More Nice Weather

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
There is an area of disturbed weather in the southwest Caribbean that has between a 30 and 50% chance of developing. This area will be fairly stationary over the next day or so. The tropical Pacific is quiet.

Wow! The weather is so quiet all over the US. I feel sorry for the folks working at The Weather Channel. Must be agony to be covering the weather right now.

Highs will be in the 40s and 50s across the northern half of the US and 60s and 70s across the southern half...with low humidity almost everywhere. Trough digs south into the Rockies late in the weekend and brings some rain to the central plains and Texas through Tuesday morning.

Houston, more delightful weather through Saturday...lows in the 50s and highs in the 70s. Some scattered shower on Sunday.

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Chamber of Commerce Weather/Inexpensive Help for Your Feet/Obama Administration and FOX News

HURRICANES AND WEATHER

There is an area in the northern Atlantic which has greater than a 50% chance of developing into a subtropical or tropical storm in the next day or so. If it gets names, it will be called Ida. The system is moving northwest to north...probably won't be a concern for any land areas. Meanwhile, tropical Pacific is quiet.



It could be argued that almost of the all of the country will have Chamber of Commerce weather on Monday. Highs across the southern 1/2 of the country will be primarily in the 70s. Across the northern 1/2, highs will be in the 40s to 60s. There could be a few snow showers in International Falls, Minnesota. There won't be any huge changes over the next few days.

And for Houston that means that all week will be sunny with low humidity with lows in the upper 40s to low 50s and highs in the 70s. Even the upcoming weekend looks very pleasant. Enjoy!



SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY?
Let's do feet or pies, pronunced PEE-ays. Do you pies hurt? See an affordable solution in the AND MORE section.



Just got another order from Amazon for our award winning DVD, Volume 1 of Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. Now, I am trying to get the buzz going about our newly released Volume 2. One of the chapters in Volume 2 goes over terms for parts of the body including feet. For Volume 2, we just applied for a new award. Will let you know when I find out. In the meantime, you can order Volume 1 or Volume 2 from web site http://www.frankandpaco.com/ or at http://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

So did you do a lot of extra walking this weekend (what with it being Halloween and nice weather and all)? Are you feet hurting? Have you been thinking about orthotics but you don't have insurance that will cover. Well, my friend Tanya has come to the rescue! You can make you own custom orthotics using an avoidable kit.


http://www.yoursole.com/

Just click on PRODUCTS and then select FOOTBEDS and/or PLATINUM SANDALS. Tanya said that her's fit great and her feet feel fantastic! So check it out. Thanks Tanya! Many feet will thank you!

Our poll on how you are responding to flu season is closed. 33% said they have gotten their kids the regular flu shot. 111% said they have gotten their kids the swine flu vaccine. 55% said they will get at least one flu vaccine themselves. 11 said they will get their kids the regular flu vaccine. 11 said they will get their kids the swine flu vaccine. 33% said they will not get their kids the regular flu vaccine. 44% said they will not get their kids the swine flu vaccine. 33% said they will not get any flu vaccine for themselves. More than one answer was allowed. Thanks to all who participated.

Our new poll is about the Obama administration and FOX News. What are your thoughts and feelings? More than one answer is allowed. Thanks in advance for participating.

Have a great week everyone!

Cecilia Sinclair

Wonder Weather Woman

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