When you wear your hair short and it grows as fast as mine does, you have to submit to the occasional haircut on the road. Today was the dreaded 'haircut from a total stranger that you picked off the internet'. With all the traveling we have done, this has yet to be a positive experience. Needless to say, today was no different. Not that it's a bad 'cut', I just don't understand why Armando thought I needed an inch and a half cut off when I told him that it had only been 4-5 weeks since my last haircut. Of course it will grow, but my husband has taken to calling me '"Butch". Hmmmm...
You can see that we're packed in pretty tight. It will be great when the city gives the final on the new RV sites across the street.
Sunday, one of the local volunteers, Bob, and his wife, Anne, invited all of us to a barbecue and potluck at their beautiful home in the foothills east of town. Not only did they have a wonderful view, but Anne had the most amazing collection of decorative glass and wonderful artwork.
View out the back.
View from the kitchen at sunset.
Their beautiful home easily accommodated our large group.
Amazing collection of decorative glass.
Care-A-Vanners enjoying a night out.
Monday morning, it was oh, so hard to drag ourselves out of bed at 6:30 and head off to 'work'. We were starting to wonder whether we should have agreed to a 2 week commitment! But, once we got on the job and got back into the groove, we were back on track. By this time the group has been working together a week and everyone is beginning to relax a bit. You begin to know who likes to do what jobs, and who they like to work with. There's an easy camaraderie that is forming and the group is becoming a cohesive unit. Every afternoon, about 4, there's an optional gathering outside the RV's for a social hour. The appetizers are getting really good and we're all getting to know each other.
I forgot to take a picture Friday afternoon, so I snapped this one Monday morning.
When we were planning this trip, my Dad's best friend , Ben (who's also my 'second Dad'), found out that we were coming to Las Cruces and he called me and wanted me to contact his brother Jim, and his wife, Grace, who live here. Jim graciously invited us over for dinner on Monday night and Grace prepared a wonderful meal! Homemade chicken enchiladas, pisole, beans, guacamole, chips and HOT SALSA. Les loved the hot salsa so much that he went back for refills four times and got the recipe! It was a fun evening and a nice change of pace.
When we came here, I thought that all I would be good at was painting, so, I brought a couple of my own favorite brushes. But as the week rolled on, I had the opportunity to learn how to use a jigsaw, a circular saw and an air stapler, in addition to my newfound ability with a chop saw! I was challenging myself to take on tasks that I didn't know I was capable of. What a great feeling! I still had the opportunity to use my painting skills completing the new laundry room and also painting trim on 2 of the new houses.
During the week we discovered a good Mexican restaurant in the old Mesquite Street district (La Nueva Casita Cafe), and a not-so-good buffet for our Thursday night group dinner. Avoid Furrs Buffet... quantity does not make up for quality. We've been surprised a couple of times that many restaurants don't serve alcohol. Can you imagine Mexican food without Cerveza!!
Lunch time on the last day and the sun feels good.
Myth: You have to be Christian to become a Habitat homeowner.
Fact: Habitat homeowners are chosen without regard to race, religion or ethnic group, in keeping with U.S. law and with Habitat's abiding belief that God's love extends to everyone. Habitat also welcomes volunteers from all faiths, or no faith, who actively embrace Habitat's goal of eliminating poverty housing from the world.
What an amazing 2 weeks we've had. We feel joy in what we've been able to accomplish. When we started, this house was only a concrete slab. Today, it's framed, sided, roofed and partially shingled; on schedule! In addition, when we started, the houses on either side were behind schedule and we were able to catch up them up. We're all feeling pride for a job well done.
Same back corner, almost the end of the day.
Les holding up the wall. :)
Front Entry. Detail on the post will be a nice touch when the house is stuccoed.
Front of the house at the end of the day.
Larry & Diane
Tommie & Sandra
Us!
Our leader, Don Stover. He and his sidekick, Steve Blythe, were great to work with.
At the end of the day, Don told us that we were the second best group that he's had (the best group consisted of mostly people with a construction background), but that we had more fun than any group he's had!
Glad was an enjoyable time for you and am sure very welcomed by the ones that will be fortunate to living in their very own home. congratulations on a job well done.
ReplyDeleteIt always feels good to do something nice for someone else, you both are good at that. Nice job, guys! Cynthia
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool you two got to do this! What an amazing difference in those families' lives in such a short time:)
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