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Having had a rather unexpected auto mechanic’s bill yesterday approaching the $1000 mark (for something related to the throttle, which cut out at a stoplight and apparently is necessary to the actual operation of the vehicle), I’m feeling just a tad on the ungrateful side. I fully recognize and completely acknowledge that this comes under the category of first-world problems, even though the whiny side of me moans, “But you can’t exist in California (outside of San Francisco) without a car; you just can’t!”

Yeah, that’s pretty much true, at least for me. (I know that whenever I’m under particular stress I start dreaming about crashing my car, being unable to find my car or having my car stolen. If you’re not a Los Angeles native you might not get that.) You sure as hell can’t get to job interviews without one.

But let me spin this in my head a little: I’m really grateful that this car—a 2001 Saab 9.3 turbo coupe—has been reliable transportation for me for the past 13 years. It was paid for 11 years ago, and still has fewer than 100,000 miles on it. Even with the repairs I’ve had to make this past month, it’s far cheaper than a new car, I enjoy driving it and I have a good mechanic.

So—I’m grateful that, even though I could have done without the money and five hours spent in the Swedish Auto Factory waiting room, my car continues to serve me, and I got four hours of work done.

Some days you just have to take your gratitude in small increments.