Katie, the mastermind behind Applecheeks Social Media campaigns, kindly asked if I would like to participate in their blog Scavenger Hunt. On my end I just needed to plug in a code that had a linked image to another blog. Easy, right?
The scavenger hunt was intended to go live at noon today. Since I was planning on being away during that time I added the code into the designated post this morning. I rushed out of the door on my way to my MOMS Club meeting, but before that I also had to address 6 envelopes and meet a mom who needed to borrow something I had. Plus I had to visit the ATM. I left the house at 9:30 am.
I attended the meeting while chasing my children around, preventing blows over a coveted toy, then walked from the meeting spot to the post office. I stuffed envelopes while calling after my soon to be 3 year old who was running around talking to strangers and trying to open PO boxes. Everett sat in the stroller and whined all the while. Each envelope is a package containing 6 photos of Everett and his DVD, 25 minutes long, that I worked on for weeks and countless hours. The DVD has images and videos from his first year. My family will get the package on Monday. It was 11:00 am.
I mailed off the envelopes then went back to my car. The image wasn’t showing when I checked it and Katie texted me that I needed to remove somethign that Google inserted into the code. Wonderful. I only had my iPhone with me. I was hoping to fix it from my car. I buckled the kids into the car seats and got to my WordPress App. It wouldn’t let me log in. It was 11:15 am.
Next I tried using my browser on my phone. I logged into WP. I could see my Html code but couldn’t scroll down far enough to actually edit the code needed. Awesome.
I drove home 5 minutes from the meeting location and kept the kids in the car for 1 minute while I brought up the post. Luckily it was still on my screen. I removed 4 or so apostrophes (pesky little bastards) and ran back to my car. In one minute Ev was already so angry at being in his car seat that he was screaming.
Too bad buddy… Mommy needs a coffee. My kids needed a nap and I needed a break from bouncing so I decided it was car nap day. It was 11:30 am.
I drove to the Starbucks across town for a Decaf Grande Caramel Macchiato. Kids slept in their seats. I parked and drank my coffee and checked some email, including checking to make sure my image was working. It was 11:45 am.
My son Fletcher opened his eyes so I drove off in hopes that he would fall back asleep on the ride home. It was 11:55 am.
I-690 was backed up for miles so I had to take the long way home. The whole way Fletcher was screaming that he wanted a lollipop. Once he recognized that we were close to home he demanded that he turn around. We pulled into the driveway, and Everett woke up. It was 12: 15 pm.
I sat in the chair and nursed Everett while promising lunch to Fletcher after. I grabbed my iPad and was planning on checking out the Scavenger Hunt and completing it myself.
Imagine my surprise when I clicked the clue leading to my blog and I received a cutesy photo from my host explaining that my account was suspended. FML. %^&*$%^#$#$#%(*&I^%^$^*)&*(&%&*^(@#$@%
I took Everett and placed him on the floor to play. This wasn’t good. He cried. I had a lot to do in one minute. I sat at the computer and logged into my host and put in a request to live chat. While I waited for a person I put some food in the microwave for Fletcher. Mac and Cheese. Don’t hate.
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Milkies while on my Ball at Computer, in Applecheeks!
Fletcher helped me stir it, then I popped it in the freezer for a few minutes to cool it down. Everett wanted to nurse again so I sat down on my ball and nursed him, then kept him attached on the boob while I fished out the mac and cheese, handed it to Fletcher, poured a glass of milk, baby was still on boob. Then laid out his lunch.
I sat back on my ball and found that a person was ready to chat with me.
You are now chatting with ‘Rex Bowen’
Rex Bowen: Hi, how are you today?
Kim Rosas: Good
Kim Rosas: My website it down at a very critical time. It has to run. Says account is suspended. Please advise
At this point Fletcher was yelling that his mac and cheese was too hot. I told him to blow it. ”No, mommy YOU blow it.”
With baby still on boob I went to the table, rested Everett’s weight on the table, blew on his food for a minute, picked up baby, who by the way, was still on my boob, then sat back on my ball to check the live chat.
Rex Bowen: I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you.
Kim Rosas: What needs to be done to get it running. Every minute counts
Rex Bowen: May I place you on hold for 3 or 4 minutes while I review your account?
Kim Rosas: yes but I need this fixed ASAP please. This always seems to happen at the worst times
lalalala……. I checked on Fletcher’s food. He wasn’t eating much. I told him to eat more food, then tried putting Everett on the ground. He wouldn’t have it. He kept signing “please” for me to pick him up. I really needed to fix this issue so I broke out the desperate measure: Yo Gabba Gabba.
Baby satisfied, I went back to the computer.
Rex Bowen: Thank you for holding.
Kim Rosas: any news?
Rex Bowen: Your account is suspended as your website is creating load on our servers.
Kim Rosas: there is no way that the traffic I am getting would be that much of an issue
Rex Bowen: I have sent the list of files causing the issue to the email address kdrosas@gmail.com and please make sure to take necessary action immediately.
Kim Rosas: none of those make any sense
Rex Bowen: Please make sure to check for the files and make necessary changes so that your account is not suspended again.
Rex Bowen: Our specialists are monitoring your website and it will be suspended at the earliest if necessary action is not taken.
Rex Bowen: Is there anything else I can assist you with today?
Yes, you can actually tell me something other than what is written on your script. That is what I wanted to say.
I frantically called my husband and forwarded him the email. He talked me through a few things that could be causing this, unrelated to the Applecheeks Blog Hunt. But, considering I just had my website scrubbed clean top to bottom of anything, we concluded that this was caused by the traffic spike.
Kim Rosas: I still have no idea how to fix this issue that I can’t see
Kim Rosas: I am having someone else look at it for now
Rex Bowen: Sure.
Rex Bowen: Please make sure to resolve it at the earliest.
Rex Bowen: Is there anything else I can assist you with today?
Kim Rosas: Can you please explain what is out of the ordinary that is creating this issue?
Rex Bowen: The files are creating too many requests to the server and utilizing heavy network/server resources.
Kim Rosas: But is this malicious? Do I need to upgrade because I can’t undo my traffic
Rex Bowen: You need to look into it whether there are any malicious codes in it.
Kim Rosas: there are not
By now I have received a ping on Facebook Chat from Ilanna of Applecheeks. Yes, I am aware of the issue. I am trying to fix it. Sorry!
Rex Bowen: There is no upgrade on our platform for bandwidth.
Rex Bowen: The files are creating load on our servers. We are unable to serve the requests for it.
Kim Rosas: Basically, my website is intentionally receiving a spike in traffic due to a link. WHich I am aware of. There is nothing I can do to change that
Kim Rosas: Is there an abnormal bandwidth being used that would make it seem that there is a malicious attack?
Kim Rosas: we are not seeing any code on those posts to suggest this
Rex Bowen: I have already provided you with the file list to look into it.
Rex Bowen: We are unable to serve the requests to the files on our servers.
Rex Bowen: We provide shared hosting platform and the performance effects the websites in the servers.
Kim Rosas: I understand- since there is nothing malicious on my end I can’t change the traffic, it should only last a couple of hours
Rex Bowen: I am sorry, if it still creates load on our servers, we will suspend it.
Kim Rosas: Is there any indication that it is winding down? I assume the spike hit at noon, is this when the problem arose?
Rex Bowen: Our specialists will get back to you with the complete details.
Kim Rosas: great, thanks
Rex Bowen: Is there anything else I can assist you with today?
Kim Rosas: when will the tech specialist get back to me? Will it be through a ticket?
Rex Bowen: Yes, they will email you within a couple of hours.
Rex Bowen: Is there anything else I can assist you with today?
Kim Rosas: No, thanks.
Rex Bowen: Thank you for chatting with us. Please feel free to contact us at any time. We are available 24×7.
Rex Bowen: Bye!
Chat session has been terminated by the site operator.
By now Ev was restless, Fletcher was begging for a lollipop (he means cake pop, I don’t give him lollipops that are sticky, ond he only gets cake pops on Starbucks days). I scooped up Ev, switched off the TV, and grabbed a cake pop from my freezer that I made a few months ago. I keep them on hand. Then I took Ev to get a diaper change.
My problem still isn’t solved and won’t be until traffic dies down. I am just hoping the spike is short lived. If my host can’t keep up with a spike in traffic on a Cloth Diaper Blog then that is just sad. I need a new host. I don’t have the time to move things over, my database is just complicated.
Everett and Fletcher played on their train table while I typed this vent out. I held my pee, which is now telling me to go potty. I didn’t eat lunch while I tried to fix my issue, and need to do that now.
My day is still going, I still need to wash clothes and dishes, reply to emails, and go to a little event at the mall, put the Chili in the crock pot, and so on…….
So if anyone thinks blogging is an easy way to earn money and work from home, let this day be a lesson to you. You have to put off the fun stuff to put out fires. And sometimes these fires cost money to put out. The only good thing is that I can still watch my kids play from my computer desk. And nurse my baby when he needs it, all while working.
I still need to pee and eat. I hope you are all enjoying the Scavenger Hunt! {I published this at 1:51 pm}
(Amazon.com)
(Amazon.com)
(Amazon)
