So here’s the thing: every year I make a “Summer CD” -okay, it’s more like a playlist on my IPOD now, but the misnomer isn’t important.

Every year it gets harder and harder to find songs to put on my summer CD. The reasons are various: I listen to the radio less and less, and don’t know what’s “out there” in terms of music. I’m getting old, and finding that I don’t like the music that I do hear. And finally, even the songs that I like, when I stop and think about it, don’t give messages that I want my kids listening to.

So . . . here’s my list for my Summer CD 2009:

Heads Carolina, Tails California – by Jo Dee Mesinna

Yep. That’s it. Just one song right now. So I’m taking – no, requesting – suggestions for my summer theme track.

The idea behind a summer CD is just that the music be catchy, upbeat and/or loud – think of the sort of songs you’d listen to on a summer road trip, with your barefeet on the dashboard, driving down the interstate. OR the music should be typically summer romantic – embodying all the ideas of warm summer nights. If you have a suggestion PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE send it to me. I need help. This might be the last Summer CD ever.

PS – As a general rule I avoid vulgarity & or messages of depraved morals – I know, that cuts down the list by A LOT! But I listen to my Summer CD all year long. It has to be something the kids can listen to. I’ll admit, I’m more calloused, but I don’t want to inflict my indifference on my children.

Here’s my list for Summer CD’s of years past.

Today Olivia was wearing this shirt.

We took it as an omen.

Some days are just cupcake days.

6:49 am – wake up. Why am I awake? Go back to sleep.

8:20 am – Wake up again. This time to Cal calling “Dadda . . . Dadda . . . Dadda . . .” I close my eyes. He wants dadda.

8:21 am – Open my eyes just as Olivia climbs into bed with me. Wyatt passes Cal down to me. “I have to clean out the basement” he tells me, “keep the kids up here.”

8:43 am – Mommy and kids get up and head for the kitchen. It’s time for something to eat.

9:36 am – Showered and dressed, I begin make-up. Wonder: why don’t I put on makeup more often?

10:03 am – PANICK, can’t find the hairspray, and we’re supposed to be at the recital in less than a half hour.

10:41 am – dressed and hairsprayed, Olivia is ready for her dance recital.

11:00 am – Olivia’s first dance recital! Wyatt and I reminisce for a brief moment at how far we’ve come in 3 1/2 years.

12:13 pm – Dance recital is over. It’s time for ice-cream.

12:32 pm – Lunch. PB&J with Bananas. Yum.

12:52 pm – Cal is down for a nap. I lay down on the couch. I’m so tired my body hurts.

3:14 pm – Up again. Time to work on the yard.

4:02 pm – Find a postcard in my mailbox.

5:51 pm – What should we do for dinner?

6:30 pm – Pizza

7:49 pm – Bedtime. Hurry, hurry, read the books, get in the jammies, brush neccesary body parts, kisses, milk, hugs, find baby Kate, bed.