They invented jet planes, computers, television, antibiotic treatments, instant foods. They discovered how to prevent polio!

When man landed on the moon I was thrilled. I felt proud of things being done in the name of my country.

A time saver I have that wasn't around in my mothers time would be the electric stove and/or washing machine. She washed by hand on the scrub board.

I miss the old-fashioned ways of shopping - Everybody knew everybody.

 

"There's good and bad to everything" -Barbara Jean Stiers



Age:
82 years 10 months 2 days
or 994 months 2 days
or 4322 weeks 3 days
or 30,257 days
or 726,168 hours
or 43,570,080 minutes
or 2,614,204,800 seconds 

June 23, 2013
We are what
we believe
we are.


April 24. 2013
Be a friend to thyself
and others will
be too. 

Jim and I got married on a cool winter evening on December 13th 1949 in a church in Seattle. Hazel and Archie stood for us. I wore a blue satin dress. We celebrated our wedding by eating cake and drinking coffee. :) 

Our most memorable gift was a table lamp with a golden shade.
After we married we went to my folks house and had a little reception.

When we were first married we lived in a housekeeping room for the first month. After that we lived in a housing project in Columbia City, Finaly we moved into our house.  My fondest memory of first seeing our new home was our big windows and hardwood floors.

Jim was a student, then in October 1949 became a mechanic. After we married I stayed home and was a housewife. I had two daughters.  

My deepest values are Loving Family and Friends. 
In my life I was most proud my family. 

I went through the tenth grade at Franklin High School. On weekends I went to see movies with my husband. I started to date at the age of 14 1/2. I met my husband because his family lived across the street from me. His full name is James Richard Stiers, He was born October 19, 1926. His heritage is English, Irish, Scotch, Dutch, French, and Austrian. 

Our first date was a movie date with Helen, our second was a movie date with Archie along with us.
My husband was 22 years old when we met. He lived in a housing project with his family. I lived in the same house as I did as a child. At this time he went to school and received benefits for being in the military.

Our courtship lasted a couple of years. When I told my parents they were happy. We became engaged in the Summer of 1949.  My aunt threw a huge wedding shower for me. We got all kinds of presents; dishes, table cloths, towels, and other household items. My wedding shower was held at a house on the U.W. campus.

Jim came to pick me up in his 32 Ford. 

As a Young Woman these were some of my FAVORITES:
Song- Moon River 
Movie- From Here To Eternity (it was banned because of a scene where a young man and woman wore bathing suits and kissed on the beach)
Book- I like to read biographies 
Television Program(s)- American Dream, The Waltons, more recently 19 Kids and Counting
Season(s)- Fall and Spring 
Holiday- Easter
Flower- Dark Red Roses
Color- Light Blue 
Vacation Spot- Camano Island (camping trip)
Saying- "What Comes Around Goes Around" 
I don't say it but I've thought it and I hope it's true. 

My mother was born on November 17th, 1895. For many years she thought that she was one year younger than she actually was. She found out her real age while trying to get a job at the factory making burlap sacks.  My father was born a few years earlier on May 25th in the year 1889.  
I was born on December 6th, 1931 in Seattle Washington at approximately 7 O'clock in the morning. I was named Barbara Jean Lapasin. The name was chosen because my parents liked it. I weighed about 7 pounds. I was told I resembled my mother.  
My family lived in Seattle’s Rainier Valley. I went to school at Coleman School. As a student I usually came home for lunch. I enjoyed a field day picnic at the end of the year.

                 My ambition was always to get married and have a family.

At home I was expected to wash dishes and help with house work. My parents were very strict about keeping track of where I went.

My father taught me the value of providing for your family.
My mother taught me the value of honesty.

What I loved most about my father was that he always had a big cake made for me for my birthday. He also bought me a Christmas tree of my own every year. We would go to the carnival together and ride the Ferris wheel. What I loved most about my mother was she was very patient. She took good care of me when I was in the hospital at age seven. She sat and waited for me to get better for three days without sleep. Mother worked and I took care of dad. Back then I used to go to lake Washington about twice a day.

As a girl these were some of my FAVORITES:
Song- Sentimental Journey
Movie- From Here To Eternity
Actor- Burt Lancaster
Actress- Debra Carr
Book- A Mouse Named Meg gins
Radio Program(s)- Captain Midnight, Jack Armstrong, The All American Boy
Season- Summer
Holiday- Christmas
Flower- Roses
Color- Blue
Sport- Roller Skating, Swimming
Food- Fried Smelt
Subject in School- Pacific Northwest History