I woke up in a very chilly house, took a shower and got ready for work, but something was making me uneasy. When J said something about the furnace, it hit me that I hadn't heard the furnace kick on. The new thermostat showed that the house was 60, but the temp was set to 68. Uh-oh! I let my inner ya-ya's out for a while with stomping and cussing included and then J and I set to work to look at the furnace and figure out what its major malfunction was. J pulled off the cover, while it was blowing, so I knew it was getting current-OK, checked the fuse on the furnace- OK, nothing looked clogged, decrepit, rusted out, but there was no fire in its belly. So, it was a problem with the ignition. I admit to being an IFO (irresponsible furnace owner). I haven't had it serviced since I moved into the house ten years ago. I have had the cover off and used the shop vac to clean out all the spider webs and dust, and I've thrown a new hypoallergenic filter down its maw twice a heating season, but beyond that I admit to certain laissez faire concerning maintenance. J noticed a service tag and suggested I call G Townsend Heating and Cooling since they'd already worked on it. I was disappointed to find only a voice mail msg. but relieved to find they were still in business. The sticker was at least 10 years old. I decided the best thing to do while I was waiting was to bake a Swedish pie . I'd just gotten started when the phone rang and Mr. Townsend said he would be able to make it there by 8:30. When he arrived I filled him in on the details and he got to work. It didn't take long for him to pinpoint the problem. The ceramic igniter was broken.  The part cost $45 and although the service charge was more than I'd hoped, it wasn't more than expected. While he was there Mr. Townsend was friendly without being nosy, very professional, tidy, and quick, all the attributes I admire in a repair person. So, thanks to Mr. Townsend for warming the cockles of my furnace.