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Just Frances

Just Frances

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Posted on25 January 201027 June 2021Culinary Arts, Everyday Life, Fitness & Exercise

Fannying around

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Fannying around

It was the inaugural “Freeze Your Fanny, Scrabble Showdown, and Burns’ Supper Extravaganza” at the Ryan house! Read the original story here on RyanCentric or go…

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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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Posted on24 November 200927 June 2021Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

When sadness hits

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on When sadness hits

I’ve gotten quite good at forgetting that I’m a widow at times. I can be rather comfortable laughing and joking and just being “in the…

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Posted on22 November 200928 June 2021Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

Things get easier with a second take

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Things get easier with a second take

I’ve found myself at a fancy hotel for work once again. It’s one of those really fancy rooms with a separate living room and a…

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Posted on16 November 200929 June 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

A comforting visit

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A comforting visit

I went to visit Paul’s gravesite at the weekend and realised that it might be the last time I’m able to sit there and talk…

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

First snow’s sorrow

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on First snow’s sorrow

The first flakes of snow have started to hit the region and while it’s blanketing the ground with soft, white flakes, my heart and soul…

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Posted on10 November 200927 June 2021Widow Life

A widow lives in my body

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A widow lives in my body

Just a quick share today: While reading a blog post by another widow, I saw this quote and it just seemed so fitting and true to…

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Posted on9 November 200927 June 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

A lost focus

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A lost focus

As strange as it sounds, there are days when I wish I could go back to Day One of the grieving process and start over.…

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Posted on31 October 200927 June 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

I don’t want to go out and play

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on I don’t want to go out and play

It’s Halloween. I should be excited and giddy; it’s always been a much-loved holiday of mine. In the weeks leading up to it, I would…

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Posted on26 October 200927 June 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Lessons learned

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Lessons learned

Paul and I used to spend a lot of time talking about our relationship. We’d reminisce about the early days, talk about the present, and…

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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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