A Flat Bite of the Big Apple

Flat Annaley enjoyed a springtime visit to our friends Ken and Christine, and Erin, in New York City!

Anna says: "Did you have fun? Was Annaley naughty or nice? I miss you a lot. I love the pictures you took on the computer. I like them a lot! Thank you!"

Annaley went a ton of places in New York, including Columbia University, Emmanuel church, Broadway/midtown, St John the Divine Cathedral, and Carnegie Hall.

Wedding Bells

After returning home from her adventures in New Jersey, Flat Annaley attended Mike and Susan's wedding in Valparaiso, Indiana. Anna likes to say that "because she's flat, Annaley can go places that Anna, John and Mary can't go."

Soon after, Annaley was invited to a banquet where she heard a speaker from Texas talk about the 100 Days for Life campaign. Annaley had recently nearly perished in an encounter with Anna's sister Mary, who tore her clothes and left her for dead, so the message of honoring and caring for the weakest among us went right to Annaley's heart.

Safari and Beach House

Aunt Teen has a beach house in her cubicle at work. She allowed Flat Annaley to laze away the days there: "Here is Annaley hanging out at the beach house. In a moment, a waitress will come out of the house with a tray, with lemonade and cookies on it for Annaley."

On the last day of Annaley's stay with Aunt Teen, she took a safari adventure... and kept smiling the entire time. Teen wrote: "apologies for the sun glare in the camera -- oh that bright African sun!"

Rainy Day Bank Adventure

Aunt Teen's report for the Tuesday after Easter involved an adventure at the bank, as reported by Aunt Teen:

"Today has been cold and rainy. Annaley came to work with me again. She hung out on the beach, then mingled with the shells, then came to the bank and Post Office again with me.

I allowed her two rides in the cannisters from the drive up windows into the banks. (Had to go to two banks today.) Annaley said the first cannister was a little cramped, but it had a window. The second was spacious but had no window. The rides were thrilling! The bank tellers in the first bank were puzzled. I had to call them on the intercom and ask them to send Annaley back. They were passing her around and reading the writing on her back, wondering ... whatever they were wondering -- I could not hear them of course, but they looked to be filled with wonderment. The teller at the second bank was delighted, as well as puzzled.

This afternoon, Mike, who has the cubicle across from me, wanted to know about Annaley. He is a funny man. He had a suggestion for something fun for her to do tomorrow. Will try it. So she will be here one more day --

We thought about letting her stay overnight in the office as a kind of sleepover, but Mike thought she might get scared, so she is home with me. It might have been fun for her to watch the cleaning staff for a while tonight, but then nothing much goes on. And here, well, there is entertainment all night."

Visiting Aunt Teen

On April 6, 2009, Flat Annaley embarked for her maiden voyage, to New Jersey. Aunt Teen was a gracious host. Flat enjoyed some rather outstanding adventures, including a vacation in a beach house, and an Easter egg hunt. She extended her trip for a day to enjoy a safari. She had quite an experience at the bank--no one was hurt, but it was quite a ride.


The reports came in from her host, Aunt Teen, including this Easter Day report:

"Attached are my attempts to take pictures of Flat Annaley at Easter Egg Hunt today. It was cold -- Though Annaley did not seem to feel chilly -- thank goodness she has a hat on! The wind was blowing while I was trying to take her picture, and she kept blowing away! I had to take the pictures quickly, and then chase her.


We went to Easter Sunday Mass today. Flat Annaley sat in the chair next to me and seemed to enjoy Mass. Then we came home and had a duck dinner.

I talked to Vicky this evening, and mentioned that Annaley is here, and Vicky and Clare envied me that I am having the first visit. They told me some of their plans for where they want to take her when she comes to them. She is going to have an exciting life. I am thinking it is good that she had gotten a heavy dose of church first. She also went to the Easter vigil Mass last night -- Yes, church every day since she has arrived. There were candles last night -- every one holds a candle when the Pascal Candle is lit -- but Annaley stayed a safe distance. Tomorrow she will go to work with me, and I will introduce her to my neighbor in the next cubicle, and let her bask in the flourescent light next to my beach house on my shelf. I am sure that many people will ask about her, and I will introduce her to them.

I hope you all have had a nice Easter. I have had a very nice one.

Until the next update.

Aunt Teen"

Responses

Flat Annaley received many invitations.

Uncle Dave said:
"I'll bet Annaley would love the Indy 500 track. Send her on down."

Aunt Marge said:
"FLAT ANNALEY IS WELCOME AT OUR HOME ANYTIME.
SHE CAN SLEEP IN OUR FRONT BEDROOM AND WILL HAVE HER OWN BATH. I WILL BE VERY CAREFUL TO KEEP OUR KITTIES AT A DISTANCE, AS THEY MAY SEEM ENORMOUS AND THREATENING TO HER.
SHE CAN GO TO WORK WITH BOB, JOIN ME WITH MY LADY FRIENDS AND GO TO A TRACK MEET OR TWO.
JUST SEND HER DOWN ANY TIME. PLEASE LET HER KNOW THAT THERE ARE COWS IN THE FIELDS NEAR US, BUT THEY ARE VERY GENTLE AND NOT TO BE FEARED.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO HER VISIT.
LOVE TO ALL,
MARGE AND BOB
P S: DOES SHE HAVE A SPECIAL DIET?
DO YOU THINK SHE WILL BECOME HOMESICK?"

Aunt Teen's invitation gained her an immediate visit, for Holy Week:
"This sounds just about goofy enough that it could be fun. Would Flat be arriving in Holy Week? Hope she likes Mass every day. How many of her are there? Is she triplets? Quads? Does she get xeroxed so she can travel and visit several hosts at once? Intriguing. If I take her to work and she gives me sass, I might xerox her myself. Actually, she might enjoy my cubicle. I have a (homemade) beachhouse on my shelf, and some sea shells between me and my next door neighbor. Should get an outhouse for when Flat comes. Sure she can come."

And so, Flat Annaley packed her worldly goods, including a t-shirt and a pair of pants, a belt, and a hat, and jumped in an envelope addressed to New Jersey.

Presenting Flat Annaley

Hi there!

Anna has made an Flat Annaley who would like to travel the world. Flat Annaley is about 8 inches tall and made of paper and glue. She fits in an envelope and her needs are very basic. She is afraid of water and fire, but otherwise she is fearless and ready for new experiences. She likes riding in cars, going to work, going to big and small social events, hanging out in cities and small towns, and being around people.

We sent a message to friends and family with news of Annaley's existence and her desire to travel the world. We wrote: "Would you be willing to host Flat Annaley at your house for a few days? Hosting involves inviting Flat Annaley to come along with you on some of your week's adventures, and if you can take a few pictures starring Flat Annaley, and keep notes of where you go (or send a couple journal entries) that would be excellent. When she gets home, Flat Annaley will update her album with your trip. When your adventure concludes after a few days or about a week, then you'll send Flat Annaley back to us through the mail. If you'd rather not host her, we understand. Let me know if you'd like to host, and send your address. Flat Annaley is ready to take her first big road trip now. (Google "Flat Stanley" to see some YouTube videos and read about other kids' projects...)."

We received some great responses... and Flat went to visit some friends and relatives right away. Read on for the adventures of Flat Annaley!