Hang on to those mushy bananas hanging out in your fruit bowl and whip up a batch of this banana bread.

This particular recipe is unbelievably good. I gave a loaf of it to Mayo on Saturday when she came in to the office to record Verizon phone system prompts.

Mayo texted me later that day and told me her 2-year-old daughter Mia ate it "like there was no tomorrow". Adults seem to react the same way. It's that good.

I've named the bread for my late mother, who was easily one of the best bakers in the world and who used to make it for us when we were kids.

Bernice's Banana Bread

2 large bananas, mashed with a fork

1 -1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup sour cream

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a large loaf pan with PAM. Mix together flour, soda and salt. Combine butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla in mixing bowl and cream on medium for 2 minutes. Add banana, sour cream and flour mixture. Beat about 30 seconds longer or just until blended. Pour in loaf pan and bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Enjoy!

The world of voiceovers is one of curiosity for many. Think about it. We hear voiceovers everywhere from radio commercials to movie trailers to telephone phone prompts but there is little info out there about the actual business.

Which means we get lots of calls from people asking lots of questions.

"What's it like to work in voiceovers?" How do I get started in the business?" "How much money can I make?"

Today I will tackle the question: What's it like to work in voicovers with "The Six Truths About Voiceovers". There are literally dozens more but I narrowed it down to these top six. The rest will be discussed in my voiceover book, to be published in 2010.

The Six Truths About Voiceovers:

1. The voiceover you record "in your head" always sounds better than the one you actually recorded.

2. The bigger the voiceover project and the bigger the paycheck, the better your chances are that you'll come down with a horrific head cold on the day you're to record.

3. There is no crying in voiceovers, however some directors (not naming names!) will give you plenty of reasons to shed some.

4. When a client requests a voiceover ASAP what they are really saying is they need it RFN.

5. The Federal Government is not offering bailout money to the voiceover industry

6. Voiceover artists don't need a BAILOUT because the voiceover business is going and growing strong in 2009!

Interested in learning more? Sign up for our Introductory classes held monthly at our midtown Sacramento studio. With more than 30 years of fulltime experience in the voiceover industry, we are able to teach you the practical, real-life voiceover skills needed to to be successful in the voiceover business.

One of my favorite stories is about the time I went to a pizza restaurant and a 50-ish lady in line in front of me was ordering a mushroom and meat pizza. The 16-year-old behind the counter asked her what kind of meat did she want on her pizza? The lady got a puzzled look on her face and said that she couldn't remember what they were called but said that they were round and spicy.

You mean pepperoni?, the suddenly sarcastic teenager quipped.

The lady, now red-faced, said "yes, that's it.....I want a mushroom and pepperoni pizza!"

I must admit that I silently chuckled to myself and then went back to the office and shared the story about Pepperoni Lady with everyone there, as well. Who on earth forgets what pepperoni is?

Of course, that was before I knew anything about fluctating hormone levels and the major changes a woman goes through in the midlife of her life. Since turning 50 this past November I now know that I have much more in common with the pepperoni lady than I ever imagined.

I know what's going on. My hormone levels, which have kept me on an even keel all my life, are now fluctuating madly like today's stock market. And we all now how ugly that is.

In the past few weeks I have lost 1 slipper, 1 important tax form, and a new black suede jacket with fur cuffs and collar. Poof! Gone. Absolutely NO idea where any of this stuff could be. On the other hand, I have found a box of Cheerios in the fridge and a half gallon of 1% milk.....in the freezer.

Yes, I know, it's funny. Really, I try to have a good sense of humor about these things. What other option do I have?

I know that my hormone levels are low and then too high and then non-existent....sometimes all 3 on the same day. And, it's driving me crazy!

Oprah has the answers to female hormonal problems, of course, because she knows The Secret, for goodness sake, and perky Suzanne Somers has the answers because she invented the thigh master and you know once you invent something like that you become an expert on everything. Dr Phil's wife, Robin, has the answers because she's married to Dr. Phil who is famous because he knows Oprah and everyone is living la vida loca with their cures for the menopausal woman.

Except me. Does anyone else besides me find it crazy getting health advice from celebrities?

Meanwhile, I will continue to embrace these changes in life with a sense of humor, the support of my friends and the love from my long-suffering husband.

Stay tuned, hang on and brace yourselves.....this could get interesting!