More about me

Our mold story, “all in one place”  🙂 is here: http://paradigmchange.me/lc/upton/

An interview I did on another mold website is here: http://www.moldsensitized.com/killing-mold-is-dangerous/

I live with my family in the lovely Black Hills of South Dakota.

I grew up south of St. Louis, in the lush Missouri countryside.  My parents surrounded me with love, beauty, and Scripture—the Word of God.  My sister, brother, our friends, and I played in the creek, explored the woods, and made up our own mysteries (or played tricks on each other!)  I loved playing piano—especially piano/violin duets with Dad, reading with Mom and Cathy, learning ballet, and riding Mom’s horse.

In 1988, I met Steve at Taylor University.  We were both music majors; he was two years ahead of me.  Wouldn’t you know it—I had lots of questions about music theory, and I knew Steve had to be just the guy to ask for help.  🙂  (The secret is, before Steve even met me, Steve’s academic adviser told Steve he should ask me out.  Good call, Dr. H!  :))

Steve graduated from Taylor in 1991 with a Bachelor of Music in Education, and I graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Piano Pedagogy Certificate.  We were married in June 1992.

We were blessed with the births of Nathan in 1997, Alyssa in 2001, and Sarah in 2005.

During this time, Steve earned 34 hours toward a Masters of Theological Studies in Worship and Liturgy at Tyndale College and Seminary.

We have homeschooled our children since Nathan was in Kindergarten.  At the time, Steve worked full-time at a church, so he worked long Sundays and frequently worked Saturdays preparing for Sundays.  We wanted more family time than that would allow, so homeschooling made sense.  (We took Fridays off and did school on Saturday.)    

To my surprise, I found I absolutely loved homeschooling!  Seeing that look on my own children’s faces of, “Oh, NOW I get it!” is just priceless.  Homeschooling is flexible and fun, and figuring out ways to teach is a creative outlet.

In 2008/09, I became very ill.  Over a year later, we found out that the main cause was hidden mold in our home.  By then, I had suffered Toxic Injury from the mold and acquired full-blown, disabling Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).

But, being too sick to get out of bed prompted me to pursue another passion–writing!  It started with a story I had begun writing in Jr. High, an old laptop, and a black typewriter stand….  (Thank you, G.K.!!!)  Mom and Dad, aren’t you glad you finally know who the Library Thief is?  🙂

I also enjoy editing/proofreading for several other writers.

In January 2010, Steve quit his job because he needed to take care of me and Sarah.  Sarah has spina bifida (myelomeningocele), hydrocephalus, neurogenic bladder, hypotonia, NV Learning Disorder, Chiari II Malformation, scoliosis, and seizure disorder.  She is very personable and enjoys wheeling around church, stores, etc. in her little, pink wheelchair.

For more about our sweet children: Our Children

Steve works from home for a great company, doing bookkeeping and tax prep.  He plays piano sometimes at our church and takes care of Sarah’s and my many, many needs.  He is also a highly successful organic gardener.

  Writing projects:

1. The Cat Race (humorous picture book)
2. The Plate (humorous picture book)
3. First Hungarian Words (educational picture book)
4. Let’s Explore the Black Hills
5. December 1944, Budapest, Hungary (short story)   (free on this blog)
6. The Library Thief   The Library Thief sneak peek
7. The Disappearing Snacks
8. Building a House for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity:  a Mold-Resistant, Low-Tox Home
9. MCS:  Banished from the Human Race 
10. Nineteen of my stories are found in this book published by My Father’s World: Tales from Cherry Lane
11. God’s Special Children–Spina Bifida (picture book)  looking for illustrator or publisher
    
12. God’s Special Children–Surgery (picture book)    looking for illustrator or publisher
13. My Mold Story, a Short Story to Help Kids through the Moldie Life (short chapter book)  writing
14. The Silly Sheep and four more in the mystery series   planning
15. 13 more fun picture books  planning and illustrating
16. Special Needs, Grief, & Children (non-fiction)  planning
17. The Plan (working title; fiction novel for adults)  planning and slowly writing
18. My autobiography

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