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Tag: paul

Posted on21 January 201422 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

On the other hand

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on On the other hand

(Updated September 2020; see the end of the post.) I was halfway over the Atlantic when I moved my wedding rings from my left hand…

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Posted on27 November 201322 July 2021Widow Life

Birthday celebrations

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Birthday celebrations

Birthdays are to be celebrated. Always. Even if that celebration is as simple as an inward smile and the reflection on happy memories of birthdays…

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Posted on9 September 201321 July 2021Widow Life

Grave digging

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Grave digging

I went to the cemetery to see Paul today and ended up digging away under his headstone. I hadn’t really planned on that, or I’d have…

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Posted on10 August 201321 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Love hesitates

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Love hesitates

She stood staring at the ticket in her hands, her mouth trembling as she tried not to cry. As she crept further along the security…

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Posted on21 May 201321 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Marriage odds

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Marriage odds

Eight years ago, I stood at the altar of St John the Baptist Catholic Church and professed my love and dedication to the man who taught me…

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Posted on26 April 201321 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Four years

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Four years

Life is so very different without Paul and these past four years have been a rollercoaster ride that I never could have imagined. Without Paul,…

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Posted on15 March 201321 July 2021Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Running with music

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Running with music

There was an interesting piece in The Guardian’s Running Blog yesterday about running with music. The post offered insights from two runners – a pro-music runner and a no-music runner – and…

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Posted on2 March 201321 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

They are family

by Just Frances4 Comments on They are family

The day before my husband’s funeral, my eldest brother-in-law informed me that I was family and that Paul’s death didn’t change that. He let me…

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Posted on21 February 201320 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Nearly 40

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Nearly 40

Today is my 39th birthday. It seems silly to care or to mark the day at all. But it’s my birthday, so I can’t help…

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Posted on5 February 201320 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Random fate

by Just Frances2 Comments on Random fate

On Wednesday, 6 February 2002, I was meant to go to St Andrews for the day. Only the friend I was meant to travel with was ill,…

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Posted on9 January 201320 July 2021Culinary Arts, Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

My Martini intervention

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on My Martini intervention

You may know by now that I’m a big fan of Martinis. It’s not that I’m a big drinker; I just like my RyanCentric Martinis a bit.…

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Posted on3 January 201326 April 2023Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

To date, or not to date?

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on To date, or not to date?

One week before Paul died, we had a conversation about our futures, should one of us die – a conversation sparked because it was the anniversary of…

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Posted on26 December 201219 July 2021Widow Life

Survived

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Survived

I managed to survive Christmas alone. I won’t lie and say that it was easy. In fact, it was so very hard. My broken heart…

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Posted on27 November 201219 July 2021Widow Life

To the birthday boy

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on To the birthday boy

Another year, another birthday. Only he’s still not here to celebrate. My Paul would be 51 years old today, but instead, he will forever be…

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Posted on23 November 201219 July 2021Academic Life, Widow Life

The master

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on The master

The day you’ve all been waiting for has arrived! Today is the day that I completed one of my life goals. Yes, today is the…

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Posted on20 November 201219 July 2021Academic Life, Widow Life

New leaves

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on New leaves

Graduation is on Friday and I’m really dreading looking forward to it. Oops, did you catch that error? Well, if I’m honest I’m not looking…

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Posted on10 September 201218 July 2021Everyday Life

Packing up

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Packing up

I alluded to a big step toward a happier future the other day, but also said I wouldn’t share the big(ish) news just yet. Only…

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Posted on27 August 201218 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

The dating game

by Just Frances2 Comments on The dating game

Sometimes I think about dating. Only it’s a confusing topic for me. Not the dating part; I know how to do that. It’s more the…

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Posted on20 August 201218 July 2021Academic Life

That dissertation? Done.

by Just Frances2 Comments on That dissertation? Done.

First, an apology for my absence the last week. I’ve had some website glitches and had to enlist the help of some amazing friends who…

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Posted on14 July 201217 July 2021Widow Life

The cruelty of random memories

by Just Frances4 Comments on The cruelty of random memories

There is something ever-so-cruel about random memories. OK, not always. In fact, most of the time random memories are happy moments. But sometimes, like today,…

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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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