Simple Pleasures

Today I went and spent the day at the British seaside. The day involved paddling in the sea, watching my dog swim, watching my dog swim with my newly retired boss, fish and chips (in my case just the chips) - my dog ate a battered sausage and everybody's leftover fish skin, strawberries and ice cream, a walk and afternoon tea.
You understand of course my dog did not take afternoon tea? Or eat strawberries and ice cream...?
We spent the day at my new retired boss's caravan ( I am going to abbreviate to MNRB). There were none of the things I dislike about the coast- high winds, crowds, and worst of all- arcades.
I am a horrid snob about arcades. To me they are everything that is bad about the seaside. Noise, lights, a terrible waste of money and they prevent people from actually enjoying the outdoors. I actually think it is quite tragic when I see families spending their time in arcades shooting at pictures on a screen and chucking money away, instead of building sandcastles on the beach. My father used to take such pride in the sandcastles, they would always have a working moat, be enormous in size and would inevitably draw a crowd. We NEVER visited arcades.
I used to work in a seaside town before I came to where I work now and was continually asked why I did not move there and instead, drove 45 minutes to work every day. Unless hell had frozen over, there was no way. For our regular staff meals out, the 'Entertainments Committee' would organise a dinner at the local 'All-You-Can-Eat Chinese Buffet'. I do not think I need go any further with my description of this establishment. Needless to say, I was often unavailable for these occasions. Did I mention I was a horrid snob?
Today involved no flashing lights, rob-you-blind arcade games or all you can eat buffets. We did eat fish and chips and they were rather good. MNRB went swimming in the sea with my dog which kept him amused but he was a little disappointed I would not join them. (NOTHING would tempt me into the sea in the UK.)
Even the caravan was nice and reminded me of my holidays when I was growing up, in my grandparent's caravan near Lowestoft.
Yes I am a horrid snob when it comes to arcades and all you can eat 'restaurants' but I do enjoy the simple pleasures life has to offer. A pleasant walk, seeing those I care about happy, and drinking tea and eating cakes with lovely people.
This post would have read nothing like this however, if we had had grey weather, high winds and rain!

Everything Is Never Quite Enough

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fSxZfK60xs&feature=PlayList&p=8E6BEC76E138A871&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=35

That's the song from which I've stolen the title of this blog. 1) I love the film, 2) I love the song too.

Anyway, it describes how I feel about something I heard this week at work.
I am losing one of my 'team'. Their camp is not happy about not getting their own way on something. So they are moving somewhere else. I'm disappointed to say the least.
I work really hard for this particular person and ensure their needs are met. Everything is never quite enough. Not that I think the decision was based on what I have or have not done. It was far more political than that, but I don't think their camp has though things through at all.

Why is it, the more you do for somebody, the more they expect, even if you have gone way beyond the call of duty? Shame.

I have a gratitude doll in my bedroom. I used to wear a particular necklace that would remind me to be grateful whenever I caught sight of it. Then I got a doll, one of those Kimmidolls. I saw it on a shopping trip and was looking for something that would remind me to be grateful. It appealed to me. On the box it said that the particular doll meant gratitude. Perfect. A meant to be.
I do look at it and remember to be grateful. On and off I also keep a book of things to be grateful for, I write 5 things per day when I do it. What you think about, you bring about....more things to be grateful for.

What I'm saying is that I think this loss is so unnecessary. They are not thinking about all the very wonderful things they have currently, that they will not get if they move.
Some people will never be happy. Nothing is EVER good enough for some people.

I have days when I wish I'd not met certain people, wish I had met others at different junctions, had more money, had more excitement, taken opportunities etc.
But really I don't have it bad at all. I am healthy, I love my job, I have great family, some great friends, I am reasonably intelligent, I've been on some great holidays...etc etc.

Today I'm grateful for my brother in law, my job which was so rewarding today, the fact my skinny jeans still fit, my upcoming holiday and chocolate!