Soledad Canyon Earth Builders E-News February 22, 2010
The spring flowers in the Las Cruces desert should be great this year! I don’t ever remember this much winter rain in our usually dry climate. I certainly don’t remember the beautiful Organ Mountains with snow on them for days/weeks on end! We do have it easy, even though it’s been a “bit tough” scheduling the work on our Showcase home around the rain. I look at the other parts of the 
country and can’t imagine working in two-three feet of snow! The sun is shining again today.
Construction updates: The Rincon de Amigos home has been painted. The tile setters are tiling the floors and should be done with the floors by the end of the week. They will then start on the showers. Cabinet installation will be next. We will begin seeing the house turn into a home! The interior selections we made with the clients several months ago will be
finding their place in the home.
The Barker’s Showcase 2010 Home has a roof on it!! Yippee! We have been battling with the rain showers over the last month. Finally we are dried in. Windows and doors are installed, American Mechanical, our plumber is done with their top-out, and Holguin’s Electric has begun their rough-in. Our crew, Antonio, Raul, Chuy, Junior and Nemesio are hanging interior doors, building the fireplace, and sanding, staining and sealing the wood in the house—vigas, door trim, door jams. We are on course for completing the home for the Building Industry Association’s Spring Showcase of Homes. Mark your calendars…
First Weekend Second Weekend
Friday, April 23, 4pm – 7pm Friday, April 30, 4pm – 7pm
Saturday, April 24, 10am – 7pm Saturday, April 24, 10am – 7pm
Sunday, April 25, 12pm – 5pm Sunday, May 2, 12pm – 5pm
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. 27th 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