the rest of the driveway is in better shape so I am gonna leave it the hell alone but the drive up and the first slab are really falling apart. not looking for a super long term fix but we need to do something. Can’t afford to replace. can maybe afford to resurface just the first slab and drive up. was thinking about picking out the really bad parts and filling with mosaics but 🤷
hi all. i have bilateral de quervain’s and carpal tunnel syndrome as well as intersection syndrome in my right forearm. i have sought treatment and have already been through OT and 3 steroid injections. The next step is surgery but I can’t do that until August at the earliest. I also have no idea if I will actually be able to fully recover from surgery because it isn’t a guaranteed recovery. I am looking for a tool i could strap to my hand to hold pencils/pens and brushes while braced without having to use my thumb or a tool that could be strapped to my forearm that does the same thing. or a prosthetic thumb that can attach to me even though i have a hand? i have a 3d printer if that helps.
a comic i posted on my instagram explaining my de quervain’s. i have been suffering for over 2 years now although i didnt realize it until last october. this condition is ruining my life and it’s hard to see a light at the end of the tunnel. as an artist, I feel like my entire life and career got derailed and I fear I will never be able to do what I used to do again. My case is somewhat more complex as I developed carpal tunnel and de q in my left hand from overcompensation for my right hand which also has pain in the first dorsal compartment. I’ve had 3 steroid injections in my right hand and I am waiting for the recent two to set in to see if they help but I am really not optimistic. I now have to wait 3 months to get surgery. I feel like my life is slipping away from me. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.
Breaking this down into sections, disclaimers, my comments on the build and my questions:)
Disclaimers:
I am aware it is close to a fence, it is coming down in a year or two because it is in bad shape 👍🏼
i am aware I should water it!!! It is gonna rain all week here so I am taking advantage of nature’s gifts.
Palettes are HT and I am planning on a more permanent securing method than twine. We just moved and I want to find my box of nails instead of buying something I know we have 😅
I am a complete novice so anything I say is not advice
The build:
Cost breakdown of 5ish USD~ in gas to pick up the palettes
0 USD - Heat treated palettes and old burlap sacks from a local business
0 USD - old mulch, leaves, straw, etc from the yard
150 USD - Old toro lawnmower with a bag. I’m not sure I’d count this towards the cost of making the bay as I had to buy it regardless. Let me know how you all have downsized your lawns!!!!!
0 USD - Grass clippings, food scraps
3 USD - Jute twine
0 USD - paver fragments from around the property
0 USD - beat up moving boxes i got off facebook for free
Total - 155 USD OR 5 USD -lawn mower
I simply aligned the palettes and tied them together using jute twine and supported the sides with old pavers. I will later come back with nails if I like this spot for the long run. I laid sheet cardboard over mulch with old burlap
I then layered more old mulch, followed by some soil and compost from the yard.
Then layered roughly 1/3 grass clippings and other greens with shredded cardboard and old mulch/yard detritus
I haven’t peed on it 🥲
I plan to add a wire gate in the front so my dogs don’t go digging in it.
Questions:
Is it ok to put some rotting wood and small twigs in the pile? If so, how much is okay?
How do I know if it’s heating up without a thermometer? Stick my hand in there???
How often to turn and water if it isn’t raining enough?
How to tell when it is ready????
Any warning signs for things not going as intended?