family – The Distracted Damsel

Curious, Smart and Funny

Posted on October 23, 2025 by Distracted Damsel

Daily writing prompt

Describe a family member.

There’s this cool kid that I know. He’s the best nephew anyone could have and I get to spend three days a week with him. Sometimes those days are long or busy or even obnoxious but I wouldnt trade having him around while he thinks Im the fun Auntie.

Curious

This little dude has me on the ropes all the time. I never know what he is going to ask or want to do on the daily. He is super curious about everything, from owls to food to what I am doing for work. If he is interested in something he asks me to look up images or videos on youtube. This week the topics were Owls and and new ride he wants to go on at the pumpkin patch, the Zipper. He says it isnt for him yet but it will be when he is bigger. 🙂 Always more to learn.

Smart

Although we might not be the smartest of adults, we really try to teach Booger to think thru what he wants to do, how he does his homework, how he treats his friends. This kid isnt a genius mathematician but math is his favorite and hes getting really good at the harder word problems. He can read a room and chime in with our adult conversations, does get him in trouble sometimes but he listens and learns so much. I have watched him think through logically what order he wants to do chores, homework, dinner and bath time- and he gave me reasons for why the order. I forget sometimes that I am talking to a 7 year old because he talks so smart. And reading?! He has met his semester goal in two months and should really be reading at a 3rd or 4th grade level. Makes me proud.

Funny

There is no doubt that Booger has inherited our sense of humor and sarcasm. From the c’mon Bruhs to the dad jokes this kid cracks me up. He has an infectious giggle, the best when he cracks up at his own jokes. He pays around with us and has one liners that just hit right on queue. His little personality is so fun to watch and I really hope he keeps up the quick wit and the come backs.

I have other family around me. My parents, sister/brother in law and extended, all of which I love and enjoy their company. But for right now, seeing this little dude so proud of learning to ride a bike with no training wheels, crush his reading, enjoy being a kid, helping me with the instructions and bake together, well, that’s the fun part of my day. Hope you have a kid to watch, yours or a niece or nephew. We all need that kid life in big or little doses.

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What did you do for your aging dog?

Posted on October 21, 2025 by Distracted Damsel

Our Ozzie-dog is almost 16 years old. He is a Chihuahua Pincher mix and he has really started to show his age. Normally jumping on and off the sofas and barking at anything that moves, he barely notices anything anymore. He is napping now most of the day and constantly has to be next to one of us.

We live in a second story apartment. Taking him out has always been pretty simple up until recently. The millisecond we got even close to the stairs he would be down them at the door. Now he hesitates. About a year ago, we noticed a lump on his stomach and we had it checked. The vet didnt seem concerned. In the last two months it has tripled in size. The blood work hasnt given us a definitive answer yet and its even more expensive to get the biopsy.

He has been a good boy and we can see just how much slower, blinder and more deaf he has gotten. We think that he might make it thru the end of the year but he needs full time watching now. He used to love his crate but now if he is in it he howls and cries. Since he really cant see much he is bumping into walls and falling off the bed. Don’t worry its a low bed and he always sleeps with one of us but he is restless.

So I am curious what any of you have done when your dog got to this point. This is our first dog to have to let go of. We love him, he isn’t suffering, doesn’t seem to be in pain just that functions are starting to fail. We can install a baby gate so he cant fall down the stairs. We have switched to soft food for him but practically have to hand feed it to him. We also cant always be home with him.

Its not easy to think about him going but we do want to love him as long as we can. When did you decide if it was time to take your dog in? Or did you make them comfortable? What did you get for them for food or for comfort? Ive seen others take them out for their favorite snack or to their favorite park for the last time.

Maybe I’m overthinking this or maybe I’m just a bit sad today. But if you guys have any ideas or can share any experiences, especially if you have kids that were attached to your pet please share. My nephew has said that he doesn’t want Ozzie to go. I hope we have my nephew when the dog goes but he is part time with his dad.

Anyways, please share your story or your dog pictures. They are here for a short time but give us all the love.

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Seeing Joy in Others

Posted on September 27, 2025 by Distracted Damsel

Daily writing prompt

In what ways does hard work make you feel fulfilled?

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That may sound a bit weird but I believe that hard work is not only for ourselves to feel proud but also to aid and bring comfort to others. I have had my fair share of moments of accomplishment. When I have felt like queen of the mountain for completing a goal or doing something in business that I have never done before.

But I have also been with friends and family or customers that have been struggling personally or professionally and I have been able to work with them and achieve much more. I work hard for myself because I am driven and I want to be successful. However, I have always found more joy when I have eased the stress or answered a need for another.

For example, I am in the field everyday. I find clients and customers that struggle with selecting colors, flooring, finishing up projects that never seem to end. It can be overwhelming for them not knowing where to start or what the “right thing” is to do. I get the opportunity to work thru the process for them, shining light on the choices that matter first and work out the little details that they cant focus on.

Recently, two ladies came into the flooring store I work at part time. They said they had been in so many stores, talked to so many people but they still hadnt made any decisions. When I hear that, I have to help. It took us about 2 hours but I lead them through the process, pulling samples, talking trends and tips, talking colors and making final selections. They were so happy by the time we were done talking that I even got a hug because according to her “i had solved all of their headaches”.

Coming full circle today the ladies came back in the store for the next project. They were so excited to tell me about how the install was coming and that they were starting the next project. They said they would only work with me because I had done such a “fantastic job the first time”. Sounds like I am tooting my own horn a little bit. And in a way I kind of am. But seeing those ladies smile and getting another hug, and more words of praise is fulfillment to me.

I worked hard to give them my knowledge and my expertise which I have gained over the years. I worked hard to pull the selections and explain why they were the best materials and colors for their dream bathroom. I take pride in knowing that I did my best but the best part is knowing how happy my efforts made others. I am fulfilled if I am fulling 🙂