Phewf!

Microsoft just blew my mind...did you know that you can save your Word and PowerPoint documents as a PDF right from the 'Save As' menu?? And it's good quality at that? When did that happen?! I don't think anyone can understand how much easier this makes my life. I wish I could do a happy dance but I'm running out of time for this post BECAUSE my last student of 2009 is coming for her lesson at 6:00....and then I'm on holidays. YESSS!

So check it out!!! A NEW AND POTENTIALLY long-lasting (as in I don't think I'll change anything about it anytime soon) website can be found at our new identity: http://www.dolceamanteduo.com/ You simply must check it out, I think it's the best of our websites yet and I plan to stick with it for a loooong time. I have to say that DreamHost is THE BEST place to host your domain name, they have been so incredibly helpful and friendly while getting me set up. You just ask, and they do it for you. Amazing.

Happy Holidays everyone!!

♥ Hils.

here i go again...

Well, I've gone and done it. Decided to change the look of the website for our musical duo (change #3) but at least this time it was well warrented. With the closing of my stationery business, I decided it was time to give us a fresh look. One that was all our own and this time I'm making an effort to keep the content super clear and super easy to access.

BUT! Now that I feel like I've got the design down, I'm having such insane severe writers block that I can't even begin to write. My brain is all tangled up with voices telling me to make sure it sounds professional, but don't change the vibe you've got going on, sound fun and accessable without sounding too cute and unprofessional. Speak volumes about what you do because it is that awesome, but don't sound like your bragging for the fear that you'll turn clients away because you'll sound cocky. Don't write too much because people won't read it, but don't write so little that it feels like point form (I hate, point form). Come up with something catchy and original but don't turn it into a cheesefest because you want this to be modern, because you're not just any other stuffy, traditional, classical duo. You can play anything and make it sound like it was meant to be played that way, but don't say that (see above: cocky).

I have no idea where to start, and I'm not in the mood to copy and paste content from our old website...the whole reason I wanted to start fresh and new. Maybe I'll just leave it for another day... *sigh* blah, blah, blah...

happy april fool's

I usually forget about these little special days, but today is turning out to be particularly wonderful!

First of all, it's payday (cha-ching!). I woke up early, got a head start on things I needed to get done today - almost finished an order of invitations, found some awesome papers to make Tamara's birthday card, had lunch from Tim Horton's (and because it was April Fool's, I got my second wrap free!) I came home, put everything onto real dishes and watched the news that I recorded last night. I definitely should have gotten bigger than a medium coffee though...but my consolation was buying a big can of Timmy's coffee, so we can have it at home...I will probably make some more in a couple hours before I start teaching.

I'm also feeling particularly inspired today, I should make good use out of that and practice...but it's not the practicing sort of inspiration. I'm feeling a great need to document the pieces I have played and recorded, and to share them with the world (really just to stick them online). I was listening to CBC today and entirely recognized the piece that was being played, but I couldn't remember the name or composer, and couldn't pin-point where or when I played it, or with whom. I think it was the UofC Wind Ensemble a few years back, but there were parts that I seemed to remember playing in the Red Deer Symphony orchestra on piccolo with Lucy on flute...it upsets me when I can't remember things like this more vividly. Such amazing experiences; such mediocre memories. Darn.

What I would love more than anything right now is to get my hubby to learn some beautiful classical guitar and flute pieces with me *ahem* (he's reading this). Maybe we can have a weekly rehearsal, just like you rehearse with Shaft Monkey's. Pleeease? I want to really learn things, and learn them good. Learn them so good that we can record a CD and give it friends and family, and use it as a promotional tool. I want to arrange kids lullabies and make a baby CD...so much to do, so little time!! It's really nice to even just dream about it for now though, I know it will all happen one day without me even realizing it.

A nice cake-topper for the afternoon, I got an email from a students' mom who I've known for years, telling me about the impact that I have made, and thanking me for being such an influence on her kids' life. Her daughter said, "Mom, I just couldn't live without Hilary, I just love her." AHH! I love you too!! haha Great kids, incredible family. I'm very lucky to have them in my life too :)

I don't feel like being finished blogging yet...

So what else can I fit into the next couple of hours. I need to make some labels for Noel, stuff the invites, think of what to get Tamara for her birthday, pay some bills, pick the next piece for Noel and I to learn, pick a piece for me to learn, create a recital announcment for our students...maybe that will be good enough.

Ok looks like I should go, this was fun!

murphy's law

Well, I came to a final decision regarding my small stationery business just yesterday and for the very first time, turned down a new client. I felt good about it for a moment, regretted it the next, and then again felt that I had made the right choice. I'm still going back and forth about it but I know that soon enough, when the previous work is finished, I'll be happy I made this decision!

Today though, I get a new client inquiry first thing in the morning. This evening, I get a phone call from yet another new client. What on earth?! I suppose it's my fault for not having time to update our website (http://www.everythingdolce.com/) with news of our demise just yet. BUT, I just don't understand how it's possible that the very next day following the halt to our production, that I'm being bombarded with new clients. I'm definitely still going back and forth on the decision. I know that right now, it's just not possible for me to handle. But all of this attention is inspiring me to just keep it going, to open the doors again and just charge exactly what I think is fair for me to be paid, even if it's outrageous, unrealistic and unaffordable for the client. I know that's not right - and I also really know that that would involve restructuring the entire business, and I really really know how much time that would take. It's just not worth it right now.

Perhaps in a couple years, when I have babies and am not teaching a full student load. Maybe then, I can spend time (I just heard all you mothers out there say 'yea, right') getting my business licence, my provincial resale licence, my provincial Tax ID number, my federal Tax ID number, and a business chequing account, not to mention investing cold hard cash into a wholesale membership to get my clients the best deals and still make a good profit...and just do this thing for real...if this ever happens.

Until then, or until forever, I plan on making a living just teaching my fabulous students and rediscovering the joy, passion and drive I have for music making and performing...more news on this to come :)

the decision

Today feels like the beginning to an end. After a night's sleep on it, and after discussing with my wonderfully supportive husband, I feel that the end to my stationery business is near. It wasn't just the one chat we had - there have been multiple serious conversations on the success of the business, the reality of the outcomes, my goals that (at least right now) are very unrealistic. It feels like I'm breaking up with it...really sad and confusing, going back and forth on the decision, unwilling to let go but only for the reason that you put so much of your heart and soul, and T I M E into it - I don't think anyone can fathom the amount of time I've sacrificed besides my husband and I - But now that people around me are agreeing with it I feel so much better about the choice that I believe I will make soon. Already I'm feeling lighter, like I can finally prioritize my priorities, spend time on my music which is what I've been training for my whole life and where my very real passion lies. Not to mention actually hang out with my husband without cutting and gluing paper at the same time.

This feels like the right decision. A very right decision. I shouldn't feel the need to spread myself so thin, and hone all my talents in every aspect of life. I can still do this stationery thing for myself, like most people, and put my focus into something that I've already spent 18 years creating. The Music. My Music.

Yup, this feels good.