The Price Is Right / California Trip!

My sister-in-law, Kimberly, had a brilliant idea to whisk away for a weekend, go to Hollywood, and try to be on the Price Is Right. I was, of course, immediately drawn in to check off a childhood dream of mine which was to be on the Price Is Right. I love my sister, Kim. She's my kindred soul for things like this.

I was sad that Shelly and Leeann couldn't make it. But the rest of us had a really great time. I felt so free to not be tied down to my boys (not that I don't love it usually, but you have to be free sometimes, ya know what I mean?). I honestly haven't had that fun of a time with a bunch of girls since college. We laughed non-stop for the entire 36 hours (and we only got about 4 hours of sleep total!)

We got to Hollywood and had fun sight-seeing, buying treats for our early morning wait in line....who knew we wouldn't be hungry at 4 am? And we enjoyed just being together. One of my favorite things we did was walk out to the lighthouse restaurant off the pier and had hamburgers, fries, and shakes. It is so beautiful in California! If it would've been warmer, I would've jumped right in that ocean. Nothing is more beautiful or peaceful to me then watching the waves on a beach.

The next morning we woke up at 3 am to get in line at 3:30. We played cards in the cold and chatted until 6:00 when they came to give us our numbers. It was hilarious how excited everyone was & the homeless man across the street gave us quite the show when 2 punk teens woke him up and started poking him with a stick. It was really sad and the man freaked out for about 30-45 minutes even after they had left. It was interesting...

We had 2 hours at that point to go eat breakfast, which we did, and touch up on our hair and makeup. We were revved up and ready for our "interviews". There is a lot of waiting and sitting. We would move from one place to another. They took group pictures (which are put up on their website) and individual pictures for themselves. People are super friendly, trying to impress the staff and the T-Shirts are great. The girls that sat next to us had one that said, "Pick Me" and it had her son picking his nose. Our sweatshirts were turquoise and really stood out. I love mine.

During our "30-second interview", a group of 10-12 people come up and the director says, "So, what do you do for a living?" and you answer. He spent a long time with our group. I was sure my cute sister-in-law Ashley was going to get picked up until the point when she admitted that she never watched the show. Bad move, Ash. When he got to me, I said, "I'm a struggling musician...I struggle playing all instruments..." ha ha. Just kidding. But that was what I woke up at 3 in the morning saying I was going to say. It kinda became our joke. Sorry. Anyways, I said I was a stay-at-home mom with my 2 cute boys with a daughter on the way and pointed to my belly. I also said I was a retired school teacher. He said, "So, are you smarter than a 5th grader?" I said, "Of course....well....and shrugged my shoulders." It got a good laugh out of everyone. My mother-in-law then spoke up and said that my husband was an Obstetrician. He loved that and said something like, "Oh, that must make it easy to have kids" and I answered, "Of course! They are all born free." It was fun bantering back and forth.

And that was it! We waited another hour or 2 as they played an episode on the Price Is Right for us on the TV's outside. Then we entered into the studio. We were so lucky to be sitting right behind contestant's row. We will be in all the shots. It was exhausting being a member of the audience. They require a lot of clapping and cheering and shouting out numbers. And you have to get all excited when the cameras are on the audience. When waking up at 3 am, it was hard to stay excited the whole time.

It's interesting because I knew I was going to get called up. I could feel it in my bones. And when they did, I wasn't surprised, wasn't nervous. Just did my thing! My family turned to my sister-in-law, Kimberly, when my name was called (her last name is now Airmet) instead of me. They were confused. Funny.

The first item up for bid was a tool set. I really wanted to win it for Ryan. I bid just $52 over. Bummer. That lady who won got a new car! The last itme up for bid were ugly lamps. I bid just $100 over. :( Sad. That girl won snowmobiles among other things. I was so sad that I didn't make it up. I really really wanted to spin that wheel. That was my dream!! I wanted to see how heavy it was and what it felt like. Oh well. So close...yet so far away.

I did walk away with some cool booby prizes. A karaoke machine and a set of picture encyclopedias. $800 value! And a fun story to tell.

I love Ryan's family. I was so glad to be with them and get to know them better. I feel so fortunate to have married into such a loving, warm family. And that's where I really am the big winner.

P.S. The show still hasn't aired. President Obama's speech cut it off and it is rescheduled to air in
August or September. Which means I won't get my gifts until December. Imagine how angry I'd be if I'd won a car!!