Tuesday and Halloween Forecast/Christmas Stamps/Dr. Toy Helps Out

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
There is an area of disturbed weather in the central Atlantic, and it does have the potential to strengthen a bit. But even if it does, in a couple days it will run into some hostile conditions which will weaken it. I'll let you know if anything interesting happens.

Looks like a nice Tuesday on the way for most of the country. It will be mild to warm except for the Great Lakes states and northeast where highs will be in the 30s, 40s and 50s. There will also be some snow showers and chilly rain in these cooler areas.

Did you notice that wind today. Ahhhh, but it was so refreshing. Now that the front has moved east of Houston, the pressure gradient is no longer tight and the winds have died down. It will be chilly in the morning...kids will need those jackets. But get ready for a spectacular, sunny and mild afternoon.

Outlook for Halloween--Highs in the 30s,40s,50s along the northern tier of states. There will be some showers along the west coast. Everywhere else should be dry. Houston's average high/low on Halloween are 76.3 and 57.3, with 4/10 and inch of rain. Temperature wise, we should be close to that...maybe 3 degrees warmer. Look for trick or treat time temperatures to be in the 60s. There should be no rain.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
I will go with chilly--definitely felt chilly or fresco, pronounced FRAYS-co, this morning. Now, I being female--if I said, I feel chilly, I would say tengo fresca.

Tengo is a word used to indicate a state you are in. If you're hungry, you say tengo hambre. We introduced such short sentences in our award winning DVD, Volume 1 of Let's Learn Spanish with Frank and Paco, a Dr. Toy Top 10 Educational Product for 2008. You can order it from www.frankandpaco.com, www.venturaes.com, www.dololanguages.com, www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com, www.amazon.com, www.bestbuy.com, and www.barnesandnoble.com.

Had some exciting news today...apparently Dr. Toy is talking up our DVD big time. We will be in a best holiday gifts section in a regional catalog distributed in Colorado. Other exciting news includes that we had our first international order from Hong Kong. I shipped that one out today.

AND MORE
When I was at the post office, several times (not just a few) I heard customers asking for Christmas stamps. I thought wait a minute, why are they are doing that. Then I realized, wow! We are getting to that holiday time of year. Kudos to those folks for being so proactive.

Speaking of being proactive, I'm hoping to early vote tomorrow or Wednesday. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Tomorrow, I'll have an announcement about an exciting new book that is being released.

Have a terrific Tuesday everyone.
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

World Series Game Forecast/Wind Advisory/Blood Test

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Making the switch from tropical discussions to talking about the coldest weather so far this fall for some parts of the nation (mainly the northeast). The set up is a big ridge over the west and a deep trough over the east. And that deep trough will bring Houston a reinforcing shot of dry, cool air starting early Monday. It is going to be a windy, cool day with highs only in the 60s. So make sure the little ones are bundled up. In fact a Wind Advisory is in effect for the Houston area. This means you should keep both hands on the wheel and be especially careful driving a high profile vehicle like a van or SUV.

There has already been some snowfall over the western Great Lakes states and for much of the Great Lakes, it will be intermittent cold rain or light snow for the next couple of days.

In Philadelphia, Game 5 of the World Series will be played Monday night with temperatures in the 40s. Windy conditions won't arrive there until after the game is over. Rain should not be a problem.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Another lovely day...although we did wait for the cooler late afternoon to head to the park. So, we'll make park the word of the day...parque is pronounced PAR-kay. If you didn't make it to the parque today, you'll have to wait a couple days until it is pleasant enough to go again.

In our DVD series, we include the article with each noun introduced. We did that because we wanted the children to learn the article along with the noun so that when they do begin conversational Spanish, it will come more naturally. One example is el parque for park. What DVD series you ask--well our award winning one of course. You can order Volume 1 of Let's Learn Spanish with Frank and Paco, a Dr. Toy Top 10 Educational Product for 2008, from www.frankandpaco.com, www.venturaes.com, www.dololanguages.com, www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com, www.amazon.com, www.bestbuy.com, and www.barnesandnoble.com.

AND MORE
We ran into a neighbor at the park. He told me that they tried to go to the zoo today, but it was just a "zoo". They could not find a parking space until much effort and time were wasted. So, they decided to take their little girl on the train ride and to feed the ducks and then leave. Fortunately, she is only 2 and thought they had happily achieved what they had set out to do. Oh, the wonderful innocence and gratitude of a child.

Speaking of wonderful children, I have to brag on Sarah. Bless her little heart, we had to do her annual labs yesterday morning. She had a long blood test. Well, she was a bit nervous at first but bravely submitted to the needle and patiently (and curiously) watched as they drew out 4 viles. The funny part was when she was done...she ran down the hall yelling, "Yay! I was so brave!!!" Everyone in the waiting area just laughed and smiled. She really is so brave. Sometimes, it just makes me want to cry.

Well, happy Monday everyone. Don't forget to vote early if you are so inclined. And hang onto your hats. It is going to be windy.

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

What Hubby Got From High School Musical 3/Halloween Party/Sunday Forecast

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
No developing areas in the tropics. Yay!

Cold front is almost off the eastern seaboard. Look for some showers and thunderstorms in Maine and southern Florida on Sunday. Wrap around low over Great Lakes will bring some cold rain and even snowers (mainly northern Minnesota). The coolest temperatures will be over the Great Lakes and northeast.

For Houston, another great day on the way...it will be warmer in the afternoon. Reinforcing shot of dry, cool air arrives Monday. Halloween will be mild with a slight chance of showers.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Today is two months until Christmas!!! Yikes!!! So our word for the day is month or mes, pronounced mace. So it is dos meces until Christmas. Dos by the way means two in Spanish.

So, wrap up your shopping right now. Order our award winning DVD--Volume 1 of Let's Learn Spanish with Frank and Paco. It is a Dr. Toy Top 10 Educational Product for 2008. So, order today from www.frankandpaco.com, www.venturaes.com, www.dololanguages.com, www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com, www.amazon.com, www.bestbuy.com, and www.barnesandnoble.com.

AND MORE
We went to a Halloween party this afternoon. Would you believe that Sarah dressed up as High School Musical character? She was Sharpay. And there were several kids at the party in High School Musical characters.

Gordy took Megan to see the movie again tonight. I asked him what was his favorite part and he said watching her happy face as she enjoyed it.

We also got to the park today. I just love October in Houston. It was soooooooooooooooooo nice!!!

Have you voted yet? This is the last weekend for early voting. I am hoping to vote early. Waiting 2 hours to vote in presidential elections is something I have done and it's not fun. Don't forget to answer my poll about early voting.

Have a great Sunday!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Weekend Forecast/High School Musical 3/Losing Teeth

HURRICANES AND MORE
The tropics are quiet but a spotter reported a tornado in southeastern Georgia today. There are storms along and ahead of a cold front. There will be rain from the northeast to southern Miami both Saturday and Sunday. There will also be some rain and even snow showers around the Great Lakes States and Minnesota.

Houston woke up Friday to temperatures in the 40s and it will be that way again on Saturday. Highs both Saturday and Sunday will be in the 80s with Sunday being the warmer day. Enjoy!

SPANISH WORD FOR THE DAY
Since my girls and I saw High School Musical 3 today (and yes, Sarah sat through the whole movie--a first for her!), we shall do musical or musical--but notice the pronunciation is quite different--moo-see-CAHL. My daughters loved this musical.

The characters of Taylor and Gabriella are very good at math and science. Well, one way to increase your little ones standardized test scores in math and science is to have them learn another language. And you can do this in a fun way by buying our DVD--Volume 1 of Let's Learn Spanish with Frank and Paco. It is a Dr. Toy Top 10 Educational Product for 2008. So, order today from www.frankandpaco.com, www.venturaes.com, www.dololanguages.com, www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com, www.amazon.com, www.bestbuy.com, and www.barnesandnoble.com.

AND MORE
Yes, I literally picked up Megan from the house and then Sarah from school and headed to the theater to see High School Musical 3. Most of the kids we saw were about 5 to 9. Sarah is right smack in the middle at age 7. But Megan, who is 20, loves it too. And I have to admit, I wanted to see it. Well, I read some negative reviews, but I have to say that just watching the dance scenes, made it worth seeing. They took it up a notch or two for this theater version. You'll have to see it, but one of the dance scenes actually made me dizzy--it was too cool! So, yep, we give it 3 thumbs up!

Losing teeth is turning out to be something Sarah does very well. She just lost her 8th baby tooth yesterday after losing her 7th one on Wednesday. She is absolutely fearless and determined about it to the point that sometimes folks at school ask me if she is okay. Well, those 2 teeth were loose. But I think what got her going was her teacher reading a story about a kid with a loose tooth. Sarah got so worked up while the teacher was reading that she pulled the 1st one out. Then, the next day, she had to repeat the story back to me for her homework. Well, that got her thinking and messing with the other one until that one was out too. The tooth fairy had to make an extra trip to the bank!

By the way, we were looking for costumes for Megan tonight, and I found a Wonder Woman outfit. Do you think I should get it for me? What does a Wonder Weather Woman wear? Leave me a comment if you dare! That's my attempt at being poetic. Sorry!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Weekend and Halloween Forecasts/Effective Comcast Worker

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Still have some disturbed weather in the western Caribbean.

Otherwise, it's fall baby!!! Today's high in Houston was only 70. We'll start Friday in the 40s. I'm shivering already. Seriously, we opened up the windows today and just enjoyed it so much!!! Weekend lows in the 40s and 50s and highs in the 70s and 80s. Wow!!!

It's raining along and head of the cold front that brought us our cool down. Much of the eastern U.S. will have rain over the next 2 days.

Houston Halloween looking mild and breezy after all...rain chances only about 20%.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
I am keeping this brief because I am helping my step-daughter Megan study or estudiar, pronounced s-too-dee-ARE. The only way to get good grades is estudiar. By the way, Megan is studying to be a vet. paramedic. Go Megan! Go Megan!

I love to give free talks about the benefits of early language learning. So, let me know if you want one for your group. I always throw in some interesting weather info. too. One way your young ones can enjoy the benefits of early language learning if through our award winning DVD--Volume 1 of Let's Learn Spanish with Frank and Paco. It is a Dr. Toy Top 10 Educational Product for 2008. So, order today from www.frankandpaco.com, www.venturaes.com, www.dololanguages.com, www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com, www.amazon.com, www.bestbuy.com, and www.barnesandnoble.com.

AND MORE
FINALLY!!! FINALLY!!! Our digital cable is working correctly. Still waiting for Comcast to bury the cable though (and not in our neighbor's yard where it is lieing right now).

Anyway, a wonderful fixer person came to our house and I told him of our woes and how our signal drops out and some stations don't even show up. Well, he listened and figured out that there is not enough power going to the digital cable. He said someday Comcast will improve the infrastructure so it works right to begin with. In the meantime, he fixed us up and made sure that the phone and high speed Internet did not suffer. It turns out that this guy is from up north and came her as contract labor. He said he hears complaints nearly all day long. He was so nice...I was very happy to meet him!!!!

Have a fabulous Friday everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Thursday forecast/Spooky Weather for Halloween/Our claims experience

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
From one extreme to the other...tropical disturbance has brought deadly flooding to Honduras while blizzard warnings and winter storm warnings are in effect for parts of Kansas and Nebraska through Thursday. The same system bringing wintry weather to the nation's mid-section is bringing a line of storms through Houston this evening. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning and Urban and Small Stream Flood Advisory were issued in Harris County.

Cooler and drier weather will move into the Houston area. But it will take about a day and a half to kick that upper low out of the central plains. So it will be slick and possibly treacherous there until Friday.

Look for a cool day on Thursday in Houston. Friday morning lows will be in the 40s. Friday afternoon highs will be back up in the 80s. The weekend -- cool mornings, sunny, warm and dry afternoons.

Looking ahead to Halloween--could it be? Something wet this way comes? It is starting to look like there will be some storms around on Halloween. Will keep you updated.

SPANISH WORD FOR THE DAY
Since we've had thunderstorms in Houston this evening, let's do lightning. Now there isn't exactly lightning in Spanish, but there is a flash of lightning -- un relámpago, pronounced oon ray-LAM-pah-go. There was un relámpago, but fortunately we were inside!

Learning Spanish is not only fun, it helps the brain. Research shows that the brains of youngsters who are learning more than one language, benefit by having increased neurological development in the part of the brain associated with language. So, it's a no brainer...help them learn another language. And one of the most fun and easiest ways is through our award winning DVD--Volume 1 of Let's Learn Spanish with Frank and Paco. Of course, I never fail to mention that it is a Dr. Toy Top 10 Educational Product for 2008. Because it is so beneficial to cognitive development, you can feel good about giving this DVD as a gift to your favorite youngters. So, order today from www.frankandpaco.com, www.venturaes.com, www.dololanguages.com, www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com, www.amazon.com, www.bestbuy.com, and www.barnesandnoble.com.

AND MORE
Well, our insurance adjustor showed up today. He thinks we will get some money back, especially since we had the 1% deductible (before the standard became 2%). This will help pay for some of our new fence and a few other little items.

Dennis, our adjustor from State Farm, had a very interesting story. He is here because when his house in New Orleans was flooded with 9 ft of water, he temporarily moved to Dallas. He said it was one of the best experiences of his life because the people were just so kind and welcoming to him. He said he'll never forget it. And when Ike hit here, he volunteered to help assess the claims. He just wanted to give back. Now that is neat!!!

Have a safe evening everyone. Remember to TURN AROUND AND DON'T DROWN if you encounter a flooded roadway.

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Wednesday Forecast/Winter Storm Watch/Ike Damage

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Still seeing that area of disturbed weather in the western Caribbean...nothing new to report. Hope it doesn't bring too much rain to Honduras, Belize, Guatemala.

The strongest cold front so far this fall is on its way. Will arrive around midnight tomorrow (Wednesday) night. Here's a big news flash--A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for portions of Nebraska. There could be some snow and slippery roads from Wednesday morning until Thursday morning. It will be chilly and wet across the nation's midsection.

In Houston, it will be more humid as the front approaches. Look for a few showers during the day and a line of storms Wednesday night into early Thursday morning. Then most of Thursday should be dry. Thursday night into Friday morning, most of the area will drop into the 40s. Brrrrr!!! Weekend is looking spectacular. Halloween will be breezy and mild.

SPANISH WORD FOR THE DAY
Since we are talking about the first snow of the season for Nebraska, let's do snow or nieve, pronounced knee-AY-vay. Just thinking about nieve makes me shiver.

Everywhere I go people ask me how I like just taking it easy. Well of course, I tell them I have been a busy little bee making Volume 1 of Let's Learn Spanish with Frank and Paco. Of course, I never fail to mention that it is a Dr. Toy Top 10 Educational Product for 2008. Because it is so beneficial to cognitive development, you can feel good about giving this DVD as a gift to your favorite youngters. So, order today from www.frankandpaco.com, www.venturaes.com, www.dololanguages.com, www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com, www.amazon.com, www.bestbuy.com, and www.barnesandnoble.com.

AND MORE
We didn't make it to David Wallace's big book signing last night, but I did talk to David's executive assistant. The release party for "One Nation Under Blog" was quite a big success and fun! I can't wait to read this book!

Had a nice long chat with Greg Bostwick of KFDM in Beaumont. Greg, another Aggie, helped get me hired for my first TV gig. KFDM, the CBS station in Beaumont was a wonderful place to work. Greg taught me a lot. He said he has been there now for 30 years!!! I had called to see how he came through the hurricane. Ike damaged his home in Winnie, picking up part of his greenhouse and slamming it through the roof. Greg said they've had plenty of storms--NO MORE!!! Rita and last year's Humberto also brought them high wind. But Greg thinks the winds with Ike easily hit 100 mph. The good news is that he and his family are safe.

Don't forget to participate in our blog--are you voting early, yes or no.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman