April Blogging Challenge, Travel as you Go

Can you believe it's that time of year again?  I joined the A-Z challenge last year on 4 of my 5 blogs which was quite a chore.  I scheduled posts ahead...just barely made it by got them all written with I think a day to spare.  Thus far, I've only signed up one blog.....this one.  Not sure I want to bite off that much this time round.  I put lots and lots of time into writing thoughtful posts and visited far more blogs daily then was suggested.  I felt like I put alot more into it then I got back in terms of blog visits and comments and followers.  Many people felt that way, but the majority felt it was a positive experience....and soooooooooooooo

Here we are again.  When I signed up I was blog #845, think that was over a week ago, and currently I'm #841.  That means a few folks have drop out or been eliminated already.  The number changes throughout the process.

What is the challenge?  Write a blog post daily (except Sunday) in alphabetical order.  Some people elect to blog in a theme for the whole month, others not.  There are categories which can be used or not.  I didn't choose categories last year on any of my blogs as I though the wide open was better and allowed more choices.  This year I did select TR (travel), since this is a travel blog.  I thought people would be open minded and visit all kinds of blogs last year...that didn't seem to be the case.  Example writers tended only to visit writers blogs.  Well everyone travels be it for work or pleasure so doesn't everyone enjoy a travel blog?  Apparently not, lol.  So, will see how it goes this year round.

So travel as you go; be it with your own blogging or your visits were you're traveling here on the net.  I'll be happy to have you accompany and the best part, you don't have to pack or do laundry!

The blog badge in the sidebar will take you to the blog to sign up for the challenge.  Come join us and have fun.

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

Versatile Blogger Award

A nice blogger and friend, June Zach over on A Fledgling Blogger recently gave me “The Versatile Blogger Award“.
I never expected to be a recipient of this cool award. Thank you very much!
-
The Rules:
* Be sure to thank and link back to the person who gave you the award. (check)
* Share 7 things about yourself.
* Pass the award to other bloggers who you think deserves it.(working on it this wkend)
* Be sure to let the bloggers know you chose them to receive the award.
7 Things about Me
1. I like quiet surroundings, rarely turn on the radio when in the car, even on a long trip.
2. I wish I were more techy with things on the computer, but strive continuously to learn new things.
3. I hate all the nasty things that come about during election times. People are so dishonest about their opponents it's troublesome
4. I no longer enjoy fall as I did when I was younger, thinking about the cold and snow and what follows causes me to want summer all year long.
5. I had a small speech problem when I was a kid, couldn't say s's at the beginning of the word. Took speech class which was helpful. Though at the time, I was upset about.
6. I wish my daughter lived nearer, we so enjoy time with her.
7. I knit and crochet for homeless, please check out my blog, Bridge and Beyond
Many thanks June for the award
Flat Stanley will be back next Friday with adventures. He's been busy planning for the next couple of weeks. Please check back

Traveling on Tuesday with The Suitcase Packed

A brief word about a few changes here on the blog. I've reluctantly added comments being moderated after 14 days. I hate, hate, hate, comment moderation. Seems to me it slows down the whole process of blogging which is suppose to be interaction. Not just you and me (the writer of the blog and the commentors), but interaction among the commentors too. I ALWAYS read the full post and the comments...unless there's a huge huge number of them before commenting. I've noticed the fun blogs often have discourse between the commentors. Or people then visit each other. I love that and do it often myself. Spam lately has been an issue with Chinese and Russian comments, generally on older posts, so I've started to moderate comments made after 14 days. Hopefully that will help.

In the process I've learned blogger now has a spam filter. It's important to look at your spam filter to make sure what's there is infact spam. If something isn't you merely click publish. Some of the comments I may not have responded to sadly got there. They are now published and I appologize for them being delayed here on the blog, as well my response back to you; if in fact you asked a question. As I understand it using this filter will be like what we all do with our email. Sounds GREAT to me. Thank You!

And now for some fun, I've packed my suitcase and am going traveling...virtually with the follow me back Tuesday Meme

Join us for Follow Me Back Tuesday

Hosted by Survey Junkie,Little Yaya's,

Review Retreat , Boobies,BabiesAndABlog

& this weeks Guest Host

Nicole from

Mama to 3 4 Blessings ....

( Do Not Link Your Giveaways.. This is not a giveaway link up.. All links not linked to your FMBT post or your homepage will be deleted )

<center> <a href="http://surveyjunkiegiftguide.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af324/staycee413/th_fmbt200.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></center>

It's a great way to start off your week & get more BF's !!

We will draw a Guest Host every week from blogs linked
for the #5 Spot for the following week :)

( In order to guest host FMBT you must follow all 4 host blogs )

How it Works

• Follow all 4 Hosts & Guest Host - Spots 1-5 leave us a comment w/ your blog url & we will follow u back ( only leave a comment that you follow if you actually follow )
• Snag our button to add to your FMBT post then post on your blog
• Add your blog to the list- using the link from your blog post( NOT YOUR BLOG HOP or GIVEAWAYS PLEASE ) These entries will be deleted.
• Follow as many blogs as you would like, Make sure you leave them a comment so they know you stopped by . Then Follow Back everyone that follows you & comments.

You can link up every Tuesday at 12:00 am est

Old Timey Award on Tuesday

A big thank you goes out to, Leigh who has graciously given me and my blog this award!
The rules for this award are as follows:
1. thank and link back to the person that gave you the award. (check)
2. share 7 things about yourself. (need more coffee to wake up first) AND check
3. pass the award to 7 fellow bloggers that inspire you. (giving this thought as I begin my blog walk)...stay tuned. (working on it, got interrupted...more later
4. let them know about the award.

1. I wish there were a few dozen less barking, howling, yipping dogs in my neighborhood and or that their owners muzzled them. Sooooooo tired of them waking me up
2. 
   
3. I wish I could figure out how to multi-task so I could knit/crochet while doing other things. I do currently knit/crochet while I read blogs; put it down to type when I've got something small enough to keep on my lap without getting tangled in the keyboard etc.
4. 
   
5. I'm all jazzed about making plarn, after reading about it yesterday on line. (for my non yarny type blog buddies, plarn is making yarn or a substance to knit or crochet with using plastic bags).
6. 
   
7. I've recently joined The Hive (button and link in side bar) to find more helpers for the homeless for Bridge and Beyond, which is a facebook type forum for creative crafters. Crafters of all types, not just those related to yarn/fiber.
8. 
   
9. I'm nervous about my next trip, which will be to Mexico. My first trip out of the country (excluding Canada). Seeing things on the news has me on edge.
10. 
    
11. I wish people with means would help those without.
12. 
    
13. I wish I were more techy, love to learn how to do new things here on the computer.

Numbering is all screwy, some see numbers as they're suppose to using the number thing in tool bar, some don't, tried to delete them and do manual, it won't let me do that. So, because I thought it hard to read, added space between. This edit added day later, as I attempt to correct and finish this post. Sorry for the weirdness here folks. Typing in red done today 8-11
***coffee in hand, here we go**Can someone tell me whether or not you're seeing the numbers 1-7 with my list of 7 things about me? I see them here in edit mode while typing; but not when I look at the blog. Likewise I don't see numbers on the linky thing in my previous post. Do you, please take a look and let me know. If you're not seeing them, any ideas why? And, if you are, why don't I? I use Moz FF, but have also check using a 2nd browser Internet Explorer. Doesn't seem to matter. I do see number 1-4 in the directions/rules portion of this post which was a cut and paste from Leigh's blog.

****Flat Stanley wonders why people didn't visit his friend Captain Pinney.

clicking on the numbers and or bullets doesn't seem to work, so numbering by hand, let me know if these are showing up.
1. Marg's Pets
2. Modern Historian
3. Chicago History Journal
4. JuneZach on Fledgling Blogger
5. Brenda, lots of giveaways to get in on
6. Virtual Dime Museum

Traveling in the Blogsphere

As we travel around the blogsphere we don't need to pack, or wear special clothes, and it doesn't cost anything. It's free. I enjoy it and if you're here; apparently you do to. I meet new people, learn new things, and read about interesting things. This past weekend as I was out blog walking in the Blogsphere this is one of the adventures I came across. Read below the rules. You'll note this badge is in my sidebar and is clickable as well as here in the post. I'm new to meme traveling and am not sure why the linky isn't showing up here when I entered the code. But you can click
and get where you need to in order to sign up. I did visit everyone and enjoyed my time doing so.

Here is the 411 on the Weekend Comment Club

Make sure you have time for the commitment.

Do not sign up just to sign up.

Once you sign up you will need to comment the other participants.

If we get more than 20 participants, you can stop commenting at 20 or comment as many more as you would like to comment.

You have through Monday to comment the others.

You may want to check back each day to see who has recently joined.

How to join.

1. Sign up on the linky below.
2. Link us to your site or to a post that you would like to share and IS NOT A GIVEAWAY.
3. You do not have to write a special post to participate.
4. Visit the other participants.
5. When you visit and comment, be sure to mention that you are visiting from the Comment Club. This is how they will know to comment you back!

Have fun.

Earlier in the week I signed up for Harriett's August Comment Challenge. She challenges us to leave 1,000 comments during the month of August. Most who've signed up have said they don't know if they can honestly do it; but are willing to try. That seems reasonable. So, that's my approach too. Here's the badge; but you'll also find it in my sidebar.



You can sign up for this blog traveling too. You might need to pack a lunch for this one and take along a bottle of water, cause that's lots of walking and talking folks; but a great way to meet some new folks. Enjoy





The linky for this is also on the bottom of my blog where it will be more accessible once this blog post moves down.

So I encourage you to get out, do some traveling, pack light and have a good time.

One Hundred Happy Traveling Suitcase Posts and Contest

Drum roll please! I just hit a milestone-- One hundred happy traveling suitcase blog posts. I'm really excited by that. I started this blog just over a year ago, on February 5, 2009; and so have just gone past that blog anniversary. In one year and 100 posts I'm pleased to say my Google Page Rank is 4, my Alexa rank continues to improve and is now at 71,814, my blog grade is 99, I have 169 followers, have had 45,720 site visitors. I've been given several blog awards from you my faithful readers. THANK YOU!!

I appreciate each and everyone of you who follow me, who subscribe, who visit, and comment. For those on Entrecard who drop, again Thank you!

I couldn't have the enjoyment of blogging without all of you who travel with me. The Suitcase is busy and always out and about. I look forward to another full year of traveling with you all.

Help me celebrate this milestone by joining in on the fun with an opportunity to win the contest. My first contest.

Rules for the contest:

1. Leave a comment on this blog post indicating you want to enter the contest
2. Grab and post my badge to your blog with a link back to this post about the contest (sidebar), letting others know about the contest.
3. Come back and leave a 2nd comment on any of my 15 most recent posts indicating you've posted my badge (15 most recent posts are listed in my side bar), when you do this I should be notified via email from blogger notification.

The contest will run for month of March with the winner's name being drawn on Wednesday March 31st.

Improve your chances to win by making extra comments. Example. The above gets your name in the hat; but each additional comment....real comment, not spam will get you an additional name in the hat. BONUS of 2 chances if you blog about the contest with a link to my blog. If you do this, don't forget to let me know in one of your comments.

**What do you win? A surprise item to help you pack for all your future travels, be they a quick over night for business or a fun family vacation. Don't miss out. The clocks ticking.

Last post for 2009, Thanks for the Award

What a nice way to end the year, with an award. Thanks to Storybeader
I enjoy looking at the beautiful handcrafted one of a kind jewelry on her site. Do take a look and let her know I sent ya.

With the award comes a few responsibilities....

Here are the rules for the award acceptance:
(1) Thank the person giving the awards
(2) Copy awards to your blog
(3) Place a link to their blog
(4) Name 7 things people don’t know about you
(5) Nominate 7 bloggers
(6) Place a link to those bloggers
(7) Leave a comment on their blogs letting them know of their awards

Seven things you probably didn't know about me:
1...I used to dream of being a good swimmer when I was young, which is pretty funny cause I can't even float. I've apparently got lead in my bones and not at all buoyant in the water.
2...I like wine (dry white and red). You might know that if you've visited my other blogs. Sandy's Space
3...I knit and crochet, mostly for charity. You might know that too if you've been to my other blog, Bridge and Beyond
4...I'm old as dirt. I do feel that way sometimes. I don't mind saying I'm 59 years old, never understood the secret thing women have about their age.
5...I hate to shop, didn't get that female gene, unless you're talking about yarn shopping
6...I don't watch much TV, and rarely without yarn in hand
7...I love visiting, and photographing gravestones. Not because I'm a morbid; but because I love history and want to document old stones before they're gone.

Now to nominate blogs...
1 Shelly at Wine at Five
2 Bev at Romancing Italy
3...Ann at Tuvabox
4...Doug at Historic Travels
5...A craft blog I just found out walking this am
6...Anne at Small Town Mommy
7...Swapna at Crafts and cooking who is given special notice as my very first non-family commentor on my very first blog post here on Traveling Suitcase.

Traveling Suitcase 1st Award

Here are the rules:
1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Shelly at Wine at 52) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

I've had this lovely blog award in my file of things to do for awhile. I don't take awards lightly and so; have decided I now have some time to begin this lovely process.

First, many thanks Shelly. Please pop over, you'll enjoy her blog as much as I do. She's become one of my frequent travelers of late and so I have her listed on my blog log as well. She posts about many things that we can all relate to in our daily lives.

Pass the award onto 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered. Wow...that's a tall order. I visit a good number of blogs daily; but to say I've newly discovered them would be incorrect. So here I will list 5, and as I continue to roam about blog to blog; no doubt I'll find others to honor as well.

So this then is part I:
Coming Back to Life (Clara)
Mature not Senile (Judy)
Eddie's
Tweedles
Psychotic Housewife.

This is a very diverse list of blogs, all are worth your time and energy. Do click and visit and tell'em I sent ya.

EntreCard Droppers
Many thanks to my top droppers (I missed the exact end of the month), sorry will post this now.

Dropper	# of drops
Split Rock Ranch	31
Hello Kitty Gifts	31
Go Las Vegas Baby!	31
Free Stuff in Las Vegas Baby	30
New Dilemma	30
Confessions of a Psychotic Housewife	30
Lifesigns Life Quotes	30
The Chicago History Journal	30
Winesworld's blog	28
Beyond Feron	27

Please get your bags packed and journey with me as we next travel to a favorite place of mine. I'm really excited to share it with you.

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