May Day Flashback! This was elementary school. Judging by my hair, I’m going to guess this is probably late 3rd grade or early 4th grade. How do I know? Well, in 3rd grade I got the worst haircut ever. {That is, until recently, but that is another story for another day. I may still be a bit traumatized.} I digress, this was May Day at North Hialeah Elementary school in Hialeah, Florida.  I’m in pink my BFF was beside me in white. Please note, my pink outfit is quite cute but what was up with the knee socks and sneakers? Really? My parents couldn’t find anything cuter for me? Or was I rebellious {like my daughter is now} and wanted to wear what I liked?

I suppose this was supposed to teach us culture and dance and coordination. I think we also got a healthy dose of humility and uncomfortable awkwardness along with it. Years later, they tortured us with square dancing, too.

Oh, and the guy with his back to the camera? That’s Ramon Bernal, my elementary school crush.

Ever heard of May Day or the May Pole dance? Did you ever do the May Pole dance in school?  Or were we the only weirdos?

Flashback Friday

Flashback Friday is a fun series where I post an old photo (usually of me) and a little blurb or story to go with it. It’s a good excuse for me to get my old photos scanned and into the computer and a great way for you to laugh (usually at my expense). Enjoy!

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This is Mittens. Mittens O’Neill to be exact. After all, every kitten needs a gangster name, don’t they?

Mitten’s Story

On Friday, my neighbor Kirsten, posted that she had found a cute kitten and was wondering what to do with it. Curious to see it, I suggested she stop by. Turns out, one of the feral cats in our neighborhood had a litter under her parent’s shed, which was under construction. The workers hadn’t been out in a while, so the little kitty family had found the perfect spot and was thriving – or so they thought.

When the construction crew returned to work, it seems, mama kitty moved her litter elsewhere for a little peace and quiet – and little Mittens was left behind. Apparently cats aren’t very good at math. After a few days of crying and mama kitty not coming back for her missing baby, the neighbors took matters into their own hands and rescued the little cutie.

Kirsten had to run out, so I told her to leave the little kitten with me and I’d watch her. On my break, I stopped by the vet’s office and picked up some kitten formula, syringes and a feeding bottle. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Right stopped in and I kid you not, when he saw the kitten he turned into a gushing, 12 year old girl.

Welcome to the Zoo

Since we have two dogs, two bunnies and a goldfish, I wasn’t sure if adding a kitten to the zoo would be a great idea. But, I really wanted the Dayngrous Duo to get to experience the joy of having a kitten. See, the dogs came before the kids, so they never got the whole “having a puppy” experience. The bunnies weren’t too keen on being held so that ruled them out, though the kids do enjoy feeding and petting them. So, they really never got the whole “baby animal experience.” Know what I mean?

Fortunately, Mr. Right offered to take responsibility. In fact, about 5 minutes after snatching her away from me, he named the kitten Mittens and ran it over to the vet for a check up.  Turns out Mittens is a healthy little girl, considering all she’s been through, and she’s between 3 and 4 weeks old. Saying she’s small is an understatement. She weighs less than the can of kitten formula and is dwarfed by the stuffed purple Rhino we got her a Petsmart over the weekend.

Caring for Kittens

Turns out caring for a kitten is just like having another baby. If circumstances were perfect, Mittens would still be nursing. But, since that’s not an option, we’re having to bottle feed her about every 4 hours using kitten formula and a kitten bottle. That means waking up and feeding her when she cries and wiping her stinky bottom, too. More on that – because she spent at least one full day {maybe two} without eating, she ate like a little piglet when we finally got her to take the bottle and she ended up getting a touch of the big D. So, just like a baby, we’re having to give her a little unflavored Pedialyte to help prevent dehydration and restore her electrolytes – and wipe her tushy clean.

Curious Kitten

I’m happy to report that 3 days later, Mittens is playful and as curious as one would imagine a happy little kitten would be. She’s having a ball playing with the Dayngrous Duo, her purple Rhino pal and some crumpled up paper.

Stay tuned for more Mittens updates!

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Have You Been Paying Attention?

While our attention was elsewhere, CISPA, the controversial cybersecurity Bill has passed the U.S. House and is now on its way to the Senate chamber. Is it the Death of the Fourth Amendment? Privacy groups believe CISPA tramples on the Fourth Amendment.

The Problem

Here’s what’s wrong with CISPA (Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act – H.R. 624) in as few words as possible:

As it’s written, CISPA won’t protect us from cyber threats, but it will violate our 4th Amendment right to privacy.

• It lets the government spy on you without a warrant. (read more)
• It makes it so you can’t even find out about it after the fact. (read more)
• It makes it so companies can’t be sued when they do illegal things with your data. (read more)
• It allows corporations to cyber-attack each other and individuals outside of the law. (read more)
• It makes every privacy policy on the web a moot point, and violates the 4th amendment. (read more)

Oh and Then There’s This …

Bad news, Facebook users. U.S. employers may soon be able to require employees to fork over their social media passwords.

Make Your Voice Heard

You can take action very easily at CISPA is BACK. If online privacy, cyber security and civil rights are important to you, be sure to swing by Fight f or the Future and Center for Rights as well. Here are a few more ways to join today’s CISPA Protest.

Learn More About H.R. 624

CISPA passes U.S. House: Death of the Fourth Amendment?

U.S. House of Representatives Shamefully Passes CISPA; Internet Freedom Advocates Prepare for a Battle in the Senate

{VIDEO} Everything you want to know about #CISPA

Chris Wysopal, Veracode: U.S. Government Worst at Data Security

If you care about the future of internet privacy, please take action.

The post Ignore CISPA and The Government Can Acquire Your Online Data appeared first on DayngrZone.com.

One of the fun things we like to do in the DayngrZone is have cupcakes and baked goods in celebration of the holidays. Even the not so big holidays, like St. Patrick’s Day. This year, it was these cute Rainbow cupcakes with clouds and a little pot of gold at one end of the rainbow. I bet you could make these at home, too! Looks at these cute Rainbow Cupcakes by Rose Bakes!

I would have posted this sooner but, we were so stuffed full of cupcakes that we couldn’t get off the couch. Kidding! I just hadn’t pulled the pictures off my camera yet.

mmm mmm good! What kind of fun things do you do, to celebrate holidays?

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It’s Party time and I’m so excited! The folks over at OWG {Old World Gourmet} sent me this delicious looking frozen drink mixes to try and I can’t wait. I’m going to invite the lovely ladies in my neighborhood over and we’re going to put these drink mixes to the test. Girls,  good chats, snacks and frozen drinks! What could be better?

Do you have any great grown up party snack recommendations or recipes? This will be my first get-together with the neighborhood gals so your tips and food suggestions would be so helpful. The easier the better since I’m no gourmet cook – yet. Ha! Seriously, if you’ve got some suggestions, just let me know in the comments and feel free to link me to your recipes.

Want to learn more about Old World Gourmet?

Visit Old World Gourmet at:

Web: http://www.owgshoponline.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OWGshop
Twitter: https://twitter.com/oldworldgourmet

Have you tried OWG’s products? Stay tuned for the follow up post once we taste test these mixes.

The post OWG Raging Raspberry Lemonade and Grown Up Party Time appeared first on DayngrZone.com.

I thought it might be fun to pull everything out of my purse and show you what’s hiding in there. Many of these items are some faves I just can’t live without and a few were surprises I’d forgotten were in there. I think there might be a few on my list that you’ll find you love, too! So without further ado… Here’s what’s in Dayngr’s purse:

1. Goody Comb (Remember these?!)
2. Sunglasses
3. Coach Monogram Blue Multicolor Satin Wallet (Everyone should have a matching purse and wallet)
4. Fun Blue Pier One Flower Ring
5. Cottonelle Wipes (Great secret weapon for messes)
6. Small Nail File w/case
7. Mini Day Planner
8. Aleve (That was a surprise!)
9. Pilot Precise V5 Extra Fine (Aqua)
10. One Blue Mercedes Benz CLK (Surprise!)
11. Hanae Mori Butterfly Rollerball (Flowery and sweet)
12. Sephora Outrageous Volume Mascara (The best!)
13. Benefit They’re Real Mascara (Amazing!)
14. Lancôme Juicy Tubes Smoothie in Spring Fling (baby peach looks natural)
15. Lancôme Juicy Tubes in Raspberry Ice (pinkish coral)
16. Kleenex (mommy’s always prepared)
17. Hello Kitty Mirror (A birthday present from the Dayngrous Duo)
18. Business Cards (Out of date now, just got promoted!)
19. NUXE Rêve de Miel Hand and Nail Cream (Absolutely amazing)
20. Car keys w/ pave crystal skull and crossbones
21. iPhone w/purple twitterbird case (my fave these days)

Most of my beauty products are sample size and perfect for carrying around. Some I got through Sephora and others through Birchbox. I love trying things out before I buy a full size. If you haven’t tried the value sets at Sephora, you’ll love them! If you haven’t signed up for Birchbox yet, check them out. It’s fun getting a surprise goodie box full of lush products every month, and you know what? You deserve it.

So that’s what’s in my purse. That’s what I’m carrying around daily and what I can’t live without. What’s in your purse or bag that you can’t live without? Let me know, or do your own post and let me know where to find it, in the comments.

The post Let’s Play What’s in Dayngr’s Purse appeared first on DayngrZone.com.

As I’ve mentioned before, sometimes I get to blog about some really neat finds, when super sweet folks reach out to me. I was lucky enough to get an email from the good folks over at Minted.com with an offer to check out their site and their products. For example, take a peek at their unique Wedding Invitations.

One of the creative things that makes Minted different is their Pinterest-like boards. Check this one out!

But they’re not all about weddings, there’s tons of other items like holiday cards, journals, birthday cards, and so much more! I Especially like their mommy play-date cards and ultra classy business cards

I’m digging that there are tons of designers on the site that make it easy for me to find the items that speak to my creative side. I think you’ll like Minted as much as I have. In fact Minted is a global community of independent graphic designers and an online store that prints and sells the best of their designs in the form of paper goods. Does it get any better than that?

If  you’re interested in checking them out, consider registering through my referral link so you can get $25 off your order and in turn, I can get $25 off mine!  Win/Win!

{What you may not know about me: My mom worked for a printing company for 35+ years. Because of that, I have an incredible love for design, beautiful stationery and paper/card stock. In turn, I followed in my mom’s footsteps and entered into the wonderful world of printing, where I worked for 20 years!}

* Disclosure * I’m receiving $100 credit from Minted for sharing my opinion of their site and products.

I’d love to hear your thought on these pretty paper products! Be sure to add your thoughts in the comments below.

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