Let me just say right off that I am far from being some kind of smooth lady on the relationship front. But I've recently did something where I accidentally encouraged my new boyfriend to do something nice for me, and then it kept happening.

Dan likes to cook. The second meal he made me, I decided to take out my digital camera and record him on video.

The next day, I watched it. What surprised me was that the video was actually good. I asked if I could post it on Facebook, thinking his friends would get a kick out of it. Almost immediately, he got phone calls, emails, and comments, mostly asking when the next video was coming out.

Next video?

The Breaking Even blog is taking a brief hiatus this week. 

My dog has recently become very ill and after taking her into the emergency vet yesterday, it was found she has two tumors on or near her heart. This is both a risky and costly surgery, and one that's almost impossible for my 15 year old dog. 

Wishing you the happiest of holidays, whatever you celebrate, and the best for you and yours in the coming year. 

Many people think this blog is more about me than it is.

Most of the time, I am writing about 25% of my life, carefully chosen parts even. I figure my name and business are on this publication and there is a certain level of formality I keep in the interest of clients and potential clients reading it. There is personality behind things certainly but I bet if you think of more controversial topics, you'll notice they aren't on the Breaking Even blog.

In addition to self protection, I also feel that the topics I cover (saving money, business, marketing) are a bit more interesting to my audience than a blog about all things Nicole Ouellette would be. (I mean, I'm not Oprah!)

But it's hard to ignore this date and what it means personally. So I won't.

Two years ago, my life changed when my father unexpectedly drowned.

It was bound to happen at some point. One of my very best friends is about to start going through a divorce.

I've been thinking a lot more about this more than I thought I would be. I just keep thinking what a great person she is, and how she shouldn't have to go through this. Also I was thinking about the very limited things I could do to help, and feeling a little powerless.

She was telling me her parents are going to take over her car payments for her while she gets on her feet. Coming from a supportive though religious family, she told me she was surprised at their degree of support about all aspects of this.

"I couldn't believe they even thought of offering to help with the car." she came back to later in our conversation.

A friend asked me last week about being ready to date again and to be honest, I don't think I really am. I do know someone, however, who's really putting herself out there in an admirable way on free online dating sites.

Because I want her to be candid with her answers, I'm interviewing her anonymously.