Marcel has crossed the rainbow bridge

Three months ago today, on April 26, 2015, Marcel crossed the rainbow bridge.

This last year has just been lots of slowing down, until finally he went to sleep on the couch next to me and didn't wake up.

I buried him with some of his favourite flowers ...

under a giant lilac bush.

The flowers keep blooming ...

and blooming ...

and now the snails are hanging around.

And I miss him. 20 years was a long time.

I will love him forever.

New House Tour

Here's an update!

Living Room first ...

Not much has changed here. Some books have been rearranged as well as a lamp or two. 

Some new pillows & pillow covers. But the biggest improvement was getting rid of that big ol' TV.

I have moved into what used to be the Spare Room. I was really needing to pare down how much clothing and how many of pairs shoes I have, so I figured moving into the smaller room would force me to do that! It has, but I still have a ways to go!

Clearly, the biggest changes are in here. I did finally replace the old Ikea dresser with a new Ikea dresser, as well as brought in my old childhood dresser with some new knobs added from Anthropologie. I got some new lamps from Target and I love the little rug and colourful swirly pillow both from CB2.

I added in some Ikea shelves to the wall for shoe storage, and finally got around to properly covering that vintage chair. New bedding is from Winners. And I actually bit the bullet and made new curtains from an Ikea duvet cover. The "closet" situation is also much improved by maxing out the ceiling height and hanging two of these bars from Ikea.

Here's the Kitchen which is fairly unchanged ...

Just a few Mccoys and a chopping block over the sink to create more counter space.

And the Bathroom ...

Yes, I did finally get around to hemming the Anthropologie shower curtains and goodness what a difference!

Though at this point, this room could use a good re-painting since my landlord didn't get around to it when repairing that ceiling mess.

There are no updated shots of the big back bedroom which used to be mine. Currently it is very sparsely furnished and decorated since I'm renting it out. I did however move the lovely Flora and Fauna curtains from the spare room in there and they look great on the window. I do plan to put a few of the things from the boat in there as well as a small couch and maybe a desk when the current roommie moves out in the Spring. 

I'm a life coach now!

And I'm telling my stories about that and more over at my new website!

jessicajenkins.ca

Please join me for more pictures of Marcel, my boat transformation, and how I created my magical life!

xo - Jessica

oh hai - have you missed me?

Because I've missed you! I've missed capturing the happy and beautiful moments in my life - and there have been lots! There has also been lots of change and it's time for things around here to reflect that. So here's an update on what's been going on and what's coming.

First and foremost, Marcel is fine. He's 17 now and really starting to show his age. He's lost some weight and his balance is really getting wonky, but for some reason he's been spending lots more time outside. In his youth, he'd spend days outside before coming home for some r-n-r. He's certainly not doing that, but sometimes he stays out all night! Not sure what he's doing out there but if he's happy, I'm happy.

The Fine Fellow and I broke up shortly after Halloween. After almost 2 years during which I'd pursued a whole lotta personal growth, I realized I was wanting more than the relationship had to offer. I still think he's wonderful and we're still friends and I am grateful for all the fun and joy that he brought into my life - truly.

I'm also incredibly grateful for all the things the Fine Fellow introduced me to - namely BOATS! And I have even more to be grateful for because after we broke up I realized I was gonna need my own boat. And now I have one! Remember Perry's little boat from last year? Well now it's mine!!!! 

I have been sprucing it up and making all pretty and girly - thanks to a great deal of help from my sweet girlfriends. I have renamed the boat, Siren's Song, and the ladies and I have been having a grand time eating incredible meals and just generally enjoying the fabulous summer.

Perry bought a bigger boat so that he can live on it in the summer and live at the place he bought in Costa Rica for the winter. I can't wait to go for a visit this year! Anyway, his boat is massive and has a beautiful upper deck which I have annexed as my outdoor dining room. So far we've managed to have dinner for 12!

Having my own boat and spending most of my time on the island is amazing and wonderful and surprising! I have been saying that each summer on the island just gets better. I have no idea how that could be possible or what summer will bring but it does. And this year summer has brought me a great love - Sam.

Sam's an islander! He grew up there and lives there year round and he had a crush on me for ages when I was with the Fine Fellow. He is loving and sweet and funny and kind and loves Marcel and me and ..... oh he's gonna need his own post. But he's been responsible for most of the amazing meals this summer and he also makes his own bacon - yum!

The biggest change that's happened in the last year is that I made a decision that I wanted to become a life coach and I took Martha Beck's course to hone my skills and make that goal a reality. And this journey has brought me so much love and joy and inspiration and new friends and new insights and ya - lots of wonderful things! I even got to meet Martha!

So now it's time for a change on this here blog - because what I want to say now is different from the little posts about pretty things I've come across in my life. I want to share things more deeply and more personally and connect to the world in a way that I can share what I've learned, and continue to learn, on my journey.

It's time for a new blog where I'll be telling these stories in much more detail and with much more heart (and probably lots more swearing). Thank you all for your kind words and companionship here at Marcel and Me. I hope you're join me for this new chapter over at jessicajenkins.ca!

Happy Chanukah!!!

Happy Holidays to everyone!

So far this year the holidays have been all about singing. Singing Oy Chanukah, Handel's Messiah & Wham's Last Christmas. Going to a sing-along Sound of Music. And tonight going to sing Annie Lennox, Cyndi Lauper and David Bowie with Choir!Choir!Choir!

Halloween!

I love Halloween! I love the imagination and transformation that happens when people are given license to run wild with ideas.

I have always been a huge Carmen Miranda fan and when realized that my grade 12 prom dress (which was still in my closet) had the perfect top I knew I had to make this costume happen. I chopped the top off and sewed it onto a strapless bra and presto, Carmen Miranda top!

But the hat proved to be a major challenge. So after attempting to make one myself, I ended up buying a pre-made one and then completely rearranged it with the aid of a hot glue gun. And I even had to get another little felt hat to support underneath and hold up all those bananas, cherries and the parakeet!

Then at the last minute the Fine Fellow and I got tickets to the Silver Snail Halloween Party. So while we were not exactly dressed "appropriately" for the comic booky theme of the evening, everyone else sure was. Those are the Muppet X-Men!!

And here are the members of Alpha Flight - the only Canadian Super Hero team I've ever heard of!

This was one of my favorites of the evening ...

Obi Wan, Princess Leia & Han Solo

love these guys ...

Team Zissou!

and this, which won a big prize ...

The fine fellow and I had absolutely no idea who half the revelers were dressed as but it was quite fun talking to people and finding out what their stories were. And though I was convinced that very few people at this event had any idea what I was dressed as, I won a prize!!

the spare room update

Due to a wonderful but slightly nutty summer that involved the bathroom ceiling collapsing, and visits from my fabulous siblings and friends from the Big Apple, those new ideas I had for the spare room have been slow in coming to fruition.

And though I still haven't painted all that untreated wood on the shelf or the bed,

put upholstered panels on the headboard,

replaced the Ikea dresser,

or properly re-upholstered the little chair;

I am truly amazed at the difference rearranging the furniture, and adding some darling curtains from Mod Cloth and some sheers from Ikea has made!

If you'd like a reminder of what it used to look like go here. There will be yet another roomie moving in this weekend to make it her own and fall in love with Marcel.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

To all my Canadian friends and family!!

I would like to give particular thanks to the men in my life who have gone out of their way to make me smile, make me feel safe, make me feel loved, and make damn sure I have a good time.

Perry - has been a source of so much wonderful silliness and support.

 

He actually offered to let me walk on him.

Tyler - has literally fixed many of my problems by mending what was broken.

And he always dances with me.

Jesse - his generosity knows no bounds and he is a master of playing. He also literally kept the boat afloat.

David - has the kindest heart and throws the meanest party. He made this Disco Party the best party of the summer, and that's saying something!

Kenny - for the openness of his spirit and the love that pours out of him.

I am thankful for these friendships.

For the kindness, generosity, helpfulness, sauciness and manliness of these men.

So, so grateful for all the love.

And for DISCO!