday will be good too. Watch out Saturday as pre-frontal storms march across the midwest and southern plains. Figure to right shows the winter storm watches/warnings as I write this. Michigan has a snow advisory. Remember that the browns are for wind advisories/warnings.

Friday will be warm and balmy across the southern plains and the southeast. There will be a few thunderstorms possible from Texas over to Louisiana and northward into the Ohio Valley. Look for snow with some snow/rain mix around the Great Lakes and some snow over the Rockies. There will be some showers in Seattle and Portland, Oregon. Highs will be in the single digits (northern New England) and teens northern plains.

Houston will be muggy and there could be some fog overnight Thursday into Friday. Cold front arrives Saturday with some thunderstorms in advance. Then it will be lows in the 40s and highs in the 60s starting Sunday.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
The word is peace of paz, pronounced PAHZ. After all the excitement, Sarah is napping and I am filled with paz.

As you look ahead to the new year, what could be better than helping your young ones pick up a new language? Before the age of 9, their brains are geared for language learning and when they learn, they reap a multitude of benefits including improved cognitive development and memory. Our Spanish language DVD for children, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco is the recipient of two prestigious educational awards. So, order it now--from our web site www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, www.dololanguages.com, www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com, www.amazon.com, www.bestbuy.com, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. If you are more interested in a full immersion type product, go to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
A very Merry Christmas--I hope that you are enjoying the day surrounded by love.

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Best Way to Track Santa/Changes in Travel and Local Weather

HURRICANES AND WEATHER

Well, before I do anything else, let's get down to the important business of tracking Santa--here is the link you need to Norad--don't be fooled by imitations. It's really neat because they offer the tracking information in several languages.

http://www.noradsanta.org/

Happy Santa tracking! Ho! Ho! Ho!

Well, back to weather. There are some improvements--a cold front is marching into the eastern U.S. this Christmas Eve afternoon. And although there will be thunderstorms (and there is has already been a high wind report (causing damage) in McCreary, Kentucky--the line is moving fast enough that the storms should be over fairly quickly. It is actually a fairly mild today ahead of the front but it will be noticeably colder after the front passes.

One good thing is that aside from any ice that will freeze from leftover puddles, icing won't be a widespread problem for major population centers. So places like Boston and New York City should be okay for travel on Christmas Day (again watch for patches of ice early). The main trouble spots will be along the Great Lakes and in northern New England. Out west...still lots of winter weather advisories in place--mainly for the higher elevations.

Christmas Day, Thursday, will be in the teens for the northern plains--in the 30s and 40s across the northeast, 20s and 30s northwest, 50s southwest, 20s, 30s and 40s midwest, and 50s, 60s, 70s south and southeast. The wettest areas will be out west and in the Carolinas.

In Houston, we do have a weak cold front approaching. The bad news is that it really is weak. Looks like it will stall close to the coast and then head back north before most of us can even notice a dip in temperatures and humidity. So, we'll start the day in the upper 50s and end up in the 70s with the muggies returning by afternoon. The low clouds and fog will hang around. Stronger cold front arrives (with rain) on Saturday, bringing lows back down to the 40s and highs back down to the 60s.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
The word is anticipation or expectativa, pronounced x-spect-tah-TEE-vah. I can tell you firsthand from dealing with Sarah that expectativa is at an all time high the day before Christmas.

A special thank you to all of you for supporting our endeavor--Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. You believed in us, some of you participated in our shoots and many of you have spread the word about our award winning product. Please continue to tell your friends to go to www.frankandpaco.com and www.frankypaco.com. We are looking forward to many new developments with this line in 2009.

AND MORE
Received 2 packages from the U.S. Postal Service. They rang the doorbell and Sarah and I opened the door and caught the attention of the postal clerk err she drove out of sight. We shouted Thank You and Merry Christmas and she shouted Merry Christmas right back. And to all a good night!

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Winter Weather/Travel Troubles/La Posada

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
A wintry travel mess, especially for the Great Lakes and northeast. As I write this, there is freezing rain in Chicago. All of this will be marching eastward during Christmas Eve. So make sure you check with your airline. There are bound to be lots of delays and even cancellations.

The figure to the right shows the weather advisories as of the time I write this...so it is time sensitive. Please note the the brown areas are wind advisories only--not winter weather. Also, note that a couple items down is the color coded radar and that is looping to an up to date point.

A very cold day again on Wednesday for the northern tier of states with snow and freezing rain across the northeast. There will also be rain and even some storms across much of the east.

For Houston, another cool to mild day with some rain--a few thunderstorms are possible as a weak front moves through. It will be cooler and less humid on Christmas Day, but I think we will have trouble shaking free of the clouds. The next front arrives Saturday and it looks like there will be sunshine for at least part of the coming week.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
The word is present or regalo, pronunced ray-GAH-low. I think it is more fun to give a regalo than to receive one.

The gift of language is the gift that keeps on giving. You can be the bearer of such a wonderful thing by giving our award winning DVD, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. Order from our web site www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, www.dololanguages.com, www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com, www.amazon.com, www.bestbuy.com, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. If you are more interesting in a full immersion type product, go to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
Adriana Gutierrez, Spanish teacher and friend, sent me this wonderful information about a Spanish tradition called Las Posadas. This was celebrated by many of my friends in the Rio Grande Valley, where I grew up. Thank you Adriana!

LA POSADA
A wonderful Mexican Christmas tradition, LA POSADA literally translates in English as "the inn" or "the lodging" and symbolizes the journey of Mary and Joseph as they searched for shelter in Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus.

The nine-day celebration lasts from December 16 to Christmas Eve (Noche Buena or "Holy Night") and includes a candle-lit procession of children and parents reenacting Mary and Joseph's journey through Bethlehem.

The holiday ritual includes a lively and colorful pageant of children (the "pilgrims" or peregrinos ) - costumed as Joseph, Mary, angels, shepherds and the Three Wise Men - who travel from house to house until they reach a designated home where Las Posadas will be celebrated.

Upon arrival, the hosts or "inn keepers" meet the procession at the door to begin the holiday fiesta with an exchange of lyrics from the traditional Pidiendo Posada:

Outside Singers
En el nombre de el cielo (In the name of heaven), os pido Posada (I ask you for shelter), porque no puede andar (because my beloved wife) mi esposa amada (can continue no longer).

Inside Singers
Aqui no es meson (This is no inn), Sigan adelante (continue on your way). Yo no puedo abrir (I am not about to open.) No sea algun tunate (You may be a scoundrel.)

Upon opening the doors at the final stop, the tune changes, the Joseph, Mary and pilgrims enter,
and all sing these final verses in unison:
Entren santos peregrinos, peregrinos (Enter, holy pilgrims), reciban este rincón (receive this corner), y aunque es pobre la morada, la morada (for though this dwelling is poor), os la doy de corazón. (I offer it with all my heart.)

Soon, everyone begins celebrating with traditional songs & prayers - just before an explosion of merry making that includes Christmas music, piñata bashing and sweet treats!
On Christmas Eve, Las Posadas culminates in all-out feasting at the Cena de Noche Buena when families gather for Christmas Dinner.

Especially in northern Mexico - and in Mexican communities in USA - the festivities may include a Christmas tree, lots of presents, or even a visit by Santa. However, Three Kings Day or Epiphany on January 6 remains a traditional day for gift exchanges in Central and Southern Mexico and throughout Latin America.

Yes indeed...let us never forget the true meaning of Christmas!
Happy Holidays everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Freezing Rain Advisory/Severe Weather Threat/Poll Results/New Poll

A Freezing Rain is in effect for counties north of Houston until 6 am Tuesday morning. Here is the advisory from the National Weather Service.

MOISTURE WILL CONTINUE OVERRIDING THE COLD AIR AT THE SURFACE TONIGHT AND PRODUCE A CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION LATE IN THE EVENING HOURSAND OVERNIGHT. TEMPERATURES WILL PROBABLY BE IN THE 32 TO 36 DEGREE RANGE FOR MOST OF THE NIGHT...BUT COULD DROP TO OR BELOWFREEZING WHERE PRECIPITATION OCCURS. ONCE THE SURFACE TEMPERATUREREACHES 32 DEGREES...THE LIGHT RAINFALL WILL FREEZE ON CONTACT AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE SOME TRAVEL PROBLEMS ACROSS THE ADVISORYAREA. LIGHT ACCUMULATING ICE ON BRIDGES AND OTHER ELEVATED STRUCTURES SHOULD BE THE PRIMARY PROBLEM.

Low pressure is developing off the upper Texas coast. That combined with a warm front will warm us up on Tuesday and potentially bring some storms to the area. I think it is most likely that there will be rain. The National Weather Services is especially cautioning about waterspouts (offshore by definition).

The northern states are in the big chill. There is lots of wintry weather--see figure at right. Check your airline for delays--Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis will be trouble spots.

Houston, overnight will be cold. Then, look for a rapid warmup on Tuesday. A weak front will dip temperatures slightly on Christmas Eve...Christmas morning will start in the 50s and end near 70.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Sarah said we should do snowflake. I know we did snow, but humor me. So, the word (phrase) for snowflake is copo de nieve, pronounced COH-poh day knee-A-vay. Every copo de nieve is beautiful and completely unique.

See how fun that was...and it can be even more fun to learn Spanish when you are watching our entertaining and award winning DVD, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, www.dololanguages.com, www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com, www.amazon.com, www.bestbuy.com, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. If you are more interesting in a full immersion type product, go to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
Our poll about how you think our winter compares to normal is closed. That wasn't really fair for me to ask because officially we have just begun winter (remember that it began yesterday?). So sorry about that. Multiple answers were allowed: 80% of you think this winter is colder than normal, 0% think it is wetter, 20% think it is warmer and 40% think it is drier.

Just for fun, here are some statistics for November and December so far.
The average high for November was 73.3 The normal is 72.0. The average low was 51.6. The normal is 49.8. So, November was warmer than normal. There was 2.92 inches of rain--1.27 below normal.

So far this December, the average high is 65.5 and the average low is 43.6. We will have to have enough cool temperatures to get the average for the entire month down to the normal high of 64.6 and the normal low of 42.8. So, far there has been .90" of rain. The normal for the month is 3.69". So if there is to be a normal amount of rainfall for this December, we will have to get almost 3 more inches before the month ends.

I will revisit all of this once winter is over. Thanks for participating in the poll!

My new poll question is:
Do you think 2009 will be better, the same or worse than 2008?

Be safe everyone, Happy Hanukkah and enjoy the holidays!

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Weather for the Week/Sarah's list for Santa/Winter Begins

Winter has officially begun (as of 6:04 am central time). And, I'm not talking about the fact that it is cold in Texas...it really is winter now--we have arrived at the Winter Solstice.

The earth's axis (from pole to pole) is tilted at 23.5 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the line connecting to the sun. In winter that 23.5 degree angle has the North Pole tilted away from the sun at an angle of 23.5 degrees. The sun makes its lowest path across the sky and thus, this is considered the day of the year with the shortest amount of daylight. Please note that the length of days just before and after this point are nearly equal. But technically, from this point on, the days will slowly start to get longer. The speed with which the length of day increases will increase as we get closer to the vernal equinox (the start of spring).

There is certainly plenty of wintry weather to go around...the figure at the right shows the winter weather advisories/watches/warning for the midwest and northeast and for much of the west--as of this Sunday evening. Monday will be a cold day for most of the country except central and southern Florida.

In Houston, look for a cold Hanukkah (Monday, the 22nd)--high near 40, that's it-- and then rain on Tuesday and Wednesday with a rapid warm up. Christmas Day (Thursday) will be mild with a low in the upper 50s and a high near 70. Please note, that winter precipitation will not be a problem--the only caution is that there could be some ice on roadways Monday evening as the rain begins and temperatures remain relatively cool.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do travel or viajes, pronounced vee-ah-HEYS. There is lots of viajes around the holidays.

Got a funny Christmas card note--apparently a friend is driving his wife crazy singing the theme music from Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. Please folks--learn Spanish--don't fight!!!

Well the tune is catchy--thanks to the musical talent of Cherish the Music. I think that is one reason kids just love the video. It is one reason they want to watch and an effective way for them to learn Spanish.

So, drive your spouse crazy, order our award winning DVD from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, www.dololanguages.com, www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com, www.amazon.com, www.bestbuy.com, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. If you are more interesting in a full immersion type product, go to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
I saw it--with my own eyes. We took Megan's car through the $1 Mister Car Wash on Dulles Ave. near Highway 90. It is a fully automated car wash but get this--they have someone directing you into the wash and they have 2 people drying the car. And then the vacuums are free!!! I just can not believe this is possible. They do have some more elaborate wash packages which go for a whopping $3 and $5--that's it!!!

Here's an amusing anecdote for Christmas. When Sarah saw Santa, he asked her, what presents do you want for Christmas? Sarah answered right back--All of the presents. Well, of course she does! It's frightening how smart she is.

Hope everyone is getting a chance to relax and spend time with loved ones. Be safe in your travels (local or far away).

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman