Rain and Another Change/Excellent AC Repair/Dog Dominance

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
On Wednesday, thunderstorms in New Mexico and from Texas to the eastern Great Lakes to the east coast and southward to the Gulf. Hot and steamy for most of these areas. Nice and cool with highs in the 50s and 60s for the northeast and northern plains and parts of the west coast. Very pleasant with highs in the 70s for the Rockies, northwest and central plains.

On Wednesday, Houston will be muggy but a bit cooler with more clouds and some showers and thunderstorms. Drier air arrives on Thursday and although afternoons will still be warm to hot, the lower humidity will make conditions much more tolerable. Look for some showers to return on Sunday.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do dog or perro, pronounced PAIR-row and roll those rr's. This is not to be confused with pero (which means but--that's the conjuction not the bottom). If you roll the r more than a little, whomever you are talking to will think you are calling them a dog. So, be careful about that!

There is one perro in our award winning DVD, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. He is our neighbor's Bichon Frisé named Max. There are also 46 kid which makes the DVD especially appealing to youngsters. They don't even realize they are learning. Order your copy from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/, http://www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, http://www.amazon.com/,http://www.bestbuy.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. Volume 2 is almost ready for release and Volume 3 will follow soon thereafter!!! For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
We took care of some of our neighbors' dogs from Thursday through Monday evening. I have to tell you, I learned a lot. There were two dogs. And on the first evening, it was obvious that all they wanted was for their masters to come home. Although they wagged their tails and barked a friendly greeting, they soon were looking past us to the door so that they would not miss their masters coming home. One perched herself on top of the couch so she could see as far as possible. The other one parked herself by the door to the garage (where the owners normally enter the home). As the days passed, they became more and more depressed. One of them ate only a half of a bowl of food the entire time. They would usually eat when we were there. On the last day, I noticed that the most depressed one began to take ownership of me. When I showed attention to the other dog, she got very mad at the other dog and gave it what for. I thought maybe she is thinking the masters aren't going to return and she had better claim her stake on me. Fortunately, the masters did return. Haven't been for a visit since that happened. Wonder what kind of reception Sarah and I would get. Well, we should did enjoy giving them some loving.

Last week, we had our bad a/c coil replaced. By the way, Gordy was very pleased with Martin, owner of Critical Air Residential Air Conditioning & Heating 281-468-4250. He was recommended to us by a friend. Well, first of all, Gordy was attending to Megan while she was having outpatient surgery (don't worry--she's okay...just a foot thing) and he wasn't able to be there when I interrogated poor Martin. Well that patient man spent an hour with me going over every possible scenario I could come up with (purchase wise). When I opted just to replace the coil, he did not give me a hard time and for $1800 even, he did the following:

Installed a 4 ton evaporator coil along with a new plenum, transition plus access door, secondary pan and float switch. Installed a new liquid line drier. Vacuumed and charged the unit. This also includes 1st year parts and labor warranty on coil and 5 year total parts. Now, he had a minor outpatient surgery the day before our installation and yet, the day of, he came out and was overseeing the entire thing. I told him I was going to tell on him to his doctor.

So, as you may have surmised, we did not replace our ac compressor which is still working. Instead, today I purchased a home warranty through American Home Shield (which a friend told me about). http://www.ahswarranty.com/ I have no idea if it will be any good. But, I just couldn't stomach buying a new compressor when our's is still working.

For about $500/year just about everything in our house is covered. They didn't have to come out and inspect and I've got the contract that says so. The age of the home does not matter. Everything just has to be working. I'll let you know how it all turns out when we actually have to get something repaired. Oh yeah...there is a $60 charge for each initial service call. But there are no other charges after that. I wish I had known about this before replacing the built-in microwave 4 times, the oven once, the dishwasher once, and the garbage disposal once (not to mention a few repairs on our clothes washer). All of these items would have been covered. There is no limit on the number of claims per year.

So, with all of that in mind, don't forget to take our poll about home warranties.

Now, I'm considering a warranty for my Honda Accord which has about 112K on it. We've replaced the timing belt, but you never know when the transmission, a/c, or brakes might go. I hear there are warranties going up to 250,000 miles. Will let you know what I find out.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Weather for the Week/Memorial Remembrance/Hurricane Workshop

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
What is left of the Gulf system continues to produce large spiraling bands of rain mainly over the eastern 1/3 of the country. Another big weather feature is the cold front and pre-frontal storms marching across the plains. On Tuesday, look for scattered storms across the southern Rockies, southern Plains, Midwest to the East Coast, and down to the Gulf Coast. Cool spot will be the western Great Lakes states to the northeast. Hot and steamy across the south and southeast with highs in the 80s and 90s.

Houston was spared severe weather...just one severe cell popping in Jefferson County (Beaumont/Port Arthur area) this Sunday evening. There will be some scattered thunderstorms on Tuesday and more so on Wednesday as a cold front approaches. Temperature wise, it won't get cold on Thursday but it will be cooler and the humidity will be lower all the way through Saturday. Yeah!!!

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do hero or héroe, pronounced AIR-oh-aaaaa. Do learn about some special heroes this Memorial remembrance day, see the AND MORE section.

Knowledge is life...give that to your young ones today through the gift of language. Order our award winning DVD, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. You can order your copy from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/, http://www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, http://www.amazon.com/,http://www.bestbuy.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. Volume 2 is almost ready for release and Volume 3 will follow soon thereafter!!! For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
This coming Saturday, May 30th, I hope you will make time to attend the annual Houston/Galveston Hurricane Workshop being held at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Bill Read of the National Hurricane Center will be there as well as many experts and hurricane supply vendors. There will also be numerous excellent presentations and displays. The workshop is from 10 am to 2 pm and is open and free to the public. I will emcee the ask the media sessions being held at 11 am and 1 pm. Hope to see you there!

The photo at right was taken by my brother-in-law's father. Alex Feldman wrote to me: This is a photo taken during one of my fathers convoys to North Africa during WWII. My dad always took Memorial Day seriously. I never appreciated why until I got a little older. The caption says: "The first wave of about 9 JU-88s attacked from dead ahead. Their torpedoes detonated high explosives on board SS John Hamilton, blowing her out of the water and killing about 580 men on board."

Let us never forget!

Have a great week everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Gulf System Bringing Rain/Good Use for Old Phones/Full Time Job

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Gulf system is now spinning over Arkansas...sweeping very long bands of rain over the southeast and south central part of the country. One of the bands is "training" over the Houston area. So, look for repeated bursts of thunderstorm activity for much of this Sunday afternoon.

Monday, that low center should lift northeastward into the Ohio Valley continuing to spin long bands of rain. Much of the country except northeast and west coast have at least a chance for rain. It will be warm and muggy east of the Rockies. And look for some 80s in the interior West...60s along the west coast. Coolest states will be the northern tier with highs in the 60s (50s in Maine).

Houston will be warm and muggy with about a 40% chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms on Monday. Looks like a hot and humid last week of May on the way.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do phone or teléfono, pronounced teh-LAY-foh-no. Do you have any old cell phones...find out about a special project in the AND MORE section.

The teléfono is all about communication and language is the vehicle. Give your children the gift of language to enjoy during summer break...order our award winning DVD, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. You can order your copy from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/, http://www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, http://www.amazon.com/,http://www.bestbuy.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. Volume 2 is almost ready for release and Volume 3 will follow soon thereafter!!! For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
Have you seen him?! Matt Lavine is back on the air...doing some fill-in work at KHOU Channel 11. Check him out:

http://www.khou.com/video/index.html

Good job Matt!!!

Looking for full time steady work--a good friend is looking for someone to answer phone calls and respond to emails 8 to 5 Monday through Friday. The job is in Stafford just southwest of the intersection between 59 and Kirkwood. It is in one of the office parks behind IHOP etc. Call Mike at 281-515-3818 for more information.

I know a lady who is returning to Vietnam on Tuesday. She wants to take as many old cell phones as possible. She says they refurbish them and give them out to people who need a way to communicate. If you have some old phones you would like to donate, email me at info@frankandpaco.com.

Have a safe Memorial Monday everyone.

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Gulf System Moving Onshore...Rain Less Likely Houston

Good Morning All -
Hurricane Center has reduced the chance for development to less than 30% as it is making landfall on the northern Gulf coast.

SATELLITE IMAGERY...RADAR DATA...AND SURFACE OBSERVATIONS INDICATETHAT THE AREA OF LOW PRESSURE CENTERED OVER THE NORTH CENTRAL GULFOF MEXICO ABOUT 75 MILES SOUTH OF MOBILE ALABAMA HAS CHANGED LITTLEIN ORGANIZATION DURING THE LAST FEW HOURS. ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENTOF THIS SYSTEM IS BECOMING LESS LIKELY...SINCE THE CENTER WILL BEMOVING ONSHORE LATER THIS MORNING OR EARLY AFTERNOON. THE AIRFORCE RESERVE HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT MISSION SCHEDULED TOINVESTIGATE THE LOW LATER TODAY HAS BEEN CANCELED. THERE IS NOW ALOW CHANCE...LESS THAN 30 PERCENT...OF THIS SYSTEM BECOMING ATROPICAL CYCLONE BEFORE IT REACHES THE COAST LATER TODAY.REGARDLESS OF DEVELOPMENT...HEAVY RAINS AND OCCASIONALLY GUSTYWINDS ARE EXPECTED ALONG PORTIONS OF THE NORTH-CENTRAL ANDNORTHEAST GULF COAST THROUGH THE DAY...AND INTERESTS IN THIS AREASHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THE SYSTEM.

Rain chances have decreased for Houston.

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Hurricane Center Increases Odds of Development

Here is the Friday evening update/change from The National Hurricane Center. See updated figure (to right) showing 30 to 50% chance for development.

A BROAD AREA OF LOW PRESSURE IS CENTERED OVER THE GULF OF MEXICO ABOUT 200 MILES SOUTH OF PENSACOLA FLORIDA. SATELLITE IMAGERY INDICATES THAT THE ASSOCIATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE TO INCREASE THIS EVENING. ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SYSTEM ISPOSSIBLE...AND A TROPICAL DEPRESSION COULD FORM BEFORE THE LOWMOVES INLAND OVER THE NORTHERN GULF COAST ON SATURDAY. AN AIRFORCE RESERVE HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT WILL INVESTIGATE THE LOWTOMORROW...IF NECESSARY. THERE IS A MEDIUM CHANCE...30 TO 50PERCENT...OF THIS SYSTEM BECOMING A TROPICAL CYCLONE DURING THENEXT 48 HOURS. REGARDLESS OF DEVELOPMENT...HEAVY RAINS AND OCCASIONALLY GUSTY WINDS ARE EXPECTED ALONG PORTIONS OF THE NORTHERN GULF COAST TONIGHT AND SATURDAY...AND INTERESTS IN THIS AREA SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THE SYSTEM.ANOTHER SPECIAL OUTLOOK ON THIS SYSTEM WILL BE ISSUED EARLY SATURDAY MORNING...IF NECESSARY.

First named storm will be Ana (by the way).

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Still Watching Gulf/Memorial Weekend Weather/Graduations

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
The National Hurricane Center issued this special statement about Invest 90L on Friday Afternoon.
SATELLITE IMAGES INDICATE THAT SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ASSOCIATED WITH A BROAD AREA OF LOW PRESSURE OVER THE NORTH-CENTRAL GULF OFMEXICO HAVE INCREASED TODAY. SOME SLOW DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SYSTEMIS POSSIBLE AS IT MOVES SLOWLY NORTHWARD...AND AN AIR FORCE RESERVE HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT WILL INVESTIGATE THE LOW TOMORROW...IFNECESSARY. THERE IS A LOW CHANCE...LESS THAN 30 PERCENT...OF TROPICAL CYCLONE DEVELOPMENT IN THIS AREA BEFORE THE SYSTEM REACHESTHE COAST ON SATURDAY. REGARDLESS OF DEVELOPMENT...HEAVY RAINS AND OCCASIONALLY GUSTY WINDS ARE EXPECTED ALONG PORTIONS OF THE NORTHERN GULF COAST TODAY AND SATURDAY.

So, they have less than a 30% chance for development into a tropical depression. One thing we know is that it can produce copious rainfall. Nearly 2 feet of rain fell in northern Florida.

All models track it northwest, north or north-northeast into the north central Gulf.

On Saturday, most of the country will have highs in the 70s and 80s, warmer in the southwest, and cooler (60s) along the west coast, Great Lakes and northern New England. Showers and thunderstorms are expected everywhere (see Storm Prediction Center map at right). There will be little change on Sunday.

Houston, wasn't the cloudiness nice today? Yes it was warm and humid, but the clouds (from the circulation around the large system in the Gulf) kept us a bit cooler. This isn't a tightly organized circulation where dry air is being pulled around the west side. I think there will be rain bands over us both Saturday and Sunday. Don't know if it will be enough to cancel soccer and baseball games (sorry Marilyn), but it will be a factor in outdoor activities. Remember the best way to be safe around lightning is to move indoors. Monday, when many are observing Memorial Day, should have the least rain...but a lot will depend on how that system tracks. Will let you know, but I think you'll get that barbecue done.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do graduation or graduación, pronounced grah-dju-ah-see-OWN. It's finally here, graduación time.

Well, if your children are just getting started (with graduation being many years away), there is something you can do to give them more career opportunities--help them learn more than one language. And I would recommend as a first step, our award winning DVD, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. You can order your copy from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/, http://www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, http://www.amazon.com/,http://www.bestbuy.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. Volume 2 is almost ready for release and Volume 3 will follow soon thereafter!!! For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
I think this year wins the prize for most graduations to remember: my sister-in-law Wanda, nieces Lindsay, Courtney, Korey, friends Brooke, Stacy, Shim...Whew! Have I forgotten anyone? Congratulations to all of you! You reached your goal!

Have a safe Memorial Weekend everyone. Let us not forget those who gave their lives so that we could live our's.
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Keeping a close eye on system in Gulf

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Don't have time for much tonight...so will concentrate on system in Gulf...looking better organized and wind shear is dropping. With start of official hurricane season June 1st, we are close enough to not rule out this becoming a tropical depression. Look for rain along the Gulf coast and depending on ultimate track maybe even into Texas. I do think there will be some scattered showers and thunderstorms this weekend.

In 2001, we had an early season tropical storm named Allison (June 4th initial landfall). Steering environment was very weak and it is fairly weak now. The danger with these rainmakers is that they can slow way down. Right now, models point to Louisiana bearing the brunt of it all. So, we shall see. Will update you as needed.

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman