In 2014, I will be participating in #tbt courtesy of the Epson Expression Premium XP-810 Small–in–One printer, the ultimate choice for scanning and printing. Ultra powerful and ultra slim, it produces stunning borderless photos and documents quickly and affordably. Featuring the ultimate in wireless printing, the XP-810 makes it easier than ever to print from your iPad, iPhone, tablet or smartphone, whether in your home or out and about.
August 1979. I have no memories of the first home I lived in, as I was barely 18 months old when we moved from Toronto to Mississauga. Back then, Mississauga was nothing more than suburban farmland, but at a population of 294,331 strong, Toronto’s neighbour to the west was already showing much promise.
Two months after we moved, the great Mississauga Train Derailment occurred, forcing us from our new home for three days as the entire city was evacuated. But the disaster was contained, the city was restored, and it went on to become one of the most vibrant cities in the world.
But before Mississauga, there was 133 Norseman Street in Toronto, and the porch where this photo was taken. Me and my brother, the two original curly swirlies.
(Is there any doubt we’re related?)
Years ago, I drove by the home, situated on the corner of Norseman Street and Islington Avenue in Etobicoke. I tried to form a connection with the house; the place I lived as a newborn and infant. I pictured my mother walking up the porch steps holding my brother’s tiny hand. I saw my father pulling into the driveway after a long day at work. I wondered how different my life would be if I had grown up in this corner house in Toronto.
Through the magic of Google Maps, I can show you what the house looks like today. 35 years later, it has resisted most attempts at modernization and retained much of its charm. Though sadly, it appears that the porch has been renovated. Perhaps my brother and I will have to take new photograph :)
You were a cutie! Definitely can tell that you and your brother are siblings!
Thank you Judy! Yup, there was a huge family resemblance when we were younger!
Wow – I just looked at Google Maps for the house I grew up in – hasn’t changed much at all ! The porch has been replaced – just looks newer and not white anymore (it was in need of repairs around the time my mom sold it), and I see the windows have been updated and a railing added to the steps up from the street, other than that it is still the same.
I love going down memory lane with you Lena :)
I love that you looked up your old home in Google Maps – isn’t it a great way to reminisce?
Looked up my Aunt’s house as well, and absolutely NOTHING has changed on the outside ! That’s amazing considering it has been 12 years since any of our family owned it ;)
Oh wow! Well, I asked my mom about the house I posted above… it’s been 34 years since we moved… and she said aside from the porch and a new door, it’s exactly the same too!
So cute! My mom still lives in the house I grew up in, but has decided to put it up for sale this year. I think it’s going to be so hard not to be there anymore, so many memories!
Oh, indeed! My parents are still in the home we moved into when I was 17, but I often think about the home where I spent my elementary days. There were so many memories!
Lena, you and your brother are such cuties in that picture. I love your curly locks and see how protectively your brother is holding you with both his hands. So adorable!
Thank you Marissa! Though I think he may have been trying to hold me down to keep from squirming, hahaha!
wow that is such a cute picture. my dad still lives in the house I grew up in but he had done a lot of renovations and changed so I barely even recognize the place when I visit.
Sometimes change can be good! I’m a huge fan of watching homes be fixed up :)
oh my wordie you were SO SO cute!! not that there was any doubt from your other TBT posts but still
Aw, thank you Angie!
YOU ARE SO CUTE!!!
Hee hee thanks Nadia!
Geeze, this makes me think of what my childhood home would of looked like now
time to head onto google maps ;)
For sure! Look it up!
Bah, tried and failed lol, Cant seem to remember my old address, oh well!
Oops! yes you’ll need that for it to work, LOL
I cant believe I have never thought to check my childhood homes on Google Street view! That was just a huge walk down memory lane….
Oh, it’s a favourite thing for me to do! I once went through my entire walk home from elementary school to my house, and let me tell you, THAT brought back memories!
Geeeze, I looked up the last address I could remember from my childhood (grade school, not SO long ago, but holymoly, google maps, I love you
Think you created a monster.. now I had to check out my old high school and hangouts. Had to `stalk` my old boyfriends house too tee hee!
Ooohhh… old boyfriend’s house, never thought of that! Off to look!
So touching! Seeing your childhood home is so emotional.
It really is. Even though I have no memories of this home, it’s emotional going through old photos :)
cute photo
Thanks!
What a nice picture! I never thought of using Google Maps to look at some of the homes I used to live in – that would be interesting. Thanks for the idea, and for sharing the picture of you and your brother.
You’re very welcome Cheryl – hope you enjoy your own trip down memory lane!
What a couple of cuties :) Too cool that you found your old house on Google Maps! I’ll have to give that a try sometime :)
You should Nicole! I’ve looked up all sorts of old homes – including those of my friends, LOL
So adorable! I can never get the picture of the house to come up, get to the address then click on satellite but never a picture, sigh my stupidity with the computer world again :)
LOL Doris. If you send me the address I’ll send you the picture – I’m an old pro at Google Maps :)
I love Google maps.. It is crazy how it can transport you to a place in such detail :) what a great post ♥
Thank you Soozle :)
You were a little doll. I was born and raised in one home. My mother still lives there. Our children will not have that memory. They have moved several times and will have old homes to drive past and reminisces.
Hopefully they’ll take you with them as they drive past and reminisce :)
Very cute picture of you and your brother. It’s nice that you can view your childhood home online and reminisce.
Absolutely Tricha, it’s such a great way to “walk” down memory lane :)
You two look like total heartbreakers in the making. Did you end up growing in Mississauga then? It’s so hard to picture it as suburban farmland! My partner and I grew up in Richmond Hill, and just the other day we were reflecting on how there used to be nothing by farmland north of the street where my parent’s house is. Hard to believe by looking at it today.
Yes, I grew up in Mississauga! I remember going to Sherway Gardens in Etobicoke because it was the closest mall at the time :)
I think you should release those nice curls and show them. I enjoy tbt
Hahaha my hair went through stages. It’s curly-ish again now but I always blow dry it straight.
You and your brother almost look like twins! What a pair of cuties you were!
Thank you Heidi! Yes, we had quite the resemblance when we were little!
Awww you two are so cute! Sibling love :)
Thank you Melinda! :)
Awe you and your brother look so sweet!, your old home is a nice cute family home and it’s nice that you said it still looks the same after so many years. The home I grew up in pretty much my whole life is just around the corner from where I live now, and I hate what the new owners are doing to it, it looks so junkie, and then when I go out of town I take a drive past my grandmothers house and it’s nice to see that the owners there are keeping it the same and it feels like if I go up to the door my grandma is going to be standing there….memories!!!!
I absolutely know what you mean, Lynda – when I drive by the home I grew up in, I often expect to see my parents sitting on the balcony with a cup of tea!
I ‘google mapped’ my childhood home and didn’t even recognize it. Oh well, it stays as it was in my memories :)
Super cool!
OMG,you both are so adorable!!
You can sure see the family resemblances!