Vote on a Name For Our Kitty!

11/25/2015 House of Geekiness 20 Comments

Help us name this kitty! Comment below to nominate a name.

We found this unclaimed stray cat outside our house, and he was so emaciated that we mistook him for a 6 month old-ish kitten. A few weeks, lots of food, TLC, and a few vet visits later, it's obvious that, while he's not full grown, he's not a kitten either (the vet estimated he's just around a year old). I'm pretty sure this cat has doubled in size since we found him.

He has a playful and mischievous personality, a HUGE bushy tail, eats like he's never seen food before, demands snuggles, has a purr as loud as diesel engine, and loves to lord over us all.

We think he may be part Maine Coon because of how insanely big he already is (not to mention the tufts on his ears, mane, and massive paws that he hasn't grown into yet). Here he is next to Dobby, our Lynx Point Siamese (yes, he's very overweight right now. He was doing better but keeps getting into the extra food we get out for the kitten!) Sorry for picture quality, the kitties didn't quite want to hold still to pose for us, even for a kitty treats.

Check out how big the kitten's paws are (right) next to our 4 year old cat's (left)!

This cat is in desperate need of a geeky name to match the rest of our pets:

Princess Daisy (dog) and Dobby (cat)

Mozzie

Psst! Don't miss the voting! Sign up for my email list here.

20 comments:

inexpensive geek gifts

Inexpensive Geek Gifts: $10 or Less

11/23/2015 House of Geekiness 0 Comments

Your gift guide to geek gifts $10 or less (including shipping)

With Christmas fast approaching, I'll be posting inexpensive geek gifts ideas for you. From Doctor Who, to Marvel Comics, DC, Indiana Jones, and Firefly, these items are all available for a limited time on Amazon and include either free shipping or free shipping with Amazon Prime. Prices are subject to change, but are all $10 or less as of 11/23/15.

Geek gift idea: Doctor Who Moon Necklace Glass Art

Geek gift idea: Doctor Who Adipose Plush

Geek gift idea: Doctor Who 10th Dr. Sonic Screwdriver LED Flashlight

Geek gift idea: Doctor Who TARDIS Keychain - Emergency Fund Cash Stash and Money Holder

Geek gift idea: Doctor Who Tardis Ornament

Geek gift idea: Doctor Who TARDIS Dangle Earrings

Geek gift idea: Doctor Who Master Saxon Pendant Necklace

Geek gift idea: Doctor Who 22" Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey Pendant Necklace

Geek gift idea: Doctor Who Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey Dangle Earrings

Geek gift idea: Green Lantern Kitchen Apron

Geek gift idea: Superman Kitchen Apron

Geek gift idea: Doctor Who K-9 Ornament

Geek gift idea: Doctor Who Journal - Mini Dr. Who TARDIS Diary - 3.5 x 5.5" Notebook

Geek gift idea: Doctor Who Seal of Rassilon Engraved Dangle Earrings

Geek gift idea: Doctor Who Women's Seal of Rassilon Engraved Stud Earrings

Geek gift idea: Doctor Who Seal of Rassilon Engraved Chain Necklace

Geek gift idea: Funko Geeky Action Figure Pocket Pop Keychains
Batman, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-men, Batman, Doctor Who, Marvel, DC

Geek gift idea: Doctor Who Sonic Screwdriver - Fourth Doctor's Replica Gadget with Dr Who Sound Effects

Geek gift idea: Doctor Who Wind Up Tardis-Pull Back Toy-Moves & Spins 360 Degrees

Geek gift idea: Doctor Who Wind Up Dalek: The Eternal

Geek gift idea: Doctor Who: Dalek Collectible Figurine and Illustrated Book (Mga Mini Kits: Doctor Who)

Geek gift idea: Doctor Who Mini Sonic Screwdriver Torch Keychain

Geek gift idea: Indiana Jones Deluxe Child Hat

Geek gift idea: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel's RingStainless Steel Claddagh Promise Friendship Finger Band Ring

Geek gift idea: Firefly Serenity Keychain

Geek gift idea: Marvel Thor Hammer,Mjölnir, Pewter Key Ring

Psst! Don't miss a post, More inexpensive geek gift ideas coming soon!

See more inexpensive geek gift ideas here.

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featured,

My Battle For Better Health: 5 Things You Can Do To Help Someone With Depression

11/16/2015 House of Geekiness 33 Comments

Depression is a lonely disease that makes all of us feel helpless. As someone who has had depression for almost my entire life, I've written a short bit for those who wonder what they can do to help someone with depression.

We all have days when we're sad or don't want to get out of bed. This article can help with that, but what I'm really talking about is Clinical Depression, aka Major Depressive Disorder, and other forms of long term depression.

Image source

My husband and I both suffer from Clinical Depression. I've had it since childhood. It's something I'm very open about because I want help and because I want to help others if I can. (You can read more about my battle with depression here.) There's a huge amount of people in our area with depression, and a church leader recently asked me what she could to do help us. Thus, this article. Thank you for caring enough to ask, Charlene!

Here are 5 small things you can do to help someone with depression that can make a huge difference.

1. NEVER assume or even think that it's all in their head
Depression is an illness, not just a mindset. There are ways to help the symptoms, but it's not something you just get over. Want more info? Here's what the National Institute of Mental Health and the Mayo Clinic have to say about depression.

2. Don't Judge
Yes, there are things I can do to feel better, but don't ever tell someone that depression is their fault. Depression does not discriminate. Good people get it, people who are active and deserve the best the world can give them. Brains are complicated, and no one knows for sure the exact cause of every case. According the the NIMH, "depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors." So, unless you're smarter than the world's most brilliant medical minds, please don't judge.

Don't tell me what I'm doing wrong or what I need to do. Don't spout advice, we've heard it all before. Unless I trust you enough to ask for help, please don't.

Even though it influences everything I do, I am not my disease. Sometimes we fail, sometimes we do stupid things, sometimes we give up, and sometimes we excel.

3. Be there, let them know they're not alone
I can tell you from experience that when someone takes even a few minutes to sit and talk, it helps a lot. When this happens, I feel loved and feel like someone cares enough about me to see how I'm doing or just share a laugh. This also goes along with "don't judge." Instead of giving unsolicited advice, if you truly care, try to see how I'm doing. If I can tell you care, and if I trust you, I am a million times more likely to come to you for help when I'm ready to accept it.

4. Help them see from a healthier perspective
Change is one thing that therapists have regularly recommended. They've told me to rearrange furniture, switch up my schedule, spend time with friends, exercise, or just get out of the house—any positive change that will help my brain jump onto a different track and help me be able to think more objectively and feel better.

That few minutes to talk can be amazing—keep it up! But helping me get out and visit the world that extends beyond my bubble can work wonders. And it doesn't have to be a huge production.

Depression often keeps me home-bound. Even getting out to do grocery shopping can be a huge ordeal. I know when a friend is headed to the store and they invite me, it lets me know that they care enough to think of me, lets me know that they care about my needs, helps me get the necessary shopping done in a more positive way than dragging myself to the store, helps me socialize, and, as an added bonus, it helps me get some exercise!

Other ways to help people get out: Inviting us for a short walk, to run errands, to a girls' (or guys') night out, to church, to get some ice cream (ice cream works miracles ;), a playdate for our kids while we sit and hang out, etc.

5. Help give us hope
Do any or all of the above, but also, help us see the good things in our lives. Depression makes everything more dark and difficult and tends to make the bad things overshadow the good. Point out the efforts you've seen us make, the progress, and the good things that are going on. (But be genuine! If you honestly don't see anything, then don't even try this. There's no faster way to lose trust than dishonestly, and we need friends and family we can trust.) Pointing these good things out can help us see that things may not be as dire as we thought and can give hope.

Back to the the help/advice... Depression is an illness, and we need help. There are different stages, different effects, and what works for one person doesn't always work for another. Anyone with depression should seek help through a doctor or therapist. However, if I'm not ready to accept help, none of your advice or doctor referrals will help. You can only lead a horse to water...

If you truly want to help someone with depression, do these things I've mentioned. If I can tell you care, and if I trust you, I am a much more likely to come to you for help when I'm ready to accept it. But even if I don't come to you for help, doing these things will make my world a brighter place.

Read more about My Battle for Better Health here.

My goals

I want to have energy to spend time and actually do activities with my family.

I want to be able to be physically active. I’m not saying I plan on running marathons, but being able to exercise and do basic housecleaning on a daily basis would be nice.

I want my mind to feel less foggy all the time so I can do my job well and enjoy being in the profession I love.

I want to be healthy and be at a healthy weight.

~~I want my life back!~~ I will look for the best in my life and realize what I truly have, always striving to make it better.

Psst! Don't miss a post! Sign up for my email list and get your

33 comments:

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My Beadsprite Designs

11/09/2015 House of Geekiness 0 Comments

My kids and I have lots of fun making new beadsprites.

Here are some of our favorite creations.

These are original designs by House of Geekiness (Laura Watkins). Duplication or distribution for commercial or anything other than personal, home use without written consent is prohibited. These beadsprites and more are available for purchase through Etsy, Ebay, and Storenvy.
Disney inspired Mulan, Tiana (Princess and the Frog), Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Meg (Hercules), Jasmine (Aladdin), Snow White, Rapunzel (Tangled), Merida (Brave), and Cinderella beadsprites

Frozen inspired Anna and Elsa beadsprites

Little Mermaid inspired Ariel in pink dress beadsprite

Frozen inspired Elsa and Anna perler bead wall decor

Frozen inspired Olaf perler bead wall decor

My Little Pony Friendship is Magic inspired beadsprites

Sesame Street inspired Yip Yip Aliens (Martians) beadsprites

Firefly inspired Serenity crew beadsprite ornaments

Guardians of the Galaxy inspired beadsprites

X-men inspired Rogue beadsprite

Batman the Animated Series inspired beadsprite ornaments

Batman and Joker inspired perler bead plaque

Green Lantern Corp inspired beadsprites: (Left to right - costume color) Sinestro (yellow), Atrocitus (red), Indigo-1 (blue), Hal (green), Black Hand (black/grey), Kilowog (green), Larfleeze (orange), Saint Walker (blue), Carol (purple), and Kyle (white) perler beadsprite ornaments