2012 begins.....

Hey everyone,


Hello 2012 - how are you!?

I have missed writing to everyone due to a major laptop virus that saw me without internet for about 4 weeks before Christmas. Thank heavens for my phone giving me some joy for twitter & facebook updates ;)

This is just to say, that I AM back and in better health from a blip before the year ended 2011. I guess I will never be 100% 'normal' but, it is part of my journey and one I keep accepting - and just 'get on with it'!

I live my life for the now and do all and everything whilst I can and those who know me well understand this and the reason why I live this way. I do more than those who have no health issues and remain positive even when times are hard.

Ok ok.....well I may have had a mini breakdown at my parents before the year ended, whereby I cried so much learning I had to deal with chest infections and the onset of Obliterative Bronchitis (OB). But, it is a new year - new start, and my infections hopefully gone (OB still present) and feeling better, happy, and smiley, and looking forward to a great year ahead :)

Most of you know that I am to join the Clipper 11-12 race this year (June-July), and when I return home compete in the British Transplant Games (August). My time is so busy now learning new athletic sports for this:- javelin, shot put and discus aswell as maintaining my badminton. I have decided to give up squash and sprinting as too much now on my lungs (and when I think back...I can't believe that I certainly did give it my all).

Oh I have a 'wish list' set up on Amazon.co.uk, click on sailing wish list then under wish list, type in my name, Justine Laymond - if anyone fancies helping me on my merry way looking the part of a sailor. Thanks if you do - any help is really appreciated!! xx

My coach, Brian Mackenzie is brilliant supporting me and assisting with my training on the athletic side, and I have said to him - it's nice to be able to do sports and not get breathless. However, I retract this statement, after repetitions on shot put/discus this week needing me having a 'breather' literally..hahahaha

I look forward to also resuming some coaching from Michael Kilbey for badminton shortly :)

There is so much still to prepare and organise before my departure at sea, and I have used post-it note-pads as my life-saviour with post-its stuck all round my flat ;)

Today, I had semi - permanent eye makeup done (eyeliner top of eyes and in corner of bottom eyes). There is no glamour at sea..no time to do make-up or hair, but, I thought this would be a nice little extra to perhaps make me still feel like a lady with some dignity. I have to say, I am amazed and delighted with the results from Ruth Kane whose website is here semi-permanent makeup

All I need to do now is sort my hair out to be more manageable! Oh and the colour...... stay purple? Go back to red? Pink? Black? Cut short...decisions decisions :)

This update was meant to be just a few lines to say hellooooo, but in true Jussie style I waffle on as usual. I am grateful for every day and last year lost a lot of good friends to illnesses/their transplant journey ending, and that's why every day I am still here is a flipping miracle! I miss my friends and this year it's for all my precious angels xxxx

Well that's it for now...at least the ball is rolling again so to speak and I can also resume on my auto-biography which is harder than I thought to do and will take much longer to finish than I initially aimed for.

Much love and happy smiles to each of you

xxxxx