Played badminton 2x last week and had both physio and massage yesterday. My back and neck are getting a lot better.

Had dinner at Swiss Chalet last night for a belated double birthday celebration. Mine and one sister-in-law's b'day was Oct. 27. Nope, I didn't have chicken. Had a vegetable stir fry on noodles. It was really good. Dropped off 25 bags of Kernels popped popcorn to one of my customers. The popcorn is one of my fundraisers I'm doing for the Arthritis Society's Joints in Motion Marathon.

Went to the 2005 House of Stars Gala tonight. It was a fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House held at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. Fortunately we didn't have to pay as it was $250 per person/$2000 per table. I think there were over 30 tables. Made use of one of my evening gowns. It's been a few years since I've had to wear one. It was quite an enjoyable evening. The reception was first with a large silent auction. I bid $25 for the $100 gift certificate from Brentwood Mall but didn't get it. The Nanaimo hotel/dinner package as well as the Campbell River golf didn't get any bids.

The salads, little cupcakes and buns were already on each table when we went into the ballrooom. Dinner was really good with filet mignon and salmon. Desert was a mousecake with a strawberry, raspberry and chocolate thing. An edible dusting of the Ronald McDonald House was on the plate. Zack Spencer and Steve Darling from BCTV Global News were the MC's. Some kids with cancer and their families who have been staying at the Ronald McDonald House were there. There were different raffles and fundraising going on during the night. We bought 2 balloons but didn't win anything when we were told to pop them. But I was pleasantly surprised when they said to look under the tablecloth for a Park and Fly gift certificate as there was one at every table. I looked under the tablecloth in front of me and voila! A Park and Fly gift certificate good for a week's worth ($80) of parking at the airport. Cool! We can use that when we go to Vegas - won't have to cab it to the airport. All the women got a sterling silver Ronald McDonald House necklace and all the men got a money clip.

There were dancers and stiltwalkers, also a show where 2 long curtains hung from the ceiling and 2 women did synchronized acrobatics on it. There was a live auction after dinner. Lots of different stuff including jewelry and a Gretzky jersey and print. There were 3 West Van Firemen there. They were auctioning off dinner at the station as well as a tour, pole demo etc. The bidding went over $3000 then they ended up auctioning off 2 dinners at $3400 each! Then they noted that it might be adult-oriented! Wow! $6800 was defintely the highest anything sold for. The chef of the hotel only fetched a measley $1000 or $1500 for a catered dinner and clean-up!!! After the live auction a live band came and there was dancing. Some guitarist from the Guess Who. Can't remember his name - before my time. As we were leaving we each got a gift bag, one with Eveline Charles body lotion and the other with Eveline Charles Body Goat Butter - interesting. Both bags had a $25 gift certificate for their salon and spa with a minimum $50 purchase as well as other discount coupons and samples for other places. There was also a Ronald McDonaldhouse pin - nice gold colour.