First off, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my column colleague, Joshua Flesher. In his column last week, he announced his candidacy for President of the United States. And graciously, he tagged me as his running mate.
I was shocked. I was honored. I felt like the new trend of a token woman on a presidential ticket. But nonetheless, it's with great pride and privilege that I accept the nomination for vice president and become Mr. Flesher's running mate. Washington, here I come.
Receiving the nomination for vice president is just one of the many things I'm thankful for this year. This year has been a rough one, for everyone. Troubles with the economy and people losing their jobs are putting a strain on everyone's mind. But for five minutes, set your problems aside and take the time to read some things that Dana Sulonen is thankful for this Thanksgiving season in her now annual Thanksgiving "Giving Thanks" column.
First and foremost, my sports "thank you" this year goes to Joe Flacco, quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens. After both of my quarterbacks fell to injury, my playoff-poised fantasy team looked as if it would be sprinting to the bottom of the standings. But that was until the rookie quarterback stepped up for me in a big way. Though many times I call him Shane Falco from the Replacements, it's all out of love. Because right now, Joe Flacco has saved my fantasy behind. After last week's performance of 185 yards and two touchdowns, I am back in the playoff hunt. Thank you Joe Flacco. Thank you.
Next, I would like to thank Sheetz. That's right. The gas station. But it's not just a gas station, it's a one-stop shop.
Where else can I go fill up my gas tank, get a meatball sub, a large Diet Pepsi and a frozen chocolate-banana mocha all in one place? And if that doesn't float my boat, I can get some windshield fluid, a Gatorade G2, a breakfast sandwich with hashbrowns and a milkshake. While those might not sound appealing all together, you get my drift. The place is a fantastic smorgasbord of goodness, and I am thankful there is one in my life. Now, I would even be more thankful if they built one on Mahoning Avenue in Champion, but that might be getting a little greedy.
On a more personal note, I would like to thank my two newest and quickly becoming dearest friends, Candace and Whitney. At the beginning of this year, I was in kind of a funk. It felt like all my girl friends were married, moving, or had significant others to occupy their time. Like I said, I was in a funk, until Candace and Whitney came into my life.
Whitney and I were slowly, but surely, becoming friends, as we had mutual ones and were starting to hang around each other more often. As for Candace, I had known her for awhile, but one day, my birthday to be exact, I needed a partner in crime. She was happy to oblige. The rest, my friends, is history.
We have now become a trio, an undeniable force that can't be stopped. And just wait until we take our reign of terror to the Caribbean, as these are the two girls that I will be going on my first real, adult vacation with - our cruise in August.
Sometimes you don't know why people come in, or go out, of your life. I am a firm believer that you meet everyone for a purpose and everything happens for a reason. These two girls found their way into my life when I needed them the most. And it's crazy that we've only been friends for a year, because it feels like we've known each other our entire lives. So I'm thankful for those two, without them my life would be the definition of boring. Thank you, girls. You have no idea how thankful I am for you two.
On a side note, I would like to thank my friend Dobber. I joke with him all the time that it's his fault the three of us are the terrific trio we are. He introduced Candace and I, and he and Whitney have been known to cause their share of trouble. While he sometimes might regret it, I am forever thankful for him. For being a friend, and for introducing me to these fantastic ladies.
Last but not least, I am thankful for my parents. After they let me move back in, a million people have asked me, "How do you do it? I would have killed my parents by now!" The first way to answer that question is, "I have three jobs, I never see them." And secondly, my parents are pretty cool. Thank you both for taking back in your only daughter in her time of need. And mom, thanks for doing my laundry.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Sulonen is a sports writer at the Tribune Chronicle. E-mail her at dsulonen@tribtoday.com