Do Not Use Register.com

I've had my share of issues since I bought my domain from them, and I've had my fair share of domains and hosts in my many years on the web, but they are starting to take the cake on annoying their customers.

First, it was an absolute pain to change my DNS. Then adding CNAMEs and such was no walk in the park. Now, I'm getting a host and transferring my domain... Something they certainly don't enjoy by the look of it.

There are five screens (including one promo code for a cheaper domain renewal) before I get this:

Authorization Code 

Your request for an Auth Code has been received and your information will be validated for security reasons. 

If your request is approved, you will receive your Auth Code by email in 4-5 days. 

To cancel this request, please call one of our Customer Service Representatives at 1.877.318.7563. 

Thank you. 

The fuck? I pay you and now you expect me to wait for a business week because you obviously want to piss off your customers that much more... This is not what an online company should do if they expect return business or referrals.

Asking someone online to wait for more than 24 hours is insane. The internet is all about NOW and not later. Making people wait in this generation of impatient people will drive them away in herds.

No wonder I only hear bad things about Register.com.

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Am I Doing Too Much?

Been thinking lately about this one. I have a number of things I have to do in a day, week, month, etc. Currently on my plate:

• Reviews over here. (& posting. {& promoting})
• Crafts and shopping for cool vintage-ness anywhere I go for our shop.
• Raising four kittens. (& willing to foster if needed!)
• Being a weather spotter, though right now that's only heat related.
• Going to a Wiknic this weekend.
• Finding an awesome RV so we can start full-timing ASAP.
• Taking care of kids, but I don't think that counts in this list since it's a "have-to" sort of thing.

..I'm suddenly super glad I don't cook!

I think this has a lot to do with why I'm not moderating on websites any longer. I completely let people down over on Chicken Smoothie and I hate that I did that. (The admin made me cry more than once for failing to be around when I simply couldn't due to family {like having a child} or 'net going down.) I guess being away four times in four years because I've had children is just too much. I don't know, I really didn't get much respect over there anyway and it was highly stressful.

It never fails though, my daily life is always a long list of things I have to do day in and day out. Maybe I like it being hectic? Probably. It's all I've ever known and watched my grandmother do it her entire life.

Doesn't really seem like you're living if you're just sitting there, does it? I feel like I have to do something or I'm failing and not doing enough. Maybe that does set me up to fail and have high stress levels, but what doesn't?

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Picket Fence Blogs Reset!

Just wanted to remind everyone that Picket Fence Blogs reset on June 28th, so every vote you give to any blog can make a huge difference right now! Remember to vote for everyone that you enjoy visiting, even if it isn't us!

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Trying to Build a Fanbase? Check This Out.

I've been working lately to get more people over here on the site, so I figured I would post my tips for doing so for other up-and-coming bloggers. (Though I've been blogging for fourteen years... Lol, I'm not old!)

Use Facebook as a Page

Seems simple, right? All you have to do is create a page (via pull down in top right hand corner on your name on Facebook) and it's all done... Wrong. Besides making the page, adding a profile image and background, you then need content. Either you can post every blog post on your site to your Facebook manually or you can have another program do that part for you--more on that later--but you then have to keep your fanbase engaged or you'll lose them. No, they probably aren't going to unlike your page, but they will probably be missing your page posts because of Facebook's new-fangled thing-a-ma-bob for crappy news feeds.

Use Twitter!

Whether you use your personal Twitter account or make one specifically for your blog--which I would suggest anyway so no one makes it to pick at your brand--you need one. It's pretty easy to talk on there because the character limit, but you have to be witty either with your non-post tweets or in your titles. You can do the manual way of adding each link or you can have a program do it for you.

Get a Good Program to Post Your Feed to Facebook & Twitter

What happens if you're away? Do you have automatic posts set up on your blog? Does your internet suck? Your computer die? What happens when you can't manually add those scheduled posts because you've slept in? That's where sites like TwitterFeed come in handy. I can't possibly add every post manually--I've tried!--with everything I have to get done everyday. I'm bound to forget something, but this site takes everything from my RSS feed and posts it to my personal & blog Twitter accounts, then the Facebook page, and even my LinkedIn account. I'd never post anything to LinkedIn if it weren't for this, but I get people visiting from those posts! It really does help when you're in a bind.

Participate!

Know other bloggers? Don't know any other bloggers? Either one is okay. If you know others, let them know that you've got your own site and would like to try and do things with them. If they're a bigger site, it's going to help you with getting your name out and it's going to help them by free advertising on your site. It's a win-win situation. Even if you don't know any other bloggers, there are plenty of us out there! Most of them are really cool people and more than willing to help if they have the time. Just don't get discouraged if one person blows you off because they may be having a bad day. There are plenty of other fish in the sea!

Talk to Companies You Really Enjoy, Not Just Ones that Pay

Yeah, it's not as awesome getting a rejection email from a company you actually like or, sometimes even worse, not getting a response. You can sign up for a billion and one promo things and not enjoy them for any other reason than they are giving you something for free and/or paying you. But what you really need is to target products that you enjoy using and think you or your family may actually use. I try to steer clear of products that are targeting everyone and I don't like anyway... So what if I'm making money if I have to lie to my readers?

Can you think of anything else? Sort of ran out of stuff to say at this point. I know I had planned to write more, but maybe I'll do a "part 2" in the future. ;)

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Working on the Site

When the internet works tonight, I'm working on the blog. Changing a few things--like my name--and making it a little bit nicer to be on altogether.

I'm changing my name from my online nickname to a nick that's actually something one can pronounce and shout in anger if I for some reason happen to anger you in the near future. I came to realize a few months ago that "tlws" doesn't really cut it as an online alias, though I don't really need an alias as much as I just need a better real name!

Ads on the sidebars are GONE. Cleaned them up too. It was just too cluttered and it looked horrible.

Looking around for a good web design individual/company to make something specifically for Sumner Six. We need it, for real. I like this theme and all, but that's because it's free and it works for me. The more I see other people using it makes me feel uneasy. I need something unique! But money is an issue and I just do not have a couple hundred dollars to throw down on something like that. Sucks, but truth.

Doing a lot more reviews. Doing more giveaways. Working with other blogs. Trying to get the name out. Getting anywhere yet?

I've been working my ass off the past few days and I'm not gonna lie--it sucks. Every time I do something like this online and I get to figuring it out and doing well, I get flustered and let it flail about and die. I can't do that here. I've been blogging since I was twelve and a half and I don't just want to toss one more thing out the door because of my fears. I need to suck it up and deal with it.

PS - Apparently "suck" is my word for today. Word.

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Remember how I said...

..That I wouldn't ask you for votes? Well, under normal circumstances I wouldn't.

I'd really like to be in the top 25 on this. I need it, and I'm not lying. My Google Pagerank sucks. There aren't enough decent links coming in. I'm needing affilates and things like this to get the site out. Doing giveaways (like I have been) is nice and all, but that's not what I'm all about. I want to help you save money!

Sure, getting things to give to my readers for free is great, but I want to do so much more. I'd love to start doing my shopping and deals posts again, but I haven't been able to do that so much since my husband hadn't been working. Now that he is, I can start that back up--and I can't wait!

So, yeah, while I said I wouldn't ask for something like this I totally am for Circle of Moms. I think their little badge is cute as all Hell and I want one over there on the sidebar.

...Wanna help me?

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My Weekend Forecast

I think this means we're going to melt...

Seriously? Not cool, not cool at all. (Seriously.)

I've even heard something about a high of 108 nearby, and we're not talking heat indexes here. This is real high temperatures.

On top of that, I don't recall the last time it really rained. We're in a drought and it's getting pretty bad. The grass is dry and dead and the ground is starting to crack open. It's super dusty if there's any wind. Sound familiar?

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Current Giveaways!

Please let me state something and make it very clear:

If you sign up for one of my giveaways and lie, your entries will be removed.

There have been several people signing up and saying they've liked or saying they've tweeted when they haven't done a thing. Do not think for one instant that I don't check that. I do check and I will continue to do so, so stop cheating already.

If you're winning things on other sites, then you are a horrible person that is stealing from not only the host of the giveaway and the company willing to so graciously give the product away for free, but also all the people that took the time to sign up properly.

How can you people sleep at night?
Karma's a bitch and I hope you never win a thing.

So, knowing that, here are the current giveaways on the site!

Etsy Giveaway!

Coach Purse & Wallet Giveaway!*

Win A Free Canvas Print!

As for all of my super-fantastic-all-around-awesome fans that are good people, I just want you to know that your entries count! I won't let these cheaters try to cheat you (hehe) out of any prizes that they want for nothing when you do the entries properly! I just can't stand people doing that, can you?

*Since I am not hosting this, I can't be sure that cheaters aren't on there. I'm sure there are with so many entries, but I'm hoping karma will prove true and keep any of those individuals from winning!

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Computer Troubles

Still having issues with the last in a long line of laptops here. I've been having to use the phone more and more to get by, including on here. So, if something doesn't quite look right, please let me know because I probably just added it with my phone and it's a little screwy looking on my end no matter what. Thanks!

<3

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Hey New Facebook Fans!

Please don't forget to click the "Like" button pull down to always see our posts in your news feed.

Also, check out our current giveaways by clicking the tab called "GIVEAWAYS" on Facebook and on our site.

As a thanks for reaching 100 FB fans, we'll have another giveaway next week. On tap, we have even more in the future lined up already!

Http://www.Facebook.com/SumnerSix

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"Let Your Geek Flag Fly"

...Is what my husband said when it came to naming the lovely dog we were given a few days ago. ;)

His name is Skeets*.

He's part Jack/Parson Russel Terrier and Beagle. Loves the kids, terrified of cats. Doesn't really play. Skittish as all hell. (The lady that was taking care of him before rescued him from a shelter, but wherever he was before he was abused and beaten--his ribs were broken.)


*Hint: Booster Gold**.


**Look it up.

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Laptop Troubles

Okay, this is getting ridiculous! This is the last of three laptops we have.

And now it's acting up too!

No, it's not a virus or anything like that. Like the others, the power cable is bad.

This one has torn a bit on the plastic and the shielding wires are frayed. Thankfully it's not a problem with the connector, because I do not want to have to fix that!

If all else fails, I still have a smartphone and then an old smartphone I can connect to the internet with.

Please note: I used to build and repair computers. ;)

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Busy Busy Busy!

Saturday we had a yard sale and we had been getting things together for it last week. Yesterday we went out with the in-laws for a Mother's Day celebration up north. Today we've been out getting the part for our van to get it fixed and back on the road. Hubby's out doing that now.

Oh yes, our new van is dead and has been for a little over a week now. I'm so spectacular at driving on this gravel road that I managed to get a rock lodged up and broke the connector from the fuel pump to the gas tank.

Note: If you ever smell gasoline while driving down the road, do not pull over until you get into a parking lot or safely off the roadway.

We've been doing quite a lot to get enough money to buy a new fuel pump, which is the cheapest way to get the part that is needed. Managed to run out today with the kids and get that, so hopefully we'll have the van back up and running very soon.

You wouldn't realize how much you use a family vehicle until you have to manage four children in the cab of a truck. Yikes.

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Winner Announced!

Are you the winner? Contact me ASAP!

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Lately...

I'm not about to get into explaining everything that's happened to us over the past long while, but allow me to make one thing very clear--I'm a stay at home mom.

Sure, not everyone likes that thought.

My husband works because he wants to. I stay at home because I want to. It's good for us, but it's not going to work for everybody.

I've already took the step this year to sign up for home schooling for the kids, and that has a whole lot to do with why I've always planned on being a SAHM since before we started trying to have children.

Yes, we're in a spot right now and have been for a little bit. But, honestly, who isn't at some point in their life?

Currently, we're trying to figure out exactly what my husband wants to do for a career. He's more than allowed to try and figure out what kind of job he really enjoys because he's been working his ass off at jobs where no one appreciates him and his work ethic, not to mention they don't ever last. It's disappointing and disheartening and I'm sick of him suffering through it.

I have things I do to get by. It's not much, but it's usually enough. I coupon, I save, I make a bit selling online and I'm sure you've all noticed the ads and I'm working a hell of a lot harder on that than ever before.

We're still breastfeeding, so that saves some too. Don't have to worry about clothes at this point because there are actually way too many and we need to go through them again and take them off to the consignment shop.

No, we did not put ourselves in the position that we are in now. How many people honestly do? Bad things do happen to good people, whether anyone wants to believe it or not. I could bore you with the horrible set of circumstances that lead us to where we are, but I don't think anyone really cares anymore.

Just know that the next time you go about blaming someone for their situation or telling them that they shouldn't have had kids to begin with or to go get a job, life isn't always that easy or simple to judge.

How would you like it if someone said that to your family? It doesn't feel good, especially when you understand the truth behind what's going on.

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My Stats Today

Yup.

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Social Media Links Updated: New!

Anyone noticed the links on the sidebar for Google+, Twitter, & Facebook?

Google+ | Twitter | Facebook
Well, those used to be linked to my personal accounts. Now, they're linked to the site's accounts.

Yeah, I've been lazy in not updating and doing this sooner. Fighting to get the domain name to resolve the past few days left me with lots of time and nothing better to do.

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New Domain!

...And it only took me sending my domain register a customer support message!

Putting a Register.com domain on a pre-existing Blogger (BlogSpot) blog.

Had quite a bit of trouble with it. Here's what I did:

• Find the Google help page about what to do
• You can find it here
• Sign in on Register.com
• Click on your domain
• Scroll down to the bottom where it says "Advanced Technical Settings"*
• Click on A to edit
• Add these four IP addresses to the right-hand column
• 216.239.32.21
• 216.239.34.21
• 216.239.36.21
• 216.239.38.21
• Leave the left-hand column blank
• Click on CNAME to edit
• Put www in the left-hand column
• Put ghs.google.com in the right-hand column
• Go to Blogger.com
• Go to your blog Settings > Basics (the main/first Settings page)
• Under "Publishing" there is a section called "Blog address"
• Click "Advanced settings"
• Add your domain name, with WWW in front
• Save and reopen
• Check the box for "Redirect MYDOMAIN.COM to WWW.MYDOMAIN.COM"
• Save again
• Check domain in new window
• If it works, awesome!
• If it doesn't appear within a few hours
• Contact Register.com support and let them know you've done everything on your end
• Magically, it WILL WORK eventually

*Note: If you have changed the DNS on Register.com, you must reset it to the original settings otherwise you won't find the A and CNAME at the bottom of the page.


Btw, I bought my .com address for $2. You can too. Just use the code Reg2ea at the checkout. (It was a Google ad, so I'm sure they're making even more money off of me by this.) It's only for new users and it's about as cheap as I could find it online. Enjoy!

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Been Busy!

If you check out the "family" tab, you'll see why.

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Found Something!

Found a vehicle today. If the tax money is in by morning, I think we'll just go and get it. Big enough for everyone, decently priced, and we can afford it. Checked the insurance, plates and registration and we'll still have enough for everything. Then we can get rid of the car that's too small!

Only thing I can think of that might go wrong tomorrow, well, few things, I should say...

• I don't have my SS card. I may have to drive 40 miles just to get a paper that says, yes, this is my number.
• The income taxes don't come in on time.
• Prices aren't as they appear to be.
• The car lot is closed tomorrow.
• We don't get up and they've already sold it.
• It sold in the last few minutes they were open today.

So, I want to stay up just a little longer in order to make sure the money is deposited like it should be. Hopefully no pending stuff, because that has never happened to us before with our new cards. That would absolutely throw everything off!

Hoping that everything goes right for once. Maybe DHs missing paycheck could come in as well? That'd be great since there is no paycheck this week. (Did I ever mention how much I hate bi-weekly checks?)

I would like nothing more than to post photos of a new (used) vehicle tomorrow. Maybe something else too, but I don't see that happening until this weekend... In any case, we need this week to go a lot better than all the rest of the weeks, months, past year.

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