The final scoop

I meant to get right back after the show aired, but somehow, the whole week disappeared. Wow. So, for those who didn't get to see it and have wondered how to see it, I'm working on getting a copy I can somehow share or post or something. Millionaire doesn't provide copies of the show, nor are the available online, so you'll just have to be patient. I'm just not technologically gifted enough to get it together quickly. If anyone wants to come over to my house and show me how to link my Tivo to my home network so I can transfer stuff to my computer, that would be awesome. If not, you might be able to catch it in reruns. Bracken pointed out that thanks to the Gameshow Network, it might live forever.

But for those like my brother Ben on his mission who can't watch it anyway, here's what happened. After the previous contestant went with the audience and got the answer to his question wrong, poor thing, I stepped into the hotseat. I, thankfully, was able to breeze through the first 5 questions. It was a little surreal to watch myself answer them because in my head, I took a long time with the answers, but it turns out I really zipped through them. And I had completely forgotten some of those questions. I'd had a huge fear that I would stumble or need to use a lifeline before the thousand dollar question, and was relieved that I didn't. However, on the $4000 question, I needed another minute to think about whether Barack Obama had won an Oscar, a Tony, a Grammy or an Emmy and asked the audience. Their answer was really mixed, and I didn't trust it, so it went with my gut and said Grammy. Thank Goodness!

About that time in the show, Meredith asked about my daughters and my family, and revealed that they had Bracken and Chloe on the line! I was so surprised. Then this picture flashed up on the screen of Bracken as a pirate and the girls in their Halloween costumes from last year. It made me laugh for two reasons. For one thing, Bracken had been after me to take a picture of him with the girls for a couple weeks, and I hadn't known why. Ooops. It also made me laugh because one of the main battles of our marriage has been over who is funny. I guess he finally settled that arguement on national TV, because he certainly looked like the one with a sense of humor by using that picture. I got to talk to him for a minute, and then Chloe whispered, "I wuv you, Mom," and totally choked me up. I just don't think that was quite fair to do to me in the middle of the show, though it certainly was sweet.

I continued on with the questions, and used my ask the expert lifeline to confirm that MI6 was the British Intelligence Agency. I had a gut instinct, but since it was the $25,000 question, I wanted to make sure I got it right. I then phoned my brother on the the next question because I had no idea that the Toven Specimen was an aluminum penny. Dan came through for me.

And then I got the the $100,000 question. I had no idea how large the Sahara Desert was, but I had my double dip lifeline and I had told myself that I would go for it if I had a chance. After all, I had a lot more to gain than I did to lose. I first tried the Gulf of Mexico, and then Mongolia. Boy, do I wish I had not underestimated the size of that desert. Turns out it is about the same square footage as the good ole USA. I haven't for one second regretted going for it, but I sure wish I had known the answer! Still, I'm grateful for the $25,000 I won, and am so glad that all those months ago I decided to take a chance and try out for the show. I got to visit New York for the first time, had a wonderful time with my sisters, met some great people, and for a very little work, "earned" a nice chunk of change.

However, I still have not seen that chunk of change. I am eagerly anticipating its arrival. It sure would be nice to see it before Christmas. As I wait, I'm figuring out which game show to try out for next.

Thanks to everyone for all your excitement and enthusiasm about the show. It sure means a lot.