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MARCH 2026
ME LV I N ’ S MON T H LY MOMENT S
205-223-6192 MelvinUpchurchSells.com
The Long Game 🏆 Earlier this year, I was reminded how powerful long-term personal growth can be — not through a trophy, but through a story. Jill and I attended the Alabama Junior Golf Organization awards banquet, where Bram was honored as one of the award winners after a year of steady effort and growth. While we were proud parents in the room, the real takeaway from the evening reached far beyond any single result. The guest speaker was Gary Christian, whose journey is a masterclass in perseverance and mindset. Gary spent years grinding on mini-tours and the Korn Ferry Tour, chasing a dream many would have walked away from. He didn’t make his first PGA Tour start until age 40, becoming the oldest rookie in PGA Tour history — a powerful example of belief in the long game. What stood out most wasn’t how long it took Gary to get there, but what finally changed . Gary shared that the turning point in his career came when he began working on his mental game with the same discipline as his physical one. If he spent three hours swinging a club, he spent another hour or two visualizing shots, preparing for mistakes, and training his mind to stay composed under pressure. That shift, he said, is what ultimately allowed everything else to come together.
Recommended Reading The 8 Traits of Champion Golfers: How to Develop the Mental Game of a Pro by Deborah Graham That message resonated with me personally. I make it a priority to read one personal-growth book each month, and the common thread is always the same: Meaningful progress is rarely dramatic or immediate. It’s built quietly — through consistency, preparation, and patience over time. Whether in sports, business, or life, success is almost never overnight. It’s the accumulation of small, disciplined choices made day after day. That same mindset is one I rely on every day when guiding clients through major real-estate decisions — helping them think long-term, stay grounded during moments of pressure, and trust a thoughtful plan. Seeing Bram and the other young golfers hear lessons like this early — lessons about mindset, resilience, and preparation — made the evening especially meaningful. It was a reminder that growth, at any stage, is always a process worth investing in.
He also credited one book with reshaping his approach:
–Melvin Upchurch
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Warm Showers Forever Water Heater Care Helps Keep Your Home Running Smoothly
The potential problems a broken water heater may cause are a significant concern for homeowners. Imagine 75 gallons of water flooding your basement or laundry room floor! In truth, water-heater crises don’t usually erupt with that much drama. More often, you’ll notice a pinhole leak in plenty of time to avert a tsunami. You could also notice your shower turns on cold in the morning and stays cold, or, worse yet, comes out rusty or discolored. In other cases, a broken pressure valve on your water heater or a gas leak (marked by a rotten egg or garlic smell) can create a serious safety hazard. To prevent failed showers, leaks, and safety hazards, use these tips to keep your water heater properly maintained and functioning optimally. Flush out the crud. One commonly overlooked maintenance task is removing the sediment and mineral buildup that accumulates at the bottom of your water heater tank. Neglected for too long, this crud can damage the tank and significantly reduce its useful life. Flushing the tank annually should prevent problems. Start by disconnecting the power supply and attaching a hose to the drain valve. Then, let the water flow until it runs clear. While you’re at it, unscrew the top of the water heater tank and take a look at the anode rod, which should be standing erect inside the tank. This nifty component functions as a lightning rod for corrosion. Made of magnesium or aluminum, the anode rod attracts corrosive elements that gradually eat it away. If the anode rod is heavily corroded or has been reduced to a diameter smaller than a half-inch, it’s time to replace it.
“Tending to these simple repairs can improve your water heater’s efficiency and save you money in the long run.”
Stop that leak. If you notice moisture accumulating on or around your water heater, inspect the drain valve, pressure relief valve, and connections. Tighten loose connections or replace a leaky valve as needed. However, if you see moisture or puddles arising from leaks in the tank itself, it may be time to call in a professional. Pay attention to noises. If your water heater is making a snapping or rumbling sound, it may be trying to tell you sediment is building up inside the tank. Also, loose heating elements can cause a humming sound. You can gauge the seriousness of this signal by flushing the tank (as mentioned) and tightening any loose parts on your water heater. If you’re lucky, those fixes will silence the noise. If your gas water heater starts up with a bang, the ignition may be delayed, signaling a need to remove the burner and clean it. If your water heater is still talking, it’s time to replace worn-out parts. Either way, tending to these simple repairs can improve your water heater’s efficiency and save you money in the long run. Save a little energy. Consider washing your laundry in cold water or spending a little less time in the shower to ease the demands on your water heater. Installing a timer to turn off your water heater during times of the day when it’s rarely needed can also reduce wear and tear. Wrapping the pipes and tank in an insulating material can reduce heat loss. These steps can help extend your water heater’s life beyond the average 8–10 years. Call in a pro. Even if you follow all the steps above correctly, it’s still smart to schedule regular professional inspections for your water heater. A technician can examine and test every component, spotting potential issues like gas leaks before they become serious. While annual inspections come with a cost, they can help your water heater run more efficiently and extend its lifespan.
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Part of the joy of welcoming a new baby is encouraging them to explore their surroundings. However, wise parents strike a balance between providing stimulation and ensuring protection for their little ones against the surprisingly large number of safety risks in a typical home. To protect your baby or toddler from everyday hazards, try these safety tips. Child-proof your kitchen and bathrooms. Poisoning is one of the most common causes of pediatric injuries, and chemicals stored in the kitchen and bathroom are a common cause. Move cleaners and vitamins to high shelves, well beyond a toddler’s reach. Install childproof safety locks on cupboards and drawers to keep sharp objects, plastic bags, and other hazards beyond reach. Guard, cover, and bolt. Falls are another common cause of injuries in babies and toddlers. Guard all stairs in your home with sturdy baby gates. To protect your little one from falling onto sharp-edged furniture, cover corners and edges with L-shaped foam or silicon corner guards and strips. Also, bolt heavy standing furniture, such as bookcases, to your walls as needed to ensure tiny passersby don’t pull them down. Remove all suffocation hazards. Suffocation is the leading cause of death overall for children at home, according to the University of Utah. Install hooks to raise dangling cords for blinds and drapes well out of your child’s reach. In the nursery, resist the temptation to fill the crib with stuffed animals and blankets. As innocent as these items may seem, babies can roll Top Tips to Baby-Proof Your Home Little Explorers, Big Risks
into and become lodged against a stuffed animal, rendering them unable to breathe. Remember water safety. While bathroom hazards are well-known, some warnings bear repeating: Never leave your child unattended in the tub for even a second. Drowning is the leading cause of death for 1- to 4-year-olds, and a bathtub with a few inches of water can be almost as risky for a toddler as a swimming pool. Meanwhile, to avoid burning your baby’s sensitive skin with steamy bath water, set your water heater to 120 F. And if you have a pool, fence it securely, place a child-proof lock on the gate, and consider installing a pool alarm to alert you to unexpected disturbances.
TAKE A BREAK
Spinach Artichoke Pizza
Ingredients
• 1 loaf frozen bread dough • 2 tbsp garlic herb spreadable cheese • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup Gruyere cheese • 7 oz artichoke hearts, chopped • Several handfuls of fresh spinach • Pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Thaw dough according to package directions and let it rise for 2 hours. 2. Preheat oven to 450 F. 3. Coat a 10-inch cast-iron skillet with non-stick spray, then gently stretch dough to fit. 4. Spread garlic herb cheese evenly across the entire dough layer. 5. Sprinkle mozzarella and Gruyere cheeses evenly over dough, reserving a small amount of each. 6. As the topping, scatter chopped artichoke hearts, followed by a layer of torn spinach leaves, and then the reserved cheeses. Add black pepper to taste. 7. Bake for 15–18 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and crisp.
Inspired by BlueBowlRecipes.com
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205-223-6192 MelvinUpchurchSells.com 300 UNION HILL DR., STE. 200 BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE
1
The Long Game
2
Easy Steps to Stop Water Heater Trouble Before It Starts
3
Tiny Hands, Big Hazards: Home Safety Tips for Babies and Toddlers
Spinach Artichoke Pizza
4
A Stylish Centerpiece for Your Living Room
FIND ONE THAT LOOKS GREAT AND WORKS HARD The Perfect Coffee Table
Choosing a coffee table is often an afterthought when decorating. With sofas, accent chairs, and carpets often being the priority decisions. However, a well-chosen coffee table can actually become a focal point for a stylish and functional decor. The most popular shapes are rectangular or oval, and they should extend for about 1/2 to 3/4 of the length of your sofa. Square or round tables enhance a smaller room. To make a design statement, consider a hexagonal, triangular,
or free-form table. Materials can also vary. Wood is durable and reliable. A glass table can make a small room appear bigger, while a metal table enhances a modern, industrial design. These workhorses of the living room can also provide added storage, including shelving or sleek drawers. As you weigh the many appealing designs, materials, and features, you may wonder why you didn’t choose your coffee table first !
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