I thought it was an excellent movie, although I found it very hard to watch at times - it was not fun watching mental illness happen. It tracked the descent of a young woman into mental illness as she succumbed to the pressure of being the top ballerina in the company. From that standpoint, Portman did a superb job. She gave a very realistic performance. The supporting cast was great, the photography was very good, the soundtrack was very good. I wouldn't see it again.

My kids, in their 30s, were unaware as the movie came out that this is a true story. I do wish that the background was more obvious or clear. The abdication and Mrs. Simpson and her reputation were touched on perhaps too lightly. Especially I would have liked to see more of a point made that this family had not been trained for the crown, expected to live a quiet life out of the limelight, and resented the spot that they were put in by Edward.

Hi Anj, I admire your patience doing the genealogy--that can be pretty confusing. I had a friend/neighbor who had that same thing happen in his family about the last name. Where he thought he was a Clarke, he found out he was really a Cooke! Gave him some identity issues because it wasn't as far back as yours! My Dad worked on ours for years, my brother has the original but hasn't made copies for the rest of us yet. It took Daddy a long time since he was doing it all by letters and phone--no computer! He seemed to enjoy it though. I'm not a sports fan, DH kept up with it off and on all day. I had Sophia so we were busy playing. She had been sick, and was really tired/grumpy that day. I ended up getting her on my lap and we talked and I sort of rocked her and she fell asleep leaning on my shoulder--been a long time since she has held still long enough for that! She slept an hour and a half! Was so much happier when she woke up. Guess she really needed a good nap that day! Sorry about the groundhog, if it gets in the 40's, you will think you are having a hot spell won't you? We have been pretty cool for the last week or so, need long sleeves on to be comfortable. It was really gorgeous yesterday to see the clear blue sunny sky above and the snow capped mountains with big puffy white clouds in the distance. We've been having rain off and on and we are so glad about that--we need it! No projects started yet--no good excuses. I think about it lots but just can't seem to get a project ready to go. Part of the problem is that I change my mind about what I want to paint first again and again. Need to just make a decision and get started on it--can't do them all at once anyway! LOL Better get off here and get a little work done around here. I've been trying to go through some old mags and clear some out. I have several old Country Decorating ones that I really don't need now, so trying to tear out what I really like so I can get rid of them. Need the room for the new mags I keep getting. However, I am buying less of them than I used to--partly because so many of them are mainly ads and all look alike, and partly because the price on several have gone up to $6.95 or higher! Just too much for something that might only have one article or project that I like. ;o( I'm outta here--I'll catch you later. Luvs P. S. Glad to hear the bathroom is painted, hope the tile guy can get his part done quickly for you.

I saw this movie yesterday. I did enjoy it. And as gardeners there were few scenes we would (especially) appreciate. Who has seen it?