Artist's Note: Much of my life has been lived as a perpetual job interview...what do they think of me? Do they like me? Am I following all the rules? What can I do or say to make everyone around me happy? The voyage to claim & love my voice, my body, & my life began 15 years ago when I moved to Bend; it continues to transform me. The fact that you are now holding this album means my trust is finally greater than my terror of never being good enough (even just two teaspoons greater). These songs are the "aha!" moments on my journey home to me. Working with my daughter: My 19-year old daughter Alecsy is singing harmony vocals on many of these songs, and working with her in the studio was so delightful -- watching her come up with amazing ideas, hearing her nail them on the first take. We made it through her teenager years and now we're singing in harmony - it's a miracle I love to hear over & over. The first song on the album, "If I Were Me" is the anthem song for me learning to love myself completely, and for Alecsy to learn to love herself, too. We're both prone to going outside of ourselves for approval & love, and as I've watched and worried over her as a mother I've realized: I have to heal that in myself in order to help her. Favorite Lines in the album: "Till I become the prayer that I pray" - Deschutes "Funny how what's silent is the only thing you ever hear" - Grandpa's Whiskey "We all survived, now I wanna live" - Grandpa's Whiskey "When it's rough, it's a walk in the park" - Walk in the Park "I'll write a song & I'll kiss you in it, Cause my lips just can't find you anywhere on this planet" - I'll Write a Song "I've got all these kisses no one tries to steal" - Starving "If you're dangerous you're still the only place my heart is safe" - I'm Yours The Duet - It's Not You, It's Me: This song continues to haunt me daily, I can't quit listening to it. Jacob Looper did such an amazing job singing it with me, and although the lyrics might be the biggest cliché of all time, the message is one I'm learning over & over & over.