February 2024

Valentine's Day Outfit for this year. I love me some cherry red and tiny hearts. The tights are a new edition and I will be wearing them all year long.

My kids are learning the essential verb of "have" so I came up with idea to use the game "Guess Who" as a fun way to practice. It has been a hit and their English is developing beautifully.

Dancing around the pool table between runs.

A "tradition" from my family that I love is our love for a themed birthday party...no matter how old you are. Here is a photo from my cousin's 31st birthday party. We played “Texas Hold ‘Em” and wore our Western Wear. I didn't win as I tend to be an “all chips in girl”; however, I found out that I love to be the dealer. It is quite the performative role and I even got to use those tiny racing flags in my dealing. I’ll have to have someone film me next time because I might have to use it for my casino audition in the near future.

Getting the '84 Bronco up and running for summer break. I have plans to road trip all over Colorado with her. I'll be dabbling in some car camping and showcasing this "Baby Blue' all over Colorado; because, not only is she cool, but she is a beast.

My reffing partner for this past season, Al. He is a Denver original and I thoroughly enjoy hanging with him. He tells the best stories and protects me from the hecklers and naysayers in the stands. It's a fair trade as he doesn't run much up and down the court. Instead, he leaves me to do the calls and he is the guard dog. At the end of the season, he asked to take a photo together and I was more than willing. Also, peep his hydration of choice…coca-cola…while I had two gatorades and a gallon of water. Needless to say, he’s built different at the age of 82.

As an audiopile, it is so hard to narrow down a playlist to three songs; however, here are three songs that I had on consistent rotation this month. 'Dumptruck" makes me feel like the baddest , especially at the line, "Now back it up and dump it"...and best believe I am doing that. "On My Mama" is also sassy and encompasses the idea that I did in fact get it from my mama (if you know her, you know). The last song is a forever favorite with so many tender memories. I had to add it to this playlist to "tip my hat" to Usher's amazing half-time performance at this year's Super Bowl.

Downtown Denver was looking glamorous while I drove to my favorite used record store.

Warmer weather means it's pickleball season. This past weekend, I strutted over to the pickleball courts across the street from me with a coffee cup in hand. And, I am proud to say I went undefeated.

We have a baby on the way! Here I am helping my sister's business "Bach Please" set up for my cousin's baby shower. It was Valentine's Day themed and it was beautiful and boisterous. I also love how they followed the family tradition of not finding out what gender the baby is. I am hoping for a girl because a "Ramirez Girl" has a way of pivoting the earth's axis.

I am continuing to learn more and more algebra as I "push in" to help my students. Here is a lesson from this month. I swear to the highest heavens that I've never seen this box method in my whole life, but it has been fun to learn. I have been able to consistently "push in' during this class period as testing season is over and I have seen my kids grow exponentially in their math skills and that is the best part of teaching. Another perk, I also enjoy the excitement of learning something new and that "ah ha" moment. So, math has been a beautiful new challenge and frontier which makes me feel more complete as both an educator and human.

These two ballerinas are my two favorite finds from the thrift store this month. These two lovebirds arrived just in time for Valentine's Day.