If it's someone you're comfortable sharing deeply with, you could ask "how much do you want to know?" or "how much time do you have?" For the most part, though, that question is really just a greeting of sorts. Another short answer that works if not all is peachy is "hanging in there." Then you can give a brief overview of one challenge you're having before asking them how they are.
There's the classic noncommittal Minnesotan answer: "Could be worse."
ha ha, yeah, that's another common response - had no idea of any connection to Minnesota, though...
HTTM is a good-natured satire of Minnesotans by some of the Minnesotans behind A Prairie Home Companion. I have the book and the program on VHS.
If it's someone you're comfortable sharing deeply with, you could ask "how much do you want to know?" or "how much time do you have?" For the most part, though, that question is really just a greeting of sorts. Another short answer that works if not all is peachy is "hanging in there." Then you can give a brief overview of one challenge you're having before asking them how they are.