Slithering back into the light.

I feel like I've been smashed under a rock, with various other boulder sizes chained to my neck.  No energy, no drive.  Blah about everything.  But my energy is starting to return, I've gotten things Done, and overall, the world is starting to look a little brighter.  I've got about 30 tabs opened up on Firefox, links I want to post and such, but I haven't been able to convince myself to actually *do* anything about them yet, but hopefully that will commence now.

I'm pleased to announce my Christmas shopping is Done, Done, DONE!  Well, ok, this morning I remembered my great-nieces and -nephew, but those will be either 2 gift cards/cash and the other one is a 2 yr old who will love anything.  2 yr olds are easy to buy for.  My Christmas cards are DONE!  I think I set a record this year in getting them done early.  I thought about starting last night and didn't procrastinate or anything.  Wow.  A list is made of Other Things that need to be accomplished, but there's really no time pressure involved there.

All this blackness has been caused by illness.  I had a colonoscopy 2 weeks ago.  It's true, what everyone says.  That bad part is the preparation.  When I went in for the procedure itself, they put the medication in my IV, and I remember thinking, Oh crap, here it goes, I'm going to panic and feel really weak and weird (hate that whole "going to sleep" thing), and the next thing I know, they're trying to get me to wake up.  Had a problem getting back afterward though, and ended up sleeping all day long.  What complicates it for me is that not eating always makes me so sick I then *can't* eat, and that proved true.  And then the put me on 2 heavy-duty antibiotics, one of which made me sick as a dog and again, couldn't eat.  Couldn't sleep.  Have 4 nights of 2-3 hrs sleep.  But those are finally over with and I'm on a lesser-duty antibiotic that's almost over with and God-willing and the creek-don't-rise, health is around the corner.  I officially have diverticulitis, which has freaked me out a little because, hey, I love nuts and berries and apparently I can't have them anymore, and basically, I've always been healthy with no chronic problems, so facing that has been a struggle.  But I'm getting used to the whole idea and not listening to the horror stories about relatives who had to have 15 ft. of bowel removed (so please, don't share unless you have constructive advice -- it freaks me out to hear those stories right now).  Instead, I'll listen to the guy who told me he had one attack episode and none since.  That suits me just fine.

Haven't not written at all since quitting Nano earlier.  And it was a relief.  I needed to step back and chill and try to get well.  I did do a lot of reading though.  I'm on Book 2 of Tad Williams' "Shadowmarch" series.  I really enjoy his novels, big epic fantasy that is on a par with George R.R. Martin (whom I'm rather miffed at, btw, but not addressing that here).  I just ordered Book 4, but I have no idea yet if the series is ending there or continuing, so if you don't like multi-volume epics, then this one may not be for you.  

Ok, see, I've been quiet too long, so now I can't shut up.  I'll spare you for now, but expect more later.  Hah.  Don't say you weren't warned.