As January comes to a close I know it’s about time I check in with everyone. I’ve had no time to even sit back and reflect with you all! My days are very full. My evenings are either in Contractor’s School, at an NMSU Aggie Basketball game, trying to catch up with myself and renewing myself for the next day or working at the office during a quite time. As the days go by it becomes more of a reality that Mario is gone. There are so many questions to ask him. I’m asking but the answers are not coming as quickly! I’m trying to listen when I’m by myself. I’m listening for that quiet whisper–although Mario was never known for a quite whisper voice! He must be helping me through this time because I don’t know how else I’m making it happen!
So updates on our projects….the Showcase House on Armijo and Court is moving along really well. The electricians are almost done with their rough-in. That means the framing inspection is around the corner and insulation can begin. The stucco lath is complete so that means we’ll be putting our first coat –the stucco base on soon. The metal roof will be installed next week, too. The house is such a size that each phase of the project moves quickly. I even talked to Melissa of M. Waldrop’s Furniture today. They will be furnishing the home for Showcase again this year.
The house on the East Mesa will be done in a couple of weeks. I will be sending pictures to you as soon as it’s all cleaned up! It is a Uniquely Soledad Home. The traditional knotty pine look carries through out the home—the doors, the cabinets, the vigas and latillas —-it is a beautiful example of a Uniquely New Mexico home.
The third home we are working on has just been painted. All 4,000 square feet of it! Another unique home in a contemporary look. Striking accent colors, 10-12 foot ceilings, and exposed aggregate polished concrete floors. To come, are the beautiful 8′ maple doors, the maple cabinetry, the Crema Bourdeau granite and the Slate wall. It is a project that I’m very thankful for. I’m thankful that I’m able to bring the house to a finish state, I’m thankful for the opportunities to work with many other people in the trades and most of all I am thankful for the friendship it has brought to me.
I am looking forward to what the future will bring to us. I am very hopeful that our country will become all it can be. There are so many, many good people in our country that deserve to live comfortable lives void of fear. I so enjoyed watching all the reactions to the transfer of Presidential power. A peaceful process that we must truly cherish.
As many of you know, three of Mario’s fellow Builders established a Mario Bellestri Habitat for Humanity Fund. The proceeds will be presented to Habitat for Humanity on Feb. 12, 2009 at the Las Cruces Home Builders Luncheon. There is still time to contribute if you would like. They can be made at lst National Bank of Mesilla, attention Joe Bullock. 1553 Avenida de Mesilla, Las Cruces, NM 88005. Checks can be made out to: Mario Bellestri Habitat Fund. I will report the results after the presentation on the 12th.
I love hearing any feedback from you all. I somewhat intended to write an E-News every 2 weeks. In reality I think it will be once a month for now. On behalf of all of us at Soledad Canyon Earth Builders I want to thank everyone for the continued support.
Salud,
Pat Bellestri