Mommy Mechanic

So tell me, how many female mechanics do you see at auto shops? It’s VERY uncommon. I’m sure as my neighbors passed they were surprised to see ME outside working on our car.

The inside driver door handle in our Hyundai Sonata has been broken for a few months.  We could still open the door.  We hadn’t had to climb from the driver seat over to the passenger seat to get out.  However, it still needed to be fixed.  My husband bought a door handle replacement and planned to get someone to install it. He drives the Sonata as his primary car so I wasn’t thinking about the door handle until I was driving the car for the weekend. I’m all about DIY projects so I decided this would be my next. Why pay someone if you can do it yourself??

         

My husband and son went away for their first Guy’s Weekend and I decided to have a surprise waiting for my husband the next time he drove the Sonata.  I went to YouTube for guidance.  I have helped my cousin change engine oil and filter, change spark plugs, change tires and install a CD player.  I also tinted the windows on my husband’s previous car.  I know a little something about cars. 😉 I’ve never messed with anything in the car door though.  After watching a few videos I decided, I GOT THIS! I put my daughter down for her nap and headed outside.  After about 30 minutes, mission accomplished! Productive naptime!

        

     

 

 

My Husband’s Reaction

My husband and son returned from their trip.  They had a great time! My son told me all the details with such excitement! I was so happy that he enjoyed himself. I knew he would. He got to hang out with his daddy and uncle.

My husband works from home so it’s rare for him to get in the car Monday-Friday. I kept thinking maybe he’ll go out to get us some lunch one day this week and he’ll see it. NOPE. Maybe he’ll go to the car looking for something and he’ll see it. NOPE. Friday arrived and he STILL hadn’t been in the car.  Early Friday afternoon he was preparing to go out for a motorcycle ride. He went to move the car from in front of the garage so he could get his motorcycle out.  He comes back inside and comes straight to me.

Husband: Did you get someone to change the door handle in the Sonata?
Me: Did I get someone to change it??
Husband: Yeah. It’s working perfectly.
Me: No, I didn’t get someone to change it. I did it MYSELF!
Husband: WHAT?? (With a BIG smile on his face) I’m impressed! You took the door panel off and changed it??!! I’m impressed!!
Secret handshake commence (Yes we have a secret handshake.  We’re a silly couple)

I felt good! I was glad that he FINALLY got in the car and he was proud of me.  This may sound weird to some but by husband being proud of me makes me happy.  I love doing things to impress him, make him proud, etc.  I think it reminds him that he has a good catch. 😉

Any of you ladies handy when it comes to cars? Will you try to fix something or go to the auto shop?  Next time you have a simple problem, fix it. You’ll be able to say, I DID THAT! 🙂