I spent this past Friday until Monday pup-sitting Kiana while my daughter and her family drove four hours north to Minneapolis for the regional swim competition.  Her three oldest competed and did very well.

Back home with Kiana and me, it started pouring “ice” in the form of chunky sleet on Friday evening and progressed to snow on top of that on Saturday.  I stretched out in the comfy leather chair with the ottoman and knitted in front of their large HD television (completing another baby blanket for my baby granddaughter).  I was totally spoiled to watching my FBI shows in high definition by the time I left!  Cold Case Files will never be the same again on my little ancient television!  I also watched HGTV in HD.  It’s amazing the difference in the background things you notice.  I read some and spent time with a Hungarian Vizla.  Sometimes, just to get her up and moving (she’s on medication for her thyroid so she’s slow these days), I would say “Kiana!  See if there’s a BIRD outside!”  Her ears would perk up and she’d head to the window, her small tail straight out and a little pep to her step.  Being with Kiana all weekend made me realize how very much I have missed having a dog!  She was very good company.

In the photo above, she was sitting in front of the refrigerator and looking up at the cabinet where her treats are kept!  As if to say, well, what are you waiting for?!

When I arrived back to my apartment/condo on Monday afternoon, I noticed it was rather chilly.  I had left the thermostat set on 66 degrees, but it was definitely cooler than that.  I tried turning the thermostat up but nothing happened…except for the very loud unfamiliar noise coming from the furnace closet in the hallway just outside my apartment.  Long story short:  they are putting in a new furnace tomorrow.  It is now 30 degrees outside and snowing (again).  Not to worry, the elderly occupant in the condo below must keep his thermostat on 92 degrees for it hasn’t been too bad!  Plus the fact the Lenox company left me 3 small space heaters when they came to measure today just in case I needed them.  It was 60 degrees in the apartment this morning but I have on my Oregon sweatshirt and I’m surviving!  (Not to mention the fact that I could just return to my daughter’s house, but I have a lot of things that I need to accomplish here.)

I returned my videos and books that were due to the nearby library this morning and checked out another stack of knitting books.  Then, it was back home to clean the apartment.  Thought that would generate some warmth!  Good thing since, once again, the wind is gusting and the snow is falling… 😉