Could you do this?

My husband and I have been involved with the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy Challenge for years now. Veteran hikers ourselves - we have done the whole challenge four times - we signed up for the Homestead Challenge this year. The Homestead is only 18 miles - as opposed to the 35.1 mile full challenge.

For the first time, I called it quits after about 12 miles. The heat this year was too much for me and I found myself getting chilled and goosebumps, despite the 90 degree day. Paul, I am happy to say, finished.

And so did some other great folks -
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-north/group-of-teachers-coaches-take-hiking-challenge-694137/

Getting outdoors and on the trail for the Challenge always puts us in contact with other wonderful - if maybe a bit crazy - folks. What is your Challenge?

Painting Happiness!

When we decided to go say "Good-bye" to one of our favorite spots in the world - Maho Bay on St. John, USVI, we also decided to visit Sloop Jones.

Sloop is from Pittsburgh, like us, and had relocated to the island 20 some odd years ago. A photographer by education, Sloop started painting amazing clothing.

Truth-be-told, when we first saw a Sloop sign four years ago, I was a bit nervous. We were on the far east side of the island (rather sparse) and the sign said, "Wearable art." Having no interest in a tatoo, I thought perhaps we should stay away. Paul laughed and encouraged me to enter behind the gate. What we found was a world of beautiful clothing!

This visit, we decided to take advantage of Sloop's new workshops where he teaches folks to paint their own shirts. Great fun. This time, Paul was nervous - a chemist, he claims he doesn't have a creative bone in his body. Ha! He painted an amazing shirt and we had so much fun.

If you ever get to St. John, take advantage of one of Sloop's workshops. In the meantime, visit his website http://www.sloopjones.com.

Sloop chose a photo of us to be in his ad. What an honor!

"We need toys for the children," were the words I heard in response to my question on how I could help a homeless mission.

Toys? For the children? Wow, I had never thought about homeless children needing toys. Shame on me.

Called to the cause, I enlisted my friends and family to help me collect toys and two of my friends answered in a big way. Marilyn, a second-grade teacher, enlisted the children of the elementary school my own children had attended. Another friend-teacher had the students of the Interact Rotary Club at the high school collect.

In the past two years, our efforts have garnered over 450 toys for the children. Last night, I participated in "Christmas in the Streets" and helped handout food, clothing and gifts to over 100 homeless members of the community in Pittsburgh. How humbling to be part of this important ministry.

The gratitude of these folks touched my heart and I was the receipient of numerous hugs. It was my honor to work with the ministry and serve these people.

We have so many blessings in our life - let's share the blessings.

Pay it forward

My family on vacation....as you can see, I have much to be thankful for! Like many families, the Gansters gathered on Thanksgiving Day to celebrate the day and well, give thanks. My sister and brother-in-law, Betty Ann and Dave Alchier, were the hosts for the day and at the end of the meal, while we were still seated, handed an envelope to each of us. Inside was a $10 bill and instructions...we were to take the money and do something good with it before Christmas, then at Christmas, we will have to report back and tell everyone else what we did. What a totally awesome idea! Right away, we started speculating on what that $10 could/would do. Like last year, I am involved in collecting toys for "Christmas in the Streets," a program that gives toys to homeless families. Right away, my husband, son, aunt and I decided we would add to the toy drive. Kenton, my 21-year-old, and I bought footballs, a much requested gift item for the drive, using that money. My other son, Cole, 18, donated the money to Beadforlife, an organization that I volunteer with that helps rise women in Uganda out of poverty. Cole is also a volunteer with the group. Eliza, 23, donated the money for my niece's toy drive as the two of them negotiated storeslate Thanksgiving night, buying many of those toys. I can't wait until Christmas to see what others have done with their money. Isn't this a great way to be thankful?

Giving back to your neighborhood

Good things....Some of us have a lot of Good Things. The Dees certainly feel like they do. So when it comes to celebrating their Good Times, these Good People want to spread the joy by asking their friends to donate to a good cause...North Hills Community Outreach. Because Cheryl and Paul Dee love their neighborhood, they want to support the non-profit who gives so much to the area. Instead of gifts, they have asked for donations. It is a great idea and one worth sharing so others can support their own favorite non-profits. And that will create more Good Times!

Read more about the Dees.

Where does time go?

Twenty-three years ago, my first child was born - Eliza Lillian Ganster.

After 38 hours of labor, I was delighted to see my little one for more reasons than one, but like many new moms, I wasn't sure how I would feel once the baby had arrived. I shouldn't have worried.

As soon as I saw that tiny baby with her dark curls and light-grey eyes, the world was hers. Over the years, it hasn't always been easy and at times, downright difficult. But today she is an amazing young woman. So, happy birthday little one.

I love you so.

Who shall I carry for you?

Good things, good people and good times all rolled into one... Who shall I carry for you? Cancer. It may be your mother. It may be your uncle. It may be you. At some point, Cancer touches everyone’s life. In 2004, my brother, Jack, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Eight years later, he is healthy. Because of his fight with cancer, Jack founded the non-profit organization, Survivor’s Outdoor Experience (SOE) to assist other survivors. SOE provides cancer survivors with informational and recreational programming to enhance their lives. With that thought in mind, Paul and I will be once again be taking on the 34- mile one-day Rachel Carson Trails Challenge on June 23rd. There are so many fund raisers these days, but yet I wanted to honor my brother and others who have faced a battle with cancer (or any life-threatening illness or battle) while raising funds for SOE. This year, Paul and I will dedicate one mile of the Challenge for your loved one – it can be someone you lost to cancer, someone fighting cancer, someone you wish to honor for any battle. For that mile, we will “carry” them with us, pray for them, think of them and use their strength as inspiration for our challenge that day. If you wish for us to “carry” your loved one, it would be our honor. Please let me know the name of the person you wish for us to carry. If you wish to make a donation to SOE, that would be great, but I am only hoping to honor all survivors, whether or not they are still with us. (Jack’s belief is that a person becomes a survivor the moment they are diagnosed). Please let me know if you wish for us to carry your loved one. If you wish to make a donation to SOE or for more information, visit http://www.survivorsoutdoorexperience.org/hiking-for-a-reason. Thank you so much! With love, Kathleen (Who couldn’t do this without the support and love of my husband and hiking partner, Paul.)