Balancing Repairs, Family, and Farewells: My Rollercoaster Week as a Mobile Mechanic

Monday: On the Road and Under the Hood

The day kicked off with helping Anna wrangle the kids before their dentist appointment—classic morning chaos. Afterward, I headed to AutoZone to pick up parts and planned to drop off used oil. Excitingly, it was my first work trip in the Ranger! Picking up the parts was smooth; I chatted with the busy commercial rep before heading out to a 2019 Buick Enclave in Covington for an oil change.

While I drained the oil, a potential client called about an Astro Van fuse issue caused by a rear-end collision. We scheduled a follow-up for later in the week. This Buick’s oil filter was in an awkward spot, requiring some creativity and a funnel to avoid making a mess. Success!

Next up was turning in the used oil—but I realized I forgot to bring it with me earlier, so back to AutoZone I went. During a quick break at home, I tinkered with the Ranger, adjusting its exhaust pipe to reduce noise. I also installed bed lights to improve tool visibility for night jobs. After grabbing lunch at Uno Dos Tacos in Goodbee (a lifesaver), I tackled a fuse tap installation for the lights.

Later, I wrapped up with a Subaru Outback in Mandeville, performing an oil change and replacing a side marker bulb. After a long day of problem-solving, I made it home at 8:30 PM—just in time to cook and pick up the family from the in-laws.

Tuesday: A Slow Start

Anna worked late and headed to her parents' house for rest, leaving me in charge of the baby. While this limited my ability to work, I made the most of it by writing Monday’s blog post, scheduling repairs for later in the week, and building an electrical box for a future project. Productivity comes in many forms!

Wednesday: Quiet Before the Storm

My other job was relatively uneventful today, giving me time to plan for what promised to be a whirlwind Thursday. Sometimes, a slower day is a blessing in disguise.

Thursday: A Day of Reflection

We closed operations for the day to attend a friend’s funeral—a somber reminder of life’s fragility. Later, I drove to Mississippi to help my dad move the remainder of his belongings. It was a heavy day emotionally, but I’m glad I could be there for my loved ones.

Friday: Troubleshooting in Bush

I headed to Bush, Louisiana, to finish a lawnmower repair. Everything seemed fine until we tried starting it—the motor wasn’t turning over. After diagnosing the issue, we ordered a new starter. With Anna starting work at 4 PM, it was a shorter day. I managed to squeeze in scheduling a repair for a broken dipstick on a 2006 Ford F-150 for Saturday morning.

Saturday: Family First

Family issues required canceling all my jobs for the day. I spent quality time with the kids until heading to my evening job. Meanwhile, Kevin attended a car show to promote Auto-Mancy, though it didn’t yield as much traction as we hoped. You win some, you lose some.

Sunday: Planning Ahead

Sunday was all about strategy. I drafted and scheduled blog posts (like this one!), brainstormed social media content, and researched local car shows and events for both marketing and fun opportunities. Reflection and planning are key to growing Auto-Mancy.

Reflection

Running a mobile mechanic business is as much about adaptability as it is about mechanical skills. Every day brings a mix of planned tasks, unexpected challenges, and opportunities to connect with clients. Whether I’m diagnosing an issue, refining my systems, or spending time with my family, it’s all part of the journey.