"I'm not giving in the towel, yet"

So very close, it almost merits a pass.

What I think she meant was...

Throw in the towel

A boxer’s seconds throw a towel into the ring to signal that they want to stop the fight and save him further punishment.

"...gotta throw a monkey in the wrench..."

Even in context I'm at a loss to explain what she meant. 

Moon Smeathy

"Eddy Cameron, I submit for your consideration, my latest spoonerism:  My man makes a "moon smeathy"!

*uttered with all sincerity and (apparently) too much fervor*"

I think what was intended was "Mean Smoothy"

Thank you Cousin

Running around like a cat with its head cut off.

Guest post: Thanks Ray

What I think was intended:

like a chicken with its head cut off (American)

if you do something like a headless chicken, you do it very quickly and without thinking carefully about what you are doing (usually in continuous tenses) I've got so much work to do - I've been running around like a headless chickenall week. He was racing around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to do the work of two people.

I want to earn it square and fair

fair and square

phrase of fair

1. 1. 

   honestly and straightforwardly.

   "we won the match fair and square"

   synonyms:

   honestly, fairly, without cheating, without foul play, by the book

We'll deal with that bridge when we cross it.

Always a dollar short and a dime late...

If something is a day late and a dollar short, it is too little, too late.