Bulletproof Microphones

Since both of our parents were killed over five years ago now, my oldest sister is always stuck playing hostess for most of the major family holiday dinners and get-togethers. Since I am on my own and live the closest to her and her family it only makes sense for me to pitch in where the others really can’t manage to do for a variety of reasons, I try and help out in any way that I can.

Over Christmas it was mentioned that we should try doing some karaoke at the next family dinner, which just so happens to be Easter and that believe it or not,  is only a few short weeks away. My sister does have a karaoke machine but it’s been around the block a few times from the look of it and it doesn’t have the microphone that used to go with that particular karaoke machine. I have been looking at various microphones online in my spare time and have been totally surprised at how many microphones are really out there.

I think I finally decided on the right one, the sm57, but what freaked me out was in the description part of the add it boasts that it is bulletproof and how it stands up to road travel and abuse. Guess these are just an added bonus to the whole deal, I really don’t think anyone in my family would get that crazy during karaoke at my sisters on Easter, but in case they do I will know that the microphone will make it through all right! I can’t wait to share this story on Easter day with the family members that manage to find their way there this year.

Wrapping My Brain Around Half Chaps

The first time I heard someone talk about half chaps, I just couldn’t wrap my brain around the concept of just half of a chap. Now chaps aren’t something that are discussed much, so I hadn’t really thought about the half chaps that they are now selling of which so many of the equestrians of the world are wearing these days.

So when my oldest niece asked for a pair of half chaps for this Christmas I had to look a bit online and see what they are all about. Theequestriancorner.com is a great website for all kinds of equestrian gear and equipment which has a good amount of half chaps of which I took some time and checked out. They were actually cheaper and better looking than I had thought they were going to be, so I ordered her a pair for Christmas. The look on her face when she opened up the package was just fantastic! Her mom actually got a video of her shaking the box, trying to guess what was in it and then just ripping it open and the look of surprise and happiness when she got it open and realized what they were.

Lazy Susans

This year I am hoping that my sister will really love the 24 inch kidney lazy susan that I found out she was eyeballing back a few months ago. Last month I managed to find and order the one that she was all excited about online at a really decent price, so that is one gift that I was able to place a check mark beside on my long list of presents that need to be bought, wrapped and ready for the family Christmas get-to-together that has been at my sisters house ever since our parents passed away.

It is a bitter sweet day for all of us, but as long as we are together we seem to get through it. It’s a lot of work for my sister each year, but I think she really enjoys it all after all is said and done and hopefully this lazy susan will be put to good use for all of the holidays from here on out.

kidney shaped lazy susan
kidney shaped lazy susan

Dreaming about Mardi Gras Fun

One day I would love to go to New Orleans and attend the Mardi Gras festivities that I have always heard so much about. I have been lucky enough to have done some traveling in the past, but never made it to New Orleans, unfortunately. But one day I hope to find my way there and see what all the hoopla is about!

Costumes are not only limited to Halloween costumes any more, there are many other usages for dressing up these days. I have seen some pretty nice Mr & Mrs Santa Claus suites, along with many elf costumes as well, for the Christmas Holiday Season, and Mardi Cras costumes are becoming much more readily available with the Internet and all.

queen costume
Queen Costume
King Costume
Costume Fit For A King

I’ve seen some pretty Halloween Costumes in my day, and the variety of Kids Halloween Costumes has become extremely specialized through out the years, what with all of the cartoon characters that have come out through out the years. I used to always want to dress up as Superman for Halloween and did for several years in a row. I remember dressing up in that costume through out the year, while my friends dressed in their super hero costumes as well, man did we have a blast with those inexpensive costumes that were sold back in the day.

superman costume
Superman Costume

Happy Birthday Sis!

Today my sister claims to have celebrated her last birthday, as she has no interest in turning 60 next year. This has been a wacky year for birthdays. A lot of turning points are being approached and I guess it is sinking in that we are all getting older and there isn’t a darned thing that we can do about it.

The Labor Day Rains

It looks like I’ll be cooking dinner for 3 tonight since my sister and her son will be stopping by on their way home from work to pick up the two airpots that were left here last weekend from our Labor Day family picnic. The rains came so quickly that we really scrambled to get everything covered up and back inside as fast as we could and the kitchen just turned into a nightmare of wet, cold food and people.

At least the rains waited until the end of the day. For the most part it was a good time. The next time we will all be getting together will be in November for Thanksgiving which is coming quicker than any of us really want it to get here, because after Thanksgiving comes Christmas and I don’t know anyone looking forward to all that goes along with Christmas.