Just catching up MANY pages --
Seeing eye dog -- you're lucky you're getting a dog. Saw on a TV show that miniature horses are being trained as guide animals. I'm sure a few places would frown on that one.
Favorite sewing gadgets I can't live without -- I think it's now one of Krystyna's "perfect men" ... and I don't even care if he has any scissors at all.
Heat -- just think back to the times before electricity and AC -- how Did people survive??? I can't imagine or even remember back before we got AC. It hasn't really been that long. I can't imagine NewOrleans in the midst of summer without AC. Than again, I can't imagine New Orleans in the midst of summer with AC -- peee-youuu! Place may look pretty and romantic, but it stinks on the best of days.