Because I`m Bad, I`m Bad...You Know It!

I`ve told you before how dangerous I am... here`s the post ..        I Am Danger!

Well it seems I've done it again...holy terror that I am....

I'm going through the very complicated process of self representation for my own divorce.  On one hand, I'm glad you are allowed to go through this without the very expensive and not-guaranteed expertise of legal representation...however, the process itself is still overly complicated when you and the ex don't agree on everything.


I had a motion to file, which means I also had to have an affidavit of service to file which proves I served the defendent the motion prior to filing.  The affidavit must be notorized before I can file it.  Now if you go anywhere BUT the courthouse to have something notorized, there's a fee attached, and I'm basically broke.  The courthouse is 45 minutes away...so the challenge is, to get the notorizing done for free, THEN be able to take a copy of it for my own records.  Fun times.

So I packed up my paperwork along with a pen, paperclips, a stapler...you know, all the junk I figured I would need in order to get everything done in one trip.  Like I said, I'm broke...driving around isn't an option with the insane price of gas.

So into the courthouse I go.

Security is high at the courthouse.  It should be...Oshawa can be rough and it has it's fair share of upstanding citizens, if you know what I mean.  You have to put your belongings through the x-ray machine and walk through the metal detector.  Police officers are there watching everyone carefully, ensuring the safety of the people inside.  It's a good thing.  I plunked my purse and paperwork into the bucket that would run through the x-ray machine and walked through the metal detector dohicky.  No pat down required.

But the officer operating the x-ray machine didn't like what he saw in my purse.  I looked at the screen...that bloody stapler looked like a gun!

I giggled as he went through the contents of my purse...and he started to relax a little.  He asked what the box in there was...it was travel wipes.  He pulled out my staple remover with an eyebrow raised.  Opened my empty wallet.  I didn't bother stifling my laugh.  Hey...ya go through a woman's purse, best not have any expectations.  By the time he was finished he looked completely baffled, as well he should, but he was laughing along with me.  He thanked me for my patience and I told him it was exciting...no worries.

Then I told him I was tired of not looking like much, and would he mind telling everyone that I really am dangerous.

He laughed at me.

Hmpf.

Pride

Yesterday, I went to a Celebration of Life service for my Great Uncle Joe.  I didn't know him well...in fact the last time I saw him, I was just a little girl.  My only memory of him is how he and his wife, Dot, used to feed scraps right off their plates to their little dog Rocky...they loved that dog!


From conversation through the years, I knew that he was my Dad's favourite uncle...that he lived somewhere in Toronto...that he was a giant Toronto Maple Leaf fan.  Dad joked he was holding out for the Leafs to win Stanley again.

I knew he was a veteran and always wore his medals.

I didn't 'know' him though.  I find it sad that families grow so far apart, and you know, I really missed out.  

During that half hour service, I learned so much about that man.  The service was conducted with such dignity, as the Legion honoured their comrade one last time.  It opened my eyes and filled my heart with pride.

As we entered the vestibule outside the chapel, we were greeted with Legion members who took our coats, shook our hands, and handed us a poppy to wear.  Two police officers in full dress stood at attention at the entrance to the chapel.  We quietly took our seats.

An old veteran stood in front of the coffin, gun ready, head lowered.  He didn't move a muscle until the end of the service, but stood strong and steady, never flinching, vigilante in his duty to protect the fallen soldier.

Among those that had come to pay their final respects were family, friends, fellow veterans and members of the Legion, and police officers.  We all stood through the opening prayers, reflected quietly as the solemn sound of Taps was played, and then we were asked to come forward and place our poppies on the velvet pillow that rested at the head of my Uncle's closed coffin.  It was the most dignified, respectful, humble goodbye I had ever witnessed.


We took our seats as the Salvation Army minister began the service celebrating the life of Joseph Philip Sbrocchi.

Uncle Joe served with the 22nd Canadian Field Ambulance when they landed in Normandy.  D-Day.


His spine was damaged by a bullet as German forces peppered Juno Beach with gunfire and mortars as 15,000 Canadians waded ashore.  He was one of the lucky ones.  Had that bullet hit him any higher, it would have torn him to pieces.

On June 6, 1999, Uncle Joe returned to Juno Beach with his fellow comrades.

This is the motocycle he road when he served.

This is Juno Beach.




God bless them.








On the 60th anniversary of D-Day, he met the newest addition of the Toronto Police Services Mounted Unit...a beautiful horse named Juno Beach, named in remembrance of the sacrifices made by all the brave men that day. 
 


Uncle Joe was among 425,000 Allied and German troops that were killed, injured or missing during the Normandy campaign.  I cannot, nor do I wish to, fully comprehend the horrors they witnessed, but I am so grateful, and so proud.

His giving did not end with the war.  He had a very special relationship with his step-granddaughter, who he raised.  He participated in many veteran day events, continuing to serve his community.  He was a humble man who loved and protected .. who stood as a shining example of what we should all aspire to be.

At the age of 88, Uncle Joe passed away, and is no doubt reunited with the love of his life, Dorothy, but his legacy lives on.

For the men and women that serve both in the community and overseas, I can offer only my humble appreciation and admiration.  I, for one, could not find the strength to do what you do, or what you have done.

To Uncle Joe, I wish I had known you, but I hope you know, that I am proud of all you have done.

REST IN PEACE

Danger Is My Middle Name

I stand a towering 5'4".  I weigh in at a staggering (eff you ain't telling).

Raised in the the rough side of .. um... Hicksville ...  my street senses are finely tuned.

Okay, I'm full of crap.

I'm not very big, and my personality is very, very small town.

I smile a lot, talk to everyone and get laughed at when I'm actually angry.

In the words of Katie from Horton Hears a Who ... "In my world everyone is a pony, and they all eat rainbows, and poop butterflies."



But I had a moment. 

Once.

It was a sunshine filled morning and I was driving the long stretch of country road between my house in Bealton and my folks' place in Hagersville.

Ordinary enough.

I had been talking on my cell phone and lowered it casually when I saw the police cruiser approaching from the opposite direction.  I glanced in my rear view mirror, and saw him turn around to come back and follow me.

Crud.

I put my cell phone in my purse, check my speed, and put on my most innocent, angelic face.

He followed me into town.  And put the cherries on.

Summanabitch he HAD to wait until I was in town where people I knew would see.....

He was in his late 40's and approached my window from a distance.  I rolled it down, and grinned my 'yes officer, thanks for the friendly visit' grin.

"Where you going?"  Says he.

"My parent's house in town here" I point.

"Where you coming from?"

"My house in Bealton" pointing a thumb behind me.

He talks into his radio, and 2 cruisers pull up across the street, and a third cruiser pulls in behind him.

"Um....what are we doing here" I ask, fighting back a giggle.

"You are driving a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle seen leaving the scene of a crime.  A lone woman in a grey vehicle, suspected carrying arms"

"Really?"  I said "How exciting!!!"

I clapped my hands together and laughed.

He laughed when he said "I don't think it's you, but we have to go through the motions to be sure.  Do you mind if we search your vehicle?"

I looked over at the young officer who stood outside my passenger side...canine unit.

"Wow, really?"  I laughed..."sure!  Geez, I didn't know I was so scary!!!"

He sighed and shrugged and blushed a little...

As the canine unit officer poked around my back seat I said "boy am I ever glad I just had the car detailed!"

I giggled. 

He didn't.

Plththtth

They wrapped up their big search of the mom mobile...car seats and all...and the original officer apologized and thanked me.

"No worries, it was going to be a dull day!  Glad to have a little excitement!"

I laughed all the way to my parents' house.

After all...YOU may think I don't look like much....

......but I AM danger!!!

Four cruisers to handle me....be afraid!!!!