Welcome to Delicious Minutiae’s first ever contest! I’m giving away copies of Jen Merrill’s book, “If This is a Gift, Can I Send it Back?: Surviving in the Land of the Gifted and Twice-Exceptional”, but I’m torn. I want this to be about supporting her…but I’m also feeling a little selfish and want it to be about me too. Hopefully this will be a mix of both… My review of the book, which I loved to itty-bitty pieces, will come in a couple of days.
So, here’s how to win your own copy (comments can also be about other people’s kids, btw):
1. Like my blog on Facebook = 2 entries (everyone who already likes my blog is already in!)
2. Share my blog from the Delicious Minutiae Facebook page = 5 entries (selfish, selfish)
3. Leave a comment on my blog (doesn’t matter which post) = 1 entry per comment (new posts only)
4. Leave a comment (on this post) inspired by one of the chapters in Jen’s book: = 1 entry per comment
Chapter 1: Connecting the Dots (how and when did you know your kid was gifted?)
Chapter 2: One Heck of a Ride (suggestions for how to relax and pamper yourself when the kids are making you crazy)
Chapter 3: Taking the Leap (if you homeschool, how did you make the choice?)
Chapter 4: Our Grand Homeschooling Adventure (so, how’s that working out for you?)
Chapter 5: Living My Walter Mitty Fantasy (go with it…make something up…use your wildest, most fantastical skills…or whatever!)
5. Post a picture of the loads of books you buy and don’t read, or your TBR pile, or overflowing nightstand…or your piles of papers and clutter. Show me you’re my people! = 2 entries (bonus for bravery)
6. Make something up. Make it obvious it’s a contest entry; I’m kinda slow. = 1 entry
7. Send me $6 and you are an instant winner of a signed copy of Jen’s book! = instant winner!
8. Leave a comment on my blog that you want to enter this here contest, but don’t like leaving comments and are too lazy to post personal pics in public. = 1 entry
I will randomly pull 15 names out of a hat on August 23. If you are one of the lucky winners, I will send you a signed copy of Jen’s “ITiaG,CISiB?:SitLotGaTE”…unless you’re local, in which case I’ll drive slowly by your house and fling it at your front door. I might also deliver to Ohio residents, if they are really nice to me.
If you win and are no longer in the US, like, say, you just moved to JORDAN (wah!), I will send you a Kindle or Nook copy via the interwebs.
Okay, this was more about me than Jen, so: 9. post a comment about how awesome you think Jen Merrill is and get another shot at winning a signed copy of her book. 🙂
10. Stay tuned for the Chicago Gifted Community Center’s 15 book giveaway. Jen’s on the board. So am I.
Get over yourself. Everyone gets a rash some time… Enter this contest and be a WINNER!
Disclaimer: 1 winning entry per person, void where prohibited by law, etc. Participating in this contest, Delicious Minutiae’s First Ever!, may cause some or all of the following side effects: migraines, explosive diarrhea, vomiting, blurred vision, rashes in private places, loss of your eyebrows and eyelashes, and maybe even sudden death. Delicious Minutiae cannot be held responsible for your explosive diarrhea, or any other side effects from participating in Jen Merril’s “ITiaG,CISiB?:SitLotGaTE” book giveaway.
Peace out, bitches.
Delicious Minutiae 
jeffreylbeeler said,
August 15, 2012 at 2:47 pm
I don’t know what to say, other than I support!
Rachel Castle said,
August 15, 2012 at 2:53 pm
ME! ME! ME! Do I automatically win since you mentioned me (although surreptitiously) in the post? xoxoxo from VT but ALMOST for Jordan
Jennifer Flynn said,
August 15, 2012 at 2:58 pm
It’s about freakin’ time!! I’ve been waiting all damn day!! I’M A WINNER!!
mrshoagie said,
August 15, 2012 at 3:02 pm
I would LOVE a copy. I’ve liked, I’ve commented, and now I’m going to rooms to get pics of some of the stacks of unread books. Can I post a picture of my Kindle, too? It’s FULL of unread books! I downloaded all the classics I never read in high school, and I’ve only read 3-4 so far.
alison said,
August 15, 2012 at 3:21 pm
this is on my short list of books to read. so many books, so many over excitabilities! so little time left for pleasure reading
ladydianastarr said,
August 15, 2012 at 3:49 pm
Can’t wait to read this book. Totally forgot to see if it’s on Nook and my internet is down while I’m in bed with a sprained ankle (thanks AT&!)
Erica Carter said,
August 15, 2012 at 4:01 pm
#4: I first learned that my eldest DD was gifted when the school tested her in the beginning of 2nd grade. Ho hum, she’s smart. I knew that. It wasn’t until later in the year that I understood that she was gifted when I read an article related to Dabrowski’s sensitivities and it could have been written about my daughter.
#9: Jen is awesome. Read one post on her blog and you know she is awesome. My kids are 1E but even so I relate 100% with what Jen posts. Plus she’s ok with drinking box wines to preserve your sanity. Finally someone who gets it!
Jen C. said,
August 15, 2012 at 4:40 pm
I started homeschooling my asperger’s/ADHD PG kid when he got kicked out of kindergarten. ‘Nuff said.
Catharine Alvarez said,
August 15, 2012 at 5:01 pm
Oo! I want to participate in the contest!
Let’s see, Ch1:
I knew my kids were bright, but I didn’t start down the path of learning about giftedness and advocating until my son turned out to be a spontaneous reader at 2.5. That was kind of a big clue. In hindsight, I should have wondered about my daughter announcing at age 3 at a family get-together, “And now I will do an interpretive dance” which she then followed with a dance showing a seed sprouting into a plant and blooming. I have no idea where she picked that up (if you know me, you’ll agree I’m no dancer.) But it seemed normal for her at the time, and I remember it mostly because it was charming.
Catharine Alvarez said,
August 15, 2012 at 5:05 pm
And Ch3
We started homeschooling when public school stopped working despite a gradeskip. I have to credit my good friend Christa Choi with pushing me off the cliff and then providing a soft landing place. Thanks, Christa!
Chirsta Choi said,
June 20, 2013 at 1:43 pm
Hey! I pushed you off a cliff? I would have provided a parachute, too, if I’d known it was a cliff:-)
DiAnna Martinez said,
August 15, 2012 at 6:56 pm
Ok, so I know to post here for an entry…now to work on the other ways, to help guarantee my (chaching) win of the book that may be just what I need and since I am in another country, but still on USA soil (an APO address) that means I can still get a real book (yes, I am one of those awful old school, can’t completely change my ways, gifted so therefore kind of set in my ways, kind of person…but I do actually own a kindle and play mahjong (sp) on it). That all being said, I really feel that luck is with me and I will be one of the winners, and if by chance I happen to win more than one, believe it or not, there is another gifted teacher here in Germany that I am sure would love love love a copy as well, so I would be more than willing to share the wealth 🙂 Have a great day
DiAnna Martinez said,
August 15, 2012 at 6:59 pm
Per #9 entry…I don’t know Jen Merrill personally but I am sure she is a lovely person and would want me to be able to read the book and let others know how awesome it is 🙂
Kath said,
August 15, 2012 at 7:40 pm
Ch 1. I knew my son was gifted when he started writing words at 2. Before then – not a clue! After – it’s been quite a steep learning curve these last few years!!!
Rodney Porter said,
August 15, 2012 at 7:44 pm
I’m not sure I should enter as some of the possible side effects could be fatal for me, but I don’t want Jeff to win.
Rodney Porter said,
August 15, 2012 at 7:53 pm
I thought I would know my son was gifted when he could open the tardis, but in hindsight, the fact that the tardis showed up in his room shows that at some point he will be.
Denise Aylesworth said,
August 15, 2012 at 10:15 pm
Wish I could find the picture of my son with the laundry bin of his books dumped on the floor around him, taken at about 18 months. It’s lost in one of my piles of photos behind one of my piles of books!
Michelle said,
August 15, 2012 at 10:06 pm
I just “liked” your blog on Facebook and shared it. I am commenting on the chapter 1, how did you know your child is gifted– I am starting to question that and would love to read this book for more insight. Also: I want to enter this here contest, but don’t like leaving comments and am too lazy to post personal pics in public! 😛
I think Jen Merrill is AWESOME and am glad to know her and her boys!
Kate Arms-Roberts said,
August 15, 2012 at 10:24 pm
Jen is awesome. And her book is awesome, but I need copies to give away to all my friends who need to read her book.
Wendy Harder said,
August 15, 2012 at 11:14 pm
Please enter me in the contest. I teach gifted students. Thanks!
I talk a good game said,
August 15, 2012 at 11:18 pm
[…] to me (mostly), my friend Kim bought some books and is hosting a giveaway over on her blog. Now, full disclosure here. She and I roomed together at the SENG conference last month, and I […]
Jen (@laughingatchaos) said,
August 15, 2012 at 11:33 pm
OH MY GOD. I’ve read this a few times now and my jaw STILL insists on dropping while I laugh hysterically. You are 31 flavors of awesomesauce and the funniest person I’ve ever gone to a convention with. 🙂
cass said,
August 16, 2012 at 12:51 am
I liked your blog, shared your blog on fb, realized my kid was gifted when I was watching parenthood and one of the characters found out their kids was gifted, I googled gifted charisteristcs and the rest is history. Dogs and cats are gifted too. I’m to lazy to post pics. I think I’ve done all I can to get as many entries as I can. 🙂
Jill in Atlanta said,
August 16, 2012 at 8:21 am
Jen is responsible for the realization I had that my youngest son’s “problems” are due to his giftedness. I’ve always known that both my kids were early learners and academically ahead, but the rest of the diagnosis is still new to me.
He does well in school so far, plus homeschooling him would be a nightmare, so I hope I’m off the hook there. Instead, I’m reading Christine Fonseca’s writings and trying to figure the boy out and help him figure himself out. I don’t yet have Jen’s book, so put my name in a dozen times or so!
Kelly O said,
August 16, 2012 at 9:47 am
I wear wonder woman underoos(and sometimes Spiderman). Does this count for two entries????
MamaChicks said,
August 16, 2012 at 10:10 am
We decided to homeschool after the kidlet managed to tweak out every teacher he ever had (public and private). I think some of them have quit teaching (ha ha – not really, but it wouldn’t surprise me). I KNOW (and this is real) that the private school has decided it won’t take any more gifted kids after their experience with my child. #soproud
But for reals, we decided to homeschool after I took my 11yo to a college course in an attempt to motivate him, and instead discovered that this is what he needs NOW. When we started homeschooling, we accelerated him 3 years and then he did the next 3 in one school year. Sigh.
Jen C. said,
August 16, 2012 at 5:26 pm
Tee hee. I can laugh now about DS making his K teacher cry. She said she’d been teaching 20 years and didn’t know what to do with him!
sajil said,
August 16, 2012 at 11:03 am
May I just say that I am very impressed with all the perfect images you find to cut and paste for your blog?
Oh and I’m still swimming in de Nile when it comes to giftedness even after all three of mine qualified for DYS. They’re bright, but… (I’m not that impressed) (they can be awfully unmotivated and scatterbrained) (I wonder if the tester just jumped to conclusions based on the size of the books the kids were reading) (I don’t want to make waves at the school) (they’re not THAT bright) (…).
Sunny said,
August 16, 2012 at 3:37 pm
Yippeee!!! Hope to win!!!
Tara Lenga said,
August 16, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Great idea. Looking forward to reading this book (haven’t gotten the chance just yet). I am inspired just knowing that others continue to see the value in sticking together … offering mutual support to those who just “get it”. Love the creativity here!
Lisa said,
August 16, 2012 at 7:24 pm
I would love to enter this as I teach Gifted kids, and am the parent of 3 GT children, and the wife of a very gifted hubby. GT overload at my house sometimes! I first knew my daughter was gifted when she started directing her family in a Christmas play she had written at age 5. 🙂 One of my girls was the youngest in her class, but the highest level reader.
Lisa said,
August 16, 2012 at 7:27 pm
The chapter called “One Heck of a Ride” sounds great…people need to know that there are definitely ups & downs to being gifted and raising gifted children! There IS a flipside. 🙂
Rebecca said,
August 23, 2012 at 10:24 pm
Just found you tonight, and liked you on Facebook. Would love to read the book, but I’ll be honest I’m exhausted and can’t do more than the one entry tonight. We’ll see if the kids (and my headache) give me the opprotunity to enter more tomorrow. If not, I look forward to reading more from you.
kathyeudaimonia said,
September 11, 2012 at 8:11 am
#4 – I started homeschooling when my oldest was in 2nd grade and he hadn’t learned a thing all school year except how to scream loudly in frustration. Plus, they gave him a calculator along with his math book, which made me scream in frustration. We hoped homeschooling would have less screaming.