The most depressing week of the year? Not with These Guys around!

The Sheep heard that a study was done and it concluded that the first week in January is the "most depressing week of the year". So They decided that EVERYONE in blogville needed to explore Spokane to cheer us up!

First they visited the Radio Flyer because... how can you look at this thing and not smile?!! (of course it is even more smile inducing in the summer when it is full of kids sliding down it and giggling on the way!)

Then They headed over to "The Trash-eating Goat" sculpture in River Front Park because... well... I mean... Why NOT???!!

The Sheep would like to thank Their lovely assistant, Dave, for his help demonstrating the suction powers of "The Trash-Eating Goat"!!

 

And then Just because They were so close, They decided that a trip to the "Lower Falls" on the Spokane River might cheer up Their readers.

You'd think that The Sheep could be a little afraid of being directly over those fast moving falls, but They stuck Their necks right out there and enjoyed the view!

The tallest structure in the back there is called the "Pavilion" and it was built as part of "Expo '74" A.K.A. The World's Fair 1974 that was hosted here in Spokane. And in case you can't read the letters on that funky shaped building, it's the IMAX theater that was built at the same time.

Can you tell what this stop was? This is a toy shop in Downtown Spokane called Boo Radley's. It had this really cool robot sculpture out front. His eyes glow red and his "ray gun" changes colors. We saw green and yellow!

Then as it started getting dark, They thought They'd head north across the river. Here is the "Lower Falls" at night. It's hard to see, but you can kind of get the idea.

Here is a cool place called the "Flour Mill". It isn't a mill for grinding flour anymore, but it used to be and it is a REALLY cool building. It used to use the power of The River for processing the flour. You can read more about it if you're interested. http://www.discovery-school.org/flourmill.html

The Sheep are not quite sure They will be visiting The Flour Mill again in the near future. They didn't feel like all of the shoppers in the cute little shops were happy to see Them.

Crafty Little Sheep

Well, The Sheep have been hunkered down in this weather. The sun is out and it looks like summer out there, but the high is 25 degrees. They have been walking in the "heat" of the day and trying to capture some of the sunshine, but there just hasn't been enough for photos.

They started thinking about The Dog. He has been displaced and has been a little more nervous than usual. So They decided that he needed his crate back. His own little space that belongs only to Him. The problem was that there was no pad in the crate. Just the hard plastic floor with a blanket on it. Of course, The Dog never complained, he just sat obediently on His blanket and shivered.

So The Sheep decided that They would make Him a pad for the bottom of His Crate. Ummmm, there was a slight problem with this idea... Sheep don't have thumbs!!! So here is where The Sheep got crafty. They were able to convince The Humans that The Dog needed a pad and that The Humans needed to make it.

So after about ten hours of planning, cutting and sewing The Dog has a new pad for His crate. He is very appreciative.

These Sheep aren't only crafty, They're thoughtful!

Taking Time to Contemplate Christmas

Well, contrary to what it looks like on the blog, The Sheep haven't been sitting idle these past ten days. They have walked in the snow,

 tested the strength of the frozen creek (it was strong enough to hold them, plus a LOT more),

watched football , gone to the movies, and played in the outdoors. But the most important things that They have done can't be chronicled in photos. The most important thing They have done is to contemplate the meaning of Christmas. Not the gifts or the shopping or the lights or the trees. Not even the snow or cozy fireplace. Some of the most important things about Christmas,They decided, are the memories made with Loved ones. It doesn't matter what the day is, any day is special when you can spend it with the people (or The Sheep) you love.

But even more important than family and friends, is the sense of renewal and the knowledge that THIS - this season, this time, this weather, this LIFE - isn't all there is. There is more to life than just the day to day grind with a bright spot or two to look forward to. There is PURPOSE!

The Sheep have a purpose, it is up to THEM - as it is up to us all - to find it. The difficulty for us all is to not get caught up in the day to day, the tasks that have to be done, the business of life. If we forget to look for the purpose, for the reason behind the day to day grind, we forget to LIVE!!

So no matter what this New Year brings, remember to find YOUR purpose. Don't forget to LIVE this life you've been given. There is a purpose for you and a reason you were put on this earth. If you haven't found it yet, spend some time in quiet reflection. Ask God why He made you, He had a plan in mind for you before He placed you in your Mother's womb. He knows the reason for your birth - for you life, even if you haven't found it yet. 

Perhaps Linus summed up the meaning of Christmas best..

 

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A break from Their quest... or is it?

Yesterday afternoon The Sheep took a break from Their quest for Christmas Spirit to attend a Christmas Party. Well, I guess there was some Christmas Spirit there too. At the party The Sheep played BINGO. The prizes varied from 1 gold coin to 10 gold coins per game. The Sheep did very well and were very happy to have the opportunity to play!

This is the beginning of play

And this is the end. The Sheep had a very good team behind them and won 14 gold coins in total. Way to BIN-GO Sheep!

Continuing the quest for Christmas Spirit

So... The Sheep have been talking to some of The Locals and in doing so learned of a really cool place to look for Christmas Spirit. There is a park here in Spokane called Manito Park. It has a rose garden and a Japanese Garden and a pond that is currently frozen over, but has swans in the summer. This park is pretty big and impressive. But the Christmas Spirit part of this park is The Greenhouse. So The Sheep set out to discover this for Themselves.

Just as They arrived at Their destination it started to snow. Big (ish) dry fluffy flakes that just drifted over the pavement, nothing dangerous, just pretty.

This was magical in itself, but then They went inside!

The staff at The Greenhouse had decorated the place to the HILT! The cacti even got into the act. Christmas Spirit was everywhere! This is a very good start, but The Sheep will keep up Their quest for more Christmas Spirit!!!

Finding Christmas Spirit

Last night The Sheep heard about a neighborhood here on the South Hill of Spokane whose homeowners actually grow a tree in each yard in order to decorate it for Christmas. It is known as "Christmas Tree Lane". So of course The Sheep had to check it out to see if it is true.

Well, it is a little difficult to make out all of the trees, but the houses that had them in their yards were on both sides of the street and at least 3 blocks long. It was a great adventure and The Sheep were very impressed with the neighborhood's commitment to Christmas decorating.

They even saw a tour bus driving through the neighborhood full of curious Christmas Spirit Seekers.

There are rumors of more places to find decorations, so you KNOW The Sheep are on the look out!!

Even MORE culture!

Wow, These Sheep are soaking in the culture this Christmas Season! Last night They were fortunate enough to get to attend ANOTHER concert! They really admire these kids for their hard work - it shows!!!