Monthly Archives: February 2024

02.05.24
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Book Review #105: “Meet Isabel and Nicki”

I was so excited when this book was announced!

This is an additional book in Isabel and Nicki’s world. Last year, Isabel and Nicki were the newest historical characters. They both had journals released with their dolls. I was able to get copies of both books. I reviewed both of them consecutively:

It was so great this book was partially a stand-alone, but also references the journals. You don’t have to read the journals in order to understand their world, though, which is great!

I loved following Isabel’s and Nicki’s journeys together. It’s the end of 1999. There are so many pop culture references and nostalgia, especially for someone like me who was so close to their age at the time. I love that American Girl has branched out further into the modern decades, although I certainly cringed when they called 1999 “historical” – Ouch!

I was a mix of Isabel and Nicki as a kid. I loved dressing up and all the bright colors, but I also enjoyed being outside, riding my bike, and roller blading.

I hope American Girl releases more books! I want to see more of Isabel and Nicki after 1999!

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

02.03.24
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Getting Personal #305: February Goals

Image Credit: Balancing Today

Welcome back!

Here are my goals for the month of February:

  1. Donate blood.
  2. Finish formatting “Specialton.”
  3. Publish at least two Book Reviews.
  4. Celebrate Valentine’s Day!
  5. Catalog at least 25 American Girl items in my inventory.
  6. Participate in a P.E.O. membership panel.
  7. Reorganize my office.
  8. Send donations to Trey’s Dolls.

What about you? Do you have any goals for this month?

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

02.02.24
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Getting Personal #304: December Goals Recap

Image Credit: Centre for Collaborative Health

Welcome back!

Here were my goals for the month of December:

  1. Continue incorporating my editor’s suggested edits into a more polished draft of “Specialton.” — Semi-Achieved.
  2. Prepare to market, promote, and publish “Specialton.” — Semi-Achieved.
  3. Publish at least one Book Review. — Did not accomplish yet.
  4. Celebrate Christmas! — Accomplished!
  5. Continue working on my American Girl inventory. — Semi-Achieved.
  6. Schedule regular blog posts. — Did not accomplish yet.
  7. Reconcile my thoughts about NaNoWriMo. — Accomplished!

I decided to push back the release of “Specialton.” I’ve made a lot of progress with the suggested edits and formatting, but I’m not ready to release it yet. Making this decision was tough, but I immediately felt better afterward, which tells me it was good decision.

We had a nice, quiet Christmas. We loved being with our parents and celebrating Addy’s first Christmas.

I’ve decided on the format that I want for my American Girl inventory in Excel. I just need to dive in and execute the plan.

I reconciled my thoughts about NaNoWriMo in a recent post. This was a hard one to write. You can read it here: Commentary #120: Thoughts on NaNoWriMo

Come back tomorrow to see my goals for February!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂