Since my last E-News I have been to Las Vegas, Nevada for the International Builder’s Show.   Hundreds of vendors were displaying and promoting their products.  There was a definite “green” theme to the Convention.  Most suppliers and manufactures are tuned in to the importance of providing green products to the marketplace.  The show was smaller than those I have attended in the past, yet there was plenty to do and see in the three days.  The Keynote Speaker/Opening ceremony provided broad view of the industry as a whole.  There is much optimism among those involved in building homes.  As in any “down” time it provides opportunity to re-evaluate our businesses, create new ways of doing business, and come up with new products.  I came back with a suitcase full of product information.  One of my favorite new products was a shade system for outdoor areas.  It is medal cut into great looking designs.  Very durable as well as good looking!

Occasionally at these shows you run into celebrity types. I have a picture on our office bulletin board of me and Al-Tim Taylor’s assistant on Home Improvement comedy show from a few years back.  He was a face person for a line of Garage Doors.  This year the Kohler booth had Monica Pederson and Ed Sanders.  Monica is the host for HGTV’s Dream Home Show.  You may have seen her over the last 2 months as she showed the TV viewing audience the 2010 Dream Home located between Santa Fe & Albuquerque.  The drawing for that home was on Friday, guess I didn’t win…no phone call over the weekend!  We talked for a bit at the IBS Show.  She said the New Mexico Dream home was her favorite of all times.  She really loved New Mexico.  My second celebrity encounter was with Ed Sanders, who is on Extreme Makeover Home Edition. There was only enough time to snap a picture with him. But fun, no less!

Locally speaking, the New Mexico State University Aggie Basketball team continues to do well!  Go Aggies!  With two more home games the season comes to an end.  I’m rooting for their continuation into the post season tournaments.  If you live in Las Cruces I encourage you to come out on Saturday night, Feb. 27^th for their final home game.  It is an inexpensive night of entertainment—that is if you like a good, athletic game of basketball!!! Go Jonathan!! Even if you don’t it’s great for “people watching”!

The Love of Art Month is winding down, yet there are several more opportunities to enjoy the great works of Art in Las Cruces. Check the website www.artformsnm.org to download an event guide. Art does enrich your life—art that is created by others or art that you create yourself.  Make a point of enriching your life….

I just can’t help myself……yes, this is an E-newsletter that comes from our business, Soledad Canyon Earth Builders.  But, I find a need to usually interject a personal side to the business side. After all, everything is connected to everything. I really wonder what it takes for people to realize how “lucky” they are. (I use the word lucky, although I do not mean it in the true sense of the word!)  How lucky we are to live in the United States, how lucky we are to have all the conveniences and luxuries we have available to us, how lucky we are to have the opportunity to love and be loved, to be sheltered and shelter, to give and to receive, and to have a job to keep our lives balanced.   Do what it takes to help you realize how good your life is…..make a list, talk to someone, keep a journal, tell yourself one thing a day that is good (it takes 5 seconds!) or maybe just live your life with a different twist for a moment.  Smile at a stranger, hold the door open for someone, give up jealousy, appreciate your partner, and then you can open yourself up to what you dream about.  What I know for sure….any individual in your life may not be here next week, make it easier for them to love you today.

Salud,

Pat Bellestri-Martinez

Lady Contractor

A Special Edition of Soledad Canyon Earth Builder’s E-News

January 15, 2010

Hi to all,

We are proud to announce the Renewed, Revised & Rejuvenated Soledad Canyon Earth Builder’s Website. As Max’s “Senior Project” with us in his last semester at New Mexico State University he completely revamped our website. I congratulate Max on the great job he did on this tedious project.  The results speak for themselves!  There are new pictures, videos, and commentary….a fresh look, with our newest projects posted.  We invite you to visit our site, give us your feedback, and enjoy the view!   www.rammed-earth-homes.com

We would really appreciate your input.  What do you like, what don’t you like?  Is it easy to maneuver around the site?  Is there information you would like to see available on our site?  Your fresh eyes are welcome.  Let us know what you think of it.

Mid month news—I’m off to Las Vegas, Nevada to the International Builder’s Show.  It is the industry’s premier conference.  There will be hundreds of exhibitors and educational seminars, as well as thousands of people to network with.  I look forward to picking up the latest research and information on all the new products that are “green”.  I will report to you in the next E-News!

I sure appreciate all of you who take the time to write me after receiving our E-News!  It’s great to know how you are and what you’re thinkin’!!

Remember–  It is what it is and it isn’t what it isn’t…..

Pat Bellestri-Martinez

Lady Contractor/Builder of “Uniquely New Mexico” Homes

P.S. The Builder’s Association is embarking on an exciting Certified Green Building subdivision project not to far from our office. The homes will be in the $250,000 range. If you know anyone interested contact me ASAP. They will include solar panels!

Happy New Year,

It is a mind game to wrap my head around the year 2010.  That does not compute on a visceral level!  How can it be 2010 when it was just 2000??!!  It is certainly a good time to evaluate, contemplate, and celebrate!

Soledad Canyon Earth Builders enters the new decade with optimism, opportunities and options.

Optimism comes from the view of the world that provides a person and a business with hope.  It looks at any situation and makes the best of it.  We have many reasons to be optimistic. We have work. We are building houses that provide more than homes.  They are quality structures that will last for many, many years.  The emotional payback is long term.

Opportunities are there for the taking.  Each day we have an opportunity to make our homes better.  If we know better, we do better (Maya Angelo).  We learn to be better from our clients, our business partners, our readings, our associations, and our own quest for learning more-the internet sure makes that easy!

And third, options.  Each day we can choose one option over another option.  It can be in terms of a building product, a decision about which way to build it, or just a simple decision such as how to respond to a client. Each decision by itself can be small, but has a cumulative effect.  It results in your reputation, how people view you and your business, and your well being.

The Barker’s home is taking shape.  The framing is taking place, the trusses are on site, the windows are ready to be delivered with a phone call, and the weather is mostly cooperating!  The Barkers are in town and have, to the delight of our crew, provided hot drinks and breakfast burritos to the Crew several mornings!  What a treat for them!

The Rincon de Amigos home is being insulated today.  The first phase of open cell spray foam insulation is being applied.  It is going to “close up” the house.  All windows and doors are installed.  The plumbing, electrical and framing inspections are complete. Everything approved.  We will complete the insulation of the garage and sound insulation early next week and on to drywall installation.  Owner, Nancy, will make her first on site visit in another week.  She will be here to finalize the courtyard wall and see her home first hand.  They will be moving to Las Cruces when their home is complete, otherwise they have been receiving picture updates during the construction.  Building a home for someone who is not living here yet is easy for us. What allows us to do that is the extensive planning we do before we break ground.  All selections, budgets and decisions have been made.  We just have to line up everyone and build the home!

We have an opportunity to participate in a project to build a home not far from our office in an infill area.  All the homes (33) in the subdivision are proposed to be Green Certified with solar power.  If you know anyone interested please contact me.  It would aim to be in the $250,000 price range.

On the fun side of life in Las Cruces, the last month has provided many events, and social gatherings that make Las Cruces (and New Mexico) so enjoyable. Many I been with the great people in my life.  The Legend, Willie Nelson, brought joy to my spirit last night.  He preformed the first of 50 concerts in El Paso.  His music has touched my life for the last 30 years!  He is going strong, with a voice unmatched by anyone!

I had the opportunity to visit one of New Mexico’s treasures over the Holidays, Ojo Caliente.  It is a Hot Springs Resort/Spa an hour north of Santa Fe—a beautiful spot, with comforting hot mineral waters.  A day trip while we were there included the historic Sanctuary of Chimayo and the Ghost Ranch area.  Oh so beautiful.

Closer to home was just plain fun with family and friends, good food, good movies, and a blazing fire.  What I know for sure is there is nothing that can make you feel better than the special people in your life.  Take the time to enjoy them, appreciate their individualities, and look at life from many sides.

We wish you the best in 2010.  We welcome and appreciate the opportunity to be a part of your life.  If you are ready to build a home in Las Cruces we would be thrilled to talk to you.  We will offer you opportunities, optimism, and options!

This time of year I run across many inspirational thoughts.  This one caught my eye…. It’s imperative that you bring forth your soul’s greatest desire, that you pick one goal to achieve in the outer world and one goal to achieve in your inner world.

Here’s wishing you a year that you have a desire to set goals and a year that you want to reach those goals!

Happy New Year,

Pat Bellestri-Martinez

Lady Contractor/Builder of Homes