The onset of 2018 has been a time of change, cold and challenges.

With temperatures falling to -30 on January 1, I started off the year trying to resurrect not one, but two dead vehicles. My trusty rusty Ford Contour was in a cold-induced coma and countless efforts to jump start it failed. God bless my dad and his help trying to restart my car though.

With my main method of transportation no longer an option, I was able to borrow my dad’s truck and head back to Webster City just in time for work on the 1st.

After an uneventful drive back, I thought for sure that I was in the clear. However, with temperatures barely rising that day, I left work that evening only to find my truck was now dead too. After three failed attempts at jumping my truck, a thoughtful co worker gave me a ride home so that I wouldn’t freeze on the walk home.

After getting a local auto shop to take a look at my truck the next day, I was informed that the starter had frozen. As I know very little about mechanics and such, I didn’t even know a starter could do that.

Thankfully, the local body shop was able to warm it up and bring it back to life.

It was now four days into 2018 and the struggle was so very real.

Not only did two vehicles die on my watch, I somehow managed to ride over the grill of my car.

It turns out when a pheasant knocks off the pieces that are designed to keep the grill in place, it’s problematic.

I was driving along with my sister and stopped at a stop sign. As I took my foot off the brake and pressed on the gas, I felt the car roll over something. We shrugged it off and went on our way. After completing our errands, we pulled up to a parking space and got out of the car.

My sister reached the front of my car before I did and with wide eyes, informed me that we had indeed ridden over a part of my car.

Fun fact: did you know that a grill-less car looks like it’s missing its front teeth?

As I am no stranger to car troubles, I’m usually exceptional at taking each bump (literally) in the road in stride. It turns out I should have more carefully inspected this particular bump.

And no, the grill was most definitely not salvageable. On our return trip, we saw the remnants of the grill scattered across the intersection.

On the bright side, thanks to a helpful neighbor and mechanic back home, we found my poor car (which I lovingly named Paul back in high school) a replacement.

After a week of missing pieces and failing vehicles, it looked like things were finally coming back together.

Thankfully, most times in life what is broken can be repaired. Hopefully you are able to take any bumps in the road in stride this coming week.

I, for one, have learned to laugh at vehicle mishaps. Sometimes it’s the only thing I can do. Besides, anytime I drive my car it’s an adventure. I’m learning to enjoy it.