After a short career in elementary education, Deeanne Gist retired to raise her four children. Over the course of the next fifteen years, she ran a home accessory and antique business, became a member of the press, wrote freelance journalism for national publications such as People, Parents, Parenting, Family Fun, Houston Chronicle and Orlando Sentinel, and acted as CFO for her husbands small engineering firm--all from the comforts of home. She lives in Texas with her husband of twenty-five years and their two border collies. They have four kids in college.