More comfortable/Burgers and Butterflies/Most Painful Stilettos

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Jimena is the big story tonight given that the winds are 140 mph (Cat. 4) and it could run right over the Baja California peninsula in a couple days. Kevin to the west, is not a concern to anyone except shipping interests.

In the Atlantic, Invest 94 has greater than a 50% chance to become a named storm within 2 days. This is according to The National Hurricane Center. Next storm name is Erika. Some of the new model runs are now taking it on a path further to the south (into the northeast Caribbean). So, we shall see.

A taste of fall across the midwest, Ohio and Tennessee Valleys and northeast with lower humidity and more comfortable temperatures. Still hot in west and south Texas and the desert southwest. Thunderstorms mainly south Texas, the southeast and the Rockies.

Houston, the humidity is lower!!! Did you notice it today?! Look for some lows the next to mornings in the low 70s with some outlying areas in the upper 60s. Highs will be in the low 90s. Weak cold front slid just to our south!!! More humid later in the week with some thunderstorms starting late Friday and on and off through the Labor Day weekend.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do butterfly or mariposa, pronounced mah-ree-POH-sah. Have you ever seen 30 mariposas released at one time. Find out more in the AND MORE section.

Our 2nd volume is finished!!! I will send the disks to the DVD replicating company this week. Will let you know when they are ready for ordering. In the meantime, order our award winning Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, Volume 1. Order 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, go to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE

Former FOX 26 co-worker Omar Perez is quite the artist (and doesn't care if women's feet hurt) Ha! Check out this pair of stilleto's that he designed courtesy of a Facebook link posted by another FOX 26 co-worker Stuart Green:
http://www.houstonpress.com/events/omar-angel-perez-stilettos-1396160/
So, Omar's art is on display. I know wife Katharine Landmeier is mega proud!!! Just don't wear those things okay?!

Saturday was the second annual Burgers and Butterflies get together at my friend Kim's house. It was 2 years ago that Kim and Patrick as well as sister Grace Ann and brother Connor lost baby brother Christian due to complications from cri du chat syndrome. Kim and Patrick are amazingly brave and God trusting parents. They went through so much trying to keep little Christian as healthy and comfortable as possible. When, they lost him, they grieved and held their family even closer.

Since then, Kim, a registered nurse has done amazing things including working Texas Children's neonatal folks on improving conditions for families there. She began working again as a nurse, providing home care for families who have seriously ill children. And she and Patrick put together the Burgers and Butterflies annual celebration. At the first year's event, they were the only family. But through a grief support group, they have met other families who have lost children. This year they recognized these families. Kim orders dozens of monarch butterflies. They are shipped to Houston in a cooler and over 24 hours allowed to warm up. They are carefully tucked into see -through envelopes. After some thoughtful words, Kim gives everyone the go ahead to carefully remove the butterflies, allowing them to open and close their wings until they are ready to fly away...just as all the little children flew away to heaven. It is very moving. Kim wants everyone to know that their grief support group welcomes newcomers--anyone who has lost a child including those who have lost through miscarriage. If you would like to join, send me an email to cecilia_sinclair@yahoo.com.

If you would like to learn more about support for cri du chat syndrome families, go to:
http://www.fivepminus.org/

Give your youngsters an extra kiss and hug tonight. Have a great week everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Bumpy Weather Potential/Tropical Update/Poll Results/New Poll

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Danny is now a tropical depression and losing it's tropical characteristics so this morning's National Hurricane Center advisory was the last one. Meanwhile, watching Invest 94, which is in an area with low wind shear and should be able to develop. Forecast path looks to be northwest...kind of like Danny and Bill's. Will monitor.

In the Pacific, Jimena is now a hurricane and should become a major hurricane over the weekend. No direct impact on land likely...but the path could be parallel to the Baja Peninsula.

A hint of fall this weekend across the midwest and moving into the northeast with a cold front. There will be thunderstorms ahead of it and out over the Rockies. Very hot and humid Texas and southwest with highs in the 90s and 100s. Mild along the west coast and northern states.

Houston, we've had a few rough isolated storms. Look for some action late Saturday into early Sunday...I'm thinking some power outages and some heavy downpours. Cold front is nearby but only areas to northwest will get a break from humidity. Fewer storms this week and high pressure digs in stronger.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do Christmas or Navidad, pronounced nah-vee-DAHD. Are you thinking about Navidad yet...participate in our new poll

Hey...you can order Navidad gifts now and avoid the rush and stress. Order our award winning Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, Volume 1. Order 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, go to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
With back to school in mind, my friend Leslie Williams, Houston Chronicle writer, sent me the following 2 stories about people and events helping our youngsters get the supplies they need. There is more need than ever this year.
Thanks Leslie for sharing:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/fortbend/news/6586132.html

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/fortbend/news/6586125.html

Our poll on saving at the grocery store is closed. More than one answer was allowed. 60% siad they used coupons, looks for ads and deals, and looked for deals while shopping. 40% said they buy in bulk. 80% said they purchase generic or store brands. 20% said they don't even grocery shop. And 0% said they buy whatever they want. Thanks to all who participated.

Our new poll is about the upcoming Christmas holidays...apologizing in advance for my Jewish, Hindu, and Muslim friends. I was just thinking this week, when it was August 25th, (and especially with it being so hot and humid) that we are only 4 months from Christmas. So, when do you start shopping/preparing for Christmas. Only one answer is allowed. Thanks to all who participate.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Your Meal Ticket/Make Money because of Your Car/Thunderstorms Central Texas

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Danny is a low grade tropical storm...forecast to take a path very similar to Bill's. Further east, there is yet another area to watch, Invest 94.

Some major excitement in central Texas tonight as thunderstorms bring much needed rain. I think it even rained in parched Bandera--right Gerry (that's my stepdad who lives in the Bandera). Thanks to my bud, Mike Guerrero, who lives in San Antonio. He told me on Facebook that there is some lightning.

On Friday, there will be scattered storms in Texas and much of the southeast US. Highs will be in the 90s and 100s in Texas and the southwest. L.A. will be warmer than it has been ina while with a high in the mid to upper 80s. Rest of country in 70s and 80s.

Houston will be hot and humid with scattered storms. Weekend looks very similar with perhaps slightly fewer storms.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do money or dinero, pronounced dee--NAIR-oh. To get some ideas on how to get more dinero, see the AND MORE section.

It doesn't cost much dinero, but it sure pays back in the long run--early language learning. Take the first step. Order our award winning Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, Volume 1. Order 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, go to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
Okay, I'm into this money marking/bargain mode...so don't forget to answer our poll before it closes.

Now, let's talk another money saving option...the IHOP on 59 in Houston has on its sign that says kids eat free 4 pm to 10 pm 7 days a week.

And how about an easy way to make money. If you are willing to put ads on your car, and you get picked, you could make anywhere between $300 and $900 per month for up to 3 months. Check out the web site:
http://myfreecar.com/

Okay...I need to go to bed. Got that pilot shoot tomorrow.
Happy Friday!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Tropical Update/Rain for the Weekend/The Hannah Montana Movie

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Active area near the Bahamas is on the verge of becoming a tropical storm. Next name is Claudette. In the Pacific, Ignacio is taking a path to the northwest...not threatening any land area. There are also 2 other areas to watch.

On Wednesday, highs will be in the 90s and 100s in Texas and the Desert Southwest. Highs will be in the 90s for much of the country. It will be mild along west coast, Great Lakes, northern New England. Many areas will have thunderstorms but no severe storm risk areas have been designated by the Storm Prediction Center.

In Houston, it will be more hot and humid weather with isolated thunderstorms. Look for more widespread storms over the weekend and early in the coming week.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do climb or subida, pronounced sue-BEE-dah. I love Hannah Montana's song about life being a subida. Check it out in the AND MORE section.

Well the climb continues...finished the technical review on Volume 2. So, after the final edits, we will order the first 1000 copies. In the meantime, you can order our award winning Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, Volume 1. Order 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, go to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
Working on content for the segment being shot soon for the Positively Houston pilot. They have a web site:
http://www.positivelyhouston.com/
On the sports side, it's a small world as I worked with Steve Mark when I first joined FOX. Anyway, I will be in the pilot and if that goes well, I will be involved with a regular show.

So you know this summer is hot, but here's something you may not know. For Houston, the period June 1st through August 20th is the warmest on record!!! No wonder the pools felt like hot tubs. Meanwhile, my in-laws in Council Bluffs Iowa finally got some warm weather...although Mom P. did say they were in the 50s over the weekend. Check out the complete report form the Houston National Weather Service.

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hgx/climate/reviews/082009pns.txt

Megan brought over The Hannah Montana Movie and we enjoyed watching it over the weekend. We had taken Sarah to see it when it was first released to the movie theaters. The movie is really well done and I absolutely love the song about Life's a Climb...it talks about how you need to enjoy what you are going through...you'll always have goals and difficulties...just keep going and enjoy the present while you keep trying. That certainly has been how my life has been these past 2 years since I left television. I have so relished Sarah and family time while working hard to launch my DVD series etc. It has been very hard and very fulfilling.

Finally, I was thinking about all the great, dedicated teachers I know, especially where Sarah is attending school. I was so blessed to have wonderful teachers. I especially feel a tremendous debt to Mr. Edwin Bates, my high school math and science teacher. He had a graduate degree from MIT. Yet, he chose to return to the Rio Grande Valley and teach and farm. He changed my whole life! I'll never forget.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Tropical Wave More Active/Back To School Memories/This Week's Forecast

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
As I write this, Bill is a low end Category 1 hurricane. It is now losing its tropical characteristics but still packing a wallop--lots of rough surf for coastal Maine, Nova Scotia and next in line is Newfoundland. Then it is forecast to move across the Atlantic and pass over the northern U.K. as a tropical depression strength storm.

Meanwhile, the tropical wave I mentioned on Friday, has become re-invigorated. The National Hurricane Center says there is less than a 30% chance of it becoming a tropical storm within 2 days. Shear is low in the area and the forecast shear looks mostly favorable. So, we shall see.

In the eastern Pacific, there is an area of disturbed weather which will likely become a tropical depression very soon. Further west, in the central Atlantic is Tropical Storm Hilda. Its forecast path is westerly, well south of Hawaii.

In the south central US and southwest, highs on Monday will be in the 90s and 100s. It will be warm and muggy across most of the US as the jet stream is way north. Highs will be in the 70s along coastal California and along the northern tier of states. There will be thunderstorms in the southwest and eastern US.

In Houston, highs will be in the middle 90s all week. There is a chance of isolated shower or thunderstorm each day (mainly in the late afternoon and evening).

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do excited, entusiasmado or entusiasmada, pronounced ehn-too-see-ahs-MAH-doh or ehn-too-see-ahs-MAH-dah. A lot of kids are entusiasmado and entusiasmada this evening with school starting tomorrow.

Well, it's back to learning and what better way to help your kids with cognitive development than language learning. Research shows there are all kindsof benefits including improved math and science scores on standardized tests. Get them started by ordering our award winning Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, Volume 1. Order 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, go to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
Sarah starts 2nd grade on Monday. I remember when I started second grade. I got to school and as I was waiting to go into class, I saw this nun with boogley eyes and I remember thinking to myself, thank goodness I don't have that lady as my teacher. It was one of those "it can't happen to me" moments. Well, you figured it out, she was my teacher!!! Her name was Sister Anna and she ended up being one of my favorite teachers of all time. After a while, I didn't notice her boogley eyes at all. Definitely a lesson in don't judge a book by its cover!!!

To all of our kids starting school soon, have a wonderful first day!!!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Up Next in the Tropics/Positively Houston/Saving Money at Grocery

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Hurricane Bill is weaker this evening (than it was last evening at this time). It is going through a cycle of reorganizing and possibly restrengthening (but not for long) as it heads to cooler waters. It is looking very likely that Bermuda will be spared a hit.

Meanwhile, a new tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic becomes the new focus of scrutiny. So far, it is not very impressive and conditions are not exactly hospitable. But that could change in a couple days. So, I'll keep you posted.

In the Pacific, there are 3 areas being watched. The most western one will probably become a tropical depression soon. Right now, it looks like it will travel south of southern Hawaii. But I'll keep watching it.

Trough/Ridge/Trough pattern will keep things cooler west and east and hot in the central part of the country. On Saturday and Sunday, highs will be in the 90s in Texas and th desert Southwest. It will be mild along the west coast of California, the Pacific Northwest and the northeast. There will be thunderstorms in many places but right not the Storm Prediction Center is not specifying any severe risk areas.

Houston hit 100 on Friday. The combination of heat and humidity and a shortwave traveling southward in the upper flow, ignited some severe storms in the Houston area Friday evening. Heat advisory is in effect through 8 pm Saturday. Look for some scattered storms Saturday and some isolated ones on Sunday--hot and humid it will be through the weekend.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do grocery store or tienda, pronounced tee-EHN-dah. How do you save money at the tienda? Answer our new poll. For details, see the AND MORE section.

Well here's a good deal...30 minutes of entertainment and learning that you can access over and over and all for the price of a DVD...buy it today, our award winning Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, Volume 1. Order 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, go to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
I am super excited because I have been invited to help make a pilot for a show called Positively Houston. A good friend, Christina Maxwell, has been working on this project for 4 years. The idea is to create a show that highlights the good news about Houston. If it all works out, this could become a weekly offering. Will keep you posted.

Our poll on the best aspect of children going back to school is closed. 57% said it is the more steady routine. 14% said they are tired of keeping the kids busy, 14% said the kids will be able to reconnect with friends and 14% said that the kids are bored. 0% said they will spend less money because of it and 0% said it will make their work schedule easier. Thanks to all who participated.

Our new poll is about saving money at the grocery store. How do you try to save money or do you even try? More than one answer is allowed. Thanks in advance for participating.

By the way, HEB a delicious store brand of fig newtons that is close to $1 a package. Regular few newtons are about 3 times the cost, and I don't think they taste as good.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Hurricane Bill Amazing but not too threatening

Hello all -
I'm super late with this blog...so I am going to just update you on the weather. On my next post, I'll have a new poll and more.

First of all, its good that it doesn't look like Hurricane Bill will directly strike any land area at it's current intensity. Sure has made a pretty satellite picture! It will probably graze Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in about 3 days with reduced intensity. In the meantime, all of the eastern seaboard will have to deal with rough surf--dangerous rip currents.

Otherwise, there is nothing else in the Atlantic tropics. Ana remnants essentially gone. Long range models show something developing in western Atlantic next week. Most threatened location will be Bermuda. In the Pacific, there is one little area that has less than a 30% chance to develop.

In the continental US, the pattern looks fairly steady for about a week. Ridge over central part of country with troughiness west and east. On Friday, the eastern trough is not quite to the east coast (thus the likelihood of severe storms in the northeast). Highs will be in the 90s and 100s over the southern plains and southwest and there will be some 90s along the east coast. Highs will be in the 60s and 70s west coast, northern states and Great Lakes.

Houston will continue to be like a sauna with mainly afternoon and early evening showers and thunderstorms. There will be at least a slight chance for rain until Sunday.

Happy TGIF!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman