There I was, sitting on the hood of my car, wondering why I take upon tasks in which I have no clue what I am doing. For those of you who know me, I usually require help with general maintenance. It’s not that I don’t want to learn how to do certain things; it’s just that it once took me five hours to put a book shelf together—these things are just not my forte and being blonde has nothing to do with it.
I have recently paid off my car loan (yay!) and now I need my “Subie” (my Subaru) to last. Therefore, regular general maintenance is required. Also for those who know me, please refer to what happened to previous car. Enough said. Well, I took it upon myself to learn a few things.
- Change windshield wipers (that nails-on-the-chalkboard sound from metal on glass is getting REALLY old) and
- Change air filter. Now, usually I ask my Dad to do these things, but for the sake of avoiding a look that says that I waited too long, I am expanding my skill set.
I made it to the auto store, got my supplies and trekked home. I opened the windshield wipers and got to work. Pulling them off wasn’t too hard, I just had to put some force into it, but putting them on, another story. I read the directions and went at it. The first one went on with a snap! I thought “look, at you, Jules, you are so smart today!” and then came the second, which was not so easy. After about fifteen minutes of struggling, I thought I’d have a better advantage point on my hood. Another fifteen minutes went by as well as several French verbs and still no luck….until a very nice gentleman walking his dogs stopped to assist and it took him under a minute. I bet you were thinking I’d complete this task without help, but as my past has proven, a little help is needed sometimes from good Samaritans.
However, I do know that I am capable and maybe I can start with other house maintenance...well, maybe I'll just call my landlord instead.
I would also like to point out that it took me about two minutes to change the air filter….but a co-worker had to show me where it was to begin with.
Written by: Julie Kalinowski has called Grand Rapids home since birth. She is a professed lover of her Grandma’s homemade Polish food, and she has a degree in advertising and public relations from Grand Valley State University.
