I have been having trouble coming up with my 20% project until today. I have 2/3 different proposals. Please help me decide. We recently bought a home on 1 1/3 acres of nothing but dirt (see pictures above). Don't get me wrong I love my new huge yard but it is definitely a diamond in the rough. My little brother Danny (see above) lives with us full time. He uses a wheelchair and wheelchairs do not roll well on dirt.
Proposal #1 or 2 - came upon 3 ATVs. While we were outside checking them out he pointed out that the biggest one has a rack on the back. He stated that he would like to make a seat that we can secure to the back of it so that my little brother Danny, shown above, could ride on it with us. This gave me the idea to either design an off-road wheelchair for him (1) or design a seat that can be secured to the back of the ATV (2). Both of these proposals have the same questions.
Authentic Questions
Proposal #3? 2? Transforming my side patio into the family patio that I want. At least just that little square patch of soil you see in the picture. I would like to make my soil more plantable. At the moment the soil repels water and this makes it difficult to keep moist enough to grow something. I would like to work the soil, fence it off (to keep the great dane out), and plant something, anything. I really like gardening and have done it a little bit but, believe it or not, I have a lot of questions.
Authentic Questions
My learning outcome will be that...
Proposal #1 or 2 - came upon 3 ATVs. While we were outside checking them out he pointed out that the biggest one has a rack on the back. He stated that he would like to make a seat that we can secure to the back of it so that my little brother Danny, shown above, could ride on it with us. This gave me the idea to either design an off-road wheelchair for him (1) or design a seat that can be secured to the back of the ATV (2). Both of these proposals have the same questions.
Authentic Questions
- How much will this cost?
- Can I find the blueprints online?
- Can I get someone, anyone to help me?
- What kind of material would be best for this project?
- If I choose to create a seat will it be difficult to secure it to the ATV?
- If I choose a wheelchair should I try to motorize it? (Did I mention that Danny is also blind?)
- Should I concentrate on just building it and make it motorized at a later time?
- What color do I want to make it?
- Danny loves music and loves to dance. Should I include a sound system or a place to secure a speaker?
- What kind of seat cushion would be the best?
- Last but not least...... Will he like it?
- I will learn to make something from scratch.
- I will see if my little brother enjoys his new chair.
- My family will be able to spend more quality time outside, TOGETHER.
- I will see if I am good at building stuff.
My learning outcome will be that...
Proposal #3? 2? Transforming my side patio into the family patio that I want. At least just that little square patch of soil you see in the picture. I would like to make my soil more plantable. At the moment the soil repels water and this makes it difficult to keep moist enough to grow something. I would like to work the soil, fence it off (to keep the great dane out), and plant something, anything. I really like gardening and have done it a little bit but, believe it or not, I have a lot of questions.
Authentic Questions
- How much will this cost?
- What type of soil do I have? Does it matter for this project?
- Do I need to have my soil tested?
- What material is best for amending this type of soil?
- Should I experiment with polyacylic acid to make my soil more water absorbent?
- My 2 year old still uses diapers. Is it safe recycle the inside of a peepee diaper in the soil? I know it sounds gross, but I do wonder.
- How soon until I can plant?
- What should I plant, considering fall is around the corner?
- Will my fence keep the dog out?
- Will my arch enemy, the gopher, come back? It killed my tomato plants a few months ago.
My learning outcome will be that...
- I will learn more about the make up of my yard-soil.
- I will be able to start a garden where my kids can learn about how plants grow.
- I will produce something, anything, edible for the home.
- My kids will want to eat more veggies. Although they are outdated you can see pictures of my 2 handsome boys on my All About Me page.