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JANUARY 2025
ME LV I N ’ S MON T H LY MOMENT S
205-223-6192 www.MelvinUpchurchSells.com
Teen Driving Awareness Month
roads. He was right — you have to get them out and just let them drive.
Time sure does fly! I remember Jill and I were worried when Bram, at the age of two and half, got his first jeep for Christmas.
4. It seems that teenagers fall into one of two main categories:
Bram turned 15 in July and obtained his learner’s permit. You know those pictures of presidents before and after they take office? The ones where they seem to have aged 20 years in the 4–8 years they were in office? I have aged considerably since this summer.
a. Confident and speedy — Bram
b. Cautious and slow — Melvin and Jill (when we were teenagers)
Some thoughts for parents when your teenager starts to drive:
5. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a parent’s driving habits are the biggest influence on a new driver’s behavior. So, for those of you with younger kids, be on your best driving behavior at all times. 6. Remember, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States, and the risk of a crash is highest for drivers between 16–19. Teenagers should not be allowed to use a cell phone when driving. Also, use the Life360 (or similar app) which allows you to see where they go and how fast they drive. 7. Finally, this will likely be the last time you can spend a lot of quality time with them before they become really independent. Make it count. Let them drive as often as possible. Enjoy that they need you. Cherish this time.
1. Nothing in life has prepared you for the nerve-wracking experience of turning a couple of tons of metal over to the same child you badger to get off their cell phone. It is frightening to give them the keys, so be prepared. 2. Your spiritual life is going to vastly improve. Nothing will take you to your knees and bring you closer to the Good Lord than a teenage driver.
3. We spent some time driving in parking lots, but another parent told me the best place to learn was on country
Melvie awards are coming!
Thank you to everyone who receives this Newsletter. Approximately 70% of my business comes from your referrals. Your business, and support of my business, are very much appreciated.
I wish all of you a Happy and Prosperous 2025!!
–Melvin Upchurch
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ROBOTIC RELIEF Astribot Takes Housework by Storm
SECRET PASSAGES AREN’T JUST FOR MANSIONS How to Craft Your Own Secret Door With Murphy Door Kits!
Imagine waking up to freshly brewed coffee, folded laundry, and a homemade meal ready to go, all without ever having to lift a finger. Meet Astribot, the new humanoid robot from China that can do all your house chores for you using artificial intelligence. From vacuuming and cooking to reminding you of necessary appointments, this cutting-edge robot could revolutionize how we live our daily lives. Could your chores soon be a thing of the past? With its advanced AI and human-like capabilities, this cutting-edge helper might just be the future of household convenience! Meet the minds behind Astribot. The Astribot S1 was created by Stardust Intelligence, a Chinese startup specializing in data labeling and data strategy services. The company unveiled its robot at the World Robot Conference in Beijing this August, and the demo video they released to the world of its capabilities showcased an impressive piece of technology. Capable of complex and precise physical tasks, its AI is the real star of the show. The Astribot can learn and interact with its environment, mimicking human decision-making. Stardust hopes to commercialize the robot this year, making it available for research and home use. Unleashing Astribot’s versatile skills. The Astribot is on a wheeled base and can move through a space with ease. It’s capable of completing a wide range of human tasks like effortlessly flipping toast in a pan, plugging in wires, and even organizing items by their type. The robot can also adjust its grip and force to hold different objects like a fragile cup or heavy cooking equipment. It’s designed to learn from you, using its interactions with people and the real world to evolve over time. Though simple tasks like connecting wires are easy for humans, robots have historically struggled with tasks like this that depend on spatial awareness. But for the dexterous Astribot, these difficult chores come quickly. As we head into a new era of home automation, Astribot is poised to redefine our daily routines. With an impressive ability to learn and adapt, it’s one of the most human robots we’ve seen thus far.
Have you ever dreamt of having your own secret passage? Well, now you can with a DIY Murphy Door kit! Transform any ordinary doorway into a hidden entrance and bring a touch of mystery to your home. Whether it’s a doorway to your study or a sneaky side entrance to your pantry, the Murphy Door offers an easy-to-assemble kit that lets you become the architect of your own adventure. All it takes is four simple steps! Step 1: Out With the Old First, you need to say goodbye to your boring old door. Remove the door and the door frame you want to replace. It’s demolition day in the best possible way — no hard hats necessary, but feel free to wear one if you’re getting into the spirit! Step 2: Prep and Paint Grab your paintbrushes! But before you dip into the color, give your bookcase, jamb, and casing a good sanding with 180-grit sandpaper. This will help your chosen paint adhere better, ensuring a smoother, more professional finish. Choose a hue that complements your room, or go bold with a pop of color — this is your secret door, after all! Step 3: Assemble the Jamb Now, let’s get building. Assemble the jamb according to the instructions. The great news is that all the hardware comes with pre-drilled holes, making this part a breeze. You’ll feel like a DIY pro in no time! Step 4: Install the Hardware and Casing With the jamb in place, it’s time to add the hardware and hang your door. Then, fit the casing around it to give everything a neat finish. The precision of the pre-assembled kit ensures everything aligns perfectly, leaving no clues about the door’s true nature. Voilà! You now have a fully functioning secret door that swings right or left and can open inward or outward, depending on your preference, and when it’s closed, everyone will think it’s just an ordinary bookcase or cabinet. With its simplicity, you can start this project whenever you’re ready to add a little mystery to your living space. Why settle for a standard doorway when you can have a hidden gem?
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Depending on how you organize your home, your pantry is either a tidy spot for storing snacks or a dungeon-like display of disorganization. If a walk-through of your current space would give Gordon Ramsay a kitchen nightmare, here are three ways to whip it into shape. Purge and Polish Before you do anything else, empty out the contents of your pantry entirely. You heard that right — everything must go! Move all your items to another room, check all expiration dates, and dispose of everything that’s gone bad. Next, check the quality of your pantry shelves and replace any that could pose a safety risk — or create a colossal mess — if they were to collapse. Next, wipe down and disinfect the entire area before filling it up again with the food items you decide to keep. Decrease and Declutter Now that you’ve determined what stays and what goes, look for ways to rearrange your pantry further. For example, cereal boxes are space-killers, so why not pour their contents into containers that will preserve freshness longer and occupy less space? You’ll create extra room for small kitchen appliances that may get in your way. SECRETS TO A SPOTLESS PANTRY Transform Your Food Zone
Repurpose and Revitalize If you need new ways to store items, look around the rest of your house before spending money at the store. Why purchase new containers when the glass jars you’d otherwise recycle would work just as well? After removing the labels, a good wash and rinse is often all it takes to make them as good as new. Do you have baskets or bins in your home you aren’t using to hold much? Empty and repurpose them to store more goodies at less cost. It’s incredible how often we burn through cash on new items when we already have plenty of things that could serve the same purpose. All you need is a little imagination!
One-Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
TAKE A BREAK
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients
• 4 celery ribs, chopped • 4 medium carrots, chopped • 2 bay leaves • 1 tsp dried thyme • 3 cups uncooked egg noodles (about 8 oz) • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley • 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 1/2 lbs skinless,
bone-in chicken thighs
• 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp pepper • 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 10 cups chicken broth
Directions
1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. In an 8-quart stockpot over medium- high heat, add oil and chicken and cook until golden brown, 3–4 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside. 2. Add onion to drippings; cook over medium-high heat for 4–5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add broth and bring to a boil. Return chicken to pot. Add celery, carrots, bay leaves, and thyme. Reduce heat and cover; simmer until chicken is tender, 25–30 minutes. 3. Turn off heat. Remove chicken to a plate. Add noodles and let stand, covered, until noodles are tender, 20–22 minutes. 4. Shred chicken meat into bite-size pieces, and return to pot. Stir in parsley and lemon juice, and discard bay leaves.
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205-223-6192 www.MelvinUpchurchSells.com 300 UNION HILL DR., STE. 200 BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209
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INSIDE
1
Teen Driving Awareness Month
2
Add a Touch of Mystery to Your Home With a DIY Murphy Door
A New Dawn for Domestic Duties
3
Tips for a Tidy Food Area
One-Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
4
Creative Ways to Design Around Exposed Brick
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR EXPOSED BRICK WITH THESE DESIGN TIPS Brick by Brick
Whether your home has a rustic brick chimney or a bold brick accent wall, it’s all about balancing brick’s raw, textured charm with your style. Here’s how to make the most of this distinctive feature in your home. Highlight the heritage. Exposed brick can bring your space back in time, adding antique elegance. To amplify this charm, incorporate decor with a vintage flair. Think weathered wood, classic paintings, and ornate rugs that complement the brick’s rustic tones. Mix it with the modern. Who says old and new can’t mingle? Pairing exposed brick with modern elements creates a contrast that catches the eye. Opt for minimalist
designs like sleek black countertops or glossy white surfaces. Focus on the brick. Let your exposed brick wall take center stage by keeping surrounding elements understated. A neutral color scheme with white, soft gray, or earth tones will let the brick’s rich texture and color shine through.
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