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Just Frances

Just Frances

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Tag: hopeful

Posted on26 April 202216 June 2022Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

13 years of missing Paul; of missing me

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on 13 years of missing Paul; of missing me

It’s now been 13 years since my beloved husband, Paul, died suddenly and unexpectedly. It’s a strange feeling, being this far from the immediate grief…

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Posted on1 March 20221 March 2022Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness

March motivation: A quarter in a month

by Just Frances2 Comments on March motivation: A quarter in a month

I had so many amazing plans for a motivated, positive start to 2022. But here I am, at the start of the third month of…

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Posted on21 February 202228 February 2022Everyday Life, Fitness & Exercise, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Blessings at 48

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Blessings at 48

Today, I am 48 years old. And today hurts. Not because I’m 48, but rather because I am now officially older than my late husband.…

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Posted on7 February 202227 February 2022Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Home and heartbroken

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Home and heartbroken

I arrived home in Scotland yesterday, a month later than my initial plan. Home, and heartbroken… My holiday was meant to be a wonderfully happy…

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Posted on1 February 202221 February 2022Everyday Life

It’s our year, Tiger!

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on It’s our year, Tiger!

Today is the Lunar New Year, marking the Year of the Tiger. This is an important “zodiac” sign* for me because I was born in…

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Posted on21 January 202220 February 2022Health & Wellness

Escaping the plague

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Escaping the plague

It was inevitable, as they say. COVID19 has come home. I mean, it’s not come to my home, but it came to my youngest sister’s…

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Posted on11 January 202220 February 2022Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

To move a mountain

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on To move a mountain

Winter in The Homeland means snow. Some years, it means more snow than others. And this year is one of the “more snow” years. Indeed,…

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Posted on1 January 20223 February 2022Chronic Illness, Everyday Life, Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

2022: Life, the Universe, and Everything

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on 2022: Life, the Universe, and Everything

It’s another new year, and I feel it’s going to be a chaotic one. Which is more reason for me to set some goals and…

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Posted on31 December 202129 January 2022Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

A joyful review of 2021

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A joyful review of 2021

OK, 2021: It’s time to say goodbye! I don’t know how best to summarise this year because it was filled with so many highs and…

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Posted on5 December 202112 December 2021Chronic Illness, Health & Wellness

My COVID19 vaccine experience: Boosted!

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on My COVID19 vaccine experience: Boosted!

I received my COVID19 booster vaccine last Sunday and am now fully vaccinated against COVID19 – and more! I don’t know if this makes me…

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Posted on26 November 202127 November 2021Academic Life

The dream job: Frances the University Lecturer

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on The dream job: Frances the University Lecturer

I have a new job; one that I have dreamt of for more than 20 years. Yes, as of this week, I am a Lecturer*…

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Posted on22 November 202124 November 2021Academic Life

A new visa for a new future

by Just Frances4 Comments on A new visa for a new future

I have been holding my breath for the past several weeks, anxiously awaiting news on my new work visa. As I shared at the start…

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Posted on12 November 202112 November 2021Culinary Arts

When life gives you (smooshed) strawberries

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on When life gives you (smooshed) strawberries

I’ll cut right to the point here: Life is really stressful right now and I am struggling to see the glass half full (visa stress…

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Posted on1 November 202112 November 2021Academic Life, Musings & Ramblings

The visa anxiety cycle

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on The visa anxiety cycle

It’s been a month since I shared that the start of my job was delayed for a few days as I was still waiting on…

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Posted on1 October 20215 November 2021Academic Life

Temporarily unemployed

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Temporarily unemployed

Yesterday marked the last day of my post-doc life and today was meant to mark the first day of my lecturing career. But, alas, things…

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Posted on27 September 202128 September 2021Everyday Life

The wheels on the bus

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on The wheels on the bus

My quest to (slowly) re-join society after 18+ months of (near) isolation is speeding up these days. So much so that I enjoyed not one,…

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Posted on20 September 20219 May 2022Chronic Illness, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

ITP Awareness Week: ITP in a COVID19 world

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on ITP Awareness Week: ITP in a COVID19 world

Today is the start of Global ITP Awareness Week, an international event that takes place during the USA’s National ITP Awareness Month. And so, as…

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Posted on18 September 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

20 years of Scotland

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on 20 years of Scotland

Today marks 20 years since I first arrived in Scotland for “just one year” as a study abroad student. At the time, I never expected…

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Posted on28 August 20212 September 2021Everyday Life

Stepping into Edinburgh

by Just Frances2 Comments on Stepping into Edinburgh

I made another step into society this week with a visit to Edinburgh. It was my first time in the city since the day I…

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Posted on14 August 202126 August 2021Chronic Illness, Health & Wellness

Thanks for the health, COVID!

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Thanks for the health, COVID!

As I look back over my (general) health over the last 18 months, I am struck by how healthy I have been. And, ironically, it’s…

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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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