Many threatened by Severe Storms/Waiting for Three Cups of Tea

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Good morning all! It's hard to believe with this rain that in just a few hours Houston will be nice and sunny. A very pleasant Friday on the way with sunshine, a cool morning and highs in the 70s. Weekend will be warm and muggy with a shower possible, mainly later in the weekend. Monday and Tuesday look spectacular. Looking way ahead to Easter Sunday...warm and muggy with a shower possible.

Lots of weather this am across the U.S. It is going to be stormy in much of the southeast and northern Gulf states, Tennessee and Ohio Valleys, Appalachians and Eastern Seaboard. Notice the moderate risk for severe storms (southeast U.S.) on the Storm Prediction Center graphic at right. This will be the area with most intense storms.

Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies will have some showers and snow at the higher elevations.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do umbrella or paraguas, pronounced pah-rah-GWAHS. I hope you had your paraguas this morning.

We are making tremendous progress on finishing Volume 2 of our DVD series, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. Right after that, we will edit Volume 3. Both have been shot and written...just have to be pieced together. My team has also planned out Volumes 4 through 9 and one of those will have weather terms (of course!!!). In the meantime, you can order the award winning Volume 1 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/. For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
I finished the book about the 2 Chinese sisters. One thing I took away from it is that life really goes by so quickly. The other is that we are all really so much alike deep down. People have commented to me that our neighborhood is like the United Nations. And, I really agree. I love the way we have so many cultures. Sarah is completely comfortable playing with all of her friends. It is a beautiful thing to see.

Where I grew up (Brownsville and Harlingen in the Rio Grande Valley), it was quite unusual...there were mainly 2 groups--Anglos and Mexican (some Mexican American and some living in this transition zone illegally). Behind our house in Brownsville there was a neighborhood with dirt floors. Sometimes, we would sneak back there and play with the kids who lived there. One day an old woman told me, you should not come back here. The dirt will make you turn brown like us. I looked at her with wonder. Really?! I remember wishing that I had brown hair like all of my friends. As only one of a few blonde girls in the school, I sometimes felt like I would rather be different. I wished I at least had a brown wig.

When I went to Texas A & M for my undergraduate studies in Meteorology, it was quite a change. The school at least at that time was predominately Anglo. But there were also Asians, Hispanics and Indians.

Once I entered the work force, I enjoyed working with many folks from Asian and Indonesian countries, India and Pakistan.

Through all of this, I have learned to thoroughly enjoy the traditions and experiences of other cultures. That is why I often read books about people from other parts of the world.

Yesterday at the library, I took the plunge...I put myself on the waiting list for the book, Three Cups of Tea. I am #23. Will let you know when I get it!

Have a great day everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

T-Storm Watch for Houston Until 10 am

Band of heavy rain moving through right now...check graphic at right for radar and advisories.

Have a safe morning!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Jet Stream Keeps Weather Changing/More Fun to Give Than to Receive

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
A few severe storms are possible on Wednesday in a circle which includes Oklahoma, Arkansas and a little piece of Texas. The jet stream is overall sagging southward with a series of small waves rippling along it. These will cause frequent but minor changes in the weather for the lower 1/2 of the country. Everywhere to the north will be dealing with fairly cool weather for about a week.

On Wednesday, look for a few snow/rain showers over the Great Lakes and northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest. There will be some thunderstorms in the extreme southeast.

Houston will be very pleasant, starting in 40s and ending up in the 70s. Clouds return by late afternoon. A few showers are possible Tuesday as the next weak front approaches and moves through. Weekend looks warm (highs in the low 80s) with a shower or two possible.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do school students or escolares, pronounces ehs-coh-lar-EHS. I have some wonderful escolares in my CCE class.

I have always loved children and that is part of the inspiration for my awarding winning DVD, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. I think like a kid and want to play at their level. And I think that is why our DVD is so successful--it's at their level--it has what they like. So, don't miss out on this fun way to teach Spanish to your little ones. Order your copy today 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/. For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
Today, the students in my 1st grade religion class put together bags of goodies for refugee families that our parish has adopted. It was so fun for them to take the kinds of things they love and give them to others. I think back to what I remember from 1st grade and it really is a self-absorbed time. That's why we do these kinds of projects--of course it is also the right thing to do. But it helps kids become more aware of the needs and lives of others. They begin to think of others instead of only themselves. I wish you all could have been there to see the joy on their faces. It was such a neat sight.

From the not observant mommy department, I got all the way to the church only to realize that Sarah had gotten in the car with no shoes or socks. Now realize that I should have noticed as I buckled her up but did I? Nooooooooooooooooooo! So, I loaned her my socks (I was wearing boots)--oooooh, I don't like wearing shoes without socks but I couldn't have her in bare feet). And she walked around in socks for the entire class period. Thank goodness I was wearing boots/socks and not sandles.

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone and don't forget your shoes.
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Severe Weather Update - Tuesday Morning 3/31

Severe storms just east of Austin have produced quarter sized hail. These storms could move into the Houston area by mid-day.

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Severe Threat/Poll Results/New Poll

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
A line of severe storms is moving across Oklahoma as I write this, this evening. In the morning, those storms will be pushing into the northern Gulf states. Look for rain and thunderstorms from Texas to New Orleans northward to Kentucky. There will showers and sometimes snow across the Pacific Northwest, northern Intermountain Region, western Great Lakes and northern New England. Warmest weather will be across the southeast (ahead of the front) with highs in the 80s.

Houston will have a line of showers and thunderstorms move through during the morning. By mid-afternoon, the skies should be clearing. Look for another round of rain on Thursday after a sunny start to Wednesday.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do makeup or maquillarse, pronounced mah-key-YAR-say. The woman liked to try new colors of maquillarse, especially lipsticks.

The puppets Frank and Paco in our award winning DVD, Let' Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, did not have to wear makeup, but they did have a lot of props. That is part of the fun and one of the reasons children like to watch the video so much. Order your copy today 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/. For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
Our poll on high heel shoes is now closed. 50% think wearing high heels is one of the best ways to look attractive. 16% said they are too painful. 33% said wearing high heels keeps podiatrists in business. 16% said high heels are worth the pain. No one said the higher the better or it hurts to look at them. Now, here is something I found out from my podiatrist...wearing high heels caused the padding in the ball of my foot to slip forward into an unnatural position. Note that more than one answer was allowed. Thanks to all of you who participated.

Our new poll has to do with the current administration's handling of the automobile manufacturers. Only one answer is allowed.

This comes from the "Out of the Mouths of Babes Department". Most of you have never seen me without makeup. But I can tell you that I look very different. It's kind of like Cecilia and then Wonder Weather Woman--the are so different! Thank goodness Gordy has poor vision now. Ha! Anyway, tonight after I took off my makeup, Sarah looked at me and said, "You don't look like Mommy" and I asked her if she meant because I wasn't wearing makeup and she said yes. Yikes...and for so long she was blissfully unaware (either that or she couldn't vocalize it).

All I can say is thank goodness for makeup!

Have a safe Tuesday everyone.
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Weather to Start the Week/Have Things Changed?/SMG Success

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Some rain/thunderstorms return to the plains and lower Mississippi Valley on Monday. There will also be some rain/snow in northern New England and in the northern Rockies. Most of the northern tier of states will have highs in the 30s. The southern tier will be in the 70s and 80s.

Houston will turn cloudy during the afternoon on Monday. Highs will be in the 70s. There will be some showers and thunderstorms on Tuesday as a weak cold front moves through the area.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do weather or tiempo, pronounced tee-EHM-poh. The tiempo in Houston today was just gorgeous. Note, tiempo is also the word for time.

Well don't let the time tick away on your youngster's childhood. This is the optimal time for language learning--especially before the age of 8--the age at which 80% of the neurological pathways have formed.. Order our award winning DVD, Let' Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, today 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/. For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
I don't get a chance to watch much TV...I prefer reading (and I don't have much time for that). But this morning, as Sarah checked out her favorite Internet sites, Megan studied at her mom's and Gordy rested a sore back, I had the decadent pleasure of reading for several hours. Did I mention we went to mass yesterday evening? Well, I am reading this fascinating book about 2 Chinese sisters. One decides to become a medical doctor and earns a scholarship to come to the US (in the 1930s). This is based on a true story. Her husband, another doctor, is hired by Eli Lilly himself to develop various medicines using materials from other countries. The husband developed ephedrine. Anyway, it is fascinating to read about what these women endured to get their careers. Then tonight, I did watch The #1 Ladies Detective Agency on HBO. It is a series based on the popular book series of the same title. I had read one of those books and just loved it. The setting is Botswana Africa but the stories are relatable to all of us.

When I went to college, Texas A & M rolled out the red carpet for me. I think they wanted more young ladies in their meteorology program. But I was a bit put off when the advisor snickered about me getting a husband and what nought. My mother was with me. She was my biggest fan and advocate. Do you remember that little conversation Mom? But back then, we just laughed and tried to move on to what we were trying to accomplish--not taking taking exception to what had been said.

When I first started in the work force, I took a job as a secretary at a CPA firm. They were using typewriters. I became the one who selected a word processor to use--I picked Wordperfect at the time. We loved our word processors! When I moved back to Houston, I took a job at a turn key computer/software company. The boss frequently mused aloud about married female employees---they probably want to have a baby--saying it in a very disgusted and disdainful way. You didn't dare talk about babies or even the thought of having babies. That was a big no-no. The bosses didn't want to hear about it!

Anyway, I wonder if things have changed much. Any thoughts you wish to share?

P.S. Congratulations to Frank Brody, Doris Rotzoll Hood and the fine folks at the NASA Space Flight Meteorology Group for forecasting the tricky weather Saturday and helping make the shuttle landing a success!

Have a great week everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Weekend Weather/High Heels/Doctors in Short Supply

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
There were 20 tornadoes in the US on Friday including one in Hardin, TX. But the big story for folks in and around Houston was the large hail. One report was baseball sized hail just west of Conroe. Yikes!!! And how about that freaky snow in the panhandle of TX and in OK.

The severe weather this Saturday will be across the southeast. There have already been several reports of severe weather this am in the southeast. This am there is snow in Oklahoma and Kansas. What month is it?! Look for snow in Kansas City today and on Sunday the snow will move into the Ohio Valley and upper midwest. On Sunday the severe weather will be along the eastern seaboard with some snow and rain across the Great Lakes. There will also be showers in the Pacific Northwest on Saturday and then snow/rain in the northern Rockies on Sunday.

Houston--what a difference a day makes...cool, sunny and windy today. Then on Sunday, absolutely gorgeous with sunshine, lows in the 40s and highs in the 70s. Rain moves through on Tuesday.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do surprise or sorpresa, pronounced sore-PREH-sah. There was a sorpresa on Friday when it snowed in the panhandle of Texas.

To learn fun Spanish words which appeal to children, check out our award winning DVD, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. Order your's today 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/. For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
Our latest poll (about women's high heels) ends Monday evening. It's been pushed way down because of the need to prioritize severe weather graphics. Now, it is at the top. So check it out!

My mother and father in-law ended a visit with us on Wednesday. I had to laugh because my father-in-law seemed to attract the animals at the Bayou Wildlife Park more than anyone else in our group. He had had a bad experience with a spitting camel that visiting the St. Albert's schools where he works in Council Bluffs, Iowa. So, he was a bit nervous when this guy at the Bayou Wildlife Park was a little too friendly and persistent.

An endocrinologist I know said her network of endo. doctors is about 700. She said they really need about twice that number. She offered this information after I told her it had taken us a long time to get into to see her for Sarah. I found this information intriguing and troubling. As far as I understand the American Medical Association limits the number of doctors. I can tell you from personal experience that we often have very long lead times for getting Sarah into see various specialists. We're talking several months. And whoa to you if you have to reschedule for some reason. It is very stressful for parents.

Well, we're off to Sarah's Dream League games.

Have a great weekend!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman