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Just Frances

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Tag: hopeful

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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Posted on25 July 202127 July 2021Everyday Life

Planning for planting

by Just Frances2 Comments on Planning for planting

I’ve spent the last couple of days planning for a new community garden in Roslin with other volunteers. I’ve visited a nearby community garden, helped…

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Posted on22 July 202121 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Older by a day: 47+

by Just Frances4 Comments on Older by a day: 47+

Today is not my birthday. But it does mark the day that I am older. Oh, sure, every day is a day that we are…

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Posted on14 July 202127 November 2021Academic Life, Musings & Ramblings

The chaos of static change

by Just Frances2 Comments on The chaos of static change

Life has changed so much in the last 16 months, but life has also been very static. Yes, everything has changed, and nothing has changed,…

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Posted on1 June 20212 July 2021Chronic Illness, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Re-joining society: The practical steps

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Re-joining society: The practical steps

Now that I am fully vaccinated and the COVID19 situation in Scotland seems to be improving, I am beginning to take baby steps back into…

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Posted on13 May 202130 September 2023Chronic Illness

Tolvaptan tales: Four years on

by Just Frances2 Comments on Tolvaptan tales: Four years on

It has been four years since I started taking tolvaptan for my kidneys and I thought it was time for another update – especially as…

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Posted on11 May 202110 August 2021Chronic Illness, Health & Wellness

My COVID19 vaccine experience: Dose two

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on My COVID19 vaccine experience: Dose two

I received my second dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID19 vaccine late last week and am now fully vaccinated against COVID19. After more than a year of…

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Posted on10 May 20212 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Mental Health Awareness Week: Nature as therapy

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Mental Health Awareness Week: Nature as therapy

Welcome to Mental Health Awareness Week! This year’s theme is “Nature as Therapy” and is a theme I can really get behind. I mean, I…

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Posted on28 April 20212 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Walking with grief

by Just Frances2 Comments on Walking with grief

I met a man when I was out walking the other day and the encounter provided me with so much to ponder about life –…

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Posted on18 April 20214 July 2021Everyday Life, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Stepping into society

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Stepping into society

After more than a year of various COVID19 restrictions, including fairly strict lockdown measures for the last three months, we are starting to “open up”…

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Posted on23 March 20214 July 2021Everyday Life, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

The year that wasn’t: My year of COVID19 isolation

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on The year that wasn’t: My year of COVID19 isolation

Today marks one year since the UK’s COVID19 lockdown measures became “law” – three days after the “stay home” orders were announced. Since then, the…

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Posted on13 March 20214 July 2021Everyday Life, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Twelve months of isolation

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Twelve months of isolation

Twelve months of (mostly) isolation. Wow! I still can’t figure out how that happened, given that at the end of Month Two we were still…

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Posted on25 February 20214 July 2021Chronic Illness, Health & Wellness

My COVID19 vaccine experience: Dose One

by Just Frances2 Comments on My COVID19 vaccine experience: Dose One

Regular readers will know that I have been (mostly) isolating since 13 March 2020. This is because I am on the shielding list due to…

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Posted on21 February 20214 July 2021Everyday Life, Fitness & Exercise, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

47 furlongs for 47 years

by Just Frances4 Comments on 47 furlongs for 47 years

Today is my 47th birthday and to celebrate, I ran 47 furlongs! Which I know seems weird, but I like to have a bit of…

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Posted on13 February 20214 July 2021Everyday Life, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Eleven months of isolation

by Just Frances2 Comments on Eleven months of isolation

It has now been eleven months since my COVID19 isolation began. Eleven months! That is just crazy. But then again, life during a deadly global…

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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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