I’m doing two

On my sister Erin’s birthday in March this year, the family was gathered together at my Mum’s. We were talking and laughing and everything was completely fine, fine up until we started discussing the issue of how old Erin was. I said she was 32. Ian claimed 33, Erin was unclear.

We asked mum. She was able to state the date of Erin’s birth (it’s amazing how little details like the date you passed a whole other person through your body stay with you.) but couldn’t translate that into an age with certainty. (We are not a family that is focussed on numbers or the addition of said numbers.) We all started to work it out. Ian claimed that Erin must be 33, because he was turning 35, and James was 37. I claimed that it was impossible, that she must be turning 32, because I knew (no matter what these other people believed about their ages and the mess they were in) that I was unequivocally 37 years old, turning 38 on my next birthday (which would be today). Ian disagreed. No, he claimed. I was already 38, I was turning 39, and that made Erin 33.

I sighed. They could argue all they wanted (and frankly, I can’t believe Erin lost track of her own age) but I was 37, and that made Erin 32, since I don’t think you can change a thing like being 5 years apart.

I continued to support my argument with little details like “Five years ago I had my 32nd birthday…therefore, I am 37” and they asked me what year I was born, and in as much as I felt that was irrelevant to the argument, my mother (good with those details again) provided the date of my birth.

HA HA! I shrieked. Born in 1968, add thirty seven years….wait…No, it still makes sense. Even though that comes out to 2005, and that’s not right, that still doesn’t prove that I’m older than I think I am, because the first year you are on the planet doesn’t count because you aren’t “1” until you’ve been there a year and I don’t turn 38 until later this year so…whammo! 1968 plus 37 is 2005, plus one year for the first year, and one year for later this year is 2007…therefore, as I suspected, I am turning 38.

Blank stares all around. Ian looked me dead in the eye, and supported by Ken, who nodded gravely (but not without a touch of smug) very plainly said. “You are 38”. I objected. Did they not think I could count? Did they not think I knew how old I was? My mother came to my defence (likely because my argument made her a year younger as well) standing up to her kin and saying “come now, look at the math. Stephanie’s right. You aren’t a year old when you are born… you can’t count that year at all.”

I glared firmly and stood with my mother, though inwardly I was a little worried. Even though I knew I was 37, my grandfather always said that if one person thinks you are wrong, you can still be right. (This I accepted) If two people think you are wrong, you have to reassess your argument. (This I had done. 1968 + 37 + 1 + 1 worked fine.) If however, three or more people think you are wrong, you are likely mistaken. (I swallowed hard.) I faced Ian, Ali, Erin, Ken and the girls and tried hard to look confident and very firmly 37 years old. They were all starting to really upset me.

Ken stared me down. “Steph”, he said (with that vein on his neck sticking out) “Try to follow…in 1968 you were born. In 1969 you were 1. In 1970, you were 2. Thus, in 1980 you were 12. In 1990, 22 and in 2000, 32. Now it is 2007 and your birthday is in June….are you seeing it?”

I was stunned. I resisted seeing it. I ran one last check before I gave up. I am 5 months younger older (that error was wishful thinking) than Joe, and because his birthday is in November and mine is in June, in March, we are the same age. I know I can always count on Joe. I phoned him. “Joe, these people are messing me up about how old I am.” I held my breath for a second. “How old are you?”

“38” he said, “Same age as you.”

The world shifted. I was a year older than I thought. In 10 minutes, I had missed a whole year. I was suddenly 38 years old. I turned and admitted defeat. I had never had a 38th birthday and I had been giving my age wrong on official forms for heaven knows how long. All I can think of, is that I must have done a birthday twice somewhere along the way.

All this, done and accepted, I am doing the only reasonable thing I can think of today. It will be my 38th birthday until about 5pm, then I’m switching to my 39th birthday to get caught up.

I’m going to do this:

Birthdayknit1406

and skip working the whole time. Cheers friends. I’d share cake with you if I could.

(PS. Erin said watching me get a year older in 10 minutes on her birthday was the best present she could ever have.)

751 thoughts on “I’m doing two

  1. I hope I’m the first? … to officially wish you Happy Birthday(s). I hope you whole enjoy both of them. :^)

  2. I hope I’m the first? … to officially wish you Happy Birthday(s). I hope you enjoy both of them. :^)

  3. Oh my goodness. Now that’s gotta be a shocker on your birthday. I hope that having two birthdays on one day makes up for it? (It’s my considered opinion that you therefore get two presents from everyone. I mean, obviously they all missed giving you presents at some point in the past!) Happy birthday! (BTW, and off-topic, the sweater is absolutely scrumptious!!!)

  4. I was almost first! Happy Birthday Steph- you don’t look a day over 35, if that helps!

  5. Well, how ever old you are….look at it this way… You will never be as old as Joe 🙂
    I am always comforted by the fact that I will never be as old as my husband….He has 13 years on me!
    Have a Happy Birthday today. I am so glad that you are home for it.
    Jenn
    http://www.knitwitmomma.com

  6. Oh my goodness. Now that’s gotta be a shocker on your birthday. I hope that having two birthdays on one day makes up for it? (It’s my considered opinion that you therefore get two presents from everyone. I mean, obviously they all missed giving you presents at some point in the past!) Happy birthday! BTW, and off-topic, the sweater is absolutely scrumptious 🙂

  7. Happy B-day to you,
    Happy B-day to you,
    Happy B-day dear Stephanieeeeeee,
    Happy B-day to youuuuuuuu!!!!!
    Happy 30’mummmble th birthday. May it be filled with cake, chocolate & time with those you love!
    Not to mention the knitting thing, lol. The 38 in 10 min should be worked for all it’s worth!
    Like the old Haley’s MO comercial….your only as young as you feel! ;o )

  8. Happy Birthdays to you! Gotta say Ken talks a lot of sense, if he’s the one who disagrees I think I’d reassess even if he’s the only one.

  9. Happy un-birthday yesterday, when you gained a year and Happy Birthday today. Just remember, the alternative to having a birthday is not good so keep on having them. It doesn’t matter-I am still about 18 on the inside-the outside seems to be aging somewhat faster though!!!!!!!!! For that-give up mirrors and wonder why your husband keeps looking so much older! I HAD to give up mirrors-I kept seeing my Mom in my mirror and it scared the Poopy out of me!!

  10. My grandmother went through something similar when she found her birth certificate–aged a year in mere moments! In her case, she took to her bed with a bottle of bourbon and held court as the neighborhood women filed in to express sympathy and assure her that another year didn’t matter a bit.

  11. Happy B-day to you,
    Happy B-day to you,
    Happy B-day dear Stephanieeeeeee,
    Happy B-day to youuuuuuuu!!!!!
    Happy 30’mummmble th birthday. May it be filled with cake, chocolate & time with those you love!
    Not to mention the knitting thing, lol. The 38 in 10 min should be worked for all it’s worth!
    Like the old Haley’s MO comercial….your only as young as you feel! ;o )

  12. Well, I’m almost four whole months younger than you are, so no wonder I couldn’t knit something as stunningly beautiful as that sweater. Have a wonderful two-birthdays-in-one, and make sure they all give you two presents because they sure do owe you for it! That wasn’t very nice, all that math!

  13. Oh my goodness. Now that’s gotta be a shocker on your birthday. I hope that having two birthdays on one day makes up for it? (It’s my considered opinion that you therefore get two presents from everyone. I mean, obviously they all missed giving you presents at some point in the past!) Happy birthday! BTW, and off-topic, the sweater is absolutely scrumptious 🙂

  14. Well your family better get you twice the presents to make up for aging you a whole year! Have a great birthday!

  15. I laughed so hard I actually shed a tear. That is so classic you it may be life defining. Thanks for making my day, when it should be the other way aorund. 😉

  16. Happy Birthday!! And Happy Birthday again!! Don’t think of it as losing a year, think of it as a once in a lifetime chance to have two birthdays in one day, as you’re doing!

  17. Oh my goodness. Now that’s gotta be a shocker on your birthday. I hope that having two birthdays on one day makes up for it? (It’s my considered opinion that you therefore get two presents from everyone. I mean, obviously they all missed giving you presents at some point in the past!) Happy birthday! BTW, and off-topic, the sweater is absolutely scrumptious 🙂

  18. That was freakin’ hysterical! Thank you so much for my daily dose of “work laughter”, I needed it.
    Oh, Happy Birthday! Are you sure you’re not 29??

  19. Oh my goodness. Now that’s gotta be a shocker on your birthday. I hope that having two birthdays on one day makes up for it? (It’s my considered opinion that you therefore get two presents from everyone. I mean, obviously they all missed giving you presents at some point in the past!) Happy birthday! BTW, and off-topic, the sweater is absolutely scrumptious 🙂

  20. That was freakin’ hysterical! Thank you so much for my daily dose of “work laughter”, I needed it.
    Oh, Happy Birthday! Are you sure you’re not 29??

  21. Well, you are a Gemini, so why not two birthdays in the same day? Glad to see you’re only drinking coffee so far — and do we get to see the cake tomorrow? Happy happy birthday birthday!

  22. Love the sweater. Yeah, sometimes it just the math that gets us. I have that trouble knitting but don’t worry about birthdays anymore. I turned 60 this year, told my son to throw me a little party, told him whom to invite.

  23. I figure that year was spent in airports while on tour, so it doesn’t really count (just like calories or alcohol consumed in airports).
    Happy Birthday….

  24. Oh my goodness. Now that’s gotta be a shocker on your birthday. I hope that having two birthdays on one day makes up for it? (It’s my considered opinion that you therefore get two presents from everyone. I mean, obviously they all missed giving you presents at some point in the past!) Happy birthday! BTW, and off-topic, the sweater is absolutely scrumptious 🙂

  25. I hope you have a wonderful day, regardless of how old you think you might be. It’s only a number after all… and it’s kinda like knitting a scarf, the guage doesn’t always quite matter…

  26. I hope you have a wonderful day, regardless of how old you think you might be. It’s only a number after all… and it’s kinda like knitting a scarf, the guage doesn’t always quite matter…

  27. Oh, my. I had the exact same experience for the exact same birthday, and in the same way — insisting publicly to a large group of friends that I was right and they were wrong. Reading this post was like deja vu. And today is my birthday too! Happy birthday (whichever one it is) to us both!

  28. Happy Birthday to your Mom, you, and Erin! Your family sure packs them close together.
    Don’t let Ken and Erin tease you too hard. I don’t think it is weird to not be sure about your age. I only remember the 0’s and 5’s. The rest sort of smush together. I only know I’m 44 now, because I’m staring down 45 this fall.
    Enjoy yourself!!

  29. Happy Brithday Stephanie – I second the notion that this means two presents from everyone! Not your fault that they obviously missed one! ;-D

  30. You could think of it this way — you must be having fun if time is flying that fast!
    And you can spend the next year practicing to tell people that you are thirty-ten. Say it fast enough and you may fool ’em.
    Happy Birthday and thanks for all the fun you give us.

  31. Um, happy birthdays then! And yeah, I just did the math to make sure that I’m really 42 like I thought I was!

  32. Dude! Happy Birthday! And, speaking from experience 1968 was a GREAT year to be born. Happy to know I am not the only Year of the Monkey child out there. Have a beautiful double Birthday. Angus sends his love.

  33. Hope you have a wonderful day, no matter what year you are celebrating. Besides, it’s just a number and like guage when knitting a scarf, it doesn’t always matter…

  34. Dude! Happy Birthday! And, speaking from experience 1968 was a GREAT year to be born. Happy to know I am not the only Year of the Monkey child out there. Have a beautiful double Birthday. Angus sends his love.

  35. Hope you have a wonderful day, no matter what year you are celebrating. Besides, it’s just a number and like guage when knitting a scarf, it doesn’t always matter…

  36. Happy Birthday!
    I am glad that I’m not the only one who forgets their age! I had no idea that I was going to be 43 this summer, how did that happen?

  37. Dude! Happy Birthday! And, speaking from experience 1968 was a GREAT year to be born. Happy to know I am not the only Year of the Monkey child out there. Have a beautiful double Birthday. Angus sends his love and Birthday wishes.

  38. Happy birthday, dear Stephanieeeeeeeeeee.
    Happy birthday to you!
    39’s not so bad – Jack Benny liked it so much he sayed there for years.
    Will it make you get all red in the face if I tell you that actuarially you’ve been 39 since December 13, 2006 and will turn 40 (actuarially) December 14th, 2007 (give or take a day or two)? But that’s really ok because you’re a vegetarian and they tend to live longer and you exercise and you live in a country with good-if-not-great national health care.
    I’m still if the birthdays beginning with 5 and firmly believe that we’re only as old as we feel, so just tell anybody who says nasties about your age to stick it with a single point!
    Have a great day 🙂

  39. If you have to lose two years in one day, do you get to drink twice as much beer?
    I know my logic is a fuzzy as your math but chalk it up to my perpetual optimism – there’s got to be a light here, somewhere.

  40. Is this that “New Math” they keep talking about? (Laughed so hard!) Definitely go for the double presents. I think they owe it to you after pulling this!

  41. Thank goodness you caught it this year instead of next. Can you imagine- going from 38 to being in your 40s in a single day.
    No worries though since age is relative!

  42. You should get double presents and double cake, because somewhere along the line you might have been cheated! Happy Birthday.

  43. Holy crap, Stephanie! You are hilarious! Someone should have recorded the discussion you describe, for posterity, you know. I can never remember exactly how old I am, so I always have to calculate it from my birth date (I’ll be 33 in August, I think ; ) ). However, I must tell you that if you can calculate gauge (which involves multiplication and division, for crying out loud), you are certainly capable of subtracting (and if all else fails, you can count up from your birth date year by year on your fingers — always does the trick!).
    Happy Birthday, you incredibly funny woman! You make me laugh!
    (I think you do this stuff solely for our benefit — I still haven’t recovered from your “just give me some plain, white paint” episode.)

  44. My Lord! What a shocker. I must admit I often forget my own birthday all together. My husband usually reminds me a day before or so. Maybe you can start the two birthday tradition. Extra birthday knitting time n all. Happy Birthdays!

  45. Yeah, I found 39 harder than 40. Just the number. Ick! I just told everybody I still felt like 25 – except waaaay smarter.
    But remember, I got my handmade Watson wheel for my 40th.
    Tell Joe and the kids they better place the order for yours now. It’s watsonwheels.com. I got the 24″ Elly in solid walnut with the acorn finials.
    Happy birthday and dream of the future wheel! give the double birthday and future 40 a kick in the arse!

  46. Two Happy, Happy birthdays to you and I can relate, kind of. A similar situation befell me on my last birthday (in March); however, unlike you, I skipped 2 birthdays and thought I was OLDER than I am…so, I got to go backwards 2 years…whoopeeee! Good to know I’m not alone in the birthday math conundrum 🙂

  47. Happy Birthday(s) Stephanie! No matter how old you really are, all that’s really important is that today is your special day so enjoy it!

  48. I have a similiar problem. I have to do the math every time– and sometimes I don’t know what year it is (people think I’m joking when I ask).
    So now, when someone asks me my age, I say “I was born in 1961”. Let them do the math.
    It’s not as if it makes any difference to me at all. The birthdays that made a difference are long past– 13 (yay! a teenager! finally!), 16 (I can DRIVE), 21 (Legal drinking age!).
    Now… who cares if I’m 45 or 47? The only things to look forward to are menopause (not age dependant) and social security (which someone else tracks). Does it make a difference if I stay 45 for a couple of years?

  49. Happy Birthday(s) Stephanie! No matter how old you really are, what’s important is that today is your special day, so enjoy it to the max! And happy birthday to everyone else celebrating theirs today!

  50. Happy birthdays all around! My little sister and I are also five years apart. Trust a little sister to get smug about something like that.

  51. Easy math:
    1968 + 40 = 2008 (Don’t panic, 40 is a delight!)
    That’s next year, so this year is 39.
    Happy Birthday!

  52. Happy birthday(s)!
    To honour your birthday, I bought another of your books, Knitting Rules, my third. They’re wonderful!

  53. Happy Birthday! I once misscounted and was a year older for a year-making me 40 years old twice and never 39. So Now that I am 50, I figure I should be able to pull out that 39 and use it. Have a great day!

  54. LMAO!!! Ya’ll sound like me and my sisters doing the birthday math! Just remember you are only as old as you want to be. I plan on staying 29 for at least a couple of years. 😉
    Happy Birthday!! May your gauge stay on track, yarn untangled and moths away from your stash!!! Big hugs! Great knitting wishes!!!

  55. Maybe it’s a Steph thing, I never remember how old I am either. I have to think of my husband’s age and subtract two. Anyway, have a happy, happy birthday and a wonderful year however old you decide to say you are! (I won’t tell if you decide to be a year younger for a while!)

  56. If it makes you feel any better, having a birthday-any birthday- beats stopping having birthdays.
    That sweater sure looks nice- did I miss an introduction somewhere?
    Have a good one. You’re younger than I am. Enjoy.

  57. Happy Birthday, Steph! I’m a 68-er too, but since my biological clock chimes out the years in Big Ben tone and volume, I was quite aware of the transition from mid-thirties (37) to late-thirties (38) last year. Only graceful souls like you can pass through a year and not notice. But you should certainly get two cakes.

  58. Happy Happy!
    I think you should have two cakes to make it up! Or party harder for your Birthday so you don’t forget them.lol

  59. Thank god you solved the problem of how old my daughter is. If you are 38 until 5:00pm and then 39 at 5:01pm that means my girl is 37 going to be 38 lol. It has been driving my sister and I nuts for months and it’s not like we can call and ask her she already thinks we are crazy. Happy 38/39th birthday to you and thank you for all the fun I have reading your website.
    Linda

  60. Happy Birthday!
    When I was 35 I went through about six months where I told people I was 37. I couldn’t beleive it when I realized that I’d skipped over a couple of years. It was tough getting back on track!

  61. Happy Birthday two times – the more the merrier! I did a similar thing, but I gained a year of time with my husband. I was sure we met when I was 30, but recently did the math (even the new math comes out the same), and sure enough I was 29. So now we have 9 years (plus 6 of marriage) of togetherness to celebrate instead of 8. I do try to work it so we all have as many things to celebrate as possible. As I said, the more the merrier… I’ve never done the two birthdays though – what a great idea.
    Happy double day!!

  62. Happy Birthday! I had a year like that – couldn’t remember my age for the life of me. Check our your blog entry from your kids last year – it’s ok – I’ll wait . . . OK – you now owe them a puppy.

  63. Happy Birthday! Really, two years of being 37 is better than a year each of 37 and 38, right?
    One of my best friends (also a knitter) gave birth to her son just after midnight this morning. It sounds like they’re in good company 🙂

  64. Almost as good as how my brother is actually a year older than all of us think he is, because our cousin stole one of his birthdays.
    Cheers and Happy Birthday to you!

  65. Dude, with your math, how the hell do you keep track of stitches?
    I’m the opposite. If anyone asks, I say I’m 45. I won’t be 45 until November, but I just assume I’m already there.

  66. The world is a better place with you in it, Stephanie. Have a wonderful double birthday. Make yourself some Ghiridelli DOUBLE chocolate chip brownies and celebrate. And if they dont’ have those in Canada, I may have to send you some.

  67. If this reaches you before 5 – happy 38th.
    If this reaches after 5 – happy 39th.
    Remember – it’s 5 o’clock somewhere – have a drink!

  68. You don’t look a day over 37!!
    If you’re having a double birthday shouldn’t you get double the gifts?? And two days to celebrate??
    Have a wonderful day! It could be worse; you could be turning 40!! (I’m about to turn 43 so believe me, I know what I’m talking about!!)
    Lots of birthday hugs, Liz R

  69. Age is more a state of mind than a calendar date, anyway. Of course, that’s easy for me to say since I’m more than a half-century old! EEK!
    No matter how old you are, think you are, or feel, have a wonderful birthday!

  70. Stephanie, I’m also a 1968 baby, and I also sort of lost track of how old I was (I literally have to stop and think on the spot when I’m asked) I have to say I started to lose track after the good milestone birthdays (18-21-25-29-30 and so on)
    But.. I saw recently on someone’s blog and for the life of me, can’t remember which, who posted on her birthday “today I celebrate my first annual 39th birthday!” .. which I am sooooo totally stealing come November 🙂
    Happy Birthday, times TWO.. Happy 38th, and Happy 39th! Cha Cha Cha!

  71. Well…
    Happy Birthday!
    Happy Birthday!
    I know it’s silly, and that it’s been said before, but it is just a number anyway. I say that having turned 30 a few months back and being the only one in my bunch of all-around-the-same-age friends who wasn’t freaking out.

  72. Yes, you are indeed either about to turn 39 or there already. I know this because I was born in 1978 and am 29… Either way, happy birthday!!

  73. Happy Birthdays to you!! Wow, what a thumper. Well…I’m going to imagine two cakes, two sets of cards and two parties? I’ve always been grateful I was born in a year that ended in ‘0’, easy math gets me to my age. Have a terrific day(s).

  74. I sure wish I’d known it was (almost) your birthday when you were here in Victoria! Have a wonderful one, Stephanie, and thanks again for making our Victoria FibreFest the BEST with your humour and your grace. (P.S., I hear Beehive Wool Shop has a new cowboy… er… I mean, customer).

  75. Hippo birdy two ewe!
    If it’s any consolation, I didn’t know I turned 19 until that day’s breakfast, when my Dad told me it was my birthday. Not only did I have to sit down and calculate how old I was…but I’d forgotten the actual date.
    And wow. If you’ve become this cool in only 38 years, then you’re going to be a supernova of awesome by the time you hit 60.

  76. Well, then you obviously need to have cake twice, and a pint twice as well! And maybe presents twice??
    Happy Birthday, and don’t feel too bad about missing that year. I know at least three friends, all in their thirties, that this happened to–whammo, suddenly they realized that they missed one! (Then there was the friend that accidentally made herself older for a year – she got to be 34 for two years.) It must be something about the psychology of women in their thirties that does that to us. Me? I’m um…. hmm… well, that can’t be right!

  77. Happy Birthday!
    You could always do what I did and start subtracting a year every birthday. I’m now 26 again. 😉

  78. You’re hilarious! There’s a reason you’re a writer & not a mathematician (did I spell that right?). Happy Birthday & best wishes!

  79. Many Happy Returns of the Day! Remember, age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it don’t matter :}

  80. PS: two birthdays at once means you get double the usual amount of cake, presents and Screech/beer.

  81. Happy Birthday Stephanie
    it’s only a number.
    I come from a family of 3 girls, one brother, he is in the middle of us, but we all have him convinced that he is now the oldest, none of us admit to being older than 39. Poor thing can barely remember how old he is now!

  82. I can never remember how old I am and have to start taking 63 off the year every time I’m asked. You’d think I’d remember by now but there again I have reached the age where it’s rather indelicate to ask. Actually, no-one ever needs to ask how old I am because my son is the same age as Hank and is quite happy to tell everyone he meets that mummy is 44. It’s even funnier when he tells everyone in earshot that granny is 74 (little boys can have a lot of people in earshot)
    I hope you had a great day, drink more coffee and admire your knitting and forget about the boring numbers.

  83. If it makes you feel any better at all, I do this every single year. Every one. Sometimes I lose a year, sometimes I gain one. I choose to believe that this is a sign of a healthy relationship with and appreciation for the aging process.
    Or something.
    Also? We’re exactly 3 months apart, you and I.

  84. Up until I was about 10, I was determined that I actually had 2 fifth birthdays, so I always gave my age as a year older. Turned 5 two years in a row. I remember it distinctly. There were 2 parties, 2 cakes, 2 sets of presents. At one point I could tell you EXACTLY what I got, who was there…etc. etc. Then the family started pulling out the old “but you were born in 1968. Do. the. math.” argument.
    By the way, my mum went into labour with me on the day you were born.

  85. Up until I was about 10, I was determined that I actually had 2 fifth birthdays, so I always gave my age as a year older. Turned 5 two years in a row. I remember it distinctly. There were 2 parties, 2 cakes, 2 sets of presents. At one point I could tell you EXACTLY what I got, who was there…etc. etc. Then the family started pulling out the old “but you were born in 1968. Do. the. math.” argument.
    By the way, my mum went into labour with me on the day you were born.

  86. I tried, I really really really tried, but– ROFLMAOWTIME!!! Oh. Dear. But part of why I was laughing so hard? My birthday is New Year’s Eve. December 31st. I cannot *ever* get my age right. (You math people, *you* try having your birthday on the last day of the year.)
    I count on my fingers, I try to remember little formulas– “Hmm, if I do the calculation as normal, then *subtract* one year… unless I’m doing it on December 31st, of course… Uh… Does that work?” I never can remember if that’s right or not, even though I know it should be ridiculously simple. (I have said I’m lousy at math.) Even turning it around – “Ok, pretend it’s the *first*, then *add* a year–” Nor can I figure it out. C’mon, you’re usually trying to figure out your age in the middle of a year, which screws me up totally. 😉 So all my life I’ve rarely been able to get it correct when asked what age I am! Oddly enough, I was perfectly fine with understanding that the 21st century didn’t start in 2000, but 2001. *That*, I get. Adding or subtracting dates to get my age? No.
    Have another beer. And Happy Birthday, whatever your age! Screw the age, just celebrate a birthday. [vbg]

  87. I’m right there with you Steph. I thought I was a whole year older then I am last year. Mom got after me and told me if I was 48 and not 47 then that means I was born out of wedlock and I “most certainly was not young lady!” ( i love it when she calls me young lady LOL )
    So Happy Birthday and don;t behave yourself today!

  88. Here’s how I figure it: You have the carefree spirit of an 8 year old, the knitting prowess of a genteel lady of 85, the exuberant smile of a 12 year old, the wisdom of a 93 year old, the unruly coiffure of a child of 5 (and I mean that in the NICEST way) and the energy of a 16 year old. By my count, that makes you thirty-six and a half.
    Happy Birthday, whatever age the calendar says!

  89. Strange I had the same experience when I turned 29, for years I told my self I was one year younger than I was, but on my 29’th birthday it hit me, only one more year and I would be 30.
    May I reveal it was not the best year of my life?
    Dear Harlot Happy birthday once again.
    Line

  90. Happy Birthday Steph!
    I totally understand the date mix-up. I stopped counting after turning 29…I tell people I’m turning 29 for the 4th time;) That kind of math will throw anyone off.

  91. I wish you twice the normal amount of fun for a double birthday. And remember, you can be 18 forever inside your head. (That’s 49 speaking from experience 🙂

  92. I’m telling you, last year you knew you were 38. I promise. It just slipped your mind. Could happen to anyone.
    Happy Birthday dude. Whichever one you want it to be.

  93. I am at this very moment hysterically exercising abdominal muscles I didn’t know I had because I have the same “issue” every year and go through the exact same steps of verification (and stages of denial).
    Further adding to the uncanniness of this post, I too am turning “38” this summer, my sister is 5 years younger (and yes, I measure my age by hers too), and my husband is born in November, so I also have that “I’m older for a few months” thing going on. All of these similarities were leading me to the conclusion that we are in fact twins separated at birth until you said you were born in 1968. That’s odd. I was born in 1969. That meant one of us had to be wrong about the “38” thing. Sadly, I literally had to follow your math all the way through to figure out which one of us it was. PATHETIC.
    Anyway, happy birthday, from one numerically challenged knitter to another. I take it you don’t like Sudoko puzzles, either 😉

  94. Hippo, Birdie, Two Ewe!
    Your sister is evil, but you probably knew that already. Have a fabulous birthday, no matter which one it is. We just won’t mention which one it will be next year (then I can welcome you to the club, youngster).

  95. I’m telling you, last year you knew you were 38. I promise. It just slipped your mind. Could happen to anyone.
    Happy Birthday dude. Whichever one you want it to be.

  96. At least you realized it this year, instead of next year. Can you imagine going from 38 to the big 4-0 in one day? From my experience, the 40s are better than the 30s, though. So far, that is….
    Happy Whatever Birthday!

  97. Happy birthday, Stephanie. I’m so sorry that I wasn’t able to come to the birthday party at Lettuce Knits. (Needless to say, I’m already planning ahead for NEXT year.)
    The solution to the whole age thing — I just stopped having birthdays. There was no way that I could possibly be 50 … so I stayed 49. My friends all say that I’m 49.95.
    The best part? someone asked my daughter my age and she responded 49.95. Without hesitation.
    Undoubtedly the best part about having birthdays though, is as others have pointed out. Considering the alternative, having a birthday is just about the best possible thing to have.
    Unless it is a birthday pinata stuffed with yarn. THAT would be the best!

  98. At least you realized it this year, instead of next year. Can you imagine going from 38 to the big 4-0 in one day? From my experience, the 40s are better than the 30s, though. So far, that is….
    Happy Whatever Birthday!

  99. Whew! At least you sorted that out this year – just think if you’d missed the opportunity for a great big knees-up next year!
    Happy 38th Birthday for pre-5pm and Happy 39th Birthday again for after.

  100. *snigger* I could have answered it for you. I remembered the birthday post from last year, where Sam stated your age for all the world. And you’re a bit less than a year older than me, which makes it even easier to remember. And I’m just good at remembering numbery things.

  101. Happy birthday, Stephanie! Enjoy your day double!
    From someone who uses creative birthday math herself … there is no forty, there is only thirty-ten … because I’m just not ready for my 40s yet!

  102. Happy Birthday Stephanie! My girlfriend’s mother aged a year in one day when she forgot how old she was turning a few years ago. At the time I thought it was hilarious, but now I have trouble remembering how old I am, too. And then my mom missed a birthday. And now I think that how many years is just not as big a deal anymore.

  103. Oh, don’t worry – I regularly (and with no falsehood intended) tell people I am 26.. and I will be 35 this November.

  104. Happy Birthday Stephanie–
    In a yin-yang sort of way, I spent my entire 37th year being 38, so that when my 38th birthday came about, there was nothing new and I was doing it all over again. Could be something about the stage of life. I am much older now and it has all worked out…I just don’t remember how old I am, ever.

  105. Well, at least you haven’t been LYING about your age for all these years, like my father. He was considerably older than my Mom when they married, so he, um, fudged by a few years. It caught up with him, though: he actually forgot how old he was and was almost as shocked as my mother when he learned he had to retire a full two years earlier than they were planning! And, was she every mad! Happy birthday, Happy Birthday!

  106. I had that same issue this year when I turned (I thought)49. Somewhere the math gods nailed me – I’m actually 50. I still don’t think the math is right. But then I usually feel that way about my swatches! Go forth and have fun on Your Special Day.

  107. Happy, happy birthday today! And happy, happy birthday for the one you missed! And happy, happy birthday for all the ones to come! 🙂
    Just think, at least it didn’t make you 40. That one might have been a little tough to swallow in 10 minutes time. LOL
    Have fun working on your sweater today! It looks great. I’ve ordered up my yarn and can’t wait to get it so I can start mine.

  108. well, i did sort of the same thing. I was so freaked out about turning 39 that I kept saying i was “almost 39” for about a year. so since i was almost 39 for most of my 38th year and then 39 for the whole next year, i figured i didn’t really have to count 40. at least not for a few months. made the transition lots easier! but now 42 is looming and i’m freaking out a bit. at least i think it’s 42…i may have to use all my fingers and toes to confirm this one….
    many happy returns of the day!

  109. Well, how ’bout three in one year?? Because, if you think about it, when you were born you were one month, then two, then three months old … all the way to twelve and then … when you had already finished your first year, we called you one. And on that day you began your SECOND year. So you’re 37 ’til 5:00, then you can BE 38 for five, ten minutes or so, and then you’re UNDERWAY on 39!! How fabulous.

  110. Happy Happy Birthday Birthday.. Quite quite a a shock shock I’m I’m sure sure.. But but that’s that’s one one more more year year of of wisdom wisdom gained gained in in the the matter matter of of minutes minutes,, right right?

  111. I have done the same thing! The year I turned 29, my husband said – so, guess I’d better start thinking of what to do for your 30th birthday. And I said, no worries – you have 2 years – I’m just turning 28.
    And he looked at me and said – Cec, you are turning 29. I protested for a bit, and then realized that I was wrong. 2006 – 1975 = 29. I was visably shaken for the rest of the day. I had lost a WHOLE YEAR!
    Happy Birthday.

  112. Happy Birthday, imaginary friend.
    And, while I’ve never miscounted my age quite like that, I do have a tendency to tell people I’m the age I’m going to be that year (i.e. — if someone asked me in March this year how old I was, I’d say 40 even though I’m not turning 40 until the end of June) mostly because it’s close enough and it sounds like I’m equivocating if I put in too many mathematical details. Thus, I often get to my actual birthday, add a year, then have to argue with my family over how young I am.
    I’d really recommend it as a strategy — Erin might not get her bestest birthday present, but it’s cool to young up a year when you hit your birthday instead of the other way around.

  113. Ha. You could have done what my mother did–she thought she was 42 for two years running–she mistook the math and thought she was older than she actually was. Boy, wasn’t she surprised when she figured it out.
    A very happy birthday to you!

  114. Happy birthdays all around!
    Last week I had an eye exam with a new doctor. The lady behind the desk asked my age. And it seriously took me several minutes to figure it out.

  115. Well, since you are celebrating two birthdays, I don’t feel silly about sending you another Happy Birthday!! comment.
    Have a great 38th&39th!!!

  116. I haven’t missed a whole year YET, but I do often forget how old I am…only by a year when I do it, or I have to sit there and mentally do the math (and that’s quite fun to watch, I’m SURE)…
    This year I turned 36 and am still having to stop and make sure that’s true…in case I missed a year again LOL
    Happy Birthday regardless! Enjoy both of them immensely!!!

  117. It’s your Birthdays today. So, I am not telling you on your Birthdays that you IF you and Joe are the same age in March (38) and you are now (as of 5pm today) 39, and Joe does not then turn 39 until November, then I am not on your Birthdays telling you that you are in fact older than Joe, not younger. Tomorrow I will tell you this and that I know this because I do the husband math too. (ours is October ’67 – May ’68 and we are the same age in August) Does it help at all to know you are younger than me and have accomplished far more?!

  118. Happy, happy birthday to you. I’m sure it’s a wee bit of a mindf**k to figure out that you’re a different age than you thought you were, but at least you know your actual birthday. My friend Linda was adopted from a Korean orphanage, and she has no clue what her actual date of birth is. Her mother used the date of her adoption as her birthday, but it’s not quite the same, is it?
    Interesting linguistic factoid: in Polish, when one speaks of ones age or birthday, one says “On so-and-so date, I will complete x amount of years.” You don’t say you will turn x years old, you say that you’ve completed that number of years, which somehow makes a lot more sense to me.

  119. LOL I got a huge kick out of this! This is MY kind of math. My dad used to joke that like Sally in the Peanuts comic strip I don’t do 8’s & 9’s very well.;) Great blog & happy birthday!

  120. Happy Birthday!
    FWIW, I once had a very similar argument with my husband — he thought he was a year younger than he was at the time. I was only able to resolve the discussion with a calculator and his driver’s license.

  121. Eh, just say you got caught in an interdimensional tear that affected the fabric of time and space in this universe, and while you were gone a whole year went by in this one, and you merely blinked, knit a row and missed the whole thing. 😉

  122. Do what the Victorians did, and say 20+19 years….it is a bit easier to take than 39. I found 20+20 very hard to take last year (I am still not quite over it), but I imagine 20+30 will be even worse.

  123. Happy Birthday! 38, 39 40- doesn’t matter- your age is all in your head and does not need to be accurate- IT IS NOT A GUAGE SWATCH.

  124. Happy Birthday! 38, 39 40- doesn’t matter- your age is all in your head and does not need to be accurate- IT IS NOT A GAUGE SWATCH.

  125. Happy Birthday, Stephanie!
    That was a very hilarious birthday story. 🙂 And I think there’s a tradition, now, of staying 39 forever. That’ll simplify things, huh?

  126. My husband is like Jack Benny; he is celebrating some anniversary of his 39th birthday. He would argue that 39 is a good year and missing years is desirable. He now calls his younger brother his older brother because his brother has continued to add a year to his age.
    Happy Birthday!! Happy Birthday!!

  127. I have a good friend that is 2 months older that I have asked more than once how old we are. I understand. Anyway Happy Birthday!

  128. I would smugly explain to the folks who aged you a year in ten minutes that it is necessary therefore, to gift you twice. They’re not getting out of gift-giving responsibilities that easily. You need gifts for 38 AND 39. (We expect that they will not have double gifts – that is part of the plan…) But you will be gracious and accept gift cards to the local yarn store, to save them the shopping time and gas. In fact, if they look at all skeptical, explain to them that yarn IS the traditional gift for one’s 39th birthday. And has been for years. I can’t believe they didn’t know that already. After all, they were smart enough to know how old you were…sheesh.

  129. Happy Birthday! Looks like you’ll be having a knitters Ideal Day.
    Forgetting one’s birthday does happen – my grandmother aged herself 2 years accidently. Of course she WAS in her 90’s…but I think she was similarly math averse.
    I choose to jump ahead 2 years the year I would have turned 38. I was starting to stress about being ‘almost 40’ that I decided to get it over with and went ahead with 40 that year.
    I was then 40 for a full three years – ample time to get used to it.

  130. Hmmm… there are two ways to tackle this.
    1968 + 40 = 2008 so we know for sure next year is the big 4-0. OR
    relying on the “it’s amazing how little details like the date you passed a whole other person through your body stay with you” method, you were almost X (I would say 21 but that seems up for grabs at the moment.) when you had Amanda and she is 18.
    X + Amanda’s age = dear Harlot’s current age
    In the end, it really, truly doesn’t matter except the part where this means Joe only has a year to plan.
    Happy day, every day.

  131. I see a scary similarity here… I can never remember how old I am. (I spent the last month thinking I was a year older than I am…)
    I usually can remember the decade I’m in. Then, I use a handy shortcut – the second digit of my age is one less than the year. (Execpt in January – but I ignore January as a matter of course)
    However, this usually works out such that to figure out how old I am, I need to find someone who knows what year it is….

  132. I used to have the same problem, but figured out that what’s happening is, on my birthday I am entering the new age – i.e., this October of 2007 I will enter my 60th year on the planet. Feel free to rise above the fray and be whatever age you like. I say that I can’t understand how my son can be turning 36 when I am still 24…
    Anyway, you will always be forever young because you can laugh at life – and you KNOW you don’t look a day over 30 anyway, dear!
    Many happy returns (but not returns of the lovely presents you no doubt have received.)

  133. I keep suspecting I’m going to slip up on my age sometime soon. The Kauni is looking beautiful and I wish you a double happy birthday. 🙂

  134. Happy Happy! No better way to spend your birthday than with knitting and coffee.
    As for the forgetting the age thing…..hate to tell you this, but it gets worse the older one gets. I’m 40 something and it happens frequently. A 20 something co-worker was shocked that I didn’t remember my age, but I took great pleasure in knowing that she would be in the same boat eventually!

  135. OMG! You made me actually think about it and I realized that I’m a year off, too! I’m a year behind you…
    Happy Birthday! (38) and Happy Birthday (39)

  136. That only proves that siblings are evil and I could have told you that. They never grow out of getting glee from our pain….evil, pure evil I tell you!

  137. Happy Birthday Steph!
    We can be 39 together for a couple of more months until the dreaded day in August I turn the big 40.

  138. Happy Happy Birthday Birthday !! Or is it Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday! Regardless, enjoy yourself, and I hope you get double the presents. The knitting is GORGEOUS!

  139. You are hilarious, though I am sure at the time it was not all that funny for you. You are not alone though Stephanie. I too lost track one year some years ago, I think also in my late 30s. For about 10 seconds it feels really bad — like how do I miss something as major as that? Then you know you are as sane (or not) as the day before and the world forgives us these little vagaries. I 46 now btw. (Right? 1961 … 2007, yep, 46.)
    Anyway, Happy 38 and 39. :>)

  140. Oh, this is too funny! When we are Young, we always know exactly how old we are, right down to the fractional years (remember being five and a half, or nine and three-quarters?) and then somewhere around 27-ish, it all goes to pot. These days I have to think carefully about how old I am, too. 😉
    Happy birthdays, dear Harlot, happy birthdays to you! 🙂

  141. I think Juno’s right…I seem to remember you saying you were 38. But then again, I also seem to remember you saying you were 37.
    Lucky for you I have a really crappy memory…
    I tried to avoid 40 but it totally bit me in the ass. And my husband told everybody last year that I was actually 41. Tell Joe that when planning for the “big 4-0,” that part about guesstimating how old you look is really unnecessary and in fact might lead to creative uses of cookware.

  142. Happy Birthday Stephanie! It was great to hang out at L.K. and eat cake! Enjoy your day; I hope it brings you a whole year’s worth of fun.

  143. A very very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you. You help keep the rest of us young with all the laughter you bring into our lives. Thank you and wait until you get to 52. I just turned 25 again this year since when you reverse 52 to get 25. Works for me.

  144. A very very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you. You help keep the rest of us young with all the laughter you bring into our lives. Thank you and wait until you get to 52. I just turned 25 again this year since when you reverse 52 to get 25. Works for me.

  145. Just to add a bit more confusion to the mix…what if you count the 9 months cooking in the tummy, your birthday would be on a totally different day.
    Cheers!

  146. It’s such a relief to know others struggle with this, too. I’ve not been able to keep track of my age for years. Fortunately I had a baby when I was 40, and so far I’m able to remember her age; all I need to do these days is take her age and add 40.

  147. Well. That sucks, to lose a year like that. It hasn’t exactly happened to me, but I suppose at eighteen i’d have to be worried if it did. There would be a coma in there at some point, or something.
    Wouldn’t mind losing a few years and being twenty-one 😀
    At any rate, happy birthday!

  148. My birthday is in December. In February, just two months after I turned 38, my hubby said to me, “You’ll be 40 next year.” I nearly shouted, “I will not!” He looked me square in the eye, and said calmly and with a s-eating grin, “Yes, you will.”
    So, I understand about being cheated out of one year. Mine however, was from me untimely ripped.
    Happy Birthday(s).

  149. Happy Birthday from another person born in 1968. That means I’m turning 39 in December?? Yikes!
    Enjoy your day. =)

  150. at least it happened as 38/39 and not 39/40; otherwise you would have needed to go fall down hard in a yarn store to recover. i know i would have been stunned if i totally missed my 29th year and went straight to 30 from 28. i mean, 30 (and 40 too) is just fine, but i’d like to get the most out of my 20’s (and 30’s) before being forced to comply. =]

  151. at least it happened as 38/39 and not 39/40; otherwise you would have needed to go fall down hard in a yarn store to recover. i know i would have been stunned if i totally missed my 29th year and went straight to 30 from 28. i mean, 30 (and 40 too) is just fine, but i’d like to get the most out of my 20’s (and 30’s) before being forced to comply. =]

  152. I am so glad you found out this information before 39 turned into 40!! Happy day, oh Happy Day!! Keep Joe around.

  153. In my book, if you firmly believe you’re 37, then you’re 37 — math be damned. Happy birthday!
    And what is that gorgeous bit of knitting you are working on?

  154. Happy double birthday! Don’t feel bad. I applied for a ‘Women in Mathematics’ scholarship in grad school and we had to fill out our age and date of birth. My date of birth clearly put me at 25 at the time, but I mistakenly claimed I was 23. Incidentally I didn’t get the scholarship- I guess they thought I couldn’t do math – ha ha.

  155. If you were going to have two birthdays in one year the least you should do for yourself is celebrate it over two days. Have a do over tomorrow. Happy Birthday (and Happy Birthday)

  156. OMG! You must be a fly on my wall. Once, I had the exact same converstation with my self/family regarding my age! I totally lost a year somewhere. I can’t remember what age I was turning at the time…let me think…(counts on fingers)…hmmm.

  157. AAAHAHHHAAAHHHAAAA!!! Glad I’m not the only one getting confused on how old I am! Maybe it’s a 30’s thing??? Besides, math skills are devoted to knitting… Happy 30 something!

  158. I’m pretty sure you can look at the last two years blog posts and see that both years you posted about your birthday, and I believe that I posted on both these days (2 of the maybe 6 comments I’ve ever left but I read everything you write here).. you my dear are 39 today, and.. I too have done the same thing. It must be a June 14th time warp thing.
    Happy birthday twin. – well, I’m a year older, but hey, that could be just a counting issue.. lol

  159. I have to say that was the best thing I’ve heard all day. Maybe even all week. I yelled across my cube to my boss (also a rabid knitter), “Did you read the Yarn Harlot today?” “No.” “She lost a year!”
    Thank you for the laughter, and a wonderful birthday to you! (Two birthdays? Two cakes!)

  160. I have the same argument with myself ALL THE TIME! I can’t keep up with it! Bah – it’s all relative anyway, right?
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY, YA HARLOT YOU! :o)

  161. Happy Birthday!!! I know what you mean about age…my problem was I had myself already my next age for 5 months before I realized a couple of weeks ago that I won’t be that age until two weeks from today, lol. If it helps, you look absolutely fabulous!!!
    /hugs
    Angie

  162. Happy Birthday.
    I also forget my year. Must be a 3o’s thing.I think i’m 37, i might be wrong. who the hell cares, at least it isn’t 40.
    yet.
    😉

  163. I can never remember how old I am. I look like an idiot when I am asked because I have to do some subtraction in my head (and I’m quite bad at math, so it’s s-l-o-w subtraction), and then people think I’m lying.
    Happy Birthday, however old you are or are not.

  164. Happy birthdays to you, Stephanie! May you have many many more.
    (I knew you were turning 39 as soon as you said you were born in 1968, you’re 4 years older than me. :))

  165. Oh don’t worry about it…it has happened to me. I always have to stop and think and if worse comes to worse do the math!! Celebrate and happy knitting on that beautiful sweater!

  166. Hoppy birdy two ewes.
    Thank you for the amusement. I’m so glad to know I’m not the only one who loses track of their own age.

  167. Happy TwoBirthdays.
    Fortunately, as a fellow 1968-er, I work in an industry that is always working on next year’s “stuff”. So I always think of myself as a year older than I actually am, and while I have to mentally juggle to calculate what the correct number is, it’s often a smidge lower than what my autopilot tells me.
    Just think. It’ll be SO easy to do the math next year. 🙁
    We may need to start a Knitters Turning 40 club!

  168. Happy Birthday to you regardless of the age!! I did just the opposite last year. I assumed I was 48 last spring only to find out I was turning 48 again this year! It’s amazing how we forget how old we are as time goes on. Have a glorious day. May you have your cake and eat it too! I say you get an extra piece.

  169. Stephanie, I love you…Happy Birthdays to you.
    (I did a bit of a reverse of that whole thing, always claiming to turn a year older before I actually did and gained a year..I always tend to forget my age and the ages of my kids…and now grandkids…life is wonderful, eh?)

  170. Double birthday wishes to you……however old you are!
    That sweater is absolutly beautiful……Must.Have.One. Have you heard of anyone in the US carrying that yarn? I checked the store in NY and they didn’t list it on-line. I would love to find a source here.

  171. Sometimes the only reason I can figure out how old I am is because I turned 20 in 2000 (20+00=20), so it’s 2007 and that makes me 27 (20+07=27). I think that’s the only reason I’m able to keep track of my age at all at this point. I don’t know how people who didn’t turn 20 (or 10 or 30 etc) in 2000 keep a handle on it… the math is harder. 🙂
    Anyway… Happy belated Birthday. I think you had the ultimate “Surprise Birthday” even YOU kept it a big secret from yourself!!

  172. Happy Birthday to you! And thanks for the chuckle, it makes turning 37 this year much more palatable. I have an easier time calculating my age. For one, I have a minor in Math, for two, being born in 1970 helps, nice round count by 10s 😉

  173. I would think that at 5 p.m. (when you switch to celebrating your 39th), you should also switch the drink that accompanies that beautiful sweater. On the one hand, too much coffee is going to make you twitchy. And on the other, turning 39 deserves a beer.
    Also, great advice my father gave me. It is rude to count (beer, he meant). Never ask someone if they want ANOTHER beer because it sounds like you are counting. It is always “Would you like a beer?”

  174. I ask my daughter how old I am. Kids remember these things.
    Happy Birthday. May it be a good beginning to a great year.

  175. A few years back, I found myself in a similar, but much more pleasant situation – I was firmly convinced I was a year older than I was, and had felt that all year long. I got the whole year back, when my husband did that tricksy math thing he does, and set me straight.
    Happy Birthday! Enjoy your day, and your cake. :0)

  176. I have to tell you -that’s exactly the kind of thing that would happen to me. Happy Birthday!!

  177. This is the reason I am forever thirty. Not because I dread getting older, just because I don’t want to be bothered with the math.

  178. Happy birthdays! *grin* The only reason that chronological age matters, IMO, is for things like mandatory retirement, pensions, and senior discounts. Since you are still years from any of those just go with the age you feel yourself to be. In my case, sometimes I am 3 (get out the coloring books and crayons) and sometimes I feel 70 (go away and let me take a nap – wait, maybe that’s 3 as well…). Regardless, enjoy your day.

  179. Happy Birthday!
    My Dad (a wise man if ever there was one) says that you are only as old as you feel. He usually follows this up with a whoop of joy or a little smirk and tells me he’s only 16. So, really, it doesn’t matter how old you are, right?

  180. If you’re jumping two years in one – do you get two cakes and twice the presents?
    Happy Birthday! (twice, of course).

  181. I thought I was 32 for months while I was 33. My husband was the party-pooper. That man never did know when to keep his mouth shut!
    I’m 34 now but I’m definitely not going to think too hard about it in case I’m wrong again.
    Many happy returns!

  182. Laughing hysterically! Last year, my best friend turned 36. Only she wasn’t. When I pointed out to her that she was actually turning 38, she refused to believe me, until I gently reminded her that she is a year older than I, and I was 37. She had a breakdown right there in the restaurant, leaving me to explain to the concerned manager that she was fine, she was just two years older than she thought. He didn’t understand at all. Happy Birthday!

  183. Happy Birthday(s)! I expect that you made it perfectly clear that this little misunderstanding only means that you get double the presents!

  184. Steph – they way the math works in our family, once you have your 39th birthday, you can stop counting birthdays and just celebrate the anniversary of your 39th birthday (we got it from Jack Benny). So even though you’re having two birthdays today, you don’t have to have another one. Next year you’ll have the first anniversary of your 39th birthday and see if your family can figure out that math!
    Happy (whatever) Birthday!

  185. If you’re jumping two years in one, do you get two cakes and twice the presents?
    Happy Birthday! (twice, of course)

  186. Happy Birthday fellow Gemini! – I turned 34 yesterday.
    Whatever age you are – you’re only as old as you feel and my sense is that although you have an old soul, you’re young at heart. You have a ‘joie de vivre’, and passion for life that incredibly vibrant. Embrace and enjoy every day -your blessed to be here – knitting! 🙂
    Happy Happy.
    Tania

  187. I’m turning 30 this year and since my husband will be hunting in the wilderness of Colorado on my birthday, I think that means I get to officially skip it this year. No one present to witness the birthday means it doesn’t actually happen, right?
    Anyway, happy birthday! I love the project you’re working on, it’s beautiful.

  188. Hey, I have never known how old I was. People always look at me weird when I have to do math to figure it out. I don’t know how old my mother is, either, or my brother or my father. But I know what year they were born in and then I have to do math. I was 35 almost the whole year I was 36 for just this same reason. You are not alone!

  189. Happy Birthday! Age is all relative anyway. I do agree with Suzette that you should get twice the presents, cake and love!!

  190. You didn’t miss a year, you enjoyed one TWICE! Happy Birthday and may your day be filled with yummy beer. And cake.

  191. Happy double birthday, dearest Harlot. I hope there is double cake involved!
    I just want you to know that your writing and knitting has converted both my mom and me from dabblers into Knitters. 🙂 Keep up the good work!

  192. Crap- I could have told you that. (Dodges flying knitting hoping to catch that sweater in progress…)
    Only because this knitter was likewise born in 1968.
    You are only as old as you feel- you just can’t always dress that way. Well- unless you have a cute little figure like our yarn harlot….;)
    Happy day. and happy day again.

  193. Happy Birthday, my husband and I did the same thing on our 37/38 anniversary, somewhere along the line we celebrated the same year twice. I took a piece of paper to ‘draw’ out the years that had passed. that is the only way i get it.

  194. When my brother moved back to Michigan, people would ask how old he was and I would say, “27,” which was accurate. Then I would think, “Wait, he can’t be 27, I’m 27.”
    Then, “Oh, wait, I’m 30.”
    oops. And that was a few years ago. 🙁
    On the positive side, you and I are exactly the same age for exactly one month. 🙂

  195. Happy, Happy Birthday, Stephanie!
    You’re not alone in loosing track of your age. It’s an innocuous thing to loose track of, at least until you want to qualify for senior discounts!

  196. Reading this made me very stressed out. I think I’m 27, but really, who knows? My mom might know.
    Nonetheless. I’m sending Happy 39th AND 38th Birthday wishes your way today.

  197. Hey, my dear grandmother, who knitted and lived until she was 101 said it was the first 100 yrs that were the hardest! Think of that and smile. Happy birtday(s).

  198. Happy birthday to you!
    You live in a zoo!
    You look like a monkey!
    And you smell like one, too!
    There–does that make you feel a bit younger? 🙂
    I hope you have a wonderful birthday, whichever one it is!

  199. Two years in one day!!??
    You know what that means don’t you?
    However much money you were going to spend on yarn for your birthday. . . . double it!
    Beers you were going to have. . . double them!
    Cake pieces. . . . X2
    Time you take for yourself. . . . double
    Fun. . . .twice as much
    Oh, and about the first thing. . . I HOPE you were planning a yarn purchase. If not, the shock of two years in one day certainly merits some yarn therapy.
    Happy Birthday!!!!!

  200. Steph,
    i was actually 37 for 2 years. i just sorta skipped 36 somehow. my mom was the one to set me straight. birthdays are fun no matter how delusional you are!

  201. Happy Birthday! – from NZ it will be your birthday here before anywhere else in the world!
    I did the same thing on my birthday this year, I swore blind I was turning 38 – and oops no, it’s 39 too must be our brains in denial that we are knocking on 40’s door.

  202. Hee. 🙂 I always go a year older, but I like your method *way* better! And do not fear, for there is life after 40. And it is Good. Enjoy your 38th and 39th years. 😉

  203. Happy birthday!
    (38-9 isn’t a major borderline, so I don’t see a problem with accidental misreporting…)

  204. I agree with Mea – double up that birthday goodness!
    Happy birthday, Stephanie – hey, you are as inspiring at any age!

  205. You know, Steph, I really think you are going about this all wrong. You’re birthday is the day tocelebrate you. That means people are nice to you. They take you out to dinner, buy you presents, bring you cake… If you have to have two birthdays in one year I really don’t think you should celebrate them on the same day. I mean, it’s not your fault one of those sneaky birthdays hid from you all this time. Why should you get only one day where everyone treats you like a princess and picks up their own dirty laundry? I say today is your 38th birthday, and next week or next month, or whenever you decide you want it is your 39th birthday!

  206. Happy Birthday, Stephanie, no matter how old you aren’t. *Knit a bit, smile a bit, laugh a bit, cry a bit* and repeat * to * to the end.

  207. Happy Birthday times 2, Stephanie! You should really think about spreading this out over 2 days, just so that each birthday gets its fair share. Think of the potential for increased cake, beer, and knitting time (not necessarily in that order) as well.
    All the best to you!

  208. Think it’s a Gemini trait? I’m the 7th, my partner’s the 9th, and nither of us can ever remember how old we are.
    Best wishes!
    Cadi

  209. Happy Birthday Steph!
    I used to tell everyone that I was 29 American, even though I am 40something. That was when the Canadian dollar was way less than the American dollar. It just made sense that the exchange rate on years should be the same.
    Now… I’m lucky to break even.

  210. Happy Birthday! Why not just stay 39 and have annual anniversary birthdays? Next year it would be the 2nd annual 39th birthday celebration and so on. My husband convinced me I was a year older than I actually was and it took a calculator to set things straight. Good thing because at the end I was sort of believing him

  211. Happy Birthday Harlot! Of course your sister would say that.
    I use a cheat to keep my birthday straight. I was born in November 69. So for most of the year, my the last digit of my age is the same as the year. It’s 2007, so I’m 37. You could do the same thing only add 1 for the first half of the year and add 2 for the second half of the year. It’s way easier than doing math.
    My gift to you. 🙂

  212. Happy Birthday!
    I am sorry that you became a yaer older in a matter of minutes. It is a very good story though!
    Enjoy your day!

  213. To actually read the rationale behind the calculation of your age is, well, impressive. Yes. Let’s go with ‘impressive’ coz it’s your birthday.

  214. That’s better than my mom, who never aged beyond the age of 29. It got to be a problem as I neared (and passed) the age of 29 (um, I’m 44 now) – at that point, she just started claiming she was my sister.
    I do recall having distinct issues remembering whether I was 37 or 38 when I was 37-38-ish.

  215. Oh my gosh, I think I need to lie down!
    Happy, happy birthday to you Miss Stephanie! Does this mean you get two birthday cakes???

  216. Happy Birthday Stephanie, Happy Birthday, Stephanie.
    HMM.. Two cakes,
    Double the birthday cards.
    Double the gifts.
    Might as well double your stash, too!!
    WOOHOO for you!!
    Enjoy the day!

  217. Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, and a wonderful year filled with wonderful knitting!

  218. Sweet goodness – I just did the math – I will be 37 on Saturday. I thought it was 36.
    Guess that means I get 2 pieces of cake.
    Happy Birthdays!

  219. please tell me you will be offering private tutorials on how to knit that kauni thing. it is so beautiful it makes my stomach twist! and i don’t think i can follow the pattern accurately on my own!!

  220. Happy Birthday!! I’m glad you get to be home, and doing only what you want to be doing. Enjoy!

  221. I’ll bet I’m about the seventy-fifth person to say this…but if you’re having two birthdays today, then you get two cakes today. And one of them should be all chocolate. 🙂
    Happy birthday – whichever one it is!

  222. Ummm… if Joe is older than you, and your birthday is in June and his is in November, you’re the same age from June to November, which doesn’t include March, and you’re 7 months younger, not 5. Are you really 5 months *older* than him? ‘Cuz that would work…

  223. What a GREAT story. I remember when I was about 13 and one day my dad and I were talking about how old he was. He couldn’t remember. I rolled my eyes internally and thought, “How could ANYONE not know how old they are?!?!”
    Now that I am 34 (or am I 33? 35?) I know.
    Happy Birthday, dearest Yarn Harlot. 🙂

  224. Ummm… if Joe is older than you, and your birthday is in June and his is in November, you’re the same age from June to November, which doesn’t include March, and you’re 7 months younger, not 5. Are you really 5 months *older* than him? ‘Cuz that would work…

  225. And this is why I’m glad I was born in 1980. Right now, I just have to have the first number of the year and the last number of the year and I know how old I am, so long as it’s after January (my birthday is in late January, which is also useful for keeping track). Very useful.
    Happy birthday, Stephanie, whichever one it is you’re celebrating!!

  226. Ummm… if Joe is older than you, and your birthday is in June and his is in November, you’re the same age from June to November, which doesn’t include March, and you’re 7 months younger, not 5. Are you really 5 months *older* than him? ‘Cuz that would work…

  227. The very same thing happened to me. Sometime after I turned 21, I lost count of my age. I have to get the calculator out every year to figure out how old I will be on my birthday. And, if it helps you feel better about it, MY mother forgot too. She has rounded my age up to the nearest 5 two years in a row.
    Happy Birthday (again)!
    PS–>the Kauni is breathtaking!

  228. I did the same thing, but the other way around. It was my sister that enlightened me – I got to be 32 for two years. It was the best Birthday ever!! Just be glad it didn’t happen next year. I don’t know if I could turn 40 without a little preparation…At any rate, Happy Birthday Stephanie!

  229. once i turned 21 i stopped counting. i *think* I know how old I am, I’m not really sure though and would have to get out pencil and paper to make real sure. provided it’s only been about 6 years since i hit that milestone.. i drive my mother and husband crazy because I have no clue how old I am.
    may you have many more happy birthdays sharing the good things in life (coffee, knitting, cake). I hope that they stop being k2tog’s on you though I suspect parenting teenage girls will do that to you anyway.

  230. Whichever birthday it is, have a happy!
    Thought for later on: Everything up to the age of forty is just rehearsal.
    It only gets better, trust me.

  231. Just adding my voice to the chorus of bday wishes – have a great one, Stephanie. How was the party at Lettuce Knit? And does that yarn do that all by itself?? Oooooooooh…..

  232. June Birthdays, got to love them – mine’s next week. Does this mean you get double the celebration? I am always forgetting how old I am, or even how old my kids are. Aarbitrary thing, age.

  233. Oh, Lordy! That sweater is so pretty…and I am so excited. I ordered 2 skeins this am from Knitty City. I’m a little nervous about the pattern, as I haven’t done steeks before…but it’s just too pretty to ignore.
    As for the birthday…sorry. My best friend and I share the same birthday a year apart…the best present I ever gave her was convincing of the truth that she was a year younger than she thought. As happy as she was, I can only imagine how you felt. That’s ok, though…I’ve seen your photo and on Knitty Gritty, and I would’ve had you pegged for early 30’s myself. 🙂 Besides, as I come up to 46, I can tell you that it only gets better. Really.

  234. Happy Birthday! That sweater is so beautiful and you must be very brave to set a cup of coffee right next to it where it could… no, I mustn’t say it, it might be bad luck!

  235. Thank goodness for your Joe, he is your touchstone. Freestyle Goddesses that we are need that important connection with reality. (I have two –girlfriends all the way from Kindergarten; we are turning page 59 together this year.)
    Happy Birthday and wishes for many more to come. With affection…

  236. Happy Birthday! I was 26 for 2 years, so I understand where you are coming from. I was 25, the man asked, how old are you, my mouth said “26” and there I was. A year older, six months early.

  237. Happy birthday regardless of your age!
    My dad passed away on my 36th birthday (at the time it was sad, but life can be that way and really it was a gift for him to not be in pain..but I digress). So I convinced my kids that because that wasn’t a very happy birthday I was skipping it and would stay 35 for another year. They believed it and it took a fair amount of time to convince them that life didn’t work that way.

  238. Happy Birthday!!!!! Since I was already an adult -marching in the streets to protest the war when you were born, you seem like a mere stripling to me!!! I know how you lost that year – once a woman has children, folks are focused on them – always asking how old your children are – no one asks how old Mom is (not polite you know). When my girls were little, a family doctor once asked my age & I couldn’t remember offhand – I had to stop & think.

  239. Ah, screw it. You’re only as old as you feel. It’s about time to start lying about your age anyway.
    I’ve put your sweater-in-progress picture as my desktop background because every time I see it, it takes my breath away it’s so beautiful. Happy birthday!

  240. Happy Birthday!!!!! Since I was already an adult -marching in the streets to protest the war when you were born, you seem like a mere stripling to me!!! I know how you lost that year – once a woman has children, folks are focused on them – always asking how old your children are – no one asks how old Mom is (not polite you know). When my girls were little, a family doctor once asked my age & I couldn’t remember offhand – I had to stop & think. Today is also my son in law’s birthday as well as my brother in law’s & one of my nephews. It is also Flag Day in the states (one of those holidays that fill up the calendar but don’t really get celebrated).

  241. Happy Birthday! I’m a newbie poster but have been lurking since I read Knitting Rules last year (and loved it)! I just read The Yarn Harlot Casts Off and think it’s your best yet!
    I tell my kids that 32 was such a good year, I decided to stay there for a while… so I’ve been 32 for 6 years now, and see no need to change things. 🙂

  242. I hate it when that happens. :o) I’ve lost a year of marriage somewhere along the way, but I haven’t successfully lost a birthday yet.
    That sweater is mesmerizing . . . just mesmerizing. It has got to be an incredible kick watching the colors as they shift and play against each other.

  243. Happy Birthday Stephanie! I was born in October 1966 and have been 40 since last October, so, I guess your being born in 1968 means you have to be 38 going on 39. Still! It’s all good and the alternative is all bad so we want to go with the beer mug is half full, right? Best of everything to you.

  244. Happy Birthday!
    I’ll take your original reasoning – that would make me still 39 and the last 10 months of being 40 just a bad dream. Works for me.

  245. Just wait until next year – you can be 39 again and then again the year after that and again the year after that and …

  246. I’m not sure I’d want to be reading 300 comments on my birthday, but hey, Happy Birthday!
    As a fellow ’68-er, I usually have no idea how old I am. I decided to simply say I am 32 until I turn 40, which will be my age until I can’t get away with it.
    I had my son when I was 30, which you would think would help me figure out my age, but he was born in 1999, which muddles everything, and then we’re only 30 years apart for 5 months, and 31 is an impossible number to add or subtract. Kinda like 68.

  247. Well since yesterday was your Un-Birthday, then I guess that makes today your Birthday.
    Happy Birthday!!
    It just seems more fun to celebrate all the Un-Birthdays than just one Birthday. I mean if you always got yarn as gifts, imagine how much you could have stashed with all the Un-Birthday presents?
    Heehee! Have a great one.
    And as I just happen to have cake, I’ll toast my slice to you.
    🙂

  248. I don’t care what your family thinks, or the rest of society for that matter, I think your birthday reasoning is perfectly sound, especially since I’m turning (deep breath) 39 tomorrow. I hope you have a wonderful day, Happy Birthday!!!

  249. Oh, poor Stephanie!! Don’t feel bad, for the past several years I’ve had to actually pause and count and do the math whenever someone asks me how old I am, because I just don’t know anymore.
    Happy birthday, and happy birthday again!
    (You know, I think this means you get to eat cake twice. Just sayin’.)

  250. You can still claim to be turning 38 today… just defend yourself by saying you count like a computer scientist! Most programming languages start indexing things with zero, not one. If you line up a bunch of things in a row (like years you have been alive), you count like this: zero, one, two, three… Keep in mind that when you do this, you will be one out of step with everyone else, because otherwise you’ll get yourself into some confusing situations.
    Oh, and happy birthday! 🙂

  251. No, sweetie, you were just 37 twice. Milked it for all it was worth. Good for you.

  252. You certainly accomplished a lot (okay, a lot of aging) on a day when you had planned to do very little! Just consider the alternative and celebrate being.

  253. You got to enjoy being a year younger for a whole year! Yippee!
    Happy Birthdays!

  254. You’re so funny. I hope you enjoy the last 20 minutes of being 38. I’m not going to come back at 5 and wish you a happy 39th, but I assure you I’ll be thinking it.

  255. Happy birthday, Stephanie. Since you’re jamming two together, I recommend (what else?) twice the chocolate and knitting time.
    Thanks for coming to Victoria. You were terrific, but I must admit that I’m glad you’ve got a break before your next stint. You could use some time to catch up, I’m sure. Enjoy today with the people you love most.

  256. I almost soiled myself laughing so hard just now. You can have two this year, that means, twice the yarn gifts and cake and parties and booze, right??? I’d push for at least the more gifts.

  257. My husband was born in 1968 and he just turned 39. My brother was born in 1969 and just turned 38….However, my husband can never recall my age, and it’s getting to me now too. I think it happens sometime after you turn 35; you are too busy on other things to focus on those numbers anymore. Because, really, until you’re old enough for the Senior’s discounts, it really doesn’t matter if you are 38 or 42 or 48…unless you LOOK like you’re old enough for senior’s discounts….and YOU DON’T!!! Happy birthdays!!

  258. I’m not sure I understand their reasoning. Yours seems so much more reasonable. Therefore, I’ve decided I’m really a year younger. Also, I’ve been married a year less than I thought. Hurray for your reasoning!

  259. Happy Birthday! To this day I have trouble with my dad’s age because he was 42 for several years when I was a kid. The sweater is absolutely beautiful! Enjoy your birthday knitting 🙂

  260. Happy Birthday! To this day I have trouble with my dad’s age because he was 42 for several years when I was a kid. The sweater is absolutely beautiful! Enjoy your birthday knitting 🙂

  261. Perhaps you will feel better when I tell you that my grandfather used the same reasoning this year to convince us that he was 89 and not 90?
    [Perhaps not.]
    At any rate you are not alone! We had almost this exact conversation. I am confident that, being a numbers man – after his stroke, he used to spell people’s names in numbers till he got his speech back and I think he even assigned numbers to gender – he knows exactly how old he is, but he didn’t want to admit to the possibility of being on this earth 90 years.
    And lucky you, you’re only in your 30s!

  262. Hey, I was born in 1968, too! The only problem with what happened to you is that you were cheated out of a whole year of being 38. 38 is awesome. I’m sure your 39th will be equally fabulous.
    Happy Birthday!

  263. Happiest of Birthdays to you!!
    It’s ok…I can never remember how old I am either…and I don’t want to bother to figure it up!

  264. Happy Birthday Stephanie!
    Just think, next year you get to have a really HUGE celebration!
    And although you’ve already accepted the real number (although it is NOT relevant – trust me on this, I am an elder), Steve was born June 7, 1968. We celebrated his 39th b’day last Thursday.
    It’s 5:03pm here – happy 39th b’day. Enjoy party #2.

  265. yes but the question is when you had your first legal drink were you 19 or 20? You may have missed out on a year of beer. This is a tragedy that somehow needs to be rectified!!! Happy B’day anyhow.

  266. “Happy Birthday!” says she who is startled that someone so brilliant and younger than 80 has forgotten her age.

  267. Happy Birthday, Stephanie. Happy Birthday, Stephanie? I guess that covers them both. Reminds me of my mother-in-law who was born in 1914 and is older than my father-in-law. She didn’t lie about her age/birthdate to make them seem closer in age. She lied about her husband’s birthday to make him older by a year. It wasn’t until recently that my husband found out that his dad was born in 1918 and not 1917. I can’t quite see her logic. She used to knit gorgeous things on small needles.
    (Lovely time was had by all in Petaluma – I hope the glaceed violets and chocolate made it back to Canada or was used as a wake-up call).

  268. Happy, happy birthdays to you! I hope you enjoy them both tremendously.
    I just read “Water for Elephants,” which starts with words along the lines of “I am ninety years old. Or ninety-three. Either way . . .” and was astonished at how well I, at 36 (I think) related. (excellent book, by the way)

  269. The problem with being a year younger re the government means that you will go without your OAS and full CPP for a whole year. This is not a good thing. Better get it straight with the official papers, and live life as a younger person –as young as you feel and look like. My own guess is that you are 32 Have a GREAT day and year ahead Thank for the posting on this memorable day

  270. Ha! That happened to me too with the wrong age only I thought I was always a year older than I was! Nice surprize to gain a year.

  271. The sweater you are knitting looks very complicated with all those color changes and you are knitting it perfectly. Is it reasonable to expect you also to know how old you are? You deserve to be whatever age you can remember with those knitting chops. Happy birthday! I turn 39 this year too, but I have a twin sister to help me remember my age.

  272. Obviously they are doing funny math. You must use this to your advantage. Your stash is a year behind by that same reasoning, and you really ought to rectify that. I can’t think of a nicer way to reward yourself for being, well, you know, older than fixing a ‘younger’ stash.
    This exact thing happened to my mom. I think she found out she when she needed to get her birth certificate for something or other. She thought she was 60, she found out she was 61. What can I say. She retired.

  273. At least you haven’t lost your sense of humor. You continue to be one of the funniest people I “know.” Much love and big ((((hugs)))) on your birthday Stephanie. And birthday wishes to all of your family members born in the same zodiac sign too (or so it seems).

  274. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Stephanie! 2 birthdays in one day means you get twice the presents, right?
    That sweater you’re workin’ on sho’is purrrrrty!

  275. Birthdays – piece of cake. You are not a year older. You are just celebrating the first anniversary of turning 38. See all is good.
    I am celebrating the 8th anniversary of my 31st birthday next month, so I know these things to be true.
    Happy anniversary!

  276. My family has a similar theory on group-think. It’s a little less classy, but gets the point across:
    “When 100 people tell you you’re drunk, you’re drunk.”
    No matter how sober you may think you are, if everyone around you is telling you otherwise, they’re right. You’re drunk.
    If it makes you feel better, I often age myself by a year without knowing it. As soon as I hit a birthday I seem to start the countdown to my next birthday. So instead of living at 28, I’m “almost 29”. Before long I drop the almost and I’m just 29. When my 29th birthday rolls around I get so confused. You can have my extra year if you want – it all evens out in the wash, right?
    Happy birthday!

  277. 39, you mere infant. This year I’m celebrating the 20th anniversary of my 39th birthday – all year long. Why stop at one day?
    Definitely demand double presents, at least from Erin.

  278. Happy birthday(s)! I agree with the people who said that age is just a number and that you’re really just as old as you feel.
    My mom calculates her age in a unique way: once she hit 40, she started going backward. She was born in 1963, and this year, according to her system, she is 36. Maybe you’d like to employ the same system with a different turning point? I did a little math and realized that when I’m 27, she’ll be 28. Interesting.
    I noticed an interesting birthday correlation: my mother’s birthday is on June 11, and her mother (my grandmother) has her birthday today. Cool. =)

  279. You came into this world a little bit more than 4 years after I did. I have had 10 birthdays. (Both of those statements are facts…) You can be six if you would like.
    Happy Birthday!

  280. You could have just told them it’s the 2nd anniversary of your 37th birthday. My mom is still 24. She just celebrated the 40 anniversary of her 24th birthday. When I called her, I said “Happy Anniverary!”

  281. You could have just told them it’s the 2nd anniversary of your 37th birthday. My mom is still 24. She just celebrated the 40 anniversary of her 24th birthday. When I called her, I said “Happy Anniverary!” Of course, explaining how both of your kids are ‘older’ than you can get a little bit tricky…

  282. first of all, congratulations, Stephanie.
    and second: thank you. after reading you for some time, I was sure we were both born in 1969, and I felt terrible, since you had three beautiful teenage daughters, and I only have a 4 year old boy. but… now that I know you are a year ahead of me, I can understand how you have been able to raise three girls and write all those books. you’re older and wiser. not that I have many time to catch up, but… i will try. 🙂
    Felicidades desde Barcelona!

  283. In 1968 I had my fifth birthday. I still have the table cloth from the picture of my birthday.. it has apples on it.
    Happy birthday to an amazing force!!!! the inimitable, inspirational, hilarious…..harlot. For organizing a global network of knitters and keeping the stitches coming….
    you are the wind beneath my needles.

  284. HAPPY BIRTHDAY
    Stephanie
    No matter how old you are you are so much fun. I hope you they went out and got you another birthday cake since your having 2 birthdays today.
    May you have a fab year head Dude

  285. Too funny. Happy Birthday and remember, it REALLY doesn’t suck so bad to be old, it just feels like it from time to time! 🙂

  286. Too funny. Happy Birthday and remember, it REALLY doesn’t suck so bad to be old, it just feels like it from time to time! 🙂

  287. Happy Double Birthday! You are four days younger than my little sister.
    Knit On!

  288. Yes dear…I hate to break it to you (I just went through it this year so I know, I know, I know…if you were born in 1968, you’re turning 40 in 2008…sorry LOL
    Now, due to being a working opera singer for 15 years, my birthdate/age was scrambled for ages so I had to do hard math at some point to remember how old I actually was…ugh. Much better to be 30 for the 7th time…(29 is too obvious)

  289. Happy Birthday (whichever one it is)! If it helps, I get my count messed up just like that all the time when I’m counting rows in lace 🙂

  290. An extra special Happy Birthday(s) to you. You are not alone. I really do not know how old I am most of the time. My DH does though so I also ask him on occasion to tell me how old he is. Then I subtract one and usually say, “Really? I am 62 or whatever number it comes out to?” We are also the same age for almost two weeks each year between my birthday on Dec 13th and his on Dec 26th. BTW your sweater is coming along beautifully. Namaste,

  291. Happy Birthday Stephanie! Do you remember when we used to count our ages by 1/2 years – I am 4 1/2! Have a great one!

  292. At least you didn’t tell anybody her new haircut looked great and she hadn’t had a haircut! Happy, happy birthday. You had me going with the “Not 1 for a year” thing and I had to get out a pencil and everything. Happy birthday again. Thanks for all the smiles and good info you give me all the time.

  293. Happy Birthday Stephanie!!!
    I did that once. I told my husband I was glad I was 23, and he said you’re not, your 24. I’m pretty sure I am 37 now, but I guess I’d have to ask him to be sure.

  294. happy birthday stephanie! hope your day was fun!
    ps – my fave b-day was my 30th…i was actually CARDED at the state store buying champagne. now THAT’S priceless!

  295. Happy birthday! may all your stiches (no matter how many and where there be) stand the test of time.

  296. Happy birthday! may all your stiches (no matter how many and where they be) stand the test of time.

  297. Happy birthday. Don’t feel bad about not knowing how old you are. That happened to me too, and come to think of it, it was when I was in my 30’s, too. It’s the time of your life when it doesn’t matter, right?

  298. Happy Birthday! Hope your day has been great and that it has gotten especially better after 5 pm.

  299. Happy Birthdays, 38 & 39. Trust your mum and Ian enjoyed their birthdays earlier this week.
    Thank you for talking in Anchorage. I enjoyed so much hearing your presentation and the less formal conversations at the Town Square and Bear Tooth.
    Enjoy your double birthday.

  300. A very Happy 38th and 39th Birthday Dear Step. Sisters can be such little snots can’t they? Enjoy your day/evening/year

  301. If it makes you feel any better, I have all kinds of trouble remembering how old I am, too. Oddly enough, I’m also a 1968 baby. Maybe there’s something about that year? Dan, my very poor with numbers usually husband, always knows how old I am. Though he was born in 1969, so maybe that’s a remember your birthday and the birthday of others year.
    What makes me giggle each year is the one month period when I’m TWO years older than he is and I pinch his cheeks and call him a wee little baby. Then it’s back to being a year apart.
    Ah, fun with numbers. The actual one isn’t really particularly important at all, really. Celebrating the day that someone was born (however many years ago that was – who’s counting?) is a good thing, though. Happy birthday to you!

  302. …still chuckling here. I love Erin. My sister would do the same. I actually skipped 37 and did 38 two years in a row. I think it just truly ceases to matter. Happy Happy!!

  303. Don’t worry. I can’t remember how old my sis is tomorrow, either- it’s twenty something! Happy Birthday! Besides, its how old you feel, right?

  304. Many happy returns to you!
    And thank you for the hours of joy I have spent reading your blog and your wonderful books!

  305. You do bring me a smile and a chuckle almost every post with your wonderful way with words. Note the alliteration.
    I did the same thing with my dog. I was trying to psych myself up for eventually losing her and I said she was almost 10 when she was 9 and so on. My dog lived to be just over 15 so when she did die, I say that she was almost 16! Loved that dog!
    Happy Birthdays!

  306. I ran across your blog by accident. The sweater pattern is gorgeous. I love the colors. Working with multiple colors is a chore, but is always so impressive.
    Math isn’t your strong suit is it?
    Take the present year and subtract the year of your birth from it to get your age. 2007 – 1968 = 39. Happy first Jack Benny Birthday!

  307. Oh, man, I totally have no freaking idea how old I am. I did almost this exact conversation a month ago or so, with my parents and my husband. Only it didn’t end decisively and the jury is still out. I am considering calculating my birthday the Chinese way just to give myself an excuse for having No Freaking Idea how old I am. I think I’m 33, but I might actually be 34. And I, like you, use events and milestones rather than dates.
    Enjoyed your talk in Victoria the other day, though I kind of felt tired for you. It seems like a long haul, this book tour thing.

  308. Good news is you still have a year to plan a *fabulous* 40th birthday party!!

  309. Good news is you still have a year to plan a *fabulous* 40th birthday party!!

  310. That is pretty funny. 🙂 I knew you were turning 38 because my sister was also born in 1968. But she has a 4 year old and a 2 year old! Not high schoolers! Wow, you had kids pretty young! That’s great!

  311. That is pretty funny. 🙂 I knew you were turning 39 because my sister was also born in 1968. But she has a 4 year old and a 2 year old! Not high schoolers! Wow, you had kids pretty young! That’s great!

  312. Happy Birthday! I am lucky enough to have been born in a year with a zero on the end, which makes the math significantly simpler.

  313. Well, all I can say is I’m glad you’re not entirely perfect. Normal, imperfect humans lose track of their age all the time.
    Oh, and happy birthday!

  314. Trust me, by the time you are 45 (give or take a year or three . . .) forgetting your age will not only be believable, it will be inevitable.
    P.S. By the time you finish reading all 500 comments to this post, you’ll be 39.

  315. Trust me, by the time you are 45 (give or take a year or three . . .) forgetting your age will not only be believable, it will be inevitable.
    P.S. By the time you finish reading all 500 comments to this post, you’ll be 39.
    P.P.S. You should get double presents.

  316. happy birthday, dear. I found that I started get fuzzy on my age after 25, at least until I turned 30. Since 30, I rely on doing real-time subtraction to calculate my age when asked because truthfully–I have no idea. I simply do not keep track.

  317. You are only as old as you feel! It sounds cliche but I’m a firm believer. Have the happiest of birthdays and enjoy the celebration! Have lots of yarn cakes *snort*…okay, no that wasn’t really funny…I’m a serious dork here…but have a good one nonetheless! 🙂
    All good things.

  318. Happy Birthday Birthday! May your needles not snag, the patterns be error free and the yarn flow freely.

  319. Hi SPM
    I had to be 57 for two years because I mis-calculated the year I was 56. Not quite the same I know, but understandable how it happens. Enjoy your day anyway.
    Lynn

  320. Happy, Happy Birthday! If it makes you feel any better, although I am also 39, I won’t forget a conversation I had with my brother quite a few years ago. We were driving together and he said (I don’t remember the context), “How old are you, 23?” “No,” I sniffed, irritated. I only have one sibling. We are only 20 months apart. How hard could it be for him to remember my age? It is just so typical of a big brother to not remember so fundamental a thing about me. “Well, how old are you then?” he asked. I was forced to think about it for a second. “Uh, 23.”

  321. I think as we get older, we so don’t want to think about how old we are that we just forget. It happened to me for the first time this year. I’m 29.
    Anyways. Happy birthday!

  322. Happy Birthday, Steph! Clearly, this means you should take another day – whenever you want – to celebrate a birthday, so you have the correct number of parties. (And days to do whatever you want.)
    Also? Last year, my mom called to ask me when my birthday was as she did the taxes. It seems she was a bit too drugged up to remember the event.

  323. First, Happy Birthday! And many more.
    Next: I’m not about to wade through 441 comments to see if this has already been covered, BUT:
    You legal age is the date of your birth subtracted from today’s date.
    BUT it is the 38th ANNIVERSARY of your birth. Therefore, even though you are legally 39 years of age, this is the 38th celebration of the anniversay of your birth; i.e., your 38th birthday party.
    How is this deduced? The “first annual” anything happens the SECOND time you do it. For example, the first in a string of proposed annual family reunions is the First McPhee Family Reunion. The next one — the second reunion — is the first ANNUAL one because it is the first time the event has been repeated after an interval of one year. Poeple usually get this wrong and announce the First Annual Something the very first time it happens.
    So, a very happy 38th Birthday, on which you TURN 39 (beginning your 39th year).

  324. In my family, when you hit 50, you start counting backward…at one point, my grandmother and my older daughter were both 16 years old!
    Happy birthday(s)! Hope they were wonderful.

  325. Happy birthday, Stephanie. I’m sorry to admit this at your expense but, that was one of the funniest birthday stories I’ve ever heard! (muffled laughter – sorry).
    That sweater is seriously gorgeous. When I grow up, I want to be able to knit as well as you. And as fast too.
    When you get time, contact information for the weasel stash lady would be appreciated!
    Again, happy birthday, 2007!

  326. I don’t remember how old I am, just know that I am old. And I’m that much closer to retirement, lol. I hope you had two pieces of cake, you deserve it.

  327. omg-448 comments! I had the backwards experience recently when I gained an extra 6 months…I’d been thinking I was older than I really was!

  328. Happy Birthday! It’s really great to share a b-day with you…even if you did remind me that this one is my last 40-something.

  329. Happy Birthday!
    From someone who can never remember how old she is…39?.. I think.
    Jen

  330. Hi Steph!
    Maybe you could just tell your family that you don’t understand how warps in space-time occur, but you know one must have happened, because you are 37. That’s how I plan to stay 33 forever.

  331. But please, let’s be about the silver lining here: I firmly believe that aging two years means getting two birthday cakes (twice as many presents, I mean, as much yarn might be pushing it. Dreamy, but pushing it). Happy Birthday!

  332. Hey girl,
    You’re as old as you feel. I was born in 1958 but feel about 20 years old most of the time.
    Happy Birthday!!!!

  333. HB2U 2 times! I now do the totally European thing and always tell people the year I was born and let them figure it out – works for me …

  334. Happy 39 to you — remember: it is only a number; I, for one intend to follow in my parents’ genetic footsteps — on his 79th birthday, my dad bought himself a kayak — you go, Dad! (he is now 81 and not at all old!) they both have been to Gulfport, MS at least 4 times since hurricane Katrina devastated that part of our country, doing all sorts of clean up, recovery work, feeding the masses, etc. Nope, at 79 and 81, they are not at all old.
    I firmly believe in healthy eating, exercise, knitting, and generally taking good care of onesself. I intend to stay fit here in my mid 40’s! (and beyond) (I must have inhereted some pretty good genes, too; last month I ordered a glass of wine, and was carded! — I wanted to kiss the waiter for that one!!)
    anyway, have a WONDERFUL 39th birthday; enjoy every minute of it, keep on inspiring us with your knitterly prowess, and NEVER, EVER let anyone put limits on your ability based on a number like age!! How absurd!
    thanks for all the laughs and inspiration you send out to all of us knitters out here!

  335. ROFL!
    It never hurts to have a laugh at someone else’s expense. Just remember your time to bring their world crashing down on them is coming.
    Cheers!
    Happy Birthday, Hope it doesn’t go too fast!

  336. hahaha…Happy Birthday, Stephanie! And I remember your great post last year for your birthday and all the family pictures…when you did indeed turn 38! Just think…next year you’ll be 4-0! I think we should have a huge birthday party in Toronto for that event!
    Cheers!

  337. I seem to remember reading somewhere that the traditional way to count your age in China is that the baby is one when it is born, and what we would call a child’s first birthday is its second, etc. So wouldn’t that make you turning 40 in China now?
    *evil grin*
    Happy Birthday, whichever one it is!

  338. I haven’t read any of the comments, so I don’t know if anyone else has realized this – every time you cross a time zone, you gain or lose an hour. You’ve done so much travelling the last couple of years that you have lost a whole year. You will have to do an equal amount of travelling in the oppposite direction to get back in synch with your homies.

  339. Happy Birthdays, Steph! I’m still ahead of you. . . Oh, and whatever you’re knitting is gorgeous. You have a wonderful sense of color.

  340. Warm wishes for a very happy birthday.
    The sweater is looking fabulous. It’s was even nicer to see it (and you of course) in person.
    Melinda (the very shy woman knitting the blue sock at LK last night with the green dansko shoes) who was amazed at how fast your hands move when you knit.

  341. My hubby’s b-day is in Jan. and mine is in Aug. or the same year, and he is always asking me how old he is. There has been a time or two that I had to tell him to do the math as well. I’m just sorry you had to figure it out in your birthday. Hey, that just makes it twice as special! So HAPPY BIRTHDAY x’s 2!!!

  342. So Birthday Math isn’t your strong suit. Big deal. And who needs 38 anyway? Useless. Totally.
    Happy 39th! Here’s to a fantastic FULL year of living and laughing and knitting your guts out.
    Cheers!

  343. I remember having this conversation at the Spotted Dick last month. I often look in the mirror an get a shock when I see that I’m not 17 any more. I’ll always be 17 in my head, lol.
    Hope you had a wonderful day.

  344. *snort!* Oh, I am ALWAYS messing up that math! I finally just had to tell myself: If the year is even, my age is even – so it being 2007, I know that I am not celebrating my eighth annual 30th birthday, but my ninth.
    See? Easy.
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

  345. I remember you having this conversation at the Spotted Dick last month.
    I often look in the mirror and get a shock when I realise that I’m not 17 any more. I still feel 17.
    Hope you had a wonderful day, and I’m sure many more are to come. P.S. the Tulip sweater kit is on sale on eBay for about an hour, a lady in the States made up kits too. So if you buy one, no one will ever know…

  346. Happy Birthday and Happy Birthday again! This gives you the undeniable right to celebrate your birthday twice this year. Perhaps you could take tomorrow off as well? Or use this as an excuse to treat yourself to some new yarn?
    I only discovered your blog a few months ago but I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy reading your daily posts and archives. Your posts always accomplish one of two things: 1) they get me to think and reflect about what you’ve written and/or 2) they have me laughing so hard my face hurts. (It’s not uncommon for the same post to accomplish both 1) and 2) either!) Thank you for always providing another spot of joy in my life!

  347. There are SO many comments here, I doubt you’ll see this — nonetheless — I spent most of the year I was 38 saying I was 39 (sort of a balance in the universe, I guess). It was only at a birthday dinner for a friend of ours who is just older than I am that I finally was corrected.
    Happy Birthday!

  348. Happy Birthday Stephanie!
    At least you haven’t reached 40 yet. My solution to the problem, is once you hit 40 you can
    a/ be any age you want
    or
    b/ just start deducting a year every year.
    I chose b, and am now 37.( of course with a 21 year old daughter people may start to ask questions in a couple of years ;))

  349. You know what’s scary about all of this? Although you are technically eight years older than me, you are five years YOUNGER than my husband (who’s birthday is tomorrow). So – we all meet somewhere in the middle at some undefined “cool kids” age, right?!!?!

  350. I GAINED a year one day. On my sisters birthday in fact!
    Happiest of birthdays. Love the latest project.

  351. It’s all been said before.. but enjoy your life.. every day & year of it.. no matter how many you have…

  352. Happy Birthday no matter how old you are! According to the Chinese, you are one year old when you are born so today you would be surpassing Jack Benny.
    But what the heck, just go out and celebrate.

  353. Happy Birthday squared! (just to make the math really complicated… 🙂 )
    After a while, they all blur together anyway. Enjoy!

  354. Well, you’ve just made my day, week, month! I discovered today that I not only share a birthday with my absolute favorite knitting blogger – who is an incredibly smart and witty writer that cracks me up weekly – but I also share with her a lost year syndrome. That same thing happened to me. I thought I was turning 38, but neigh, I was turning 39. Hey, on the flip side, you will be prepared for 40, honey. You will have the foresight to make it fun and not mournful.
    I am now over 40, approaching 45. At some point during the middle of any given year I lose track of my age, which all goes to show you that it doesn’t matter. Getting a half a dozen phone calls from loved ones on my birthday – that is what matters. We are loved, and on this day I feel a little less guilty enjoying and accepting that love. I’m still awed by it.
    You spread such joy and laughter to so many each day. Thank you, bless you, and happy birthday!

  355. I continually forget how old I am and I figure that isn’t the worse thing in the world. Just checked with my husband, confirmed I was still 40. Long as I can remember where I set down my knitting and where the kids need to be today I am doing good. Age is the least of my worries. Enjoy your day!

  356. Happy birthday, Steph.
    If it makes you feel any better I am older than you by 9 days. However old that makes us. I like your math better. Can I use it from now on?

  357. If nine days makes you feel better, imagine how good this will make you feel, I am older by 21 years…so shocking 60 years on the 22nd….and so much wool to spin..happy happy Stephanie

  358. Happy Birthday ! ! ! ‘Tis not the age in years but your state of mind that says what “age” you really are. I’d say you’re definitely early 30’s, if that!! Thanks for signing my book when you were in Lexington, KY!! I can’t read it very fast because I have to pause to stop laughing and get the laugh-tears out of my eyes!! God bless you!

  359. Feliz cumpleanos, joyeux anniversaire, and happy birthday to you, dear Harlot. For your birthday, I will work on my Snowdrop shawl, which has been sadly neglected while I worked on a birthday present for my own mother (whose birthday is two days after yours. Two great women born so close to together? Not a coincidence. June seems to be the month of greatness).
    Don’t sweat the “forgetting your age” thing. I do things like that all the time, and I’m only sixteen. Once, I got lost in my own house. I’m dead serious on that one. See? It could be worse.

  360. Happy Birthday! I’ve been in denial about my age for many years. I’m always disturbed when I hear the actual number. I am sure it’s not right. Thank you for so much enjoyment – a wonderful blog, great books, comraderie, unity, strength, encouragement …you are a gift to all of us. Hope you have a wonderful birthday, and here’s wishing you many more!

  361. You are a riot and I just love you!
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY – whatever your age. But, if you were born in ’68, you are 10 years younger than I and I am 49… Sorry! :):):)
    GUESS WHAT! I have taken my first sock class and have made 3 and a half inches of my first sock – on DPNs!!! Now, of course, I have managed to do that all because of my newest living miracle worker – Barbara, my amazingly wonderful, talented and oh so very patient sock teacher – who, thank God, fixed my near-disaster for me today when I stopped by the shop to show her my progress. Somehow, God only knows how, I was knitting my sock wrong side out! Yeah, sad, isn’t it? Here I sit, with two freaking Masters degrees and yet I knit my sock inside out.
    Oh well… Praise God for three things: pictures of your socks that told me visually that something was amuck; my gut instinct that knew I had to being doing something wrong – after all, I am ME; and, Queen Barbara for being there to make all things right again!
    But, you, oh Birthday Harlot, are my inspiration! Keep on being the wondrous soul you are and blessings be upon you and your yarn henceforth and forevermore!
    I watched THE QUEEN today and I am feeling somewhat formal… Sorry! :):):)

  362. Oddly enough, the same thing happened to my mother a few years ago – except that she found out she was a year younger than she’d thought she was.
    Happy birthday(s), hope they’re both lovely.

  363. Just remember that birthdays are GOOD for you! The more of them you have, the longer you live! Have a wonderful birthday(s) – celebrate life!

  364. Happy 39th (and 38th) Birthday Stephanie!
    I had to laugh at your post, I’ve done the same thing. Except I had been keeping track, and then didn’t, and somehow I missed an entire year of my life. My loving husband (five year older to the day and a very accurate mathmatician) set me straight with a resounding thud.
    I’m planning something devious for his 40th this year as revenge. Muahahaha!

  365. Well, happy birthday to a woman who is now 12 years older than I am. If it makes you feel any better, I have found myself paying less attention to the current number, since it seems to be changing faster than I remember it used to. The most amazing this though is how much life can change in the time it takes to get a year older. Like, you can turn 26 and be a young grad student living with your boyfriend, watching bunnies hop in the backyard, and a year later you can turn 27 and be married with a china pattern, and the whole time know that a year before, you hadn’t even imagined that life would change that much in a year.
    Anyways, best wishes to you on your special day.
    Oh, and the rainbow project is cool and i figured out how it works. I just wish I could get the yarn. 🙂

  366. Well, happy birthday to a woman who is now 12 years older than I am. If it makes you feel any better, I have found myself paying less attention to the current number, since it seems to be changing faster than I remember it used to. The most amazing this though is how much life can change in the time it takes to get a year older. Like, you can turn 26 and be a young grad student living with your boyfriend, watching bunnies hop in the backyard, and a year later you can turn 27 and be married with a china pattern, and the whole time know that a year before, you hadn’t even imagined that life would change that much in a year.
    Anyways, best wishes to you on your special day.
    Oh, and the rainbow project is cool and i figured out how it works. I just wish I could get the yarn. 🙂

  367. You HAVE to be 39 because I’m 38 and I’m born in 1969. This is relevant because in under 700 days I’ll be 40 and I’d appreciate it if you go through it first and let me know how it works.

  368. Oh thank goodness. I thought I was the only one who had to suddenly age a year in a day. You made me feel less crazy. One person is crazy, but if we both did it then it must be normal.
    Happy Birthday!!

  369. I’ve just read this (stone cold sober) talking to myself outload (clearly a sign of advanced age) trying to make sense of this. I was born in 1968 too but I AM 37 right now. I even got out my calculator.
    They are right. We are 38. I’m stunned. Because I’m going to be 40 next year (November).
    I can only put my confusion down to having my 21st birthday twice – it was so much fun the first time we did it all over again the next year.

  370. Happy Birthday Stephanie.
    I’d have the same memory problem except for a neat trick: I was born on the first day of 1960, the start of a new decade. That means I can easily calculate what age I was, or will be, on any given date. I also had the rather unique thrill of having my 40 th birthday on the first day of the new millenium.
    In the year 2025 I will become a senior citizen.

  371. I was just explaining to my boss how I spent the entire year I was 37 (last year) thinking I was 38. Now I know what happened to my 37 – you had it!
    Now that I know, well, it’s ok. You can have it. I didn’t miss it until the day I was turning 38 anyhow.
    I suppose I feel a bit relieved.

  372. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I was born in 1968 too – I gave up trying to remember and just round. I’ve been putting 35 on forms for a while, and just switched to putting 40. Easier that way. Saves hassle.

  373. Happy Birthday! By the way,do you see a pattern in the comments? So many people getting on with the business of living that age is no longer important. I find this totally thrilling! …I, too, have lost track of my age and have had to resort to math and the ages of the (grown) kids.

  374. Happy Birthday Stephanie! I can relate to the shock of realizing that your age (or in my case, my age difference from my husband) is not what you thought it to be. For the 1st 2 years of our marriage, I was under the delusion that I was only 8 months older than my hubby. Until my mathematically oriented husband showed me the errors of my ways… darn him! I’m a year and 5 months older! Oh well, he has more gray hair than me, so there. Happy birthday(s) again. 🙂

  375. Having recently turned 40 (yes, I was born in 1967 and can assure you the math is correct), I can only point out that it’s lucky you figured it out this year and not next year. To suddenly jump from 38 to 40 would be a sizeable shock, since jumping from 39 to 40 feels as if one is skipping a decade anyway.

  376. Happy Birthday!!! I’ll be 51 this year and feel like 27. NEVER worry about the number. Age, unlike size…..doesn’t matter.

  377. I wouldn’t worry about it too much. My older brother turns 30 this year and still my mother has to ask me what year he was born.
    Here’s to another year of the Harlot! Whoo!

  378. Well, that happened to me once. But I got the year back, 21 years later.
    My first child, my son, was due to be born the day before my 26th birthday. We celebrated my birthday early, thinking I’d be in the hospital and not in the mood for a party on my big day. He ended up holding out for his own birthday, 3 days after mine. I totally lost that birthday – I was 25 through most of that year, even though I was really 26. Somehow it slipped away. So when I realized I was really 26, well… now you know how I was feeling.
    My daughter was born when I was 30, so she always has an easy time keeping track of my age, since she just adds 30 to her own age. My MIL keeps a calendar with birthdays and how old the honoree is, so she can send an appropriate card. When I was 47, we were talking and she said she almost missed our birthday (my hubby & I have the same birthday), and I informed her she’d made an error, that we were actually 48. It was my daughter who stepped in and reminded me that she was only 17, so I had to be 47, not 48. So….there’s hope you’ll get that year back somewhere down the road.
    Hope your birthday was fun!

  379. Oh dear. At least you didn’t have to watch a crystal set into your palm turn darker and start to blink out. Your still have many prime years ahead. Besides, someone recently told me that 40 is the new 30. That means that you are 29! And no, just because the big 40 arrives next month has nothing to do with me obsessively repeating that quote. The sweater is beautiful!

  380. Happy actual whichever birthday this is! It appears that at this point where I am (11:35p Central), I have 25 more minutes to wait, and where you are, it’s already mine (the 34th – yep, I’m sure 😉 ).

  381. Congratulations Dearest Harlot!
    I turned 49 for the fifth time this year and have kind of lost track of how old that really makes me. Considering your successes and accomplishments, I’m almost scared to think what you might have made with that year you just lost. But maybe DWB wants to claim it as theirs?!

  382. Being 39 is the best! Of course, being conceived to keep your father out of Viet Nam kind of sucks, but you don’t have to worry about that. Happy Birthdays from another ’68 baby!

  383. Happy, happy birthday from me to you….happy, happy birthday…..I wish I where you.
    Like that I just made it up for you and actually sang it while I typed it. Good thing no one heard me….at least I hope they didn’t. 🙂 And although I like your writing and you are a great person…I really kinda like being myself…so the song isn’t entirely true. Oh well!

  384. Happy Birthday, Harlot!
    I remember one fine blog entry but can no longer find it, about teaching yourself to knit in reverse because you didn’t like to purl and it took too long to turn the needles around? And I think you were told that wasn’t the way to do it. Well, I found this video, which demonstrates the technique, if you’re still interested! (It’s been out almost a year, but I didn’t find it until now. I think you and I missed the same year somewhere.)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI5Gbjz5bvc

  385. OK so I’m reading this and you were actually having me convinced. At first I’m like wait I’m 38 going to be 39 in Nov. also born in 1968. So I keep reading a think oh wait that makes sense heck I’m making myself a year older, you really had me thinking… could I be making myself a year older all this time? Then the bubble busted and reality hit. Oh well it was fun thinking I was a year younger for a minute. Hope you enjoyed both your birthdays.

  386. All these people pointing out you’re a year older are your friends, right? They better be giving you some spectacular gifts this year! Happy birthday!

  387. Man, that post was so bamboozling I had to have a little lie down.
    From now on I’m not going to tell people my age; I’ll simply state that I was born in ’69 and watch as other people either do the math or stare dumbly at me. Frees me up from thinking about it and could be quite entertaining, as your family found.
    Try telling a five year old that it’s this hard to know how old you are. They’d think we’re bonkers. Perhaps they’re right. 🙂
    Happy Birthday, ’68er.

  388. Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday!
    I think it’s pretty common to kinda forget how old we are (especially the older we get). I have to stop and calculate mine. But I’m 30 years older than my son, and I know right away how hold HE is! I don’t feel as old as I am, maybe that’s the deal. Anyway, your Kauni cardigan looks lovely.

  389. That happened to me once too, when I was filling out one of those forms that goes something like: “you are about to rent one of our bicycle-surreys, and we cannot be held responsible if you misjudge your physical condition or, indeed, your age, subsequently dying a humiliating death on the bicycle path due to cardiac arrest. Sign at the ‘x’ if you agree.” I wrote down that I was 43 (so they’d know what to put on my headstone, I guess), and my husband helpfully pointed out that, no, I was in fact 44. I suppose if one needs to age a year in 10 minutes, the shore is as good a place as any for it.
    Happy Birthday! Keep on purlin’!

  390. Yarn Harlot Haiku
    ——————————–
    Yarn Harlot’s B-Day
    A time of festive knitting.
    Woooooo – new pair of socks!!
    Happy Birthday from the heart of the USA!

  391. ACK!
    That is dreadful – I frequently forget how old I am as well. In fact, I am not too clear at the moment…
    Happy Birthday and Happy Birthday.
    😀

  392. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! 😀
    You’ve just been too busy and too stressed. I spent most of 32 thinking I was 31 because so much bad traumatic stuff was going down that a birthday wasn’t important and didn’t register. My Dad had to do the math for me on the phone, almost a year later, in casual conversation. Who knows how long I could have been a year younger if he hadn’t popped my bubble! I’m 50 now, I still forget and hear about someone who’s 50, and think, wow, that’s OLD! ;D
    Have extra cake, and be glad you’re here, we all sure are!!!
    Happy Happy Day!

  393. Marlene, 1960 was actually the tenth and last year of the ’50s!
    Stephanie, you didn’t do an extra birthday somewhere along the way (twice): you completely forgot/missed one. Most importantly: somebody owes you a year’s worth of yarn, because you (thinking you were 38) had 38 years’ worth of wool, you now realise you are in fact 39 so you need to buy another year’s worth immediately. Happy Woolday!

  394. At least you found the miscalculation before you turned 40! Happy Birthday!
    Hey look at that! Your birthday is on my daughter’s birthday and your daughter Amanda’s birthday is on mine.
    I’m sure that means …………….. something? 🙂

  395. In Sweden, it’s actually quite normal to give reference to the year you were born, instead of telling how many years of age you are. This probably has something to do with the fact that we use our “social security number” (personnummer) almost every day for all sort of normal things, and the first two digits state your birth year…
    Anyway, Happy Birthdays Stephanie!

  396. To further mess up your math and age, Chinese count the time spend in womb as first year, and when you are officially one year old by western account, you will be two by Chinese standard. And because 9 is bad luck, so whenever you reach a 9, you automatically goes to the next year. Let’s say your are officially 39 years old, but you would celebrate 40! I just looked it up, yeah, 1968 is definitely 40! Happy Birthday! Or have I successfully ruined it for you?

  397. Happy birthday!
    And I am so sorry, but today is acutally your 40th birthday: The first one was the day of your birth, the second, when you were one year old … but you are 39 years old! (Its the problem of the garden fence, when your garden ist 39 yards long and you have a post every yard.)
    Call me if you are in trouble with your age again, I am born 1968, too. And therefore have my 40th birthday this year, being 39 years old.

  398. Brilliant! Hey – what does it matter? We’re only as old as we feel, us “1968-ers”!
    Happy birthday!

  399. Happy Birthdays! How terrible to miss a year, and how wonderful to have two birthdays at once (do you get to have twice the amount of gifts then?)

  400. Happy Birthday!! Hope you had a brilliant day and may the coming year bring you all that you desire.

  401. When I hit 40, I switched to hexadecimal, so I have managed to stay in my twenties and thirties for more than three decades.
    You’re really only 26. Or so.
    Happy Birthday!

  402. Happy Birthday Stephanie!.
    If you think you’re confused you should try being born on the 29th February…I am 9 and 3/4 by having actual birthdays calculation (or the same age as you, just about, in years on this earth ;o)
    Cheers
    Fi

  403. Darling, you’ll always be 16 to me. I, of course, am a haggard, crippled, drug-raddled 21.
    Which is odd, because my flower-fresh, metaphorically-multiply-divorced-dried-out-chainsmoking Only Beloved Daughter(literally, of course, she is a teetotal cerebral virgin with one boyfriend in her life, but she has attitude) is going to be 21 on Wednesday. Maybe I mitosed her.

  404. Happy 38th Birthday!
    Happy 39th Birthday!
    Enjoy them both twice as much!!
    (And you’re not alone, my sister had a similar experience when she was 32 and I got a new filofax. I wrote down Aly’s 32nd Birthday and she said no, that’s not right I’m going to be 31. I was right, she mourned for days).

  405. Darling, you’ll always be 16 to me. I, of course, am a haggard, crippled, drug-raddled 21.
    Which is odd, because my flower-fresh, metaphorically-multiply-divorced-dried-out-chainsmoking Only Beloved Daughter(literally, of course, she is a teetotal cerebral virgin with one boyfriend in her life, but she has attitude) is going to be 21 on Wednesday. Maybe I mitosed her.

  406. Happy Birthday anyway.
    My daughter asked me how old I was yesterday. Knowing that, the second I state my actual age, everyone she meets will know it, I demurred and asked how old she thought I was.
    I’m 13.
    She’s at least part right. I pretty much act like a teenager despite reaching my 40s.

  407. Don’t worry. My mother was 37 for a strange lenght of time too. One of my aunt is 35 since 1997, and I must calculate my sister’s age to know mine.
    Curiously I know my children’s age.
    Happy birthdayS! I would like to share a beer with you in this occasion.

  408. Don’t worry, lots of people lose track of their age. Some do it on purpose – when my mom turned 33, she announced that she was going to go backwards from then on, because she did not care to get any older than she already was. For 2 or 3 years, we were not allowed to celebrate her birthday, only her “backwards” birthday, and this so confused the entire family that to this day the only person who actually knows her age is my dad – and that’s just because he knows his own age, and she’s two years younger. Even Mom has to ask Dad how old she is! (She’s 58. I only know because Dad just turned 60. You’d think in 25 years, I could get track of this!)
    Happy Birthday to you, twice! And good choice of how to spend it. (Was there any other choice, really?)

  409. Ya shoulda just checked last year’s birthday post. You told us you were 38 on that day! 🙂
    Oh to be so young again…

  410. I am so glad that you have that gorgeous sweater to make you feel better about this whole thing! Although, you seem to be taking it very well.

  411. Oh, when you said you were born in ’68 I knew immediately you were 38 turning 39, because I was born in 1969, just had my birthday in April, and had to do a little mental calculation at birthday time myself. Ah, for the days in my 20’s when I honestly forgot how old I was … btw, how do you calculate all those knitting numbers if you can’t remember how old you are?
    Happy birthday!

  412. Happy Birthday. Sorry about the year. How disorienting! (Your sweater is gorgeous!) Have a glass of wine, dear, and give yourself some time to adjust.

  413. When I was 39, our family had moved away from everyone we knew and loved (husband’s job opportunity). As my 40th birthday approached, my dear inlaws announced they were coming all those miles to visit us. We were truly happy to see them, but what a surprise my mom-in-law had brought along … my mom! Turning 40 became the most special birthday, because of love.
    And my life has grown more rich with every passing year. (Not my wallet. My life.) So look for reasons to celebrate … birthdays are especially good ones!
    Happy Birthday! And happy birthday!
    ~ Dar

  414. So, one of my 40-something coworkers said to a new 30-something who shares your birthday: “Remember, you’re only as old as the body you feel”.
    Which I guess TOTALLY doesn’t work if you’re keeping Joe. Bummer. Sorry about that –
    Hope you had a WONDERFUL couple of birthdays, anyway! I actually remember how old I am, but my birthday often comes and goes without me noticing. I’ll clue in about a week later when someone asks my age.
    johanna

  415. Happy Birthday, dear Harlot!
    Age doesn’t matter. Celebrating with people who love you is the part that matters.
    I hope you danced.

  416. You know what, Steph? WHO CARES HOW OLD YOU ARE!!! You are a Gemini and people should FEAR your ability to be so attractive to others without even trying. That is the best quality of the Gemini besides the natural ability to speak (of which you do so well and without embarrasment) and to nuture EVERYONE. People are in awe of the Gemini cause we’re unpredictible, sexy, loving, gracious, pissed off, intelligent and fun and all WITHOUT EVEN TRYING! So you’re 38! Who cares? The best time of your life is coming up… the 40’s of which I have been a member for 2 years this past May 30th and LET ME TELL YOU… Freedom of thought, speech and opinion is a WONDERFUL thing. It’s amazing how suddenly I don’t care what other people think about me and how willing I am to stand up for myself and my family.
    Oh, LOVE the new sweater. When are you coming to Ottawa? Are you coming for the August 5th Knit-Out at the Agriculture Museum?

  417. Happy birthday Stephanie! May you have a joyful year.
    However, I am concerned. Why is it wishful thinking that you are younger than Joe? Is this due to the tyranny of ageing, or the idea that the man should be stronger, wiser, older…? I am curious because I am 1 1/2 years older than my boyfriend, my sister is at least a year older than hers, my mother three years older than my dad, my maternal grandmother seven months older than my grandpop – and yet still I think this is strange.
    So I find it curious that you of all people do too 🙂
    I’ll make sure I eat some cake for you xxo

  418. I forget how old I am all the time, but being less confident in my own knowledge than you, I ask around frequently for the reality check. Therefore, I’m quite sure I’m 48. At least I think I am. Better call Bruce…
    Happy Birthday, Stephanie!

  419. Happy day! The best thing about being 39 is that you can stay that age for several years without anyone questioning it (a la Jack Benny) because if one looks as young as you do, they can’t believe you’re that old in the first place! I’ll be 42 this year and still tell people I’m 39 because I can pass for 34. 🙂

  420. But just think…now you can start having the ‘ANNIVERSARY’ of your 39th birthday!!! You’ll always be 39 and just celebrate anniversaries from now on.!!!!

  421. But just think…now you can start having the ‘ANNIVERSARY’ of your 39th birthday!!! You’ll always be 39 and just celebrate anniversaries from now on.!!!!

  422. Happy Birthday!I am 38 too and I so want to forget that I am turning 39 in two months.At least your Mom doesn’t tell everyone you are 40!My mom has been tellin everyone that I am 40 for the last 3 years!Good thing is I guess I’ll be 40 until I am 45.Gotta love that Mom Math!

  423. Happy birthday! 37, 38, 39… Doesn’t matter a whit! You know why? Because you, dear Stephanie, are ageless. You are wonderful just as you are and mere numbers have nothing to do with it.

  424. Happy Birthday Steph!!!
    I want you to know that I did the same thing except I thought I was a year older! Go figure. So, I actually gained a year! So Happy Birthday to all of us who can’t figure out how old we are!

  425. Happy Birthday! You and Joe have the same birthday months as me and my husband. He too is married to an “older woman” – ha! And don’t worry… everyone suffers from CRS from time to time (see first listing under Slang).

  426. My parents cancelled my 11th and 15th birthdays due to my being a Drama Queen, so despite the fact that I was born in 1975, I have only had 30 birthdays. The older I get, the more important this has become.
    Happy Birthday to you, however many it is!!

  427. What a great story! It is especially funny to me since I am usually one year off on my age, only I make the mistake of making myself one year older. And I have argued about it with family, more that once, absolutely sure I was right, too.
    Happy, Happy Birthday! Enjoy it twice as much!

  428. Happy Birthdays, Stephanie
    We had a wonderful time in Petaluma. As always, we laughed ourselves silly, including my husband this time.
    Since I, too, was marching in Washington against the war (Vietnam, for those too young to know) in 1968, you are a mere slip of a girl. An old friend told me, earlier this year, that it was his birthday and he was turning 40. Since he’s the same age as I am, I was confused (and he’s an MIT engineer, to boot). Then he said, “Sixty is the new forty, isn’t it?” So he turned 40, again. Remember that when you really turn 40. There are those of us who would be glad to be back there again! In September, maybe I’ll turn 40 again. I’m liking the idea more and more.
    Hope your double day was fabulous, and that they made you a fantastic chocolate cake. BTW, how well does Screech go with cake, anyway?
    With fond affection,
    dee near Berkeley

  429. Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday!
    Have the BEST DAY ever!!
    Have the BEST DAY ever!!
    (there you got two wishes!)
    Now…go open TWO SETS OF PRESENTS – What??? No one brought you two? Tell them they must go straighaway and retify that! (preferably with gift certificates for yarn!)
    😉
    Wait till you hit 51 – 50 isn’t so bad. People say things like “you don’t look it!”
    THEN comes 51…and people start talking about getting your senior citizen’s discount in 4 years…THAT hurts.
    ((((hugs))))

  430. Happy Belated Birthday Harlot!!
    Perhaps you should take a page from our family. My mom stopped counting at 39. When I reached 39, I called her and asked how it felt to have a daughter the same age! My daughter who works with numbers everyday, can’t keep track of something as insignificant as years (she never forgets a birthday or holiday though!). She occasionally is off a year or two with her own age (in her 20s) but when asked once how old I was she replied that since her grandmother was 39 I must be 35. She sticks to that line….and I couldn’t be more thrilled. So my word of advice is enjoy 39, celebrate every birthday but don’t age and stop counting. You are timeless, Harlot. Hugs your way!

  431. Happy whatever anniversary of whatever previous favorite birthday it is!
    When I was in high school I was on a ski trip and injured my knee. The ski patrol, MD’s, etc., kep asking me information for all the forms and I kept telling them I was 15, even though I had been 16 for two months by then (you could tell because I had my driving learner’s permit and was learning to drive). The moral of the story? Sometimes birthday math takes a back seat to more important things, and unless you are standing in a court of law accuracy is just not that big of a deal – sort of like that 10% one is allowed when knitting. Close is really good enough!
    Besides, you have the excuse of being dazzled by the sweater. I know that I sure am!

  432. Happy Birthday! Congratulations on being a Gemini, because that’s the best zodiac sign of all. I should know, because I am one, too.
    And 38, 39, you’re still fabulous and hilarious. So you’ve that going for you.

  433. Happy birthday, Stephanie!
    Maybe you can learn to take the attitude of my grandmother as she aged. She figured out that the senior citizen thing could be a good deal… discounts, sometimes deference, and other good stuff. She learned to say the age she would be as of midnight in the coming year.
    So, by her calculations … you are born and move into your first full year. The birthday at the end of it tabulates the end of that first year. Now most people would say “I’m one.” (assuming they could talk at that point…) Grandma would then equivalently have announced “I’m in my second year” or more likely “I’m in my eightieth year” though most people would have called her seventy-nine. If she really was milking it, she might even go for the decade count, as in “I’m in my ninth decade.”
    Party hearty and have a shiny year!

  434. Why worry about exact numbers: I just say “nearer to 40 than 30” and that will do for all time!
    BTW, my MIL always said she wouldn’t turn 30 until she became a grandmother. When I knew I was pregnant with her first grandchild, I just phoned her and sang Happy Birthday! She understood perfectly.
    Keep celebrating–only the numbers seem scary, not actual life.

  435. happy 38th! i just celebrated MINE as well… (technically) however, i’ve been 28 for as long as anyone… including myself… can remember. my younger sister is now my older sister, my younger brother has ALWAYS been my big brother (he’s bigger) and y’know what… my mom told me i could be ANYTHING i wanted to be when i grow up.. i’m up… and i’m 28… and that’s IT (my gyno had to do the math for me when we found out i’m knocked up… yikes)
    many happy returns (to 38 or 28 or whatever you wanna be) gemini’s rock!
    😉

  436. happy 38th! i just celebrated MINE as well… (technically) however, i’ve been 28 for as long as anyone… including myself… can remember. my younger sister is now my older sister, my younger brother has ALWAYS been my big brother (he’s bigger) and y’know what… my mom told me i could be ANYTHING i wanted to be when i grow up.. i’m up… and i’m 28… and that’s IT (my gyno had to do the math for me when we found out i’m knocked up… yikes)
    many happy returns (to 38 or 28 or whatever you wanna be) gemini’s rock!
    😉

  437. happy 38th! i just celebrated MINE as well… (technically) however, i’ve been 28 for as long as anyone… including myself… can remember. my younger sister is now my older sister, my younger brother has ALWAYS been my big brother (he’s bigger) and y’know what… my mom told me i could be ANYTHING i wanted to be when i grow up.. i’m up… and i’m 28… and that’s IT (my gyno had to do the math for me when we found out i’m knocked up… yikes)
    many happy returns (to 38 or 28 or whatever you wanna be) gemini’s rock!
    😉

  438. happy 38th! i just celebrated MINE as well… (technically) however, i’ve been 28 for as long as anyone… including myself… can remember. my younger sister is now my older sister, my younger brother has ALWAYS been my big brother (he’s bigger) and y’know what… my mom told me i could be ANYTHING i wanted to be when i grow up.. i’m up… and i’m 28… and that’s IT (my gyno had to do the math for me when we found out i’m knocked up… yikes)
    many happy returns (to 38 or 28 or whatever you wanna be) gemini’s rock!
    😉

  439. happy 38th! i just celebrated MINE as well… (technically) however, i’ve been 28 for as long as anyone… including myself… can remember. my younger sister is now my older sister, my younger brother has ALWAYS been my big brother (he’s bigger) and y’know what… my mom told me i could be ANYTHING i wanted to be when i grow up.. i’m up… and i’m 28… and that’s IT (my gyno had to do the math for me when we found out i’m knocked up… yikes)
    many happy returns (to 38 or 28 or whatever you wanna be) gemini’s rock!
    😉

  440. “Erin said watching me get a year older in 10 minutes on her birthday was the best present she could ever have.”
    My younger sister, also named Erin, is much like that. She would giggle and tease me until she is 82 and I am 86 and we are living together as little old ladies who frighten children. Okay, so she’s the old lady that gives them cookies and I’m the one that cackles madly, they will all be very confused.
    I will be turning 29 this August. One more year ’til Carousel.
    Happy birthday and hope you had fun not working.

  441. When my daughter turned 21 three years ago, I decided to start aging backwards. I’m 39 again, too. Happy Birthday!

  442. Could you please teach me how to use your age calculations to figure out my weight?

  443. Happy Birthday (a day late). As one who is turning 30 today, I can fully understand the shock of discovering you’re not celebrating the birthday you thought you were, but one additional. At least you figured it out before next year!! 🙂

  444. Hmmm… I checked last year’s birthday post and you knew you were 38 then – or at least your kids did. Must have been a good year if you are trying to do it twice!
    Hope it’s a great non-working, yarn-filled day!

  445. Well, I’m glad you cleared that all up for me. I was born in 1968, and here all along I’d been thinking I was 39. And suddenly I began to worry that I had been mistaken all these years! I’m looking forward to a big party next year and was afraid I’d have to wait an extra year… or two. Happy birthday!

  446. Happy Birthday – whichever it is! Mine’s monday, and I had a similar confusion-about-age situation a few weeks ago, but in the other direction (sorry). I had been believing I was 33 when in fact I’m about to _turn_ 33. So, you see, you’re right about one thing: the universe does seek balance! (I’m just sorry for you that I got the year you lost – me, I’m delighted!)

  447. Happy Happy Birthday! May the party last long, no matter how old you are!

  448. Happy Happy Birthday! May the party last long, no matter how old you are!

  449. My mother actually does the opposite. Starting a few months after her birthday, she starts convincing herself she’s a year older than she is. Then, when her birthday hits, she’s shocked to remember that she’s turning the age she thought she was all year. It’s convoluted optimism at its finest.

  450. YEah!! Happy birthday!! Things have only been getting better every year since my 24th birthday…oh so long ago. I hope it is so for you too! -Sara

  451. My mother actually does the opposite. Starting a few months after her birthday, she starts convincing herself she’s a year older than she is. Then, when her birthday hits, she’s shocked to remember that she’s turning the age she thought she was all year. It’s convoluted optimism at its finest.

  452. Happy Birthday Steph! I’m sorry about the birthday confusion, that would have had my head spinning!

  453. Happy Birthday!!! I’m glad you made it home from your journey. Have a wonderful day….even though you are 39 and holding……
    ps – Your sweater is really coming along. It’s beautiful. 🙂

  454. Ok. So I didn’t call you after 5 yesterday to wish you a happy 39th. I was going to, but then I realized I’d end up telling you more about how freakin’ much I’m loving knitting up my Handmaiden Cashmere (that I got on sale. I mentioned I got it on sale, right?)on my new Addi Lace needles (not just for lace. go figure) and thanking you for having a birthday just when I needed an excuse to toss aside all my WIPs and play with my Cashmere (mmmmm, so soft…) and really, that would be more brat-like than friend-like and not at all appropriate for your birthday.
    Today, however, being the day after your birthday, you’re fair game once again. As you may have already noticed. Ahem.

  455. Oh my goodness, that is hilarious! thanks for the laugh…sorry you lost a year there! Happy birthday, so glad you were born! 🙂

  456. Happy Birthday!
    You are not alone. I was 35 for 2 years. I was shocked when I realized I was going to 37 when I thought I was going to be 36!!

  457. Oh my goodness, that is hilarious! thanks for the laugh…sorry you lost a year there! Happy birthday, so glad you were born! 🙂

  458. Happy Birthday!!! I’m glad you made it home from your journey. Have a wonderful day….even though you are 39 and holding……
    ps – Your sweater is really coming along. It’s beautiful. 🙂

  459. Have a very happy birthday!
    Once you pass the milestone birthdays, I find it very easy to lose track–I keep wanting to say that I’m 25, even though I haven’t been for two years now!

  460. Ok, Stephanie, since I am (I think) older than you, we can’t be identical twins swapped at birth…you must be my clone. My kids roll on the floor laughing, reading your blog, because you keep describing their mother… They’ll all love this one! you see, several years ago, I annoyed my DH (1 yr older than me) by telling everyone he was turning 40 when he was only turning 38 (or 39, I forget). Just to be difficult. THIS year, to return the favor, DH kept saying I was 45 (or 49 or whatever, it varied). This was a big mistake…I can’t remember numbers. I write down numbers in my checkbook for things I pay EVERY WEEK, because I can’t remember what the number is, so I don’t have to ask, AGAIN, how much to write the check for. So now I THINK I’m 44…but I keep gettting it wrong, since my DH CONFUSED me. And he had the gall to be annoyed when I had to ask him how old I was, because I had no idea! It was HIS FAULT!
    So, Stephanie, Happy Birthday, Twice!!!!!

  461. Happy Birthday!
    And if it’s any consolation, you did post your correct age a few weeks ago – I remember because I had thought you were either younger or older. I will be 42 next week and am still hoping for child #1. I find it very efficient of you to have the childbearing/rearing part of your life so well in hand.
    So you only lost that year for a matter of weeks.
    Not that you will ever see this post – I think that given the volume of your e-mail and your writing output, you are reaching a point at which the simple task of BEING you is more than a single human can actually manage…
    Hope the year ahead is the best yet.

  462. hmmm… hard to believe you’re only six months (to the day) older than me and have accomplished so much more… or have i accomplished so much less?
    anyway, my friend celebrated her 25th birthday for several years in a row, and in the end got kind of confused as to how old she really was… which was probably the point!
    happy birthday!
    dani 😎
    the tatter who knits

  463. Happy Birthday! Thanks for sharing the years with us. It is perfectly understandable with how busy you’ve been that things naturally start to blur together, like years.
    Love and Laughter,
    Amy

  464. Happy Birthday! It was my brother’s birthday yesterday too. Now I will always remember The Harlot’s! Hope you had a wonderful day.

  465. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
    I think that your family and friends owe you 2 presents- one for each birthday you’re celebrating today!

  466. Allright. I went 35 yesterday. My sister is five years younger, too. Now I know what take care for in 5 — uh, 4 — years!
    Congratulations for getting it right before being 40!

  467. Hey, you’re only as old as you think you are – that’s my philosophy. By that, I’ve been 28 forever . . .
    And, tell Erin that each birthday gets a present. Therefore, she now owes you for both the 38th and the 39th. Pick out some really nice yarn . . . happy birthday – twice over!

  468. Happy Birthdays!!! It’s only a number.
    I’ve been 39 (really) for 7 months now, it’s not so bad. As a matter of fact, I’m staying here for a while. Next year I’m going to be 39 again. LOL!

  469. Happy Birthday, Stephanie!
    Eat all the cake you please. 🙂
    P.S. I love the piece at the end… lovely colors.

  470. Happy Birthday, however old you may be! I have a different problem – I can’t remember the date of my birthday and have to stop and think about when it isn’t to figure out when it is.

  471. But how old is Erin? I completely forgot to stop by and wish you joy yesterday, so happy belated, belated birthday!

  472. Happy Birthday dear Stephanie! Thank you for another year of marvelously funny and insightful writing…and for giving us all an example of what a truly good person is like.

  473. Happy Birthday!!!!
    Honestly, I never know how old I am. I have to subtract the current year and the birth year most of the time. When you are a kid, you keep track of months, 1/2 years… I hate to say it, but I think I generalize decades now. What is age anyways???? And siblings… Well, siblings just enjoy us messing up just a little too much.
    🙂 Your knitting is beautiful! Lovely, lovely.

  474. Don’t worry! It’s only a number. Just remember, it’s not how many years you’ve been around, it’s how much stash you’ve got tucked away. So in reality… you might be considered, in knitter’s years, more like… 300.
    Just keeping it in perspective.
    Have a good birthday! (Or two)

  475. Somehow I feel like commenting in the late 600’s is futile, but I had almost exactly the same thing come up this week. Kid asks dad how old he is. 36, he says. “Wait, I say, that can’t be right. You’re about to turn the same age as me, and I think it’s not 37… or is it?” Neither one of us were really sure how old we were. Eventually, by reckoning that in 2008 I would turn 40 because I was born in 1968, so therefore, at the end of 2007 I will turn 39, I must now be 38. And therefore, my husband is about to turn 38.
    It must be the age of forgetting. But happy birthday!

  476. Blame all the time zone changes you’ve been exposed to since you became an author; or blame all the brain cells going to writing; or blame your children (that always works).
    My Preteen keeps pushing for teen-type things that I am not fully prepared to allow yet — “an eleven-year-old doesn’t need [string bikinis, contact lenses, ears double-pierced, navel piercing, makeup]”. I know she LOOKS 14, but she’s still 11! So her latest whining ploy is to tell me she’s in her 12th year. Sorry, no dice.
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY IF YOU EVER GET THIS FAR IN THE COMMENTS! OR EVEN IF YOU DON’T!

  477. I had a similar crisis at 35 going on 36. When I thought when did I get so freakin’ old that I cannot even figure out how old I am?!?
    Happy! Happy!

  478. This year (2007) minus the year you were born (1968) equals the 39th year on the planet. Happy B-day!

  479. I have been greedily reading 1-10 blog entries a day since November/06 catching up to your beauty and wit since your first post(2004); here, I caught up today (a day late) only to realise I am a whole year behind… (tee hee)
    Nonetheless, I am so glad to catch up to you, my friend from a far, and I have enjoyed every tear, giggle, and picture. I hope I’m ready for only one post a day… Thank you more than I can say…

  480. I was a math major. If you were born in 1968, you are indeed 39. But there are no birthday police, so if you want to be 38, you can.
    Happy birthday Steph!

  481. I was a math major. If you were born in 1968, you are indeed 39. But there are no birthday police, so if you want to be 38, you can.
    Happy birthday Steph!

  482. You’re the third person who has recently confessed to forgetting her age during her late 30s. I wonder why we’re all doing it?

  483. Happy birthday! Oh, it is just one year. Everyone knows that just 1 anything doesn’t count. It takes 10 to get something good, like a sweater. Really.

  484. I’m number six-hundred-FORTY-somethingth! Ain’t that a record too? OK, on account of it being your Happy Happy Birthday Birthday I’m going to risk my membership in the True Grownups Club to reveal a secret we are sworn to keep from anyone under 50, but all this age stuff…well, I feel obligated. {leaning over to whisper} Life really begins to improve – appreciably – when you finally pass 40. As you amble past 45, you realize that each day is a bit better, and it continues improving. I’m 64 and you know how kids think “Man, grown-ups can do whatever they want!” Well…{whispering again} it’s TRUE! So enjoy these days, sweetie, even though you can’t have all the privileges and glories *I* have. Be patient, you’ll get here. But remember, don’t breathe a word of this to anyone!

  485. Ha ha ha! My entire “36th year” I thought I was 36. So I missed being 35, and was 36 twice. I agree with most of the previous comments, just stay 39. So easy to remember. At her son’s 39th birthday party, my auntie offered to raise her age, since she thought her son shouldn’t be older than her. She got told, “God, Mom, you can’t do that! We’d never remember how old you are!”
    I really regret not staying 39. I think at my birthday next week, I’ll stay 45. This past year has been pretty exciting.
    Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday!

  486. Never mind the numbers, just have a wonderful year!
    Hope your birthday was happy & may all your best birthday wishes come true.
    –Aussie Jay
    ps – I refuse to be a year older until my hubbie catches up to me … 4 1/2 months later.
    I still enjoy the festivities. <:-)

  487. HAPPY BIRTHDAY and many more!
    It happens to the best of us and speaking from experience, we only get better with age … just like a good wine.
    As long as we can keep knitting, writing, designing … what else matters!

  488. HI Stephanie. Happy late Birthday – The sweater looks great you sure got a lot done on it since Victoria. I have a big order for the Kauni yarn coming soon. Can’t wait.

  489. Happy birthday no matter what you care to call it. Two birthdays in one is twice as good. You getting twice the gifts?

  490. Happy Birthday!! I’ve also done the forget my age thing (and you always think you’re younger not older!), but here’s to feeling wonderful about whatever your age is! 39 forever!

  491. OMG!! I feel horrible – I forgot we share the same birthday!!! Happy Happy Happy!!!It’s not age that matters – but whether we can still celebrate!!

  492. Allow me to be the 671st to wish you a very happy day(whichever it is) and many more. hugs to you-Kathe

  493. Allow me to be the 671st to wish you a very happy day(whichever it is) and many more. hugs to you-Kathe

  494. Happy Birthday!! 39 and holding sounds about right to me…I have been officially there for 10 years and am going to be there for many more 😉 Hope your day is terrific!!!

  495. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! But, um, Steph – I think you and Joe need to take a vacation, together, to get away from all the wool fumes in your house, and do the adding again. Just by coincidence, my sister’s birthday is tomorrow – June 16. She was born in 1968 as well. She will turn 38 tomorrow. I feel I can say this with certainty because she’s two years older than me, and I just turned 36 last month. I feel pretty confident saying this (although this is the first time I’ve actually admitted to being 36), because I have far fewer wool fumes coming from the stash in my house, me being a newer and less skilled knitter than yourself). Take that vacation, or do some destashing – it’s now affecting the non-knitting members of your household!

  496. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! But, um, Steph – I think you and Joe need to take a vacation, together, to get away from all the wool fumes in your house, and do the adding again. Just by coincidence, my sister’s birthday is tomorrow – June 16. She was born in 1968 as well. She will turn 38 tomorrow. I feel I can say this with certainty because she’s two years older than me, and I just turned 36 last month. I feel pretty confident saying this (although this is the first time I’ve actually admitted to being 36), because I have far fewer wool fumes coming from the stash in my house, me being a newer and less skilled knitter than yourself). Take that vacation, or do some destashing – it’s now affecting the non-knitting members of your household!

  497. Happy belated birthday, Stephanie!
    It could be worse. You could be like my late father-in-law; going through old papers, we found that his known birthday may have been out by a MONTH for the last 50+ years (as stated on an old identity card from the 50s). We still haven’t found his birth certificate to prove it.
    Anyway, you’re only as old as the man that you’re feeling (or groping, as my ex-husband used to say). Since Joe’s younger, so are you. :o)
    – Pam

  498. Happy Birthday!
    Yeah, I have this memory issue too. I turned 38 this year. My dad used to say (he would have said), “Happy Birthday and now you start your 39th year.” I never could understand that. Somehow this year it dawned on me.
    But then I ended up with two birthdays, an extra year and no extra presents. And, one year closer to my 40th year.
    I’m going back to the old way. Forgetting.

  499. It must be an auspicious day. At least 3 knitters were born yesterday: a great-nephew, my next door neighbor (girl), and a friend’s daughter.
    I wish I had an inkling of your compulsion to knit baby sweaters 🙂 I’m still working on it, only now there’s wee little distractions.
    Happy Birthday!

  500. I knew you are great! You even have the same birthday as my daughter, one of the 3 great loves of my life. Happy belated birthday!

  501. My husband is a statistition. A quality assurance chemical engineer. You know, the kind Ann Landers used to write about. One of his favorite tee shirts says….”When all else fail, manipulate the data!” I’ll drink to that!
    Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it don’t matter!

  502. 2007 – 1968 = 39 that is the easiest way to figure it. You were born in 1968 – heavens, that is when we got married and we’ll celebrate our 39 anniversary this year. No matter how old you are – its always better than the alternative!

  503. No new post this morning? You must be still in shock. 🙂
    Will it help if I tell you that you are six and a half in dog years?

  504. 38? 39? Tosh. You’ve got an ageless quality about you. A few dozen months one way or the other won’t effect that.
    Happy BirthdayBirthday!

  505. First of all, June is the best birthday month. Many of my friends’ birthdays are in June. And my sister’s.
    Second of all, you are SO YOUNG!!!!
    Thirdly, thank you so much for delivering my hug to Alison Hyde.
    You are the best.

  506. Personally, I think you should save the extra birthday. You never know when an extra birthday could come in handy. Feeling kinda down? Hey, dust off that extra birthday and let’s have a party! If you feel you really MUST be caught up by the next birthday then wait until January or February and have it then!

  507. Hoist by the petard of “chick math”! I’ve done the same.
    Regardless of your age, you’re still totally swell. Have a fantastic birthday. I shall complete a pair of socks in your honor today.
    -Andrea

  508. Happy Birthday!
    Well the confusion is easily explained. You dropped a ‘stitch’! 😀

  509. Happy Birthday Stephanie,
    I have also lost a year in my 40’s (48th to be exact) I know just how you feel. But perhaps you make it up on the other end when you are around 90!!
    Happy Day, Cat

  510. Happy Day!
    Would you be willing to share the colors numbers you are using for the Kauni sweater? Sarah.

  511. Ah Steph, Happy Birthday (belated, I have been gone)
    It’s just another cast on stitch in the row of your knitterly life. Beats a cast off! 😉
    I have never been allowed to forget my age as I am the eldest of 5. This past October was the big 50. Many happy returns.

  512. Sorry to be posting so late–a little behind. If you were born in 1968, that is 11 years later than me (1957). So, to re-confirm your age–you are indeed 39. But that gives you the reality you need to psyche up for 40! 🙂
    Congrats on your birthday, birthday, (I am about 5 months older than my husband, too), and thanks for including Petaluma in your tour. Really enjoyed the talk and the day there.

  513. You know, the real reason it’s hard to remember your age is that IT KEEPS CHANGING. Every year it is DIFFERENT. So, of course, once you get used to that fact, and stop having “5” be your favorite number for a year, or “21”, you are going to start forgetting it!
    Frankly, I’d rather remember which LYS has the best needles than how old I am. I can always ask DH or do the math…just subtract your birth year from this year. If you’ve already had your birthday this year, that is your age. If you have not had your birthday, yet, subtract one more. Your birth year is on your driver’s license.

  514. *falls over laughing* I can’t wait to call my sister, this happened to her a couple years ago. We don’t celebrate our birthdays, so its never been a big deal to us until she was filling out a form one day and realized she’d missed a whole year!
    And that sweater is absolutely yummy.

  515. I get it with the age, birthday thing and knowing ones age as what you think it should be. I was 24 when I turned 24. When I turned a sopposed 25 I must of skiped that birthday because I wholy believed that I was yet still 24 all that year also. Up until my dear dear dh. Broke the sad news to me the day after my dd was born or was it that day. As I was telling the nurse how old I was. I say 24. She said no honey you are 25. I said no you are wrong. I am 24. I will be 25 next year on my birthday. And he proceded to do the math. Hmmm strange how can that be?? I missed a whole year also and had to make up for it while in or after labor. OH just to make sure your family was right I did the math. 1968-2007=39. Happy Birthday!!! I hear that once you reach 40 life gets better. I am there at 40 and I am waiting for the fun to begin, and it does not seem to want to happen all that fast either?
    P.S. If you happen to read all of the 700 and some odd post. God bless you for loving you readers so much. 🙂

  516. Happy belated birthday!
    Hey, you and David Bowie both have lost years. His was 1970, I think…are you smoking what he was smoking? Hee.

  517. Happy belated birthday!
    Hey, you and David Bowie both have lost years. His was 1970, I think…are you smoking what he was smoking? Hee.

  518. Happy Birthday and Welcome to the “Thirtynine and Holding!” Club.
    I officially joined in April this year.
    I have big plans for next year.
    (40 isn’t gonna know what hit it!)

  519. What a fantastic story – and you have accepted your age of additional wisdom with much grace.
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

  520. Oh, if I could have only done that at 40. *sigh* Alas, I did not, therefore I really will be 44 on the 29th.
    Well, Happy Happy Birthday Birthday anyway! Does this mean you get twice the cake?

  521. Good Lord, Woman! You have 710 comments! I lost a year the year I turned 38. (But frankly, I had a couple of not such great years in there, I was pretty content to let them go.) Have a happy birthday, and to all your family, as well. I’m sure it will be wonderful for you, whether it is your 38th or 39th.

  522. I’ve done that — lost a year — but for several months not an entire year, and I was 50 or 51. I can’t remember now what my actual age was.
    My Spousal-Equivalent’s birthday falls about 2 months after mine, at which time he becomes a year older than I am. I started off thinking for a month or so that I’d be that age on my next birthday, then transitioned to thinking that was my age for about 6 months.
    I don’t remember filling out any forms that required age at the time, though.
    Anyway, double birthday hapiness. If you have two years to celebrate, I expect you’re still at it.

  523. yes happy 39th Birthday and if you want to get really technical actually you are now 39years and 9 months old. Whys that you ask? well if you were in fact 9 months old when you came out of your mothers womb, why dont we add that to our age aswell?

  524. Happy Belated Birthday Stephanie! I was so excited to learn that we were both born in 1968! I think you’re just wonderful – and it was so fun to see you speak in Victoria one week ago today. I am halfway through my first shawl! I’m the one you posted – but it’s not Colleen…it’s Lorraine. Oh well – I still made it onto the blog!!!!Hope you had a fantastic birthday. Someone as lovely as yourself deserves it!

  525. OMG. I thought I knew how old I was till you started with your “maths”. Thank goodness for Ken, who put my brain back into gear.
    Very Happy Birthday,

  526. Happy happy Birthday to you! I am baking a cake today and I’ll eat a piece in honor of your birthday. Is that a sweater pattern? It is gorgeous! (psst….you deserve a yarn stash enhancement gift for your birthday….hee-hee)

  527. I just want to say “Happy Birthday” and I will be 50 on the 24th and looking forward to it. They are just numbers and I don’t feel 50. i accomplished what I wanted to do before my 50th and these are what they were. 1. get a tattoo I did.
    2. get my motorcycle liscense I did 3. get my motorcycle I did that too last year. My clients (I am a hairdresser) say that knitting and motorcycles are 2 different worlds and I told them that they are not. They both are relaxing and I crave both. Sooooooo on my days off (Sunday and Monday) I ride my bike and come home and knit then I go golfing. Oh well, just a little chatter.
    Happy Birthday again!!!
    You make me giggle girl. Keep it up. I enjoy your blogs as much I like riding my Harley.
    God Bless!!!!!!!!

  528. Happy Bday.
    Don’t worry.
    When I was 42 I thought I was 43. So I was 43, 2 yrs in in a row.
    Love the sweater.
    Viki

  529. happy happy happy birthday!!!!!!!!! you are such a beautiful person, inside and out. thank you so much for providing me with lots of laughs. and a super big thank you. because, after reading tons of passages that you’ve written to my husband…he is realizing that i’m pretty sane. 😉
    love you.
    :)karen

  530. I clearly remember your 38th birthday. Your girls all blogged for you. It was beautiful.

  531. I did the same thing a few years back except that I said that I was a year OLDER than I was. How does one add a year?!??!?! It must have been the onset of early perimenopause–but, I can’t remember (now)! 🙂 Just give me some chocolate/a beer/ a margarita/ a tequila shot/ new yarn/ of all of the previous items, and I am sure that I (we) will feel a lot better. Happy Birthday! In my opinion, when you get to a certain age (you decide when that is) the number doesn’t matter.

  532. Happy Birthday, Birthday Sister… I turned 28 on Thursday, and a friend’s niece was born that morning. It was a glorious day! I hope yours was just as wonderful.
    Kate

  533. Happy B-Day darling–and thanks for the huge belly laugh–from my husband too, who was, I think both relieved and alarmed to discover that other people do math the same way I do… (btw? I turn 40 this year, and I spent about four years just blurting out ’33’ to the question, ‘How old are you?’ I think I might be 40 for a long time too…)

  534. AWWWW I’m sorry honey. I’m still not in my 20s yet, so it’s really hard to lose track. But really, it doesn’t matter from 25 until 50. Really. It’s not important really… an extra year here won’t make a difference. But I’m sure they’ve caught it on all the legal documents. XD

  535. I will never be able to forget my age, as my eldest son was 12 days late so he could be born on my birthday. (I swear he did it on purpose!) Then I made the mistake of teaching him to add and now he’s only too happy to tell everyone (especially me) just how old I am!
    Hope your birthdays were fabulous!

  536. Happy Birthday Steph! I am so glad I was born in 1970 – it makes the math so much easier!

  537. Happy Birthday Steph! I am so glad I was born in 1970 – it makes the math so much easier!

  538. Happy Birthday Steph! I am so glad I was born in 1970 – it makes the math so much easier!

  539. You are seriously confusing but happy birthday anyway! Make sure you give yourself an extra half birthday (6 months later) to celebrate the one you missed.

  540. Heya! That’s MY trick!
    I was planning on adding a couple of years to my reported age every now and then, so in a few years, when I turn 55, I’ll tell people that I’m 61 and they’ll think I look GREAT!

  541. This is the most hillarious story I have ever heard. Happy 38th…errr… 39th birthday.

  542. Oh, happy birthday! I was born in 1968 too, and yes dear god we’re 39. Last summer (when I was 38, right?) I ran in a duathlon. They asked my age to write it on my leg, and I very confidently and totally without lying said “37.” Yup, just like you did.
    There’s something about this particular age, I think. We just can’t internalize it.

  543. Happy Birthday! As a math teacher I especially love your story–it’s Everyday Math in action! June 14 is my parents’ anniversary and they chose the date because it is Flag Day here. In the 1950s, when they got married, that holiday really did get celebrated and on their wedding day the flags were flying everywhere. It sounds as though your June is as complex as ours (nine birthdays and two anniversaries, at last count). No wonder it’s hard to keep track.

  544. If it will help* at all, I will probably remember your birthday — and hence, your age — for the rest of my life, because a) my stepdad’s birthday is on the same day as yours; and b) I am seven months older than you are. (Yep. Birthday With a Zero comes in November. I am not exactly breathless with anticipation at the thought of it.) Should you ever find yourself confused again, I would be more than happy to help* with the math.
    Belated happy, happy birthday, Steph. Thank you for another year of sharing your own unique idiom of hilarity, enlightenment, skill, creativity and Just Plain Fun with us. I know that my life is better for it.
    *I am defining “help” along the lines of Shel Silverstein’s song “Helping,” as found on the Free to Be You and Me soundtrack:
    “And some kind of help is the kind of help
    that helping’s all about,
    And some kind of help is the kind of help…
    we all can do without.” 😉

  545. It’s sad and scary but that happened to me last year. I was out celebrating my 32nd birthday when someone (clearly not a very good friend) told me I was 33.

  546. Uhm.. Does it mean you got to have two cakes, One for each Birthday? 🙂 Happy Birthday twice!!

  547. Happy birthday to a fellow holding on-er! I will be 38 – really, as I was born in ’69 – in a few days, but routinely announce that I am 36. You see, I evidently enjoyed being 35 so much that I did it for two years, and thus, threw my old “how old am I?” cycle out of whack.
    Maybe 38 will be great and I’ll stay there a couple of years too.
    Enjoy the cake!

  548. I met a guy the other day who is 25 and I said, outloud, oh, you’re two years older than I am. We were talking about birth dates, ie the actual day we were born and I realized that I am, infact, 8 months younger than him and I am actually 24. Yeah. That was great.

  549. Hi Stephanie, I heard you have been challenged to prove the insulating factor of alpaca fiber. Though the guard hair is most likely the medulated fiber, even the finer micron count fiber has some medulation. You can find reliable information from Cameron Holt in Australia or Ruth Elvstad at Old’s College in Canada. Google either one of them and you will be able to reach them. Good luck with your research.
    Catherine Stickann
    Sycamore Creek Farm
    Rocheport, Missouri
    USA

  550. Hi Stephanie, I heard you have been challenged to prove the insulating factor of alpaca fiber. Though the guard hair is most likely the medulated fiber, even the finer micron count fiber has some medulation. You can find reliable information from Cameron Holt in Australia or Ruth Elvstad at Old’s College in Canada. Google either one of them and you will be able to reach them. Good luck with your research.
    Catherine Stickann
    Sycamore Creek Farm
    Rocheport, Missouri
    USA

  551. I don’t know if you read late comments, but I feel the need to tell you this:
    I’m reading this birthday post, thinking “wow, is SHE math-impaired!” and feeling all smart, and when I get to the part where you’re 39 I think “Oh good! you’re a few years older than me.” (Good because of all the accomplishments I have not quite gotten around to yet. 🙂
    Which would be fine, except I’m 43.
    Only much later, reading someone else’s post in which she mentioned she was 27, did I remember I was 43, and therefore NOT younger than you, in any way shape or form.
    Between reading those two posts, I absolutely thought I was 35.
    I may not be math-impaired (though I am no longer sure of that, either) but I am apparently in deep deep denial.
    Anyway, belated Happy Birthday! And thanks for making the knitting world so much brighter.
    (I swear, I almost just posted this saying I was 42. *sigh* Is there really any point to remembering how old we are?)

  552. I turned 38 – for real – a month ago. Strangely, I wasn’t as bothered by this as I was by turning 37. I hate that number. I was actually GLAD to get out of 37!
    Happy belated birthday!

  553. Birthdays are sneaky, tricky little devils. But remember, you can be any age you want to be except one you haven’t been yet. And what is that gorgeous piece of knitting by the tea mug?
    candi widhing you many, many wonderful birthdays.

  554. Birthdays are sneaky, tricky little devils. But remember, you can be any age you want to be except one you haven’t been yet. And what is that gorgeous piece of knitting by the tea mug?
    candi wishing you many, many wonderful birthdays.

  555. Happy birthday! I turned 40 on Father’s Day. The way I know how old I am is that I ask my brother (who shares my birthday, having been born on my 3rd birthday) how old he is and add 3. It’s too hard to add to 7, and thus too hard to add to 1967, which was the year that I was born. But as long as Robert knows how old he is, I’m golden.

  556. Happy birthday! Yup, that would make you 39 – the age my brother will turn later this year… a month after I turn 41. Yikes!

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