That would have been fun, Inkblot! Maybe someone will think of having a "party" in the chat room next year.

Don't feel bad. I usually spend the Eve and the next day alone. It just never has been a family day for us for some reason. It was when I was growing up. The city I lived in had a huge parade. We'd set up around 6 am since the route was only one block from where we lived. My aunt, uncle and all 8 cousins would turn out with the three of us, then we'd go have tamales or some big meal at either our house or one of the relatives. YUM!! All of that went by the wayside when my aunt passed. Strange, isn't it, that there is always one that is the glue for the rest of the family. When they're gone, so is the family unity. Wish she'd passed her secret on to me.