San Joaquin Woman Sep 2011

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September 2011

The Magazine For San Joaquin Women

KYM WITH A Y PEEK-A-BOUTIQUE

CANCER CHAMPIONS BODY, MIND & SPIRIT EDITION

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September 2011 Publisher Roger Coover Publications Director Deitra R. Kenoly Editor Karen Bakhtegan Contributing Writers Charleen Earley Mary Raffetto Kim Robinson Jennifer Torres Contributing Photographers Lindsay Ortez Sheridan Blackard Ken Sato Graphic Designers Jason Ente Dan Loeffelbein Cover photo by Lindsay Ortez

Like us on Facebook

Feature : Cancer Champions 8

10 How They Played When Life Dealt Them the Cancer Card

Body, Mind & Spirit 15

San Joaquin Woman magazine is published six times a year by The Record, 530 E. Market Street, Stockton, CA 95202. All information written for publication in San Joaquin Woman magazine is believed to be accurate. Readers must assume all responsibility for their own actions based on this information. Occasionally a product or company may be named in an article, but does not constitute an endorsement of said product.

San Joaquin Woman magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers.

Photos and content become the sole property of San Joaquin Woman magazine and may be used, published or edited without limit or obligation to the author.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

Reproduction is prohibited without the permission of the publisher. For more information, go to sanjoaquinwoman.com.

To advertise in San Joaquin Woman magazine, call (209) 546-8200

H2O Head 2 Toe Moisturizing beauty products

16 Stronger Body, Balanced Mind

Vinyasa Flow Yoga

20 Brave New You

Kim Robinson

24

The Ripple Effect

The positive energy of good deeds

Fashion 30

Jammie Session Sleepwear for women and teens

209 Moms 34

Facebook.com/RecordSpecialtyPublications

An A+ Life

Tot Culture

Bedtime must-haves

209 Family 38 Multi-Generational Households

Career 40 Walking a Mile in Her Shoes Fitness trainer Katie Peterson

Peek a Boutique

42

Kym with a Y

Chick Pics 44 Local women

share their “all-girl” outings

FEATURE

An A+ life A middle school math teacher for the last 18 years, the last thing Leslie King wanted to calculate into her perfect school attendance track record or her family lifestyle as mom and wife was cancer.

By Charleen Earley

T

he 56-year-old Manteca mom of Erin (31),

Shayne (31), and Jamie (26) with husband Larrey, Leslie King was diagnosed with stage 3B breast cancer seven years ago, and while she’s currently in remission, she refuses to be called a survivor.

“My line was ‘if middle school kids had not killed me then cancer did not stand a chance,’” said King. “It was shocking, but I was not prepared to die. To me, breast cancer was almost a fake cancer, because you could take off the breast and eliminate the problem.”

She refused to let cancer get in the way of living her life as usual. In fact, throughout her treatments, she did not miss one day of teaching.

“I was going to go through the treatments and then just get on with my life as if nothing happened,” she added. “I do not like the word ‘survivor,’ because I was not going to die. I shy away from the Relay For Life and survivor walks.

I support their cause, but I am not a poster child.

I do not want to be a poster child.”

8

S a n J o aqu i n Wo m an

SEPTEMBER 2011

Her goal was to remain positive throughout her journey, even when she

“The empathy is very natural to me,” he said. “My main goal of practice is

underwent various treatments such as chemotherapy, losing her hair, and 45

I put myself in the shoes of my patients. If you do that, you can’t go wrong,

days of radiation therapy.

because you feel what they feel. And while I can’t fully feel their pain, I think

“I never wanted to know any side

in terms of how much it (cancer) affects everything.”

effects of medications, because you plant the seeds and then you ‘get’

Cancer, he said, has a certain way of replacing autonomy.

“Now suddenly you are being told what to do, step-by-step; home, work,

them,” said King. “I was doing

paying bills, running errands. I need to do everything possible to make that

what I had to do to take care

patient’s life easier,” he added.

of it and then move on with my life. To me, I treated it as an inconvenient annoyance!”

In 2003, a year before her lump was detected,

With a patient load of roughly 125 a week, he said he doesn’t look at the cancer patient as just one person with a disease, but as a person who is part of an entire community.

He remembers his first visit with King seven years ago, as if it were yesterday.

“I found her an extremely practical person. She took

she said she had forgotten

everything I had to say in stride,” he recalled. “She wanted

the slip she needed for

to continue teaching with as minimal interruptions as

a mammogram and was

possible, and she was going to do the best she can.”

not allowed to have it done without the slip.

Sugar-coating is not part of Bangalore’s talk when he meets a new patient; however, optimism is.

“I was so angry and did not

“I tell them where we are and what we can do about it.

do it that year,” she said. “I was

I put a positive spin on it too. Many cancers are curable.

very bad about self-examinations as

I’m very objective about it. They see the gravity of it and

well. When they found the lump and

it helps them to be more positive,” he said.

pointed out the tumor, I could definitely

feel it.”

Encouragement from a math student also helps, especially one from “Mrs. King’s” class.

She connected with Dr. Neelesh Bangalore

“I had a student tell me, ‘my grandma died

MD, who owns a private practice in Tracy and

of cancer, but I don’t want you to die,’” recalled

Stockton called San Joaquin Hematology & Oncology.

King. “They are so innocent and sincere.”

“I so love Dr. Bangalore and his staff!” said King.

“The chemo nurses bent over backwards to allow me to work through the entire treatment. They would meet me either in the morning or late afternoon. I would recommend Dr. Bangalore to anyone.”

With over 26 years of experience, Bangalore received his medical degree in 1983 from the University of Bombay. He has a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Georgia, and worked for the American Red Cross for three years in Maryland. He currently lives in Stockton with his family.

“I always knew I wanted to be a doctor; I just didn’t know what discipline,” said Bangalore.

He said when it comes to having empathy for his patients; it’s something that comes second nature to him.

Sa n Joa q ui n Wo m an

9

FEATURE

CANCER CHAMPIONS

By Charleen Earley

W

e live in a time when most everyone can say they have a family

member or friend who was or is affected by cancer, but when you hear

How they played when life handed them the cancer card

that dreadful word voiced directly to you by your doctor, the reality of it can be devastating.

Meet three women who never thought they’d hear that word from their doctors, mostly because they were relatively healthy and had regular physical exams. This is how they dealt with their newfound and unsolicited path in life.

Faith and humor gave her strength “Call me naïve, but when I was first diagnosed, I just thought I’d deal with it the best I can,” said Georgeann Artozqui, a 76-year-old widow from Stockton. “I had so much help from my family and friends that I don’t think I ever got depressed or down about it; maybe just once. I trusted in my faith and felt He (God) would look after me also!”

Diagnosed four years ago with breast cancer, Artozqui said her last chemotherapy treatment was last year on December 22, and six weeks later, she began radiation. Her husband died of prostate cancer 10 years ago, and now the mom of two grown sons, ages 46 and 50, is happy to announce she’s cancer-free.

Her experience at St. Joseph’s Cancer Center in Stockton has been exemplary, but beyond that, she said one of the most important things one needs to have during this time is humor.

“If there’s any humor at all, you have to find it,” said Artozqui, a retired secretary of 22 years from the Stockton Unified School District.

She found her humor at a time when she lost all of her hair. She decided not to wear a wig while at home, and if anyone came to the door, she felt “this is the way I am; I’m not putting on a wig.”

“Some kids came to the door selling something, and while I went to get my money, I could tell they were talking about me,” she said. “They were sweet about it, and I thought it was humorous and cute.”

Another funny moment came when she accidentally superglued two of her fingers together. Her son had her call St. Joseph’s for advice, but she called a psychiatric ward instead, also by mistake. During that time, her son searched on-line for a remedy, and told his mom to use warm sudsy water. It did the trick, and so did the laughing.

“A lot of people around me say they like my attitude; it’s taken me through this,” said Artozqui, who loves volunteering her time at St. Joseph’s. “You have to be positive and find some humor.”

10

S a n J o aqu i n Wo m an

Attitude and support gave her strength

F

or Colleen Stiehr, mother to two beautiful dogs – a black lab and a stray,

little white fluffy Maltese Pomeranian – and wife of Jay Barnett, news of her endometrial cancer on January 12 of this year, put her in shock.

“It’s really been hard for me to accept it,” said Stiehr, age 56. “I’ve been healthy all my life. I felt so good (health-wise) at the time I was diagnosed, that it was hard for me to believe it was true.”

Endometrial cancer begins in the lining of the uterus (womb), and while her grandmother passed away from a form of uterine cancer, she said her doctor told her this particular cancer is not inherited.

In menopause since the age of 37, Stiehr hadn’t had a period in years, with her last pap smear in August coming back clear.

“A month after that I started spotting,” recalled Stiehr, who has funded mortgage loans for the Bank of Stockton for the last 11 years. “I wasn’t concerned, but one of my close co-workers was.”

“She came up to me and gave me her doctor’s phone number, and said, ‘I’m not gonna leave your desk until you call him. I don’t want to scare you but this happened to my aunt, and she had cancer. She’s doing fine, but please make the appointment,” she recalled.

Stiehr began her chemo treatments on March 16 and ended them on June 29. Just to be on the safe side, she’s going through radiation, and since she’s a numbers gal, she decided to look at the positive side while counting down.

“I’m 18 down and 7 to go on treatments,” said Stiehr. “I told my sister I’m going to pretend I’m on vacation, and you know how fast vacations go!”

Given the side effects of radiation – diarrhea and fatigue – her sister added to Stiehr’s visualization techniques.

“She said, ‘pretend you’re in Mexico and you drank some bad water!’” recalled Stiehr. “And being a numbers person, I celebrate those little goals by going shopping or planting a trumpet vine in my backyard.”

Through side effects, losing hair, and self re-identification with wigs, she said attitude and support is what keeps her going strong.

“It’s easier when you have a positive attitude,” she said. “I’ve had great support from my husband, family and friends. Everyone has been extremely supportive and encouraging. It makes you want to get well.”

Sa n Joa q ui n Wo m an

11

Positive people gave her strength

K

aren Suter was diagnosed with cancer – stage one

on one breast and stage two on the other – last year on November 29 and went through a battery of emotions that come with receiving such news.

“At first was disbelief, and I thought this must be wrong. It can’t happen to me because I’m healthy and just lost 40 pounds,” said Suter, age 52. “I can’t have cancer because I feel so great.”

When she was handed brochures about cancer, that’s when the fear set in.

“I broke down, and the tears came. It was quite a shock,” she added. “Then I decided that I had to be strong and get through this. I have two grown kids, 28 and 29 years old, and two grandkids. And even though my kids are grown, they still need me.”

Above all else, she assured herself about all the new technologies out there, and how this type of cancer is curable. But when the option of removing her breasts came up, so did her reservations.

“It was recommended that I have them removed, but somehow it didn’t feel right; it felt too drastic, so I got a second opinion,” said Suter.

She met with a cancer specialist at UCSF who told her for some, that’s the way they would handle it, but it’s not the only way it’s treated anymore. She decided to keep her breasts, and then some.

“They did lumpectomies on both breasts and some reconstruction and then lifted them a little bit,” said Suter. “I told them I wanted them perky and they did; they improved them!”

A full-time Community Relations Director at Merrill Gardens, a retirement community for independent and assisted living, Suter first kept her diagnosis to herself, for fear of upsetting her residents, until she realized she was missing out on major support.

“I found out how many residents had been through cancer. I found support in them and surrounded myself with positive friends and family,” said Suter. This can be scary and you can spiral down into depression. We only have one life and one go-around at it!”

PHOTOS By: lindsay orteZ www.lindsayophotography.com

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body:

Sea Moss Replenishing Body Wash

By H2O Spa

It’s no secret that moisture is the key to ageless beauty.

PHOTOS BY: SHERIDAN BLACKARD PHOTOGRAPHY

lips:

Replenishing Lip Balm

By Burt’s Bees

hands:

Honey & Almond Hand Cream By c. Booth

feet:

Aloe Infused Socks

By Earth Therapeutics

hair:

Biolage Hydratherapie Conditioning Balm

By Matrix

face:

Hope in a Jar Moisturizer for all skin types

By Philosophy Sa n Joa q ui n Wo m an

15

B ODY, M I N D & S P I RI T

STRON G ER B

B ALAN

By MARY RAFFETTO

W

hether you’re a seasoned yoga practitioner, or just need a new avenue to regain flexibility and mental clarity, it’s time to grab a mat and get yourself to the newest game in town: Vinyasa Flow Yoga.

Vinyasa, which is defined simply as movement with breath, is a branch of Ashtanga yoga, and promises something for everyone. While calming and grounding to all, this fluid method also delivers potent strength and empowerment, and is practiced in a gently heated room.

Pam Lewis, owner of the Vinyasa Flow Yoga studio, has spent over 25 years in the fitness industry as both a certified personal trainer and a certified massage therapist. Lewis stumbled upon the Vinyasa flow method eight years ago, and discovered that it brought her benefits which no other form of exercise had ever offered. Hooked at once, she committed to study with the masters, eventually undergoing formal training in Bali.

Lewis says, “I wish I had found Vinyasa years ago.

Yoga is such a perfect model for life, and I think Stockton is so ready to grasp that, to experience it, to see this new light on their view of yoga. Whatever a person is missing, they might find it through Vinyasa.”

Located in Quail Lakes, overlooking the water, Lewis’s studio offers a beautiful, calm setting with spacious comfort. Fees range from per-visit use to economical package deals, and student discounts are available.

2389 W. March Lane, #202 Stockton, CA 95207 (209) 481-7544

SEPTEMBER 2011

ER

ODY

ALAN C ED

MIND

PHOTOS By: Ken sato photography

Pam Lewis Owner

“Vinyasa flow yoga is a perfect blend of sweat and serenity.”

Michele Stone Creative Director

Sa n Joa q ui n Wo m an

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SEPTEMBER 2011

B ODY, M IN D & SP IR IT

KIM ROBINSON THE ANGEL WHISPERER Kim is an intuitive life coach in Stockton.

Combined with her unique gift of intuition, her non-standard approach helps people deal with issues such as grief, low self-esteem, anger, depression, substance abuse, compulsive behavior, financial difficulties, sexual abuse, control issues and weight and eating disorders, just to name a few.

BRAVE… NEW… YOU! W

e’ve all been there at some point.

Rolling along the freeway at seventy when

suddenly the car on the right swerves menacingly into the lane; walking along a quiet street at night and hearing rapid footsteps approaching from behind; discovering a lump that was previously undetected. Before your logical mind could react, your amygdala screamed “DANGER,” inducing a DEFCON 1, fight/flight/freeze response.

Your body immediately received an adrenal gland cocktail that spun you into survival mode quicker than a golden retriever can gobble up filet mignon. Though the swerving car quickly corrected itself; the footsteps ended up being those of a friend, and the lump was simply from bumping into a table you dusted last week, your “primitive brain center” couldn’t know that, and caused your body to create the perfect conditions to save your life. Or did it?

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SEPTEMBER 2011

Angels tell me we’re in for a heck of a ride

inside us. Ever thought about all the “mini-wars”

info-at-the-speed-of-light world bombards

in 2012. Everything that’s been in the dark will

that go on inside of you, just because of your own

us with “mini stressors,” which can leave us

come into the light, creating more transparency

belief system?

feeling like we’re fighting “mini wars.” Add up a

for everyone (whether they like it or not), and the

week’s worth of these bad boys, and think of the

“G” word will expand to include Goddess as we

It’s a gentle pressure, but we’re now at a tipping

quantity of stress hormones you’ve released into

drift away from all the harming and hurting and

your system and the effect it’s had on you. Now

high/low ego difficulties that have been prevalent

point where one more straw could be the last one.

multiply that by 52, and you’ll see why many of

for so long. We’ll begin to feel the effects of the

us are so happy to sing “Auld Lang Syne” at the

nurturing and healing of the Divine Feminine. It’s

stroke of midnight every December 31st. We

all good stuff, but it brings winds of change. And

can’t wait to kick the junk we’ve created out the

change can be scary, especially at first, which

window and start all over again. But wait… it’s

brings me to the question I posed earlier.

We all know this fast-paced, tech-filled,

As we enter into 2012, the pressure is on!

We are beginning to say “NO MORE!” to anything that’s no longer tolerable. We stare with disbelief at the remnants of the life that “used to be.” But this creates anxiety that taps into every belief we’ve ever held to be true. And if that belief system is faulty, more anxiety ensues. So,

still the SAME OLD YOU creating it, and same old

We know that stress is a not-so-silent killer.

you equals same old creation, so there goes your

We know it harms us, so we do things to prevent

shiny new year. But what if you could change all

it and eschew things that cause it. But it’s not just

make it a double! And that’s where the very thing

that by becoming a brand-new you, maybe even

the external stressors that give you the horrible

that’s meant to help us survive can actually work

a BRAVE NEW YOU? After all, we’re not heading

hormone hit. Those we learn to roll with, because

against us and create chaos and disease. We’ve

into just any new year this time, it’s the biggie,

we have some control over how much, how

become a society that takes pride in dealing with

2012, the year that caused the Mayans to quit

often and how severely they’re experienced. The

our stress. What we should be doing is

making calendars.

insidious stressors are invisible ones that lie deep

de-escalating the stressors.

regarding that stress hormone cocktail… let’s

B ODY, M IN D & SP IR IT

What I’ve learned is that we are 100% responsible for what is currently in our world.

Either our spirit charted it before coming to Earth, or we in the human chose it as our creation in the now. So, what’s charted is fate if you want to name it, but fate is rich with lessons and experiences that accelerate your spiritual growth. And choices are creations that can be re-created in another way if they no longer work for us. We create via thoughts and emotions, so it’s imperative that we stay healthy and balanced.

As we say in the spiritual world, “it’s all good.”

There is divine perfection and timing in all things. It’s not always apparent at first, but that discovery is part of the journey.

The important thing is to own what you believe and what you create. People ask me why we have to suffer so. We don’t. We only suffer as long as we need/want to. There are things we can do to lessen the suffering and create better lives.

Angels said we come to Earth to learn about and master the gamut of emotions. I deduced that graduation day comes when all we feel is love and detached attachment for all people and all creation. That brought shouts of joy from the other side. “Aha,” I thought, we need to use our feelings as navigation tools, not just our brains.

Learning to balance our emotions and “think” with both brain and heart is one of the most important things we do.

So how can we lessen the stress and fear in our lives, especially the internal fears that we cannot see?

1. Watch your behaviors. If you say you want one thing, yet do something entirely different, dig deep and see if you really want what you say you do. If not, work to re-create.

2. Release any unwarranted fear through prayer, meditation, affirmations or my new favorite, past life regression. A trained hypnotherapist who is skilled in this field can remove many lifetimes of trapped suffering and erroneous belief.

3. We tend to be offended by things which make us uncomfortable or frighten us. One of the best tools to alleviate the residual effects of chronic offense is forgiveness. It’s a powerful healer. To learn from one of the best, Dr. Fred Luskin of Stanford University, go to www.learningtoforgive.com. I encountered this amazing man at St. Joseph’s Hospital’s wonderful Know Your Mind, Body and Spirit event and was enchanted by his story and methodology.

4. To assist with forgiving, create a “grudge” list.

Write down whatever frustrates, angers or annoys you and see what happens. There may be more stuff stuffed inside you than you ever thought!

5. Meditate, exercise, eat healthy food, drink pure water and learn to love all that is with a compassionate heart and clear mind.

Take baby steps, look for support systems, and be gentle with yourself. You’re learning something new, and that takes time. And when you start creating, do it on your own terms, with your own beliefs firmly implanted. This isn’t the time to hold onto things that no longer serve you; it’s time to let go and be brave. Head fearlessly into the future, knowing that you are more powerful than you ever thought possible. As Mike Dooley of “Infinite Possiblities” fame says “Thoughts become things… Choose the good ones.”

For the past two years I’ve had the privilege of lecturing at St. Joseph’s TreatMeant for You! The cancer patients who come to this event are some of the bravest people I’ve ever met. The fantastic staff at St. Joseph’s has helped many people win the fight of their lives through their Navigator program, an amazing free service that includes a Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist, Chief of RadiationTherapy, an RN with Community Health and much more. If you or someone you know needs the best of the best, you will find it there.

For information on these programs and services offered through St. Joseph’s Regional Cancer Center, call Jim Linderman at (209) 461-5069 – he’s the best! www.stjoesphescares.org/cancer Donations may be made through wwwstjosephscares.org/foundation

If you are interested in exploring past life regression, call Linda Potter, Certified Master Hypnotist.

She specializes in meditation and past life regression. (209) 835-1146 www.siteforhealing.com

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B ODY, M IN D & SP IR IT

RIPPLE EFFECT

The positive energy of paying it forward

By MARY RAFFETTO

I

t really does seem, sometimes, that no good

bloom where you’re planted as the saying goes.

however, the opposite proves true, and reaches

But what to do when someone pours Roundup

further than we might even realize. “Paying it

on you, figuratively speaking? Well, since you’ve

forward,” it turns out, has exponential positive

decided not to pay them back in kind (feel free

effects, some of which the “payer” may never

to insert your own weed-whacker/blowtorch/

know.

axe-wielding garden analogy here), you’ll want

Whenever we have a thought, take an action, or make a plan, we set into motion an energy

the future.

So, if the actions you take now can send a

Since we reap what we sow, it makes sense to

positive energy into the future, can they, by the

discipline ourselves to sow only those things we’d

same token, send it backward, into the past?

like more of in our lives. Yes, easier said than

Possibly. When we take the time to reflect upon

done, but still doable.

all the blessings, acts of kindness and gifts which have been bestowed upon us, as well as

us, and suddenly the most positive of thoughts

the love and generosity-of-heart which people

can easily fade into nothing more than good

have shown as they nourished and propelled us

intentions saved for another day. It’s perfectly

forward in life, we bring even greater honor and

understandable. But poisoned darts and voodoo

meaning to what they have done for us.

dolls aside, it’s also the perfect time to come up

By reliving these happy memories, we gather

with a plan B, or, make that plan P: Paying It

up all of their positive energy and find the

Forward. The “It” does not even have to be what

inspiration to make the important and powerful

you received, so long as it’s something good.

choice to pay them forward. We begin to

In fact, if what your received wasn’t good

recognize and seek out opportunities to use our

then clearly you’ll need to refrain from paying it

unique gifts and talents, setting forth our own

either forward or back. “Do not repay evil with

powerful wave of positive energy and love, which

evil.” we are told. “Keep your mind upon that

will ripple outward, multiplying what we received

which is good, for what you focus on expands.”

– how far, and in what ways, we will never know.

It’s not just about the don’ts; it’s about the dos.

In doing so, you bless yourself, those around

As much as we are called to let a bad thing stop

you and whomever they bless – ad infinitum.

with us, turning our backs on vengeful thoughts

And that’s the kind of energy we’d all like to stir

and actions, we are called to go further still by

up more of. It’s definitely the start of something

perpetuating the good.

good, and somehow, that seems like the way it is

Without casting your pearls before swine, it is reasonable to aspire to do good wherever you

S a n J o aqu i n Wo m an

to make definite plans to bloom elsewhere in

which tends to be either positive or negative.

Circumstances arise, wrongs and hurts afflict

24

find yourself and whatever your circumstance – to

deed goes unpunished. Upon closer examination,

supposed to be.

FA S HIO N

Lauren” Sleep Shirts

by Ralph Lauren Dillard’s

Dolman lounge top and pants

by Kensie Dillard’s

30

S a n J o aqu i n Wo m an

SEPTEMBER 2011

PHOTOS By: lindsay orteZ www.lindsayophotography.com

Polka Dots

by Insomniax Dillard’s

Dorm room separates

by Xhilaration Target

Red tank and leopard sleep pants

By P.J. Salvage Theadora Lingerie

Sa n Joa q ui n Wo m an

31

T

here is no form of therapy on earth that provides the type of stress relief that sporting a great pair of pajamas does. After all, pajamas are the official uniform for sipping cocoa, movie night, Christmas morning, playing hooky, rainy days and everyone’s favorite… sleeping.

We also count on our flannel friends to provide comfort when we are sick, sad, tired or just plain lazy. Pajama Day should be a national holiday. Forget casual Friday, how about Pajama Friday?

Okay, that might be stretching it a bit, but let’s face it, ladies…

Animal sleep camisole and shorts

by P.J. Salvage Theadora Lingerie

Bananas” PJ set

by N & N Target

Ruffle camisole with pin-striped sleep pants

by Kensie Dillard’s

32

S a n J o aqu i n Wo m an

Dot print ruffled top and sleep pants

by Huetopia Dillard’s

SEPTEMBER 2011

PajamaS Are Awesome!

Dorm room sleep tees and shorts

by Xhilaration Target

“Zoe” pajamas

by Kensie Dillard’s

Sa n Joa q ui n Wo m an

33

209 M OM S

tot culture

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep….

P.J. Salvage Plush Toddler Robes Tots & Teapots

Angelcare Movement Sensor & Sound Monitor Target

P.J. Salvage Vintage Toddler Pajamas Tots & Teapots

Cloud B Twilight Turtle Starry Sky ceiling projector Babies”R”Us 34

S a n J o aqu i n Wo m an

SEPTEMBER 2011

Meet Me in Dreamland A Good Night Tale Barnes & Noble

P.J. Salvage Vintage Toddler Pajamas Tots & Teapots

P.J. Salvage Plush Toddler Robes Tots & Teapots

Pillow Pets Toys”R”Us Photos by: Sheridan Blackard photography

Sa n Joa q ui n Wo m an

35

209 FAM ILY

MULTIGENERATIONAL HOUSEHOLDS

The wisdom of grandparents preserves tradition and gives a family roots, says Sammy Nuñez of the organization Fathers & Families of San Joaquin. And for thousands of local families, that wisdom is close at hand: More than 21,000 San Joaquin County grandparents live in the same homes as their grandchildren.

It’s an arrangement that can come with challenges – especially when economic factors influence the decision to share a living space – but it’s also one that offers valuable opportunities.

38

S a n J o aqu i n Wo m an

SEPTEMBER 2011

By Jennifer Torres

W

hether they live in the same home or miles away, grandparents can play a role in raising happy, healthy kids.

“Grandparents are the wisdom-keepers,” Nuñez says. “They have a very special connection with children. They teach them how to be patient, how to slow down, how to be grateful. It’s a very beautiful thing when we have that harmony.” But, he adds, “It’s not absent of a struggle.”

In recent years, the number of multigenerational households has grown across the country – including, notably, at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, where Marian Robinson agreed to move with her daughter and son-in-law to help granddaughters Sasha and Malia Obama settle into the White House.

But for decades, the living arrangement had fallen out of favor. In 1940, about a quarter of Americans lived in a multigenerational home, according to data from the Pew Research Center. By 1980, only 12 percent did.

But now, about one child in 10 lives with a grandparent, an increase that experts attribute both to the recession, and to growing numbers of immigrant families, among whom the arrangement is more common.

“There are economic challenges, obviously, and social and psychological ones as well, especially if the family is forced by circumstances to live together,” says Dr. Derek Washington of Stockton’s Pacific Counseling Associates. “Who will pay the bills? How will space be divided? Is Grandma expected to babysit?

“You develop a family council and set a specific time, say each week after dinner, and devote an hour or two to what the issues are,” Washington advises. “Set up some goals.”

Even if children are too young to actively participate, they’ll still see a good example of loving, effective communication.

“They’ll be able to sit down and listen to it,” Washington says.

“Turn off the television and turn off the video games in the process.”

Mayra Guerrero, a 23-year-old engineering student at University of the Pacific, grew up in a multigenerational household and for several years, has been her grandmother’s primary caretaker.

“Ever since I can remember, she’s always lived with us,” Guerrero says. “I consider her a second mom.”

She says the experience has taught her the importance of being a supportive part of a team, of putting others’ needs ahead of her own.

“It’s what families do, you know?” Guerrero says. “We have to work together. It’s not always rainbows and sunshine, but at the end of the day, when the time comes and my grandmother is not around anymore, I’ll know that I was there for her.

That is a huge part of my life.”

Mayra Guerrero and her grandmother

Here are some tips from

First 5 San Joaquin Be a role model:

Provide kids with the wisdom and guidance you learned as a child.

Read together:

Read books with lots of pictures so kids can point to colors and shapes.

Share stories:

Describe the “good old days” to help kids get to know their family.

Stay fit:

Exercise together by stretching, playing, dancing and walking.

Teach responsibility:

Help kids learn to play well with others and share their belongings.

CAREERS

It’s not every day you find a woman who loves everything about her job – mostly because it’s not a job, but more like play. However, don’t be misled; walking a mile in her white Mizuno running shoes requires hard work and sweat.

WALKING A MILE IN HER SHOES

By Charleen Earley

A gut-crunching job that brings balance to her core

M

eet Katie Petersen, who happened to be religious about her

CPR-certified, and also substitute taught at Lincoln Unified, grades K

at the time, it didn’t take long before people began asking her if she

through 12.

was a trainer.

The idea that she could be a fitness trainer – given her disciplined

Today, however, her morning begins with adult (exercise) learners at a Stockton gym a little before 8 am, enough time to review the file of

exercise regimen and passion for her kinetic lifestyle – sunk in and

her first client of the morning, a tall gentleman past his prime, but not

took root. So she ditched her Mac computer (sort of) a year and a half

past his desire to stay in shape.

ago and replaced it with clients who were looking to redesign their bodies instead.

“I love working with people and helping them, and I love everything about fitness,” said Petersen, 39, mother of two girls ages 12 and 17.

“I try to stay at home as much as I can with my kids, so my fitness training works around my home schedule,” she added.

Born in Palo Alto and raised in Stockton, Petersen graduated from the University of the Pacific in 1995 with a BA in graphic design.

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Strength & Fitness. She’s Bodybugg (calorie management system) and

workouts at a gym in Stockton for a solid 10 years. A graphic designer

The night before, she designed 50-minute workout routines for the three clients she had scheduled for this Saturday.

In walks her towering, lean client, who wanted to remain anonymous, eager to obey the gentle, yet firm commands of Peterson, who stands 5', 6" tall, weighs 122 pounds, and sporting size-two spandex shorts, red top and a black cap with the words “Got Fit?” across the front.

“This client never had a trainer before and he had been in a rut for

Today she holds Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certificates from the

10 years,” said Petersen, who is currently working with 15 clients.

National Academy of Sports Medicine and National Council of

“Since he’s been with me, he’s lost five percent of his body fat!”

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SEPTEMBER 2011

After measuring his waist, legs and chest with her pink tape measure,

“Before I joined Katie, I couldn’t do anything,” said Packard, who also did

pinching his sides with a white skinfold caliper to measure his body fat, and

karate and just about earned her black belt. “She’s an excellent teacher and

ultimately having him stand on the scale to measure his weight, her workout

very patient. She also has a nice personality, and that makes a difference,

instructions begin.

especially with old ladies!”

From jump ups, one-leg ball squats, and chest presses, to seated throws and square jumps on one foot, her exercises are unique, creative, and judging by his smile, fun.

Working on Packard’s range of motion, Petersen had her do plenty of stretches, and watched her intently.

“Stretches are very important for everyone,” said Petersen, who

“When I’m home, I think of all the exercise routines for my clients; I

sometimes brings her oldest daughter to the gym to work out. “But I let her

organize them ahead of time, because I don’t like there to be a lull in their

go at her own pace because of her injury. My younger clients, I’ll push them

routines,” said Petersen. “I’m constantly looking up things on-line to get

to go farther.”

new ideas to keep their workouts interesting and fun.”

Petersen says this particular client loves to be challenged.

“What I like about working out with Katie is it’s not just simple exercises,”

A professed tomboy since childhood, Petersen explained to her client the fresh scab on her knee.

“I was camping with my girls in Santa Cruz at a family camp at Mount

he said. “It’s core training working on coordination and agility; she has me

Herman, and I got a little crazy on the mountain bike and fell,” explained

working more than one system.”

Petersen. “The trails were wild, but it was worth it!”

In addition to their exercise routines, Petersen encourages her clients to keep a food log, maintain good sleeping habits, and minimize stress in their lives.

The 50 minutes fly by, and before they both realize it, in walks her

Also worth it is dispelling myths about her job.

“Many people believe training is for people who don’t know how to work out, but most people, even if they have a good routine, can benefit from a change,” said Petersen.

next client, Anna Packard of Stockton. A nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital maternity ward, Packard is 83 years young, and recently had surgery on her rotator cuff.

To schedule a consultation with Petersen, e-mail her at kpetersen@yahoo.com.

FEATURE

L

Kym with a Y

ocated in Lincoln Center North, Kym with a Y Organic Spa Studio specializes in natural bath and beauty products and services including facials, massages, brow design, Brazilian and body waxing, microdermabrasion, and natural and chemical peels. The private studio environment is inviting, relaxing and luxurious the moment you walk in the door. Kym and her staff focus entirely on your comfort, health and beauty. Their comprehensive selection of spa treatments can be mixed and matched to create a customized spa experience just for you!

Left to right: Jamie Marlowe, owner Kym Thompson, and Samantha Guthrie

307-B Lincoln Center, Stockton • 209.952.2299 M-F 10-7 Sat 10-6 • by appointment

www.kymwithayorganicspastudio.com

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S a n J o aqu i n Wo m an

SEPTEMBER 2011

PHOTOS By: lindsay orteZ www.lindsayophotography.com

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CH IC K PIC S

CH CK PICS

Red Hat Hotties Summer BBQ: Front row left to right: Diana Frye-Garcia, Queen Mother Jan Brown, Sharlene Campbell, Queen’s Assistant Carol Quijada Second row left to right: Joanne Paul, Marcie Childress, Pat Riley, Lynn Hahn Queen, Judy White, Patricia Ling, Florence Morton, Juanita Harless Third row left to right: Norma DePauli, Lenore Fritzie, Marcie Childress, Betty Myers, Nancy Atwood, Darlene Hickman, Marjorie Barosso, Elsie Holdren, Ann Cowan, Coralita Rathhaus, Jan Heiman, Marlene Scovel, Sharon Walker

Birthday celebration at Domo Retired California Department of Corrections Parole Agents continuing their tradition of celebrating birthdays for over twenty years.

Left to right: Vickie Wetherell, Dixie Carrillo, Rita Seeman, Diane Gray and Kim Williams

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S a n J o aqu i n Wo m an

SEPTEMBER 2011

Good times at Garlic Brothers Christine Bell and Skye Jones

Local girl wins big on The Price is Right Left to right: Robbie Rohner (won the big showcase on August 3, 2010), friend Margie Onstott, aunt Lois Sbragia and cousin Valerie Dumlao.

Snorkeling in Mexico Cathy Sloan and Karen Jeter

Email your Girls Night Out and Best Friends photos to sjwoman@recordnet.com

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