I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before, but my parents were really mean when I was growing up. As in they were so mean that they…
Today is Independence Day in America; the day we stood up against The Crown to demand self-rule. As a proud American, this is a very important day for me.…
I went into town yesterday for Edinburgh’s Armed Forces Day parade and celebration. I had put the event in my calendar weeks ago, and intended to…
Ten years ago today, I became Mrs Ryan. I stood there at the altar in front of God, family, and friends – with my beloved Paul beside me – and…
As the Easter Bunny didn’t leave me any eggs to find at home today, I had to arrange for a wee treasure hunt of my…
Astute Just Frances readers may know that today is my 41st birthday. And curious readers may wonder how I celebrated the day. So, that’s what…
Today is my last day as a 40-year-old woman. It’s the last day of what I had hoped would be an empowering and fabulous year of…
Today is the first day of Lent, and also a fasting day in the Catholic Church. I’ve decided to observe several fasting days over the Lenten period…
Welcome to 2015! It’s a new day; a new year; a new opportunity for happiness and joy! And as always, I’m choosing to start the…
The end of a year can only mean one thing: An obligatory end-of-the-year reflections post! At the start of the year, I had grand visions of…
Christmas is a special time in my world because it is the celebration of my saviour’s birth. And as it’s a birthday celebration, birthday wishes…
Today is Paul’s birthday and I am a mess. No matter how many steps I take forward, some moments in time send me sliding back…
Greetings from America! Are you surprised to read that? Well, you should be since very few people knew about my trip. I mean, even my…
Yesterday marked one calendar year since I matriculated as a research student in the Institute for Informatics and Digital Innovation at Edinburgh Napier University. It’s hard to believe…
I woke up at 6.30 on Sunday morning. The rain was dumping down like mad and I didn’t want to move. I didn’t want to…
My friend, LA, introduced me to “The Bliss Scandal” so I decided I’d sign up and see what it was all about. To be completely honest, I…
Today was Bob and Dave’s annual check-up, to determine just how well they’re coping with life. Bob and Dave, if you don’t know, are my…
I’ve been quiet here on Just Frances once again, but if you ask my friends, they’ll tell you I haven’t been quiet in reality! That’s…
Nine years ago today, I stood in front of God and my family and friends to profess my love and devotion to the man I…
I decided a while ago that I would start rewarding myself for various milestones along my PhD adventure. In part because treats make things a…