Rough Day

[OnlySunshine]

I had a very rough, upsetting day.  Yesterday, my windshield wiper switch would not work and it is the same switch that controls high beams (which have been sticking), cruise control, and the wiper sprayers (also not working).  I took it to the dealership to be repaired today and they inspected under the hood (I had my oil changed, too) and noticed that I had a significant coolant leak.  The mechanic said the hose that comes from the coolant reservoir to the radiator was leaking and the area that it is attached to on the radiator was cracked - meaning a whole new radiator.  My grandmother, when I talked to her on the phone, mentioned that she noticed a puddle on the driveway when I left her house this weekend and it didn't dry up quickly, like water does, which means it was engine fluid. 

I traced it back to an incident I had last week (1 week ago today) where a MACK truck was hauling a large load of rocks and did not have the cover pulled tightly.  Rocks were flying out and bouncing all over the road and cars were trying to dodge them left and right.  Unfortunately, I don't know what company it was from so I couldn't call and complain, but one of the rocks hit the road, bounced up, and hit underneath my engine block.  I looked at the engine compartment when I got home and didn't see any fluid, so I thought it was fine.  Apparently not...

In addition to the switch and radiator, my front end has been swaying when I go over bumps.  I thought shock absorbers since my rear shocks were replaced 2 months ago.  Nope!  The mechanic said it was a loose hub that connects the tire to the axle which must be replaced.  All told, including a necessary oil change, will be about $3,000!  I just got a Christmas bonus for half of that amount, so I was panicking.  Fortunately, my grandmother rescued me once again, but the anxiety is still there.  I have a rental car, as well, so I can get to work and back and that's another expense...

Please say some prayers that this is the last major thing that happens to my car for at least a year so I can stop spending all my savings...