The Caskettes, a Minnesota singing group, is comprised of four sisters -- Babs, Delna, Mimi, and CindyLee (their stage names). They first got a taste of the spotlight when they performed about ten years ago at their grandmother's funeral (she had a riotous sense of humor and would've gotten a kick out of it, says CindyLee). Now they get together and perform whenever and wherever they can -- birthday parties, piano bars, family talent shows. The Caskettes have always dressed to the nines (think feathers, sequins), but this year, they upped their glamour ante when Delna got sick. In particular they bought wigs, so that the effects of radiation and chemo couldn't be seen. The singing and laughter have been cathartic for all of the women, and besides, you look a lot less ill in a wig and go go boots.

The Letter from Cynthia About her Costumes

The purchase that changed my life was the elaborate costumes we bought for my sister-singing group, The Caskettes.

My sisters and I have been signing together since we were children, but we've upped the ante the past few years now that our kids are older. We decided that we could make our times together even better if we glamorized them. Now, we invest in identical feathered gowns, go-go boots, and our extensive wig collection.

We go around town together and marvel at peoples' reactions to The Caskettes. The laughs are worth every nickel we spend. One of my sisters is almost finished with radiation treatments so the fact that we're all in wigs has made it easier for all of us. Sisters are a gift, but sisters in matching costumes sitting around Nye's piano bar .. it simply doesn't get any better!