Another Norfolk Mermaid

As planned, we went across the street after work and got a photo with another Norfolk mermaid! This one is in the middle of the (geographically very small) campus:

It was so cold (weather advisory all day for super-low wind chill, and I believed it after I went outside) so we didn't go wandering in search of more interesting things this time. There's another mermaid right around the block at the Norva (small live music venue that I love) but it was just... so cold. I wanted to get into the mall and pick up my pizza so I could head home:

Pear and gorgonzola from California Pizza Kitchen, yum!

I have a whole weekend off, which - other than between semesters when we're closed for weekends - I haven't had in... I don't even know. Two years? The perks of being full-time... Anyway, it's still really cold out but we'll do some fun things anyway!

Norfolk Mermaid

The Norfolk campus has to borrow me to work there a few days, which means a little change of scenery! We missed out yesterday (in favor of a snow day) and today was delayed opening at noon, so I only had a little time before heading in to the library to find something interesting for Georgie to enjoy. We parked at the mall, so I found a Norfolk mermaid!

Do you see Georgie? He's in the seat cushion down front.

The city of Norfolk started posting these statues (decorated by local artists) all over the city several years ago. It's kind of a fun little game for locals and tourists alike to try to find as many as they can. This one is called "Go Diva"... get it?

My last Little Visitor, Clyde, got to see the one at Eastern Virginia Medical School last year. We should see another one tomorrow, because there's one right across the street from our library! I hope it warms up a little, because I can spend more time wandering during lunch, finding cool fun things for Georgie to see!

Office Potluck

Just in time for the food photo challenge in the discussion thread, I needed to make something for the work potluck! There's another one tomorrow, but I get the day off, so I won't be making anything for that one. This is apple pie dip with cinnamon-sugar tortilla chips:

...after everyone had a go at it. If I don't get sick (fingers crossed, because I already feel like I'm on my way there) I'll be making this again to take to a party out of town on Saturday!

I adapted the recipe from here: http://www.thepeachkitchen.com/2011/09/apple-pie-party-dip-cinnamon-sugar-tortilla-chips/

(I used Vietnamese cinnamon, which is sweeter and stronger than regular cinnamon. I used flour tortillas instead of wheat. I had to add more cornstarch to thicken it - which is probably because I used slightly more than 2 cups of apple.) And the recipe doesn't specify a type of apple; I used Granny Smith (it's what my stepmom uses in apple pie, so it made sense to me).

JOB

GUESS WHAT?!? I was offered the full-time job I've been waiting for!!! Which is basically my current job (which I adore) except full-time (which means benefits and more time doing the job I love!) so YAY!!!!!!!! Here we are expressing our joy:

This also means I'll have WEEKENDS! I haven't had weekends in two years. I mean, during school breaks I have, but it's still a big deal. And it means Georgie and I can have more adventures!

And here's a bonus photo of Georgie with our jingle bell wreath on the front door, because it's cheery and makes me happy:

At the Library

Georgie came to work with me today!

He got to see some of the highlights of my typical workday:

Lots of books need to be shelved!

Taking heed of the "no food or drink" sign on one of our classrooms

Where I spend most of my time: at the reference desk!

In the stacks

Who knows what we'll get up to tomorrow?