Come On Down
Price Is Right
“Come on Down” My 50th birthday story.
We returned to the hotel at 7:38 that evening, I checked our email. To my surprise, there were 2 priority tickets to the 9:00 am April 4th taping of The Price Is Right. My dream to go to The Price Is Right was coming true on my 50th birthday.
Being totally unprepared to be on the show,” no handmade shirt”, I took my husband’s new white tee from his suitcase and we headed to CVS. We spent $58 on crafts to design our shirts. For me, that was huge. I hate to buy anything that is not on sale.
My husband took about 15-20 minutes to do his shirt, but not me. He went to sleep and my friend Ronda Spiller and I talked on the phone until I finished. Ronda reminded me to make a sign. I did. I didn’t finish until midnight. My shirt and sign had to stick out. I guess they did. Them, my husband and that arrow.
No one under 18 is allowed at the taping, so we purchased DJ breakfast and lunch before we left. We went over rules and promised that when we returned from the taping, we would go to see ‘A Wrinkle In Time’. While giving me a hug, DJ said excitedly “go get the money Mommy.”
I didn’t know that before we left the hotel my husband had put an arrow from the craft kit in his pocket. On the ride to the studio, it resurfaced and apparently turned into a pointer.
That man pointed that arrow at me for over 3 hours. When he first started, I asked him, “are you going to do that all day?” His reply, “I’m already in the stratosphere.” I looked at him and was like “uh oh”.
Once either of us gets fixated on something, we don’t stop until it’s accomplished. Whatever he was doing got the producers’ attention. So glad I didn’t get embarrassed and told him to stop.
We were under a pavilion with all the other potential contestants. We all had to fill out release forms, do on the spot interviews and we took pictures in front of a green screen. This process took between 2 ½ - 3 hours.
Thank God for Steve Harvey. Some of the people that were in the taping of the Steve Harvey Show the day before, were in line too. I told you we cut up on their right?
Well several people began to yell out, “that’s that crazy couple from yesterday. We were with them yesterday at the Steve Harvey Show. It’s her birthday! Happy Birthday!”
Everyone under that pavilion seemed to wish me a happy birthday.
Thank you Lord. Witnesses. LOL!
Needless to say that their enthusiasm sent some energy our way. A few people walked by and said, “don’t stop what you’re doing. They're watching you.”
We just did us. The producers finally came to us and asked us a few questions. Name, where are you from? Why are you here? What’s your favorite game from the show?
I patiently waited for my turn to be questioned. I listened to 3 people next to me all have the same answer when asked what was their favorite game. All of them, including my husband, answered,”Plinko”.
Although I too love Plinko, my Psychology degree from Newberry College would not allow me to repeat the same answer. I was not going to say that. After praying for the words, I answered, “the Showcase Showdown!”
Not too long after that interview we were all led by staff in red jackets to elevators to the studio and our seats. Time stood still for about a second and then the music started. It felt like my birthday party.
I partied with my husband and strangers from all over the country on National TV. I was more than happy and excited to be there. A place I had prayed to God to get to one day.
I was there with my other answered prayer, my husband and best friend Dexter. One of the ushers sat us in the back next to 2 women we had met in line. They were from California. One just would not follow directions though.
We were given water and a granola bar while under the pavilion. The staff specifically said that at that point, if you return to your car, you aren’t guaranteed to reenter.
Well, we were told it was time to go into the studio. Soon as we were told, 1 of the 2 ladies got up and went to put the free bottle of water in her car. I said to myself, 1 down. She can’t follow directions.
We were whisked over to an elevator by one of the “ushers” in a red jacket to take us to the famous Bob Barker Studio. “Wow!” We were there. It was bright, lively and intimate.
The staff was getting everyone seated. We were seated in the back next to the 2 ladies from California. Then loud music started to play. It was my birthday, so we, Dex and I partied again. The Price Is Right audience partied too.
The first 4 contestants were called up and we cheered them on. During the break the producers hyped the audience up with great music. We were pumped.
Then it happened. I thought I heard my name. Monica Stinson. Come on Down! I looked straight at the stage and saw a name card with my name on it. Dex screamed. I screamed. Everyone was cheering and I shouted my way down the aisle of Bob Barker studio.
I gave God a praise right there. And God blessed me real good on my 50th birthday.
I started out kind of rough though. My nerves seemed to get the best of me. Instead of trusting myself, I looked to the audience for help. I kept underbidding.
The last round was about to start. This was going to be it. I started praying,” Lord Jesus, I know you didn’t allow me to be here. To be stuck in the pit,”contestants row’. Please Jesus let me make it onto the stage.”
Jesus heard me!
The next and last prizes to bid on were kayaks and Yeti coolers. I told you earlier that once I’m fixated on something I tend to not stop until whatever it is, is complete.
Well I live in a small town. In my town, I consider Walmart to be the local meeting place. Lol. Our Walmart had been displaying kayaks since the Fall. Mind you I didn’t kayak or get in deep water. If it’s too much to drink, I stay away.
I just kept noticing the kayaks and their prices hanging outside the Walmart garden center. Didn’t know why. The moment Drew Carey asked me what my bid was, it made sense. Every other bid, I either bid too low or too high. But kayak prices were somehow in my subconscious. I proudly bid, $1750.
The other contestants must have said to themselves, she doesn’t have a clue. The second highest bid I can recall was $1450. God did it. He answered that prayer right there. I made it onto the stage. I played One Wrong Price and won.
I won a computer package. A Coach shoe and purse package and a Bowflex treadmill.
When it was time to spin the wheel, I spun 95 cents in 1 spin. I made it to the Showcase Showdown.
Not only did God put me there, but I WON! I was the 5th person to hear those words, “MONICA STINSON COME ON DOWN!
I was the last person to get on stage and so grateful for what happened after that. I was the runner up and the gentleman I played against had won $11000 on the wheel in the first half of the show.
During the commercial breaks, the producer would tell us, “try not to overbid. We’ve had a lot of double overbids recently.” That stayed in my mind.
When it came time to bid, I added my guesses on the prizes in my head. I believed the prize which included a Price Is Right guitar, a trip to Venice, Italy and a 2018 Subaru Impreza was worth $30-32000.
Not knowing exactly, I wasn’t going to take a chance. I underbid. $21,799. Then I prayed. “Please. I want to win.”
When Drew said to me,”Monica you won” so many emotions hit me all at once. The 2 that stand out were gratefulness and pure joy. Best birthday ever.
When we returned to the room, DJ asked, “What happened?” I sat a yellow folder with my birthday presents from God on the bed. DJ started calling things off. “Is that a car? Is that a computer? Is that kayaks?” “Is that a trip?”
My husband jumped up and down and said, “DJ, Mommy won!”
It was my birthday and my siblings were calling to give birthday wishes. I had told them we had tickets to the show the night before. Of course they Facetimed me. My brother, Dr. Vernon Smith and my sister in law, Una, were trying to get me to tell them what happened. I couldn’t. They tried to guess, but all I could say is watch the show.
I had to sign a confidentiality agreement after I won. If you tell anybody, then you forfeit your winnings. I waited 46 years to be on The Price Is Right. My Granny taught me that loose lips sink ships. I couldn’t tell a soul. My son DJ didn’t tell a soul. He showed great restraint for a 14 year old.
We tried to calm ourselves down and we found a movie theatre on the GPS. As promised we went to see ‘A Wrinkle In Time’. We couldn’t tell a soul what happened. What a great time we had on my 50th birthday.
On June 22, 2018, episode 8395k - Birthday Luck aired of America’s longest running game show with me on it.
The next day, prizes began to be delivered to our house. We stayed home all summer to receive my prizes.
My treadmill was delivered in an 18wheeler. My car was delivered on a flatbed, right to my front door. The trip to Venice had to be changed to Paris due to flooding. The Price Is Right staff was amazing in the coordination of prize delivery and scheduling of such an amazing trip. We were in Paris for our 23rd anniversary! Coach down!
Oh and about those taxes. 7.5 % California taxes were not bad. My God took care of that too. He gave us enough wisdom to not take our income taxes on vacation. The taxes were paid as soon as we returned home from my birthday trip.
My Father is no dead beat. He had already made a way. I kept every prize. God heard my 4 year olds prayer. I’m so grateful that He loves me and He hears me.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen.
Keep praying. God hears US!
Won’t HE DO IT!