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Just Frances

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Category: Widow Life

Sadly, this topic is about just that: The impacts of widowhood on my life. Whilst the keyword “widowhood” is attributed to posts across a range of topics, posts under this category are specific to the mourning and grieving processes, the ongoing impacts that widowhood has on my life, and the art of “moving forward”. (Don’t worry: The posts are not all tragic and sad. I have found an odd form of happiness over the years.)

Posted on26 October 201112 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Secret smiles

by Just Frances5 Comments on Secret smiles

There is something to be said about a smile. People who smile are more approachable. They seem friendlier. They seem carefree. They seem happier. For…

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Posted on6 October 20119 May 2022Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

When sadness comes

by Just Frances1 Comment on When sadness comes

Life is mostly good these days. It’s mostly happy and mostly bright and mostly cheerful. Mostly. Of course, the problem with “mostly” is that mostly…

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Posted on2 October 201112 July 2021Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness, Widow Life

Job done!

by Just Frances5 Comments on Job done!

I am now officially a marathon finisher! Can you believe it? No, neither can I. Today’s feat went much, much better than I expected. And…

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Posted on1 October 201112 July 2021Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness, Widow Life

Why run?

by Just Frances3 Comments on Why run?

I’m running my first – and last – ever marathon in the morning. I’m pretty excited about it, but at the same time, I’m rather dreading it. You see,…

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Posted on20 September 201112 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Reflections

by Just Frances4 Comments on Reflections

The home I had in America was my dream home. Paul and I spent more than two years searching for the perfect place to raise…

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Posted on16 August 201111 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

The feathers

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on The feathers

A couple of nights before we had services for Paul in England*, a woman I know told me a story about feathers. She said when…

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Posted on11 August 201111 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

Caledonia, I’m going home!

by Just Frances2 Comments on Caledonia, I’m going home!

Wow! Can you believe that I’m flying “home” to Scotland tomorrow? Or should I say today, since it’s past midnight in the homeland (why am…

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Posted on30 July 201111 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Widow dreams

by Just Frances1 Comment on Widow dreams

For more than two years now, my nights have been haunted with horrible dreams. I call them “widow dreams” and I understand from other widow(er)s…

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Posted on15 July 201110 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

It was a home

by Just Frances4 Comments on It was a home

Tonight is my last night in my house – the house I purchased with Paul a little over three years ago. This was our home; this was…

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Posted on12 July 201126 October 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

So, I made you a mixed tape

by Just Frances5 Comments on So, I made you a mixed tape

About two months ago I wrote about how distraught and heartbroken I was over the apparent loss of my beloved first (and only) mixed tape…

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Posted on7 July 201110 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

The table

by Just Frances1 Comment on The table

Three weeks before we moved into our house, I found an Art Deco table on CraigsList for $20. I emailed the link to Paul then…

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Posted on1 July 201110 July 2021Widow Life

Cleaning closets

by Just Frances7 Comments on Cleaning closets

Well, I’ve finally done it. I’ve finally cleaned out Paul’s side of the closet. It only took more than two years… I don’t know what…

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Posted on26 June 201110 July 2021Widow Life

Stuff hurts

by Just Frances2 Comments on Stuff hurts

I’m really tired of getting rid of stuff. It really hurts to part with even the most simple of items. I struggle each time I…

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Posted on16 June 20119 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Seller’s blues

by Just Frances4 Comments on Seller’s blues

For two weeks now, I’ve been selling loads of stuff on CraigsList and I can’t believe how mixed my emotions are in the process. The…

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Posted on6 June 20119 July 2021Everyday Life, Widow Life

Three cheers for Monday!

by Just Frances8 Comments on Three cheers for Monday!

To make up for my last few sad(ish) posts, here’s a happy one for you (times three)! Happy #1: I sent off the forms and…

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Posted on5 June 20119 July 2021Widow Life

The packing begins

by Just Frances3 Comments on The packing begins

Last weekend the world was really closing in on me. So much so that I had a bit of a breakdown at my folks’ place…

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Posted on2 June 20119 July 2021Widow Life

Frances 3.0: Still in Beta

by Just Frances4 Comments on Frances 3.0: Still in Beta

Let me [re]introduce myself: I am Frances – version 3.x. And, much like all of us, I am still in beta. And now you may be wondering…

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Posted on2 June 201116 November 2022Widow Life

I thought about it

by Just Frances3 Comments on I thought about it

It’s Friday Eve and my foster daughter had a visit with her mum meaning I was on my own for dinner with plenty of time…

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Posted on31 May 20119 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Who am I really talking to?

by Just Frances7 Comments on Who am I really talking to?

My lovely foster daughter is getting ready for a major life change and I’m amazed at how well she’s handling it. (Or how well she’s…

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Posted on21 May 20118 July 2021Widow Life

Should be

by Just Frances3 Comments on Should be

Today should be my sixth wedding anniversary. It’s the “candy” anniversary, so I should be on a sugar high by now. And Paul should be…

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About Just Frances

Just Frances is a personal website maintained by me, Frances Ryan. I am a quirky runner, writer, thinker, drinker, crafter, adventurer, and researcher. I am also a daughter, sister, aunty, friend, and widow. But mostly, I am just Frances. (She/Her)

I blog about my life, including my travels and adventures, my experiences with PKD and ITP, my life as a young(ish) widow, and my life in general, really. Learn more about the topics I write about here.

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