Keeping the Dream Alive: 3 Ways to Support Small Businesses

I have always lived in small towns in the south. These small towns are packed with men and women with dreams. Like myself, they have dreams and ideas of providing services or products that fill a void in their community. These dreams have the massive potential to enhance and strengthen their community while simultaneously supporting themselves and their families. 

Here are 3 simple ways you can support your local small businesses and help your community thrive:

1. When you are searching for a product or service, start your search at your Chamber of Commerce.

Every Chamber of Commerce has a Member Directory with a search engine on their website. If you can't find a product or service provider you are looking for, don't hesitate to give them a quick phone call. Small businesses make an investment of their time and money when they join their Chamber of Commerce. When you see a business is a chamber of commerce member, it reflects their commitment to their dream of enhancing the community with their service or products. Part of the Chamber's mission is connecting the community with its members to encourage economic growth. 

2. Next time a new business moves in, appreciate the business' growing pains.

We know about that one new restaurant or other new small business that seems to be so energetic and enthusiastic about opening in the community and then the excitement wears off after a month or so. Maybe their food wasn't very tasty the first week they were open or there was still construction residue in the store's appearance that gave it a failing vibe. Whatever the reason is that turns you away from the place, give them time to sort it out. Starting a business is challenging! Show the dreamers some grace and give them a second chance. If the opportunity arises, kindly suggest to the owner what changes could be accomplished to create a more positive experience in their business. They can't fix the problem unless they know there is one.

3. Connect with local and small businesses online.

If you are like **many people, you are on some platform of social media i.e. Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Connect with your local small businesses online to learn more about them and simply show support. If you don't shop there or need their services, someone in your network might. Social media likes and shares or retweets act similarly to word of mouth. Spread the word and share away!


Now, I am all about pinching pennies where I can; nevertheless, I don't mind spending a few extra cents when I know the money is going straight to the small business owner and not a corporation. I'd rather buy a cute top from a local boutique in support of its local owner than shop online from a large chain store. That being said, Amazon's Kindle Library is the platform I chose to release my first publication, Their Inheritance, so don't get me wrong. Without Amazon you wouldn't have the easy access to my corner of the book world. ;) I definitely appreciate everyone shopping Amazon books! 

I challenge you to keep the dreamers dreaming and follow these 3 simple steps to show support of your local small businesses! Show some love to your local business today. Leave the name of your favorite local or small business in the comments. I'd love to check them out and give them a thumbs up!

Believe.

Caitlin Ayers, Proprietor & Publisher 

www.PurpleButterflyPages.com

What's New?

Hello, Everybody!

2017 was quite the year and it has been quite a while since there has been an update from me about Purple Butterfly Pages! There will be no Top 5 blog posts countdown from PBP last year. I didn't even post 5 blogs {Oops!} and I realize what a good habit I had of actually posting often as I am a feeling a bit rusty at it now; but I really want to update you on where PBP has been this year and where I am taking Purple Butterfly Publications this next year.

In 2017, I moved from Toccoa, GA to Hiawassee, GA and of course my publishing company came with me. It has been a process as those of you have moved can understand. I invested in property beside my parents' mountain property and added a gorgeous building. Looking forward to getting the place turned into a proper office space eventually. I named the property "Butterfly Hill"and what a transformation it has seen from summer to winter! 

Moving meant a new city, a new network, new readers to reach; new everything for my business. This was the hardest part of the move for me. If you know me, you know I love "comfortable" and familiar. While I love Hiawassee, I miss Toccoa. I especially miss the Chamber of Commerce and the amazing network there. Blessed to take the experiences, connections, network, and friendships of Toccoa with me!

Helloooooooo...

Hello, Everybody!

I know it has been a while since you've heard the latest from my corner of the book world. The reality is that I haven't made time to stop and fill you guys in on the latest! Here's to doing better and posting more in March. :)

A look into January and February's life:

Coffee time with my GSP brother at Java Station after a
TSC Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting 

2016's most read blog posts were counted down ! Thanks for reading& sharing :)

 Have you ever noticed that you look at your smartphone to see what time it is and next thing you know you are scrolling through timelines, photos, and apps? I might be the only one! I found that wearing a watch to check the time keeps me away from useless smartphone time.

Grabbed some fresh time pieces with
butterflies of course!

Enjoyed a lovely February brunch with
PBP's featured author a.k.a. Momma, and a few of my sisters
at The Cellar in Blairsville, GA

Finally, a LOVEly Valentine's Day party with parents, brother, sisters, and nephews was a blast! It was cool to take a day that is usually devoted to couples and simply celebrate the people in my life that I love. Mom and everyone went al out with FOOD and hearts everywhere. I had so much fun celebrating LOVE.

I also repainted my office space a nice light purple/lavender in January. 

Well, that's a brief overview of my last couple of months from my corner of the book world. I am currently in the editing process of project Through the Storms. Stephanie Ayers is a big part of the current editing process. We are currently making sure the story flows, an important part of editing and another step towards getting it to readers around the globe! 

Believe.

Caitlin Ayers

@PBPages

Butterfly Journey

Hello, Everybody!

As I was on the way home from running errands today, a song came on from the shuffle of my handpicked playlist. The song was "Butterfly" sung by Tracy Lawrence. 

"Butterfly" lyrics

"Butterfly" lyrics

Inspired by all things butterfly, I was reminded of the butterfly journey that I am a part of. I am in the middle of editing PBP's next publishing project. Right now the story is exactly that. It is a story. It is my job to turn it into a book. A book that many can enjoy and draw inspiration and encouragement from. The story is currently in caterpillar form and with editing, proofreading, formatting, designing, and marketing, it is becoming a butterfly in the book world.

Subscribe to this blog, The Purple Butterfly Purpose, and be the first to know about book updates straight from the publisher's desk...a.k.a my desk. ;)

Believe.

Caitlin A.

Love, Faith, and Trust in God: 9/11 Remembrance

Hello, Everybody!

As you all know, yesterday marked the fifteen year anniversary of remembrance on September 11, 2001. As my family and I were watching tributes and different stories of the tragic day, we came across the Palombo family's story shared by Anderson Cooper. 

The Palombo family struck me in a few ways not just one. For starters, like my family, there are ten children in their family. What has happened to them over the last several years is very similar to the children in 'Their Inheritance', the book I didn't write but did publish three years ago this month. The Palombo's father was a firefighter who lost his life while courageously and faithfully doing his job on September 11, 2001. Eight years later, after a four year battle with cancer, their mother passed away. The children decided to stay together and raise each other. Their parents' love, faith, and values have carried them this far. 

Take a couple of minutes out of your day to watch this video of the Palombo's family. Be blessed by their testimony. I have nothing to add to this incredible testimony of faith and love. I hope that the Palombo family inspires you like they have me on this fifteen year anniversary of their father's passing.

I am working on sending this awesome family a copy of 'Their Inheritance'. If you are reading this and know any of the 'Palombo 10', please contact me! 

My prayers and thoughts are with every family who lost loved ones on the tragic September 11, 2001. I will never forget.

BELIEVE.
Caitlin A.

#Inspired

Hello, Everyone!

Enjoying your summer, yet? We don't have to be children or teenagers to enjoy summertime joy. The lightning bugs are still out there at sundown and the sun still shines hot no matter your age. In summers past I have found that it was easy to get sidetracked by the long hot summer days and the summertime festivities of bar-b-ques, lake days, friends' weddings, or the summertime blues. We find excuses to distract us. If you don't, good for you. You can read on about my midsummer refocus.

As summer came this year, I was thinking of ways to stay focused on work. Well, that last full weekend in June was a weekend full of inspiration showing in places I didn't think I would find it.

Thanks to a sweet friend and my sister for surprising me with birthday gift tickets for the last weekend of June to see Maksim and Valentin Chmerkovskiy, professional dancers known for their talented work on Dancing with the Stars. The brothers co-star and co-coreographed their live dance tour, Maks and Val: Our Way. As my sister and our friend headed to the show, I ws looking forward to an exciting night of dancing, and walked away more inspired and motivated by their life journey.The show was less about the men's physique and talent, but instead focused on their parents, hard work, love, and the fun they have living their lives. Before this experience, I thought I had a pretty good work ethic...afterward the show, I realized my work ethic needs more work, more hours!

After attending "Our Way", I was pumped to get started on a new work week! I was home catching up on the week's episodes of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and J.J. Watt, defensive end for the Houston Texans' NFL team, was one of Jimmy's guests. Watt was promoting his new cross trainers from Reebok and talking about his work ethic which has made him the defensive player of the entire National Football League three out of the past four years. Watt's message is one that gives charge to each individual to work their hardest to be the greatest they are capable of being. Yep, even more motivation for me to work harder and put more hours into publishing quality novels that I believe can impact readers' lives in a positive and encouraging way.

"If you do the bare minimum, expect bare minimum results. You want to be great, work to be great. Nothing just happens." -J.J. Watt

Sunday night was the last women's gymnastics competition before the 2016 summer Olympic Trials which begin in mid-July. The hard work that these young women put into their sport is incredible to watch. As I watched, I was inspired by the way they put all their effort and strength into each event no matter how tired they got. On top of their strength, their determination to win a place on the 2016 U.S. Olympic team was inspiring! They wanted the privilege to represent the United States of America in the Olympic games and they were not and are not afraid to work hard to get there. 


Dedication, commitment, and sacrifice (even during the long and hot summer days) are what gets the work done. I think its best to not overthink our daily responsibilities. Just do the work.

Comment with your summer time work life inspirations!

#BELIEVE
Caitlin A.

Celebrating 6 Years @ PBP!

 Hello, Everyone!

This June makes six years since I started Purple Butterfly Pages. I realize the huge blessing it is to be able to be a young American woman and have my own business. Thankful for the individuals who fought for my rights as a human, as a woman, and as an American. 

The gift of every day is not guaranteed. I am continuously determined to use my abilities in whatever way God needs to use me to impact readers', fans', and supporters' lives. A big thank you to all of you for reading a story written by Stephanie Townsend Ayers and thank her for continuing to write (yes, more stories are coming). 


I thought it would be fun to take a look back at some photos from 2010 through 2016!

 "We delight in the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty." -Maya Angelou

Alexandra: A Williams Family Journey was the first book I sold as an independent book seller in 2010.

Second book for sale at Purple Butterfly Pages and first publication for Purple Butterfly Publications: Their Inheritance

Featured author, Stepanie Townsend Ayers....a.k.a. mom 

PBP owner circa 2012, second year in business selling books and in college!

My first public speaking event at the Rotary Club meeting for Habersham County, GA
I'l never forget it! Thanks to one of my college instructors at the time, Mrs. King, who invited me to share the journey of
Purple Butterfly Pages.

Proprietor of Purple Butterfly Pages
& Publisher at Purple Butterfly Publications circa fall of 2015

Custom PBP sign hung at a book signing event in 2010

PBP sign displayed as a proud sponsor in the 2016 Currahee Cornhole Challenge presented by
the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce!

Thankful to be a part of such an open-minded and welcoming 

Chamber of Commerce in my community! I have been a member for a few years, now. This summer, I was asked to be a part of the adult summer reading program at the Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library. Of course I could not refuse to be a part of this exciting library event! I added a free download of Their Inheritance ebook in the prize winning baskets!

Grand prize basket for the 2016 adult summer reading program
at the Toccoa-Stephens Public Library

Thanks for scrolling through memory lane with me. I am grateful for everyone who has been a part of my journey at Purple Butterfly Pages and Publications. 

Believe.- Caitlin

'Their Inheritance' Thursday: Prayer

Hello, Everybody!

It is another fantastic Thursday to talk about the capital of my book world: Their Inheritance. Today is also National Prayer Day. The dictionary definitions of prayer are 1: words spoken to God 2: the act of praying to God 3: a strong hope or wish. James, Alexandra, Christine, and Lee all prayed. They leaned on God for wisdom.  

The first chapter of Their Inheritance begins with Alexandra praying by her parents' graves. 

“Forgive me, Lord. Make me strong and guide me. I don’t understand, but Ma always said you don’t give us more than we can handle. I hope I don’t disappoint you. Be patient with me. I promise to try harder to be courageous.  Amen,” she whispered.

She asked for strength and guidance and wisdom in understanding. In chapter three, Alexandra prayed for forgiveness when her thoughts wander to distrust or lose faith.

"Forgive me, Lord, for my weakness. I know you are taking care of things. Help me to stop worrying so. Even if I must lug that tub of water, I believe you can give me the strength to do it. Amen."

Alexandra prayed for her marriage when considering a marriage proposal.  

"Dear God, please guide me in the direction you want my life to go. Help my thoughts be pure, and please help me get some sleep. Amen."

Alexandra Williams spoke to God and depended on Him to get her through many life-changing circumstances! I was inspired to depend on prayer more after reading 'Their Inheritance' for the first time. I hope you all will check out 'Their Inheritance' ebook if you haven't already. My prayer for you, as a reader, is that you are encouraged and inspired by 'Their Inheritance' in some way!

Believe.
Caitlin A.

Exercise Your Mind. Read!

Hello, Everyone!

I hope everyone is having a beautiful and hopeful spring. It has been awhile since I updated you all on what is new at Purple Butterfly Publications.

Did you know there is a Summer Reading Program for ADULTS starting this May! If you do not live in Toccoa, there is a good chance this is happening at your local library as well. Anyone over the age of nineteen years-old can register for the summer reading program. Each book you read counts as an entry to win the GRAND PRIZE Basket that the Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library will be giving away at the end of the program. Hard copy books, ebooks, and audio books are all included as part of the program and count as entries! There is no minimum or maximum amount of books you need to read to take part of the program.

When Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library's Adult Program Coordinator, Sarah Edmonds, asked me to be a part of the library's first ever Adult Summer Reading Program, I was SO excited! I am happy to encourage reading and community involvement by partnering with the Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library this summer. This summer's theme is "Exercise Your Mind. Read!" to encourage health and fitness in your community.

As Proprietor & Publisher at Purple Butterfly Publications, I am proud to have added a copy of PBP's featured ebook, Their Inheritance, to the Grand Prize Basket which will be given away at the end of the Summer Reading Program!!!

I will personally be taking part in this program. It is the challenge I need to make more time for reading. I am now taking reading suggestions*. I will keep you updated on what I am reading once the program gets started in May!

*Leave book suggestions in the comments below.

Who says the reading programs at the library have to be just for kids? Join me this summer and let's get our reading on!!!!

Believe.
Caitlin Ayers
www.PurpleButterflyPages.com

Toccoa Tuesday: Java Station

Hello, Everybody!

My corner of the book world is a bit soggy today. It is one of those droopy rainy Tuesdays in Toccoa, Georgia making this "Toccoa Tuesday" all about my local coffee shop! I am so thankful that my corner of the book world has a fantastic coffee shop: Java Station. After all, what better pair than coffee shop and a book publisher, right?!

An old gas station was remodeled to become 
the home of Java Station & Cafe.

So, Toccoa does not have a Dunkin Donuts, a Starbucks, or any super coffee shop chain; however, Toccoa does have a coffee shop! I like to think of the Java Station as a pivotal meeting place in the community. The Java Station is a host to parties, meetings, dates, networking, study groups, etc...


About a year ago, the Java Station expanded their kitchen services. Now, they serve a variety of sandwiches, salads, burgers, and an occasional grilled sandwich.  It has been nice to see the kitchen grow into producing full entree's at dinner time. Delicious!

Hot Drinks on a cold day!

The food and drinks are tasty, healthy, and original. The chefs do wonderful jobs in the kitchen! The baristas are in a class of their own. I stop in to the Java Station most every week. Most of the time I am accompanied by my younger brother. He has special needs and has been working to improve his social skills by ordering a drink for himself. The baristas are kind enough to not rush him when ordering. Instead, they treat him respectfully letting him get his order in. If my brother forgets to ask for the drink sugar free, the barista asks him if he would like the ordered drink sugar free. It is the extra step that counts. A friendly greeting when arriving and departing makes the Java Station & Cafe just the right fit for Toccoa, Georgia. Also, the background music is always something different. Sometimes it is classical music or 70's classic rock hits and everything in between. 

I feel like it is cliche to say that coffee or hot tea and a good book is all you need on a rainy day, but come on. Who craves something hot to drink on a cold and rainy winter day? I know I do! Go download Their Inheritance today to read with your cup of coffee or hot tea, whichever you fancy. :)

Believe.

Caitlin
Purple Butterfly Pages

Toccoa Tuesday: Toccoa Falls

Hello, Everybody!

Happy Groundhog Day! Of course, this morning, I can't help but think of the hilarious 1993 film, Groundhog Day, starring bill Murray and Andie Macdowell as well as one of my favorite movies: the claymation Jack Frost. The Jack Frost movie demonstrates how seriously Phil, the groundhog, takes his job. The weather nerd part of me loves it. Haha! Today, February 2, 2016, Phil did not see his shadow! According to the groundhog, spring will arrive sooner than later. For warm weather lovers that may be a welcomed forecast; however, I have not seen much of winter in Toccoa, Georgia. Yes, Toccoa has seen snow, but it has not been much of a winter.....yet. It is near sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit today! 

The milder winter has made for Toccoa's outdoor beauty to be seen more frequently than past winters. One of Toccoa's most popular outdoor attractions is Toccoa Falls. Standing 186 foot high, Toccoa Falls rests on the campus of Toccoa Falls College, a four-year Christian college.

a wintery Toccoa Falls waterfall standing 186 ft tall 

The waterfall is accessed through the Gate Cottage gift shop giving visitors a chance to browse Tuoccoa-Themed gift items and souvenirs as well as meeting college students of Toccoa Falls College. From the gift shop to the falls is a nice walk/hike on a wide path made of dirt and rocks. I have been fortunate to have witnessed the marriage of friends at the base of Toccoa Falls (stunning backdrop for any special day). My high school senior class also had their pictures taken on the rocks at the bottom of the falls!


Toccoa Falls has a darker history. In 1977, the earthen dam broke causing thirty-nine people to lose their lives. At the foot of the falls, there is a beautiful memorial to those who died that day. Learn more about historical Toccoa Falls today! If the beautiful outdoors is your thing or not, Toccoa Falls is a place you will want to visit.

Believe.

Caitlin 
Purple Butterfly Pages & Publications

Toccoa (not taco) Tuesdays

Hello, Everybody!

It snowed in Georgia last week! Yes, I survived winter storm Jonas. Fortunately, the amount of ice that fell was less than estimated and I did not suffer through power outages. I was blessed to be able to spend time in the snow and living in northeast Georgia, I had hills to sled down! I also engaged in intense snowball battles against siblings. They were packed so hard, those snowballs hurt! My fur baby enjoyed the snow (not as much as I did, though).

Merry Mae a.k.a. furry baby

Toccoa's January 23, 2015 snowfall

January 22, 2015 snowfall in Toccoa, GA

Enough about the magically wonderful and rare snow that Georgia received! Moving on...I am introducing a new weekly blog post theme: Toccoa Tuesday. Not to be confused with Taco Tuesday, Toccoa Tuesday is a series of posts about the town where I live and work in Georgia. Toccoa means "Beautiful". Toccoa is full of history and natural beauty. I look forward to virtually sharing parts of my town with you!

I will continue to post about the book world and everyday life that it accompanies. Just showing a bit of love to Toccoa! Another weekly topic will be Their Inheritance Thursdays.

Believe.

Caitlin
Purple Butterfly Pages & Publications

Yesteryear's Winter

Hello, Everybody!

I am at my desk listening to the radio as rain falls on the tin roof sings in the background. I am awaiting the snow side of 2016 winter storm Jonas. I am a bit of a weather nerd. The power that God put into the weather fascinates me so much. As I was busy preparing for some winter weather this weekend, I was thinking back a little bit. Ok, a lot back, to the late 1800's. What were their winters like?

Winter has not changed that much over time, but there have been changes to society's knowledge and preparation of winter weather. Could you imagine going to bed with  grey skies above and then waking up to head to work or hang out the wash and finding a foot or more of snow; or, watching an afternoon snowfall turn into a week-long blizzard? Winter happened yesteryear just as it is happening today. They were more dependent on the Farmer's Almanac and weather patterns and we are more dependent on The Weather Channel and our local meteorologists to tell us when to expect bad weather. They had little time to prepare their lives for the disruptions that a winter storm brings. Today, meteorologists work to inform citizens of severe weather weeks in advance.

Back then, the families had very little time before a blizzard hit to get their livestock taken care of, food from the cellar, trees chopped for firewood, and few had healthy winter clothing to protect them from the bitter cold temperatures that accompanied big snowfalls and ice storms. In preparation for winter weather on its way today, I made a pot of chili, my younger sisters made a batch of cookies and Momma made a gnocchi and potato soup. Daddy made the grocery store stop for bread and milk....we will not starve this weekend! All the food can be heated over the grill. :) I stocked up on batteries for my radio/cd player. Yes, I still listen to am/fm radio and prefer to own CDs rather than digital music. That discussion is for another blog! SO, I am feeling as prepared for winter storm Jonas as a northeast Georgian can be.


If you are not in the path of 2016 winter storm Jonas, enjoy your winter weekend and make the most of it! To everyone in the path of winter storm Jonas, make the most of it. Embrace the magical snowfall and the powerful layered ice. If you lose electricity, embrace the unplugged pause. It is not always a bad thing to have to reschedule the weekend's plans. Use the "unplugged" winter storm time to get some work done or items crossed off your "to-do" list. There is no time like the present. Everyone, have a safe weekend! Share your wintery pix with me and other readers on my Facebook page: Purple Butterfly Pages! I want to see some snow. I will share my winter storm pix in my next post.

Believe.

Caitlin 
Purple Butterfly Pages

How Lucky is 13?

Hello, Everybody!

Hoping the first thirteen days of this new year is treating you all well. So far, my 2016 has been about refreshment. I have been exploring different avenues of creativity outside of the book world. By spreading the creativity around, I have found more inspiration to use for my book world! I grew up watching my Momma sew by hand and on her sewing machine. I have made it a personal goal for the new year to create more of my own closet items and sew more gifts. How are you coming along with your goals for the new year? Is anybody trying to sew more?! Have you had any luck with your own sewing? I would love to know your tricks!

Speaking of luck...

I am wondering how many Americans feel lucky today and will venture out to their local convenience store or gas station and buy a Powerball lottery ticket. Do you feel lucky? As a publisher, I am thinking how many books the current jackpot could buy! A couple of books could be purchased I am sure. Have you asked yourself what you would do with the estimated $1.4 billion Powerball jackpot (if you are playing)?

Losers

What about when you don't win any money from the historic lottery drawing? Would you still be able to call yourself a winner? I believe everyone can...if you are grateful for what you already have. If you choose gratefulness over greediness, you will be a happy loser! Be happy for the winner (if there is one)! Make the most of life with what you have. Strive to be grateful for what you have as you work to gain more. Someone who chooses to be grateful instead of greedy is a winner in my book!

Believe.  

Best of luck on this thirteenth day of January! You have what it takes to accomplish whatever you set out to do today.  

*If you want an encouraging read, check out Their Inheritance on Amazon! 

Caitlin

Purple Butterfly Pages &Publications

'Tis the Season

Hello, Everybody!

Sprinkle and kiss embellished sugar cookies

I am taking a few minutes break from baking Christmas cookies right now. My sister and I are hosting a Christmas cookie exchange party this evening. The punch ingredients are awaiting their mixing and the bourbon chicken is marinating! I want to take this "baking break" to reflect on the Christmas celebrations.

Embrace Your Pace

Are you are finding yourself bogged down with Christmas parties, responsibilities, gift-giving pressures, or time management stress that the month of December can bring? I am not selling you Vitameatavegemin (I'll leave that to Lucy),  but I do understand there are end of the year goals to meet, LOTS of people to visit before the year runs out, and have a cheery smile on your face all at at the same time. We can all get carried away with the tide of busyness during Christmas time. Then, there are those friends of ours who have nobody to visit with or to celebrate the wonderful Gift that we celebrate with. Whether you are the person finding themselves way too busy to keep up with life or if you are the person wanting a busier life, EMBRACE where you are and how fast life is moving quickly or slowly around you. 

Be grateful for the busy schedule. Each responsibility and event is serving a purpose in your life. Be grateful for the slow pace that you are living life. Spend your time really being there for those who are around you.

Never Too Old 

It is so important to not forget the magic of Christmas! There is the magic of Santa, the elves, the snowy days {so, maybe not much snow around this year, but in general ;) }. I am talking about the MOST important magical part of Christmas that I celebrate: Jesus' birth. The newborn who would save the world from eternal agony. The history of this baby is incredible. Find a Bible and read Luke 2:1-21, the story of Jesus' birth, and tell me it is not magical! I just want to remind you that nobody is too old to believe in magic, especially the spiritual kind!

A Christmas wish for you!

My Christmas wish for you all reading this:

Enjoy your Christmas whatever your circumstances. Create moments. Embrace those moments. Count every tiny blessing. Be a blessing to someone else. Don't forget to believe in the magic that surrounds you. May the peace that Jesus' birth brings film your hearts!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!!

Believe.

Caitlin

Proprietor & Publisherwww.PurpleButterflyPages.com

Stepping Away with Lack of Words

Hello, Everyone!

I hope you had a memorable Thanksgiving holiday. I spent time with my family (SURPRISE) and celebrated a couple of birthdays. We celebrated my youngest brother's birthday by spending the day with our cousins playing billiards and eating cake pops! Three days earlier, we celebrated my baby sister's birthday with a Yellow Submarine themed party. I have <ALOT of  fun being an older sister to say the least! The first week of December brought my mother's birthday. Yes, Purple Butterfly Publications' featured author, Stephanie Townsend Ayers, had a fantastic birthday with gifts, family game time, movies, and a meal at her favorite restaurant, Michaelee's, in Blairsville, Georgia. If you are looking for your next vacation destination with delicious Italian cuisine and delicate desserts, consider this place!

A rainbow over Young Harris, Georgia Thanksgiving week

Stepping away...

During this valuable family time, I took time away from my professional Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook accounts. Good timing for me to take a break for two main reasons. The first reason being that it is important to take time a way from social media. Stepping away during the last part of November and early December is what I did. Stepping away from certain work tasks for a brief time-out helped me to disconnect and reconnect by not sharing so much of what I'm thinking and doing throughout the day. Please, don't misunderstand, I love social media and believe in its many positive purposes (more details for a later blog)! The second reason stepping away from social media at this particular time was because there were days during this "break" that I would not have known what to say anyway. When the news broke that Mark Richt, one of my favorite head coaches in college football, had been fired, I had no words. Being "offline" was for the best at that time!

Dawg Country

Coach Richt at the
2014 Belk Bowl where Bulldogs won against Cardinals in
Bank of America stadium Charlotte, NC

If you are not a fan of college football, keep scrolling to learn of PBP's Christmas specials!! Most of you know that I am a college football fan and that my two favorite teams are the UGA Bulldogs and the ECU Pirates. This has not been a good week to be a fan of either! Like I already mentioned, when I heard of Coach Richt's firing at UGA and then hiring by Miami, I wouldn't have even had the characters to tweet. As a Bulldog fan of nearly fourteen years, Mark Richt was the only coach that I had known. Once I was a fan, I never stopped being a fan. It would have been easy to be an on and off again type fan. Now, I understand that the university wanted more SEC titles and more championships than we had been winning, so the firing was not a huge shock. The upset was the way in which the head coach was fired. You beat an in-state rival and the next day you are fired without the chance of coaching at the Bowl game (which we are headed to because we had a decent season)?! Before Bulldog Country had time to celebrate Richt's legacy at the University of Georgia, BOOM he was out of here and starting all over in Miami. Not even a last win-it-for-the-coach type bowl game. I felt like Mark Richt was forgotten overnight and was a distant memory the next day in the minds of the UGA athletic division staff. Isn't it funny how one minute you are on top with people you thought were friends and within a few hours you are out the door and those "friends" are the ones shooing you on your way? I am glad I was not on Twitter to read the outraged tweets from other fans! Anyway, I just have to say thanks to Coach Richt for the good times, the memories, and the coaching legacy he left with the players! I am still a Bulldog fan, but will need to adjust. So, as the week went on and the weekend was getting started, I learned of more college football heartache.

Pirate Nation

My dad, twin, and I attended
ECU's Oct 2014 historic victory over UNC.
The "Purple Haze Sunset" was epic!

The news broke that another one of my favorite head coaches in college football, Ruffin McNeil, had been fired. It still does not seem realistic. I was genuinely shocked when I found out. My dad read it on..Twitter...and told me (again, glad I was offline)! While facing many obstacles, Coach Ruff did not have a winning season this year. However, he did make some momentous turnarounds in the ECU Pirates football department in the five years that he was head coach. I am not going to list his accomplishments. They are known! The upsetting part to this football fan, is the manner in which Coach Ruff was "relieved of his duties". He was immediately terminated. The AD enraged fans even more when he failed to provide a sensible reason to the decision. This coach, much like Mark Richt,  meant just as much to the Pirate players, fans, and community away from the sidelines as he did on the sidelines! The termination of this man's job should have been handled more honorably than with the disrespect that it was handled. The man did not even have time to meet with his players before the  termination news was announced nationwide! The fans, players, and coaches were disrespected by the way this firing was done. 

"I understand college football is a money making business. Sometimes the money makers forget to understand that without the games, players, coaches, and fans there would be no money in their pockets." -Caitlin Ayers

Moving On

I could say more about this college football drama, but I will stop here. After all, it is time to get back to work in the world of books!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Christmas specials are happening at Purple Butterfly Pages! You are the first to know! Mark these next few dates on your calendar: December 16, 22, & 29. These December days will be your chance to download Their Inheritance ebook for FREE!
Suitable for each gender, Their Inheritance by Stephanie Townsend Ayers is an inspirational Christian historical-fiction ebook. Read it yourself and gift it to your favorite reader friends (by favorite I mean all).

*Leave comments below. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the college football drama and your most recent Thanksgiving holiday memories!

Believe.

Caitlin Ayers, Proprietor & Publisher
www.PurpleButterflyPages.com

Thankfulness

Hello, Everybody!

Thank you for reading my blog. Last week seemed to be a dark week in the world. I appreciate you all taking time to read my thoughts there. As I begin to blog more frequently than once a month, the topics will be changing. However, I aim to continue to keep my blog professionally oriented with a touch of personal. As I sit here with my younger siblings about to watch 'Home Alone', I want to share what I am up to in this week of gratefulness. :)

Their Inheritance's Thanksgiving

As the Williams children prepared for their first Thanksgiving holiday since their parents' death, the children tried to make their Thanksgiving the same as it was celebrated when their parents were alive.    James, Alexandra, Christine, and Lee spent Thanksgiving with their friends, the Unruhs. 

Excerpts
 from Purple Butterfly Publications' ebook, Their Inheritan

   

My Thanksgiving

I usually spend the week of Thanksgiving in the mountains with my family. We eat too much, catch up on naps and our visiting relatives' lives, and we start watching our favorite Christmas movies. The Thanksgiving Day meal changes every year. The 2015 Thanksgiving Day meal will consists of stewed chicken; Sweet Potato Fluff (my great-grandmother's recipe) which is an annual Thanksgiving Day staple; green beans (not in the casserole form); and homemade baked corn bread. Can you say yummy?! After we eat, we nap or watch a movie before getting ready to go to A to Z Auctions' annual Thanksgiving Day Auction. For the past few years, A to Z Auctions has held an auction on Thanksgiving night in Hiawassee, Georgia. This auction is different from their other auctions as they auction off more toys and Christmas gift options than they do at the regular auctions. They also start the night off with a large empty toy box sitting against one wall. Throughout the night, bidders can buy the toys and put them in the toy box. The toy box contents are distributed where they are needed throughout the local communities. I love how every Thanksgiving auction the toy box ends up overflowing! The community and bidders really come together and remind each other of what Christmas is all about: the gift of love! The auction lasts pretty late, and I skip on the Black Friday shopping the next day. I do support small business Saturday! I encourage you to do the same. 

Small Business Saturday

Make it fun! Take the Small Business Saturday to get out and explore your town as if you were a visiting tourist. Go into shops that you don't shop in very often. Show your support for the small businesses in America. Whether it is your small town or big city, take fun family or solo photos in the stores and when you share your photos online, tag the stores! Business owners love to see who is enjoying their place of business. If you shop small with PBPages and download Their Inheritance, tag us! @PBPages or #TheirInheritance #PBP #ShopSmall

Thanks!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I hope you all have a fun, pleasant, and blessed Thanksgiving! Whether you are spending the holiday with family; friends; yourself; or with strangers, I pray you find something to be thankful for. 

I am grateful for you all reading this blog, being a patron of Purple Butterfly Pages, and for the supporters of Purple Butterfly Publications. I am blessed with a job that I enjoy everyday!

***Leave a comment below and share your Thanksgiving week traditions and your Thanksgiving holiday plans for this year! :)

#ThePurpleButterflyPurpose