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

Tuesday Forecast/Talking to Bill Read/Fenceless Containment/Sha Na Na

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Area of disturbed weather in western Caribbean is drifting westward into Mexico. It will be a rainmaker, but it doesn't look like it will be able to develop into a named storm.

Trough over northern Rockies will continue eastward to northern plains on Tuesday and spin out a cutoff low for couple days. This low will bring rain and cool conditions to the nation's mid-section and the northern plains. Another trough over the northeast will bring that area showers and cool conditions.

Houston's weather will be pleasant again on Tuesday...maybe just a hair more humid. You know that is such a subjective term. I was talking to a teacher from Albuquerque on Saturday (remember how dry it was...not a cloud in the sky). She said it seemed so humid to her. I just laughed! Anyway, back to the weather in Houston...look for some showers on Wednesday and Thursday...then turning cooler. Ooohhhh...looks like a nice weekend on the way! Also looking long range--I think we are going to have dry weather for trick or treating. More to come on that.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
In my AND MORE section, I have some information about fences. So the word for the day is fence or cerca, pronounced SAYR-kah. I am so glad I have a new cerca!

Amazon has accepted our new English teaching DVD for Spanish speakers. I just got the first order today!!! But, most of you are probably more interested in our Spanish DVD for English speaking youngters. Volume 1 of Let's Learn Spanish with Frank and Paco is a Dr. Toy Top 10 Educational Product for 2008. Just over 2 months until Christmas!!! This makes a perfect gift that you can feel good about. Order your copy 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
Poll Results!!! 100% of those responding felt that $6000 was too much for my poor brother-in-law to be charged for moving his damaged boat from the marina to the shipyard. I will be sure to let him know. Now, he has some ammunition for when he complains!!! Thank you to all who responded. Tonight, I am loading up a new poll? Do you plan to vote early for the election? Yes or No.

You know, I kind of liked the look when all the fences were down and we could see our neighbor's backyards. Our neighborheed deed restrictions require fences. But in case your's do not, you might want to consider a fenceless containment for your pets. I found one online (have no idea if this company is any good). But you can check it out at:

http://www.innotek.com.au/products/containment-systems

Dr. John Scala, president of National Weather Association, and resident of Pennsylvania, told me that he has one of those and it works great. He said most of his neighbors have that kind of fence. You may remember Dr. Scala from his stint on The Weather Channel as a severe weather advisor.

Speaking of The Weather Channel, here's a little name dropping from last week's National Weather Association meeting in Louisville, Kentucky -- Nick Walker, Jim Cantore and Dave Schwarz were there. Nick and Jim usually attend. That's how important that meeting is!

Had a nice long chat with my buddy Bill Read today. Bill is the Director of the National Hurricane Center. He is doing great, even after such a crazy, busy season (which by the way does not officially end until November 30th). This is how busy Bill has been--he finally got to play some golf this week--he hadn't been able to play since April. Yikes!!! Now, he is a super avid golfer. That means he was super duper busy. But Bill just takes it all in stride. The Weather Museum is working on getting Bill here so we can recognize him as a weather hero at The Groundhog Day Gala to be held on February 2, 2009. I think we're going to get him here!!! By the way, Bill's house in the Friendswood area came through the storm just fine. Even his fence came out okay! His son took care of the house during the storm and got some friends along with their pets to stay at the house during the storm. Otherwise, those friends would have been caught in the storm surge. Now, that's a good friend to have!!!

I could not find the Sha Na Na opening song. But here is a link to the ending song--Good Night Sweetheart! This one's for you Dad!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcV5zmQPeKo

Have a great Tuesday everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Church Festival/Monday Forecast/Mayor David Wallace/Hee Haw

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
There is an area of disturbed weather in the western Caribbean. It is showing signs of getting organized. It is close to land...but maybe we will get a Paloma yet. I like that name, don't you?

What a great day for being outdoors. The St. Laurence fall festival had perfect weather. Everyone was having a good time!!! The only down side of all this dry, peaceful weather is that we are at risk for high levels of ozone to develop. And, you should know that today we had some unhealthy levels of ozone which formed. An Ozone Watch is in effect for Monday...this means conditions are favorable for high levels of ozone to develop.

For Houston, Monday and Tuesday will be pleasant with lows in the 50s and 60s and highs in the 80s. Some showers are possible Wednesday as a low pressure area cuts off over the central plains. Looks like it will hang around a couple days which means we will cool off and should get a couple rounds of showers before it exits to the northeast by the weekend.

Conditions will be cool for the northwest, northern plains, and northeast. Look for some showers in the northwest.

SPANISH WORD FOR THE DAY
Since we were at a church festival, I thought we could learn the word for church--iglesia, pronounced ee-glay-SEE-ah. I love to go to festivals at our iglesia.

Speaking of that, Sarah was back to her usual energetic self. That's her at right dancing on the stage. And check out the kid behind her--he was a dancing machine doing a combination of hip-hop, break-dancing and gymnastics. Sarah had to steer clear of those flying feet.

Your kids will be dancing and learning with our award winning Spanish DVD is available through http://www.frankandpaco.com/, http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/,http://www.carlexonline.com/,http://www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, amazon.com, bestbuy.com, and barnesandnoble.com. Volume 1 of the Frank and Paco series is a Dr. Toy Top 10 Educational Product for 2008.

AND MORE
It's easy to forget that many people are still recovering and will be recovering from Ike for some time. Our church is adopting 33 families from Galveston who are staying at a hotel in Rosenberg. If you have clothes or time to donate to help them, contact tschindler@stlaurence.org.

Former Sugar Land mayor David Wallace is having a book signing Monday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square. David will be signing his book Titled "One Nation Under Blog". Congratulations David!

Helping Sarah with a science project today, I learned about the thorax vs. the abdomen of an insect. You see the thorax is the part between the head and the end of the insect. It is where the legs and wings are attached. We have to make an insect which has the head of one type of insect, the thorax of another, and the absdomen of yet another. The abdomen is the end part. Now, don't you feel enlightened?

I was reminiscing with Sarah about watching shows like ShaNaNa and HeeHaw with my dad. So I will close with a link I found to a 9 minute beginning segment of a HeeHaw show. No matter what you say, that show was funny and entertaining. And once you get that theme song in your head, it's hard to get it out. Enjoy!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IjWptL1-PQ

Have a great week everyone!!!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Omar/Full Immersion Spanish/Matt Lavine/Sunday Forecast

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Omar is now just a remnant low in the Atlantic. There are a couple areas of disturbed weather in the Caribbean and the central Atlantic, but nothing to write home about. So at least for now, our statistics of no storms for Texas after October 17th is holding.

The weather in Houston was sunny and dry today...just delightful. Look for a repeat performance on Sunday. Lows will be in the 50s and highs will be in the low 80s. Conroe did drop to 49 early today and should make it to the 40s again on Sunday morning.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Since it was so sunny today, that will be our word--sunny or soleado, pronounced sew-lay-AH-do. The little girl said my favorite weather is soleado weather.

I went to the Texas Foreign Language Association conference at what used to be the Wyndham Hotel at Greenspoint. Now, Hilton has taken it over. I enjoyed seeing all the vendors, especially Dolo Publications with Patti Lozano. That is one of our sales partners. Patti and her mom, Renate have such an interesting story. Renate is originally from Austria and is fluent in German. As a youngster she moved to Brazil and learned Portugese. Then at 14, she moved to the United States and learned Spanish. I assume she learned English early on as she is quite fluent. Her daughter Patti also learned Spanish and ended up marrying an industrious man from Mexico. She helped him learn English. Patti and her husband have 3 talented sons, 2 of whom I met today. The ones I met are also into music. You see Patti teaches language using songs. Renate helps with the German teaching work. You can see their products at http://www.dololanguages.com.

I also met the folks from Carlex. They said our DVD is selling well. Hip! Hip! Hooray!!!

You also might be interested to know about one teacher I met. She teaches high school Spanish. Well, she told me our product was too easy for her 4 year old who is already speaking in Spanish sentences. So, I gave her our English teaching version--the Aprendamos one and said that she could use that as a full immersion product as the native language of it is Spanish. She was so excited about that.

Our introductory award winning Spanish DVD is available through http://www.frankandpaco.com/, http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/,http://www.carlexonline.com/,http://www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, amazon.com, bestbuy.com, and barnesandnoble.com. Volume 1 of the Frank and Paco series is a Dr. Toy Top 10 Educational Product for 2008.

AND MORE
Checked in with Matt Lavine. He was all set to work for CW again tonight! He had already had a busy day running his little girls to a festival. Oh yes, I remember when going to work was the easier part of the day. I think every parent gets that. Parenting--the toughest job you'll ever love and be going crazy over at the same time.

Have a happy Sunday everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman