Next After Rough Weather/Time Change/Origin of Halloween

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Tropical Atlantic is quiet. In the Pacific, there is an area off the western Mexican coast that has less than a 30% chance for developing.

Two big stories tonight...winter weather in the Rockies and severe weather pushing into the southeast US. On Friday, the stormy weather will be over a part of the southeast US. This is in advance of an eastward bound cold front. Ahead of the cold front, highs will be in the 70s and 80s. Behind it, highs will be in the 40s over the Rockies and northern plains and in the 40s to 60s in Texas and the southwest. West coast will be in the 50s and 60s. It will be in the 40s and 50s in the northeast.

Houston is under a Flash Flood Warning and Tornado Watch this evening until 9 pm. Heavy rain is moving through as I write this post. More light to moderate rain is possible until about noon on Friday, but the batch tonight is the worst of it. Friday afternoon, clouds will break and we're in for Chamber of Commerce weather all weekend and through the next week. Lows will be in the 40s and 50s and highs will be in the 60s and 70s.

Houston Trick or Treat forecast...temperatures in the 60s...no rain...low humidity! Trouble spots in US for Saturday...southeastern states--Florida up to Mid-Atlantic.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do change or cambio, pronounced cahm-BEE-oh. Don't forget about the time cambio this weekend! See the AND MORE section for details.

Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco is now being offered on ebay. Take a look and let me know what you think! You can also order Volume 1 or Volume 2 from our award winning series, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco from our web site www.frankandpaco.com or at www.amazon.com. If you order through Amazon, please help us out and put in some positive comments. It makes a great birthday or holiday gift. Volume 1 has three chapters about Home, Family, Eating/Drinking and Play. Volume 2 has three chapters (and about 50 words/phrases) My Day, My Body, My Feelings.

AND MORE
Daylight Saving Time Ends on Sunday morning Nov. 1 at 2 am. You will want to set your clocks back 1 hour (fall back 1 hour) before you go to bed on Saturday night. Kind of good timing with Halloween parties etc. For those of you who have no children, this means an extra hour of sleep. For the rest of us...the bosses determine our sleep schedule.

Pizza Hut has a deal on top of a deal! If you order more than $20 on line, you get $4 off your order. So, you could order 4 Pizza Mia pizzas for $20 and get them for $16 (plus tax). Buy some and freeze for later. That's a good deal.

Here's some interesting Halloween origin info. that was given to me by our CCE coordinators at St. Laurence. Back in the early 7th century the Church picked May 13th as a day to honor all of the saints (because there were too many to give a feast day for every day of the calendar). Then, in 835, Pope Gregory moved the feast day to Nov. 1st. He knew that Nov. 1st was a festival of death day for the pagan people who did not believe in God. He wanted to Christianize this day. Today, Catholics celebrate November 1st as All Saints Day. (by the way, all people who have died are remembered on Nov. 2nd--All Souls Day).

Anyway, Halloween is a contraction for "Hallowed Evening". Hallowed is an old english word for "holy" (remember..."Our Father Who Art in Heaven, Hallowed Be Thy Name...")?. Well because Oct. 31st was the eve of the Feast of All Saints (the holy ones), people started calling it All Hallows' Eve. Eventually, that phrase morphed into Halloween.

Whatever you do this weekend, be safe and have fun!

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Heavy Rain Returning to Houston!/More on Swine Flu/Donate an Animal

HURRICANE AND WEATHER
Tropical Atlantic is quiet. Tropical Pacific has one area with less than a 30% chance of developing.

Big, deep trough is digging south over the western US. As I write this post, winter storm warnings, watches, advisories are in effect from the Rockies into the northern Plains and in some of the Intermountain Region. On Wednesday, highs will be in the 30s and 40s for much of this area. Across the southeast, highs will be in the 50s to 70s. West coast highs will be in the 60s...Pacific Northwest 40s and 50s. There is a slight risk for severe storms in north central TX and western Oklahoma.

Houston, here comes the rain again!!! The showers should begin late Wednesday and then look out for some severe weather and heavy rain on Thursday...especially after noon. Surface cold front arrives between 6 and 9 pm Thursday. But, upper trough doesn't pass until the 2nd half of Friday...so more rain, even some heavy is possible into Friday pm. This is a big concern given that there are flood warnings right now on the Brazos and Trinity Rivers. Everyone really needs to pay attention to the weather these next few days! Trick or Treat forecast looking good with temperatures in the 60s (evening) and no rain expected.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do cow or vaca, pronounced VAH-cah. Buy a cow for a needy family this holiday season. Find out how in the AND MORE section.

Yep...less than 2 months until Christmas!!! Just today, I had an order through a friend (thanks Mollie) from a lady who wants to help her family and friends who speak only Spanish--to learn English. That is what I call our ESL version through www.frankypaco.com.

Of course for all you English speaking folks, we have 2 DVDs from which your youngsters will love learning Spanish! Order Volume 1 or Volume 2 from our award winning series, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco from our web site www.frankandpaco.com or at www.amazon.com. If you order through Amazon, please help us out and put in some positive comments. It makes a great birthday or holiday gift. Volume 1 has three chapters about Home, Family, Eating/Drinking and Play. Volume 2 has three chapters (and about 50 words/phrases) My Day, My Body, My Feelings.

AND MORE
Quick update on Sarah. She is doing much better. No fever since Sunday. Still congested with runny nose and went home early on Monday--very unusual for her. Said she had a headache. Sleeping more and sleepier than usual still. After consulting the CDC web site and looking around, I could not find any fever type or other reactions to the Swine Flu vaccine. So, I'm thinking that maybe it was coincidence--she caught Gordy's cold. That right that is weird as Gordy almost never gets sick. Ironically, (knock on wood), I have not gotten sick. I know...now I'm doomed! Anyway, still not sure about her fever. But, I'm just glad she's not running one any more.

So, I'm trying to do some quick posts on Quickbooks. Okay! Okay! Again, it is telling me there is an update. I CAN'T STAND THE UPDATE GUILT. Gahhhhh!!! Okay! I'll install the update already! And of course, that delays me a good half an hour. But I finally completed it! Oh the stress of it all. Finally, I have peace!!!

Ran into Randall's to pick up a few things this evening...it was the most convenient grocery store. And, I was very surprised to see how low the prices were for Randall's card holders. I got my milk for $1.99 a gallan. The eggs were $1.69 (I think) for 18 (one and a half dozen). The bananas were .49/lb. Even Sarah's overnight pullups were $15.99 for 21...all of these same price as HEB. And I like that the store is smaller so I can get in and out more quickly--especially with Sarah by my side. I have no idea where my Randall's card is--I just give them my phone number.

Ran into a new stocker at the Randall's. He said it was only his 2nd day at the Sugar Land store. He said it is so nice and quiet--unlike the downtown store he came from. Said that the downtown store is always mobbed as it is the only grocery store in the area.

I am teaching 2nd grade CCE at St. Laurence. Today, we received our fall service projects and I think our's is so neat! We are collecting money for Heifer International. If we reach our goal of $320, we can purchase the following: one sheep ($120), one goat ($120), one flock of chicks ($20) and tree seedlings ($60). The families also receive education on how to care for the animals and trees so they can help themselves. So, I googled this and here is the link:
http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.204586/k.9430/Gift_Catalog.htm?msource=kw1016
What a great gift idea for the person who has everything!

Here's to making the upcoming holiday season truly meaningful!

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Heavy Rain Returns/Halloween Forecast/Swine Flu Vaccine Experience

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Tropical Atlantic and Pacific are quiet.

Cold front will be moving eastward across the Plains on Monday. It will bring thunderstorms and some heavy rain to Texas and Louisiana. Highs will be in the 80s in Florida. Highs will be in the 40s and 50s from the Great Lakes through the northwest and southward into Texas, behind the cold front. Ahead of the front, it will be breezy, humid and mild. Highs along the west coast and in the northeast and east will be in the 60s and 70s. Extreme northern New England will have highs in the upper 30s.

Much of Texas is under a Flash Flood Watch or will be under one on Monday. The following counties in southeast Texas are under that watch from Monday morning until Monday evening:
FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR A PORTION OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS...INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...AUSTIN...BRAZORIA...BRAZOS... BURLESON...CHAMBERS...COLORADO...FORT BEND...GALVESTON... GRIMES...HARRIS...HOUSTON...JACKSON...LIBERTY...MADISON... MATAGORDA...MONTGOMERY...POLK...SAN JACINTO...TRINITY... WALKER...WALLER...WASHINGTON AND WHARTON.
There could be an average of 1 to 3 inches with some spots picking up 5+ inches on Monday. In the aftermath of last week's heavy rains, there isn't much wiggle room. So, be on the lookout for sudden flooding. Remember the rule of thumb, "Turn Around, Don't Drown!" if you encounter a flooded roadway either on foot or in a vehicle.

For Houston, I think the heaviest rain will fall between 2 and 5 pm on Monday.

For Houston, Tuesday will in the 60s and then warming on Wednesday with more rain Thursday. Friday through Saturday will be pleasant and dry. Trick or Treat forecast is temperatures in the 60s with light wind and no rain.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do vaccine or vacuna, pronounced vah-COO-nah. Find out about our experience with the Swine Flu vacuna in the And More section.

Today is 2 months until Christmas!!! Get a good deal by purchasing one or two DVDs your youngsters will love! Order Volume 1 or Volume 2 from our award winning series, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco from our web site www.frankandpaco.com or at www.amazon.com. If you order through Amazon, please help us out and put in some positive comments. It makes a great birthday or holiday gift. Volume 1 has three chapters about Home, Family, Eating/Drinking and Play. Volume 2 has three chapters (and about 50 words/phrases) My Day, My Body, My Feelings.

AND MORE
Our poll on how you plan to observe Halloween is closed. More than one answer was allowed. 44% said they plan to take their kids trick or treating. 22% said they are going to give out treats. 0% said they would have a party. 11% said they will go to a party. 22% said they, themselves were going to wear a costume. 11% said they would watch a scary movie. 11% said they would eat candy. 33% said they won't celebrate Halloween at all. Thanks to all who participated.

Our new poll is about flu season...have you gotten vaccinations or how will you? More than one answer is allowed. Thanks in advance for participating.

Late Thursday we get a call from Sarah's pediatrician. The swine flu vaccine has finally arrived and because Sarah is considered "high risk", they want us to get her in for a shot right away. I called my sister, a nurse practioner who works in a public health clinic. I am just a little nervous about having her get something that does not have a long track record. My sister is adamant--get it right away! She had been seeing a lot of the swine flu in the clinic.

So, Friday afternoon I took her right after school. I explained to her that there are two bad flus this year (a simplification for a 2nd grader). And that this would be her last flu shot. The shot was quick and minimally painful. But then, the nurse tells me that since this if her first time getting the Swine Flu shot, that we will have to come back in a month to get the other half of the dose. Mommy is a big liar!!! The nurse also says Sarah might run a low grade fever.

Well anyway, Sarah and I did some running around afterward (the silver lining was she got to go to Target and use a gift card from her birthday). Then, I had promised her that I would try to find a place to get my regular flu shot. The doctor's office hadn't had any of the regular vaccine available and the 24 hour Walgreen's was out. But, I had remembered that Randall's had a sign that said "flu vaccine available--walk-ins welcome". So, I called them and they said come on down. This was the one on Highway 6 in Sugar Land at Williams Trace. If you want to check, their number is:
281-980-1800

It was quick and easy. Then, I took Sarah directly to her hour long dance class at 5:30, and she was just fine. When we got home, I gave her a dose of Tylenol. She was pooped and didn't even eat supper. She just fell right to sleep. Then at around 10, she got up and ate a little. She slept good that night.

Saturday morning, Sarah's cheeks are red and she is running a low grade fever. Gave her some more Tylenol but she really didn't like the taste. She naps some during the day and goes from having cabin fever to being lethargic. This lasts through the entire weekend. We really don't take her out, except for a drive-through run to Burger King to get a happy meal with Sponge Bob toy (she got Gary the snail by the way).

Other than the low grade fever, Sarah has had some congestion and a slightly runny nose. She's been a bit moody and had a couple crying jags.

I get the regular flu shot every year. I just can't face the prospect of taking care of Sarah while being super sick. This year it hit me a bit harder. I was very lethargic both Saturday and Sunday mornings and more tired than usual both days. That's about it...no fever or nausea or anything like that.

I'm just really glad we got Sarah innoculated on a Friday afternoon.

Have a healthy week everyone!

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Weekend and Halloween Forecasts/How to Get Weather Data Like Hail Reports

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Tropical Pacific is quiet this evening. The remnants of Rick raced past the upper Texas coast early today, increasing easterly winds and flooding part of the Bolivar Peninsula. The remnants were picked up and absorbed by the approaching upper trough and associated surface cold front. In the Atlantic, there are 2 areas with less than a 30% chance of developing.

On Friday, highs will only be in the 30s and 40s in the northeast and Great Lakes. It will be warm and muggy in the southeast with highs in the 70s and 80s. Out west and southwest and southern plains, highs will be in the 50s to 70s. There will be some thunderstorms in the eastern US...but not quite to the eastern seaboard.

Friday will be delightful for Houston with some sunshine and low humidity. Through Sunday morning, lows will be in the 50s (and even some 40s Saturday morning). Sunday, some clouds return...possibly a shower late in the day. Highs will be in the upper 60s and 70s into Sunday. Look for rain to return on Monday. Next front moves through late Wednesday.

Looking ahead to Halloween, I think it will be mild, with a southerly breeze and temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s around trick or treat time. I don't think it will rain. Now, on Sunday (after Halloween), I think there will be some rain.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do data or datos, pronounced DAH-toes. Do you want to know how to easily find past weather datos. Go to the AND MORE section.

Now you have 2 fun options for exposing your children to learning languages. Order Volume 2 of our award winning series, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco from our web site www.frankandpaco.com or at www.amazon.com. If you order through Amazon, please help us out and put in some positive comments. It makes a great birthday or holiday gift. Volume 2 has three chapters (and about 50 words/phrases) My Day, My Body, My Feelings. You can also order the award winning Volume 1 about Home, Family, Eating/Drinking and Play.

AND MORE
Got some new weather links for you.

Have you ever wanted to find out if tornadoes or hail occurred in certain area. Well, if enough time has gone by, you can go to the following link through the National Climatic Data Center.
http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwEvent~Storms
Just enter the state and narrow it down from there.

If you want to get weather conditions for up to the last 60 hours, go to this link:
www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/surface/
On the right side, it says text data. Specify translated and the amount of time. Choosing translated will give the results in an easy to read format.

Now, if you need the data for legal purposes (and it's in Texas), you can order "certified" data through the Texas State Climatologist Office.
http://www.met.tamu.edu/osc/

Outside of Texas, you can order "certified" weather data from the National Climatic Data Center.
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.html
But, I will caution you that this can take a long time. There is also some free data there, but it can take many months to get more recent weather data.

Happy data collecting!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Weather Winding Down - 8:15 am Update Thursday 10/22

Good morning all -
Some 4 and 5 + inch rain totals around Friendswood/Clear Lake and there are some areas east of Houston under Flash Flood Warnings until 8:45 am. There will be one more round of rain around midday...as the cold front arrives, but I don't expect a lot of rain. So, in many ways, looks like the worst is over.

National Weather Service reporting that Highway 87 flooded on Bolivar Peninsula due to high surf from strong easterly winds...being attributed to Rick remants moving through believe it or not!

Much driver air arrives late afternoon and overnight...spectacular fall weekend on the way!

Have a safe day everyone.

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Rick Remnants and Heavy Houston Rain

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Rick is weakening but it is going to affect the weather for a lot of geography. As its weakens and moves into Mexico on Wednesday, much of its moisture will get caught up in an advancing upper trough and this will bring heavy rain to parts of the south including Texas Wednesday through Thursday. In the Atlantic, there is one small area just off the Central American coast that will bring rain to the at area.

Temperatures on Wednesday will certainly reflect the upper trough pushing eastward (along with its associated surface cold front). Highs will be in the 40s and even upper 30s with some snow mixes in the higher elevations from Colorado into the Great Lakes states. Also, expect upper 40s in northern New England. There will be some showers and thunderstorms from Texas to Wisconsin. Highs in the southeast will be in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Highs out west and in the Pacific Northwest will be in the 50s to the 70s.

Houston can expect more than 3 inches, maybe even 4 to 5 inches in spots. National Weather Service might issue a Flash Flood Watch but they are saying that we should be able to handle 3.5 inches. Getting closer to 5 in a widespread way will cause trouble. Notice that as I write this post, the area around Waco and up to Dallas is under a Flood Watch. Timing of heavy rain will be Wednesday late afternoon into midday Thursday. Then a pleasantly cool and dry weekend is on the way. Remember the rule of thumb, "Turn around, don't drown" when you encounter a flooded roadway or area either in a car or on foot.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do wet or mojado, pronounced mow-HA-dough. It will be very wet in east Texas Wednesday and Thursday.

Just over 2 months until Christmas. Yikes!!! But no worries, you can get the little ones something new, educational and entertaining. Order Volume 2 of our award winning series, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco from our web site www.frankandpaco.com or at www.amazon.com. If you order through Amazon, please help us out and put in some positive comments. It makes a great birthday or holiday gift. Volume 2 has three chapters (and about 50 words/phrases) My Day, My Body, My Feelings. You can also order the award winning Volume 1 about Home, Family, Eating/Drinking and Play.

AND MORE
I have posted the new drought figures and Climate Prediction Center outlooks for November through January. The recent rains in Texas show a vastly improved drought situation, especially along the upper Texas coast and extreme south Texas. Still a big drought concern for the Coastal Bend. Outlook shows improving conditions expected through January of 2010. This has a lot to do with the fact that we are going into an El Nino winter. And as the Climate Prediction Center outlooks for November through January show, this area is expected to have above normal rainfall and below normal temperatures.

Happy Wednesday everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Hurricane Rick threatens Houston with Heavy Rain

HURRICANE AND WEATHER
Tropical Atlantic is quiet but look out, here comes Hurricane Rick (from the Pacific)! As I write this post, Rick is off the west coast of Mexico, a Category 5 hurricane with 160 mph winds...should be a Category 2 or 3 when it hits the southern Baja California peninsula. But the big story for Texas is that moisture is going to get drawn up into an approaching upper trough and bring some heavy rain Wednesday through Friday! Some locations will get several inches.

Well I couldn't help noticing what looked like a blizzard as the Titans/Patriots game aired this afternoon. Sure enough, they were having heavy, wet snow with the temperature close to freezing in Foxboro, Massachusetts. A part of the state is under a Winter Weather Advisory. In the late 80s, I was living in Danbury, CT and went to Boston for the weekend early in October. We had a heavy wet snow storm. The snow broke the limbs trees laden with fall leaves, downing power lines. The winters there can be very raw because of the humidity due to proximity to the Atlantic. Most snowfalls were wet...only a few were very dry.

On Monday, highs will be in the 40s and 50s across the northern states and 60s and 70s across the southern half--maybe a high of 80 in Miami. There will be rain and thunderstorms across the Rockies and Intermountain West, a part of the northern plains and extreme southern Arizona and New Mexico.

Houston, Monday will be another pleasant day with slightly higher humidity and highs in the 70s. It won't warm up all that much this week due to increasing clouds cover from Pacific moisture but it will be humid. Look for heavy rain (3 inches + possible), especially Thursday into Friday as the remnants of Hurricane Rick get pulled into the approaching upper trough. Next weekend, look for more Chamber of Commerce weather!


SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY

Let's do dike or dique, pronounced DEE-kay. What kind of dique would be most helpful to Galveston, which was hit so hard by Ike last hurricane season. Find out about a special Ike Dike talk in the AND MORE section.

Time to order Volume 2 of our award winning series, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. YOu can get it through our web site www.frankandpaco.com or at www.amazon.com. If you order through Amazon, please help us out and put in some positive comments. It makes a great birthday or holiday gift. Volume 2 has three chapters (and about 50 words/phrases) My Day, My Body, My Feelings. You can also order the award winning Volume 1 about Home, Family, Eating/Drinking and Play.

AND MORE
What a perfect weekend for an outdoor festival. So, of course, we headed to the annual fall bazaar at St. Laurence in Sugar Land. As you can see, Sarah really enjoyed dancing it up! There were also lots of bouncees, bungee jumping, rock wall climbing, games and of course lots of food and music and bingo. New this year was a washer tournament. I had never even heard of that but Gordy and my stepdad Gerry had. They were throwing these round washers and trying to get them in this small holes. Looked like there was a lot of participation.

Friday night, Sarah and I headed to the monthly opry in Rosenberg. It was a packed house with Tommy Horton performing. Tommy is son of the famous Johnny Horton...see link below. When I googled Tommy, I found some web site that insisted there is a Tommy Horton who is not the son of Johnny. But I am telling you, the man I met and the photos of Johnny Horton are just about spitting images. I spoke to Tommy and he lives it the Brownwood area near Abilene. He just drove in earlier in the day. I was teasing him about some of his CD covers...one in particular he looked rather windblown in his jacket leaning against a tree. I asked him...what were you thinking when that picture was taken? He answered "I was thinking, daw-gone it's cold. Let's finish this and get inside!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpUJZ92JkAY&feature=related

The November show will have Moses Rangel, Jeff Woosey, Jimmy Calhoun and Arnold Parker and of course once again, my very talented stepdad Gerry Payne on saxophone, keyboard, violing, mandoline or whatever is needed! The Rosenberg opry is held in the community center at 1330 Band Road in Rosenberg--right next to where the Fort Bend Fairgrounds are located.

Our poll on what you all thought about President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize is closed. The results were as follows:
10% thought is was wonderful
40% couldn't believe it
70% didn't think it should have happened
40% want to know why it happened
0% think he will earn it
0% think he has already earned it
20% think he won't earn it

More than one answer was allowed. Thanks to all who participated.

Our new poll is Halloween? This year it falls on a Saturday. How will you spend it this year or will you celebrate it at all. More than one answer is allowed. Thanks in advance for answering.

The next meeting of the Houston Chapter of the AMS will be this Tuesday, October 20th. The following comes directly from chapter president and my buddy, Lew Fincher
Bill King and Jim Blackburn will be doing presentations addressing the idea of the "Ike Dike". I have met both gentlemen, and have seen both of their presentations on the subject of the Ike Dike idea in meetings that have attracted large crowds. If you haven't had time to make a meeting in a while for whatever reason, the next two are meetings that you should seriously try to attend.

And it's me again...here is the chapter link with location information.
http://www.amshouston.net/

These meetings are so good! And anyone may attend (not just members). If you want to become a member, you don't have to be a meteorologist and dues are very reasonable.

Have a great week!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Chamber of Commerce Weekend/Hurricane Rick/Clarification Child Safety Law

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Beautiful and in some places chilly weekend for much of the country. Look for some storms in spots (as indicated by Storm Prediction Center graphic) northeast, southwest, southeast and northwest.

Houston, get ready to be spoiled...highs in the 70s, low humidity and lows in the 50s and upper 40s respectively for Saturday and Sunday. More humid air begins to return middle of coming week. Then, warming until next cold front and a few showers and thunderstorms move through on Wednesday pm.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do happy or feliz...FEH-lease. I am so feliz that the weather is dry and pleasant.

It's here!!! Volume 2 of our award winning series, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, is now available. Order your copy today...it makes a great birthday or holiday gift. Volume 2 has three chapters (and about 50 words/phrases) My Day, My Body, My Feelings. Order Volume 1 or 2 at www.frankandpaco.com. You can also order the award winning Volume 1 about Home, Family, Eating/Drinking and Play.

AND MORE
Clarification on new child safety seat law (thank you Larry Mack)...here is the original correction to the old law:
TRC § 545.412. CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY SEATSYSTEMS; OFFENSE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person operates a passenger vehicle, transports a child who is younger than eight [five] years of age, unless the child is taller than four feet, nine inches [and less than 36 inches in height], and does not keep the child secured during the operation of the vehicle in a child passenger safety seat system according to the instructions of the manufacturer of the safety seat system.

So, this means that all children under the age of 8 have to be secured safely (unless than are taller thatn 4'9".

Have a great and safe weekend!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Next cold front/New Child Safety Seat Law/Happy Anniversary

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Tropical Atlantic is quiet. In the Pacific, Tropical Storm Patricia is bringing rain, rough surf and gusty winds to the tip of the Baja of California. The storm is forecast to move past the tip and weaken as it heads west. Further south, there is an area with less than 30% chance of developing.

On Wednesday, highs will be in the 40s and 50s across the northern Rockies, northern Plains, Great Lakes, Midwest and Northeast. Across the southeast, highs will be in the 80s and 90s with scattered showers and thunderstorns. Highs will be in the 60s along the west coast. Note: the winter weather advisories for the northern Rockies and some flood watch areas in the southeast and in California this evening.

For Houston, Wednesday will be warm and muggy with some thunderstorms. Cold front arrives Thursday and brings some dry and pleasant weather over the weekend. Morning temperatures will be in the 50s on Saturday and Sunday. It will be a great weekend to head to the Festival at St. Laurence in Sugar Land.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do safety or seguridad, pronounced seh-gyour-REE-dahd. Seguridad is so important for our child passengers. Find out about the updated Child Safety Seat Law in the And More section.

It's here!!! Volume 2 of our award winning series, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, is now available. Order your copy today...it makes a great birthday or holiday gift. Volume 2 has three chapters (and about 50 words/phrases) My Day, My Body, My Feelings. Order Volume 1 or 2 at www.frankandpaco.com. You can also order the award winning Volume 1 about Home, Family, Eating/Drinking and Play.

AND MORE
Tomorrow, October 14th, Gordy and I celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. But what's in a date? Originally, we planned to marry on the 15th but couldn't get that worked out. We chose that date as a tribute. It just so happened that October 15th was the anniverary of Gordy's maternal grandparents. Gordy's Grandma was so excited about us having the same anniversary. We didn't have the heart to tell her that we had to move it to the 14th. That is one example of when a little lie is a good thing. Grandma Sondag is no longer with us, but I know that she was very happy about our wedding being on October 15th.

Sarah's school sent home a post card with an Update on the Child Safety Seat Law. I'm not sure what it was before, but now the rule is:
All Children Who Are Less than 8 years old and less than 4 feet, 9 inches tall MUST be properly secured in a car seat or booster seat.
For more information, go to the source:
http://www.safekidsgreaterhouston.org/

Sarah is already 8, but she is only 4 feet, 1 inch tall. I can tell you that without the booster seat, she wouldn't be comfortable at all...seat belt strap would cut right across her neck. Gosh, I'm 6 inches (or so) past 4'9" and I can barely get comfortable in the back seat. I'm kind of surprised the age isn't higher.

Well safe driving everyone.
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Warming Up Again!/Obama and Nobel Peace Prize/Museum Natural Science Sugar Land

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
The tropical Atlantic is quiet. In the Pacific, Tropical Depression #19E is forecast to strengthen slightly and then weaken as it moves north and then northwest.

On Monday, highs will be in the 20s and 30s from the northern Rockies to the western Great Lakes states. Some thunderstorms and warm, muggy conditions across the southeast and south Texas. Elsewhere, highs will in the 50s to 70s.

In Houston on Monday, the day will start pleasantly cool in the 50s. Then the cold front which brought such a delightfully cool weekend will back up as a warm front and bring back the warmth and humidity. Dewpoints (and thus humidity) will soar for Tuesday into the first half of Thursday. Highs middle of the week could reach the low 90s. And morning temperatures will be unpleasantly warm and conditions humid. There will be thunderstorms and rain Monday and Tuesday. Next cold front arrives Thursday pm and then it will be cooler for the weekend. Looks like a very nice weekend coming up!

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do free or gratis, pronounced GRAH-teese. Do all kids eat gratis in IHOPs deal from 4 to 10 pm? It depends. Find out how in the AND MORE section.

Volume 2 of our award winning series, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, is now available. Order your copy today...it makes a great birthday or holiday gift. Volume 2 has three chapters (and about 50 words/phrases) My Day, My Body, My Feelings. Order Volume 1 or 2 at www.frankandpaco.com.

AND MORE
We visited the Houston Museum of Natural Science in Sugar Land today. It's in a historical building...formerly a prison. The inside is neat too. The general admission exhibits were comprised of four main areas...some dinosaur and prehistoric bones along with petrified wood, some exotic frogs and toads, some sparkling stone exhibits (like big hunks of rock with amethysts and citrines), and a planetarium with a rotating series of movies on the half hour. As you enter, there is a T-Rex, and directly above it suspended is a huge globe which, when I looked at it, was illustrating the polar ice cap change from season to season. However, you might not notice it unless you go upstairs. For the $12 adult price tag and $9 child price tag, I did not feel satisfied. We were done in about 30 minutes. One problem is that Sarah did not want to watch the movies. The upstairs was devoted to the traveling Narnia exhibit. It was an extra ticket ($25 for adults, $18 for kids) to see that and since Sarah does not care about Narnia, we did not see it. Downstairs is also a "Dig Pit" for the kids, but you had to pay $5 to do that. It was a large rectangular area filled with goodies that the kids could find in a synthetic mulch like material. Still, I am glad we went just to see it. And I think they will be getting more exhibits in the future. So, we will probably check it out again. To learn more, click on this link:

http://www.hmns.org/education/sugar_land/visit_hmns_at_sugar_land.asp

Our poll on airborne allergens is closed. Happy to report that no one who responded had trouble with airborne allergens. Thanks to all who participated.

Our new poll has to do with President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize. How do you feel about it?

My last post was written before some new records were established at both Bush Intercontinental Airport and Hobby Airport in Houston. On Thursday morning, before the temperature drop on Friday, some new regard high minimum temperatures were set. This means that the temperature did not cool down very much. The low temperature at Bush Airport was only 82...that was the warmest low temperature ever for the month of October. The previous record was 80 (so it was 2 degrees above the record for the entire month!!!) And Hobby Airport's low of 81 also was the warmest minimum temperature for the entire month of October--previous record was 80. So, yes, it has been very warm...record warm!!!

Here is a clarification on the kid's eat free deal at IHOP. We actually ate breakfast there today. The deal is that every day of the week from 4 to 10 pm, kids can eat free...but it is one free kid's meal per adult meal purchased. So, if you had 4 kids in tow, you would have to have 4 adults eating to get all of their meals free.

Have a wonderful week everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Weather Update 2 pm Fri. 10/9

Just a quick update to let you know that the storms and cold front have moved through. Still some light to moderate rain but the rough stuff is now offshore (east of Houston).

Have a safe day!

Severe Storm Threat/Cooler Weather Almost Here!

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Last advisory for Henri has been issued. It is just a remnant low with no forecast for redevelopment. Just east of the Lesser Antilles, there is less than a 30% chance for a new area of disturbed weather to develop.

In the eastern Pacific, there is one area with less than a 30% chance of developing.

Severe weather is marching across the central US (Including west Texas) as I write this post late this Thursday evening. There have been several reports of hail and high winds. And there are tornado and severe storm watches in effect. This is along and ahead of a cold front which will finally bring an end to the heat and humidity the south has been enduring. Along and ahead of the cold front on Friday, there will be numerous severe storms. Although tornadoes can not be ruled out, the biggest threat is high winds. A very chilly day for the northern Rockies and northern plains on Friday with highs only in the 20s and 30s. 40s and 50s for much of the Midwest. Warm and sultry across the south (ahead of the front) and southeast. Mild along the west coast.

Houston, Friday is your last morning to wake up all sweaty. Cold front moves through mid-afternoon. Look for storms as early as late morning with the most intense weather around mid-afternoon. For the weekend, cooler weather with some scattered showers (lows in the 50s and highs in the 70s with low humidity...yeah!!!).

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do cat or gato, pronounced GAH-toe. If you're going to wear scrubs, might as well have some with gatos all over them. See the AND MORE section for more.

Well, I've been making the big push this week...burning the candle at all ends...is there a wick on the side of that candle? Yep!!! And Yippee!!! Volume 2 is now available through our web site www.frankandpaco.com/. Order your copy today...it makes a great birthday or holiday gift. Volume 2 has three chapters (and about 50 words/phrases) My Day, My Body, My Feelings.

AND MORE
Thought you might get a kick out of Megan's scrubs...cats all over...quite appropriate given she is "The Cat Lady" and she works at a cat hospital. Too cute!

Have a safe Friday everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Tropical Storm Henri/An End to Unbearable Heat/Babies/Spelling Help

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Tropical storm Henri formed late today a few hundred miles east of the Lesser Antilles. It is forecast to move northwest while weakening...should not be a problem for any US land area. By the way, that is one of the French type names from the set for this part of the world (name for this set are English, Spanish or French in origin). It is pronounced on-REE.

All is quiet in the tropical Pacific.

Chilly on Wednesday across the northern Rockies and plains with highs in the 30s and 40s. Very warm and sultry across the south and southeast with highs in the 80s and 90s and extremely high dewpoints (i.e. humidity). Elsewhere, highs will be in the 50s, 60s and 70s. There will be some thunderstorms from the southwest to the northeast.

A very hot day in the Houston area--official high at Bush Airport 93 (one degree shy of the record) and the high at Hobby Airport 92 (tieing the record of 92 set in 2005). It wouldn't be so bad except the humidity is exceptionally high (dewpoints of 79...yikes!!!). So it is very stressful heat. But hang on...cold front arrives 2nd half of Friday and brings in cooler weather for the weekend. In the meantime, be prepared to sweat and look for thunderstorms especially Wed. even more so on Friday as the front approaches.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do arrival or llegada, pronounced yay-GAH-dah. We are celebrating the llegada of our 2nd volume of the award winning series Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco.

Yep!!! And Yippee!!! Volume 2 is now available through our web site www.frankandpaco.com/. Order your copy today...it makes a great birthday or holiday gift. Volume 2 has three chapters (and about 50 words/phrases) My Day, My Body, My Feelings.

AND MORE
That's my baby sister Barb's new baby boy. Sorry the picture is so dark. This was sent to me via phone messaging. I tried to lighten it up, but could only do so much because it was low resolution. Anyway, Tyler Richard joined us on Monday, October 5th, 9.5 lbs and 21.5 in. long. This is my sister Barb and husband Jeff's 3rd child. The first is Jared, age 4 and the second is Riley (a girl), age 21 months. They are all red heads. Congratulations Barb and Jeff. By the way, the middle name Richard is in honor of my father whose name was John Richard and I have a brother named Richard. Too cool Barb!

We saw Ned and Danielle's twins recently. Michael and Alexander (as you can see) are getting big! And big brother Teddy is having a ball with them. Too cute!!!

Here's a tip for all of you struggling with teaching your kids spelling words or anything else. Use some of those tub crayons (I get them at Target) and write the words on the tub as soon as you get them. By the end of the week, they will have looked at them so much, they'll know them. Sarah is struggling with her addition facts and I just got the lightbulb...ding...to put up her math equations as well. I think this is going to work!!!

May you solve all your problems as brilliantly as me! Ha!

Happy Wednesday!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Tropical Storm Grace/Not Feeling Like October/Respect Life

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Tropical Storm Grace formed this evening in the northeastern Atlantic. Already a vigorous system when it attained tropical characteristics, it made its debut as a tropical storm with 65 mph winds. Forecast is for it to move north-northeast and weaken. There is also a disturbed area with less than a 30% chance for developing in the central Atlantic.

All is quiet in the tropical Pacific.

Brrrr!!! It is going to be a chilly Monday with some parts of the northern Rockies getting snow and with highs only in the 30s. Highs will be in the 40s across the northern plains. There are numerous winter weather advisories and warnings across the Rockies. Warm and sultry for the southeast and southern plains with highs in the 80s and 90s. Very pleasant elsewhere with highs in the 50s to 70s.

In the Houston area, sitting in church today, heard the rumbling of thunder as the cold front backed up and over us as a warm front. Had some more decent rainfalls. Now, it is warm and muggy again and brace yourselves, it is going to get even more humid and this should last all week. Some rain is possible each day but the next fireworks arrive Friday as the next front moves in. Then upper system shifts so that we have a northwest flow aloft on Sunday and that means some dry, pleasant weather a week from Monday. But, be ready to sweat this week.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do wet or mojado, pronounced mow-HA-doe. It sure was mojado early today.

Volume 2 is in the house, literally! Our web site is being updated so that it can be purchased there. I will let you know when that is. I have uploaded it to Amazon and it should start showing up in about a week. I will monitor and let you know about that. And I will be getting it out to our vendors. In the meantime, you can order our award winning Volume 1 DVD, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco from www.frankandpaco.com/. I will also be getting Volume 2 to the following vendors who sell Volume 1-- 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/. For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, go to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
Every year around this time...October 2nd to be exact I would remember the birthday of my old buddy Robert Smith. This was the man who helped me get started as an on air TV meteorologist. He changed the course of my life--helping me fulfill a lifelong career dream in a place where I met my life partner--Gordy. A year ago in April, Robert was working his property, putting in some plumbing lines using a backhoe. His son asked him to wait a week as his wife had just had a baby, and he wanted to help him do it safely. But Robert was determined to get the work done. There was an accident and the backhoe fell on him. Tragically, as a result of his internal injuries, he died. This man not only helped me...he helped dozens of people launch their careers and follow their dreams. He was so full of life. Robert would have turned 61 this year. My prayers are with his family, including 6 surviving children and a loving wife.

Today was Respect Life Sunday. I have said this before and I will say it again...I do not agree with abortion. I believe that life begins at conception and that every life is sacred. When I look at Sarah and think that if people were doing prenatal genetic testing for her syndrome, some people would choose to abort. I tell you I can not imagine my life without her. Her zest for life is extraordinary and she is one of the most amazing, funny and loving people I have ever known. Certainly, my life would not be the same without her and yet there are people on this earth who would choose never to have someone like her. Yes. We have had to endure hardships. Yes. It has been unbearably difficult at times. And Yes. It has been a life of joy beyond comprehension.

Don't forget to hug the ones you love.
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

More Quick Weather Changes/Allergy Hotline/New Poll

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
There is one little area in the western Atlantic (with less than a 30% chance for developing). In the Pacific, there is Tropical Storm Olaf and it is forecast to move eastward and over the Baja Peninsula form the end of the weekend. It is also forecast to weaken.

Today, cold front is marching across the US. Highs will be in the 50s across much of the northern states. There will be 70s, 80s and 90s across the south with some thunderstorms there and along the eastern seaboard.

Houston will be pleasant today...prefrontal trough brought a vigorous line of thunderstorms through the area between 4 and 7 am. Some nice soaking rains with totals of 1 to 2 inches for much of the area and some 3+ totals around Friendswood...this information courtesy of the Harris County Office of Emergency Management rain gauge network. Cold front was hot on its heels and it is very pleasant outside. Highs will be in the upper 70s today with low humidity. I've got the windows open. Ooohhh Ahhhh. Quick change on Saturday as the cold front backs up, bringing thunderstorms 2nd half of Saturday and into early Sunday. Next cold front arrives middle of the coming week.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do allergy or alergia, pronounced a-lur-HEE-ah. Do you have an alergia...find out how to check air-borne allergy levels in th AND MORE section.

BIG NEWS! Volume 2 should arrive today!!! We will updating our web site so that you can order it from there. I will also upload to Amazon but it won't be available for about a week. You can our Volume 2 and our our award winning Volume 1 DVD, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco from www.frankandpaco.com/. I will also be getting Volume 2 to the following vendors who sell Volume 1-- 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/. For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, go to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
Before our lovely wind shift and rain, Thursday was not a good day for allergy sufferers. I was a mess. I haven't had trouble with ragweed before (it is ragweed season now). So, I called the City of Houston Health Department allergy hotline 713-247-5846. Ragweed was extremely heavy (so who knows...they say after 7 years, you become sensitized and maybe I have done just that). But tree pollen was at heavy levels (with it being elm pollen). Now, in the spring, I am severely allergy to tree pollen (oak). So, I get a shot of kenalog and depamedrol last lasts 3 months. Also, mold spores and grass pollen were at medium levels.

The other day I had to go up the Katy Freeway to get to downtown. It was the first time, I had seen the Katy Tollroad. I love this idea...you can go on it if you are willing to pay. The lane on the right is for people who pay and the lane on the left is the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane. Police were on sight monitoring who wasn't complying. I wish they had this option on 59.

My poll about yard work is closed. 55% mow their own yard. 66% prune. 66% fertilize. 66% put in flower gardens. 33% put in vegetable gardens. 22% like to pull weeds. 22% don't ever do yard work. Thanks to all who participated.

The new poll has to do with air-borne allergens. Which ones are you allergic to. Or are you one of the lucky ones (like my husband Gordy) who doesn't suffer from allergy. You know what makes him sneeze is when he eats peppermints. Too funny. More than one answer is allowed. Thanks in advance for participating.

Have a great weekend everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman