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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 on22 March 201029 June 2021Everyday Life, Widow Life

Of death and taxes

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Of death and taxes

I finally filed my taxes. I say finally because I normally have mine completed and filed the first week of February – based on the…

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Posted on21 February 201027 June 2021Crafting & Creating, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Happy birthday to me

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Happy birthday to me

Today is my 36th birthday and to celebrate, I’ve opened a bottle of bubbly and I’m feasting on caviar, wild salmon, and Alaskan king crab. The house…

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Posted on17 February 201027 June 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Back to church

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Back to church

Today is Ash Wednesday and the first time I’ve gone to church since Paul died, other than his funeral and memorial service and a wedding.…

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Posted on15 February 201027 June 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Just Frances

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Just Frances

I was born in a hospital (not in a barn, as sometimes questioned by my mom, who should really know!) on 21 February 1974. The…

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Posted on10 February 201027 June 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Inside jokes

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Inside jokes

I hear voices in my head most days. I hear these little quips and one-liners; I hear comments and jokes; I hear moans and groans;…

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Posted on6 February 201027 June 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Eight years ago

by Just Frances3 Comments on Eight years ago

Paul and I met eight years ago today, on 6 February 2002. It was such a funny and unexpected day. I was meant to be…

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Posted on2 February 201027 June 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Nine months

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Nine months

It dawned on me today that it’s been nine months since I buried Paul. I just don’t know how that’s possible. I still have trouble…

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Posted on1 February 201027 June 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Resolving to find joy

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Resolving to find joy

My new year’s resolution was simple this year, or so I thought. I resolved to find a bit of joy in each day. The idea…

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Posted on27 January 201027 June 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Finding the words

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Finding the words

I wrote not long ago about finally getting around to making arrangements for Paul’s headstone. At the time, I was maybe a little sad because…

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Posted on25 January 201027 June 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Unscented memories

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Unscented memories

Science has proven time and time again that scents are the biggest human memory triggers. Of course, most of us don’t need to read boring…

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Posted on18 January 201027 June 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Carrying on

by Just Frances1 Comment on Carrying on

The last few days have been bitter-sweet for me. I’m trying to move forward with life; trying to continue doing all of the things I…

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Posted on14 January 201027 June 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Soothing words

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Soothing words

In the hours and days after Paul died, I received countless emails, Facebook messages, and sympathy cards. Everywhere I went I was bombarded with the…

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Posted on6 January 201027 June 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Family-in-laws

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Family-in-laws

I spend a lot of time here complaining about things that I find upsetting and frustrating, but there are many things that I find comforting…

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Posted on4 January 201027 June 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Emergency contacts

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Emergency contacts

I had my first doctor visit of the new year today as a follow-up after becoming quite ill on Christmas day. Sadly, a new year…

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Posted on1 January 201027 June 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Facing 2010 boldly, with a side of tears

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Facing 2010 boldly, with a side of tears

It’s the first new year of this new life and I wish I knew what it had in store for me. For possibly the first…

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Posted on26 December 200927 June 2021Widow Life

Christmas tears

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Christmas tears

Several weeks ago I decided that the best way to deal with Christmas was to avoid it. I figured that if I treated it as…

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Posted on21 December 200927 June 2021Widow Life

Stone crosses

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Stone crosses

For nearly eight months, I’ve been putting off ordering a headstone for Paul. Even after I knew what I wanted, I still couldn’t bring myself…

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Posted on16 December 200927 June 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Being selfish

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Being selfish

Before I met Paul, I was one of those habitually single people and quite happy that way. I did what I wanted when I wanted.…

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Posted on13 December 200927 June 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

There is a future to be had

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on There is a future to be had

I spent nearly two weeks in the UK with family and friends, and have returned feeling refreshed and relaxed. A break was just what I…

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Posted on10 December 200927 June 2021Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

Solo UK holiday

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Solo UK holiday

I’ve taken my first solo holiday, spending nearly two weeks in England and Scotland visiting family and friends. Read the original story about my holiday here…

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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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