Wear some flair in your hair!

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Flowers spell out many ideas and emotions, from innocence and simple beauty to passion and beyond! Whether you are going for a glam look at the high school prom, a trendy, flirty look at a backyard barbeque party, or a formal and sophisticated look at your very own wedding, flowers can make all the difference. I am excited to be a part of this article among other well respected beauty industry professionals. Visit SheKnows.com, one of the top 10 most-visited websites for women, has been providing current information on topics relevant to women's lives.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

The Boyd's (Matt, Mere and Rocky!) wish you all Happy Holidays and a very Merry Christmas! As 2008 comes to a close, we are so thankful for all the wonderful blessings God has bestowed upon us this year, our family, friendships and amazing experiences. At this holiday season we remember and honor those who are no longer with us and cherish those who are. Let the spirit of love gently fill our hearts and homes and may your hearts be lifted in praise this Christmas for the wonderful gift of Jesus and the joy He brings to our lives. Have a wonderful Christmas and a Blessed 2009! Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget. With this thought, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Young Professionals Board Social

The Arthritis Foundation, Georgia Chapter Young Professionals Board had a super fun social Saturday night where we enjoyed homemade dishes and started planning for the 2009 Arthritis Foundation Bone Bash event! We would love for young professionals ages 18-40'ish who reside in the Atlanta metro area (and surrounding suburbs) who have arthritis or a rheumatic disease and those who help loved ones or friends who have arthritis to join our group. For updates check out our Facebook page Arthritis Foundation Young Professionals Group - Georgia Chapter.

Mere's Miracles!

In a land far, far from Hotlanta....Fargo, North Dakota, the Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run was held today and my dear friend Mrs. North Dakota International 2008, Ang Smith and her family got up at the crack of dawn, faced the torrential wind to help raise money for the 46 million people in the US with arthritis and I'm honored that they named their team "Mere's Miracles!" Their poor fingers and toes were frozen from the chilling temps but like true fighters, made it all 3.1 miles and it only took them 42 minutes despite the wind. At the end of the walk they were greeted by a great band playing Christmas carols, hot soup, rolls and of all things, ice cream...yes ice cream! The Fargo walk had 472 runners and raised $38,000 with Microsoft matching all the money earned. WOO HOO!!! THANKS ANG! You are an awesome sister queen and have a heart of GOLD!

46 Million Reasons to Inspire!

There are few therapies approved for children with juvenile arthritis and 10% to 20% do not respond to available medications. The "Faces of Arthritis" event took place on December 2nd to INSPIRE to cure by supporting the 200 to 300 researchers supported annually by the Arthritis Foundation. We watched a moving video of people living with arthritis and heard from two special people who fight arthritis everyday. My friend, Aimee Busquet (her story is on my blog in the archives) who shared her very touching story of how caregivers play an integral part in aiding those who suffer from the disease and how each time those hospital doors close to the operating room, her family is there to greet her when she comes out. It's the caregivers who give so much and anyone who cares for a loved one with any ailment knows how special this role is to the family. We also heard from a brave young boy named Zachary Jamison. He is my hero! He is 11 years old and holds his head high despite the daily adversities of arthritis, his story was to touching there wasn't a dry eye in the room! To Aimee and Zach, you are very special and thank you for being such an incredible inspiration to us all!

Reach Beyond RA Video Now Live!

(click on the graphic above and then click on the "travel" button to download video)

Reach Beyond RA is an informative and easy to navigate Web site sponsored by UCB to help people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis to manage our daily routines like traveling, eating, exercising, social living and work! Through the great folks at UCB, I was able to be a part of a world wide video to offer everyday solutions to help with arthritis. My segment focuses on how to take the stress out of traveling! These days, I think we all can get a little help there! Just click on the graphic above and then click on the "travel" button to view the video. Other video segments have been featured at the UCB national sales convention in San Francisco this past fall and more to come in 2009. If you know of someone suffering from arthritis, please pass this link onto them. Everyday tips like these can help in a small way to managing the disease for more than 46 million Americans.