I'm melting

Ah, I can hardly believe that it was 6 years ago when I replaced the oil furnace with a new gas furnace and installed central air while I was at it. And being a bit of a tree hugger, I installed a new programmable thermostat to help keep the utility bills in check.
SO, Monday night I am sound asleep and awaken at 1:30 in the morning feeling warm and clammy. I realize the air conditioning is not running. This is a bit unusual, and I think perhaps it is just in a rest mode and will start running again soon. I wait and nothing happens and it seems the room is getting warmer. So I go to check the thermostat and it is blank, registering nothing. I start pushing buttons, then go to every electrical switch connected to the heating & air conditioning looking for something that is not working. With no luck, I wait until 7 a.m. and go to Home Depot to get a new thermostat. Easy installation, but still no air conditioning. This means a service call. I have service with BGE Home. They are going to call at 7:30 a.m. to schedule an appointment for some time during the day between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. THis is what a service contract buys - a telephone call on the morning of the service to let you know a range of time for when they expect to provide the servie you have paid for all along. Another John Stossel - give me a break.
Fortunately, I have ceiling fans in the two bedrooms and the kitchen. I read years ago that they help regulate the temperature and reduce utlity bills for heating and cooling. I remember to switch the air flow directions by doing it on the first day of srping for summer and the first day of fall for winter. Still, it is not easy to be without air conditioning when you are accustomed to it. I'm melting. Yes, believe it or not, I've shed a couple of pounds these few days - all water weight (sweat), I'm sure. It sure would be nice not to regain them! Come quickly to mine aid, O great BGE technician!