Joshua Sigar

There is no the_meta() in that file you pasted.

I detest the dollar symbol ($) in the keys, NOT the prefix wp_.

You have to echo it.
echo get_post_custom_values('lovable_key')

Check the database. Are those custom fields stored?

Do you use that piece of code inside the Loop?

something like the following?

Post 1    Post 2
Post 3    Post 4

What will the archive contain? All posts in one long page? ?

$wp_source_href and $wp_source_name–what are those initialized to?

If you want to display Posts of certain categories on the frontpage, download the following plugin (probably more updated version). The instruction is in the file.
http://dev.wp-plugins.org/file/front-page-cats/trunk/front_page_cats.php?rev=57&format=raw

You could add the following logic in the template file that invokes the counter.

<?php if (!is_preview()) : ?>
<!-- insert your counter code here -->
<?php endif;?>

I don’t understand what you’re trying to say. Please rephrase it in details. (Link to the problematic site will always be helpful.)