Oh the places you'll go...

So, Olivia is reading Flat Stanley in school. And, her class decided to do the Flat Stanley Project. So, all of the students in her second grade class made their own versions of Flat Stanley, interchanging their own names in place of “Stanley”. I was the lucky recipient of "Flat Olivia." I received Flat Olivia at some point in January and I was tasked to take her with me to do fun and exciting things in California and then send her back to Texas by February 26, 2010.


As soon as I opened the mail, I put Flat Olivia on the fridge (see exhibit A below) so that I would not forget to take her fun places. Everyone who came over got to see Flat Olivia. All of my friends sure thought I was lucky.


Oh the places she'll go, I thought. Flat Olivia could go snowboarding with me in Big Bear, to the beach, to Disneyland, paintballing in Camp Pendleton, to the Jason Mraz concert with me, to dinner and parties...

I was so well intentioned. But, Flat Olivia quickly became an oversight. I came home from Big Bear and saw Flat Olivia still attached to the fridge. It rained a lot, so I didn't get to the beach as soon as I'd hoped. Everywhere I went I forgot to take Flat Olivia with me. Until one morning on the last week of February, I went to get something out of the fridge and saw the due date for Flat Olivia’s return was fast approaching.

I pulled Flat Olivia off the fridge and took her to work with me. In order to get Flat Olivia back by the due date, I would have to send her back THAT day. But, I was already committed to meetings and appointments, etc.

So... I only had one option. Flat Olivia was at work with me... in Santa Ana, CA - not the nicest of towns, to say the least. I ran to CVS to buy the required postcard and I figured I would take Flat Olivia across the street to take a photo with the homeless. It wouldn't be pretty, and probably not impressive, but at least Olivia would fail for having an aunt that flaked. But, as it turns out postcards of Santa Ana do not exist. No one wants to claim that they've been here apparently. And, I can't say that I blame them.

I came back to the office a little bit distraught. I knew Jackie would know what to do. I told my faithful co-worker my conundrum. Jackie can fix ANYTHING! Need something special for your Lady Gaga Halloween costume - she can make you a bow from hair... Your fridge is leaking - she will show you tactics to alleviate your problems... You have a rash and think it might be your demise - she will go to the internet and tell you what's wrong. And, when you’ve procrastinated to the very last second on your Flat Olivia assignment - she will reassure you that you have a few extra days, because there is always Fed-Ex.






So, Flat Olivia and I did go a few places. Jackie brought a postcard from Newport Beach, which was signed and sent by Flat Olivia and me. And, although the very forgetful Aunt Ali may have been the only person in the history of the Flat Stanley Project to fed-ex back the required documents, at least all the 2nd graders at Larsen Elementary didn't have to equate California with homelessness.

Thanks for letting me have Flat Olivia for 6 weeks. I miss seeing her on my fridge. I sure do love you LivvyKate.

P.S. Jackie tracked the package. Flat Olivia was signed into the office by someone named Elizabeth.