'Don't know the parents health issues but perhaps you should inform them of your problems. Put their childs behavior back on them. Perhaps they can talk to her or start paying her rent etc.' 'Let her parents deal with the concept of whether or not she can live with them--this is not your child, not your parents, not your problem.' 'Children never learn to tie their shoes if someone is always doing it for them.' This is true... but someone has to show the child HOW to tie them first. I've realized that she was denied this as a child, I only wished I had seen it sooner. The problem with her parents is not simple, and I suppose more info would have been appropriate in my first post... they are not together to begin with, but on top of that each of them has had their share of substance abuse problems. Her mother lives with her AA sponcer. Her father lives in a one bedroom trailer on disability, also a recovering alcoholic, and I know that his new wife abuses prescription drugs daily. Her (my roommates) mother actually took her out of school when she was a child and she was eventually taken away from her mom, this is why she cannot take care of herself. As a foster child she didn't have a real caring parent to make sure she learned important life leasons. Her overall education level is maybe 6th grade at best, my guess. I would like to thank both of you for your advice, different points of view are important. I know it seems I am being taken advantage of, however I can't just let her go the way she is, my conscience won't let me. So I talked to her last night, explained the strain she is putting on us, she seemed to understand. She gave me copies of her pay stubs, so I know when she will have the money to pay us back. Although she doesn't know it yet, when she finally does pay up we are going to put it into a trust account for her so that she can have a deposit and first months rent on her own apartment, we don't need the money like she does. Hopefully we will help her out of our home this summer, maybe spring. We told her there will be no more help from us (money, late night rescues, food, etc) she is on her own, but can stay for now because she needs a stable home for once in her life. She actaully bought dinner last night (it was mac'n'cheese but we liked the effort). She has been restricted from unlimited internet use, her online curfew is now 10pm and she only gets 1 hour a day, this seems to keep her in check. We can't keep her from going out, but I spoke to some of her bar buddies and explained the situation, that she shouldn't be out everynight, and I think we might get a little help from a few of them. I'm proud to say that after talking with her a lot of what I told her seemed to sink in... she didn't drink at all last night (keep your fingars crossed that it lasts). We still have a long ways to go with her, and I realize how unfair the situation is to me and my boyfriend, but for this family heart comes before finances. Again, thanks for your thoughts... at least now I know that I'm not being unreasonable.

It has all been fun!! I'm laughing because everyone on the blog thinks that DD did the planning and work....my tootsies and my tired brain beg to differ :^) She is the photographer, the candy nest maker and the moral supporter. The dishes were all paper..I hunted the internet OVER to find the right kinds of paper goods to match bird houses and decos that I already had. The beautiful plates with the Bible verse came from Hobby Lobby...they were sold at Easter :^) If you noticed that two tables had the same kind of plates, it was because we added a table on Friday night and I had extras of those paper goods. The china mosaic bird house was made by Penny Carlson (in fact it is in her blog header). I have placed her link below. She made it from dishes and items I requested as well as a couple of things that I sent to her to use. She is a true artist. Here is a link that might be useful: Birdhouse lady

I have not done this myself, but I have seen postings on other boards. I think the standard going price is about $5.00 per hour plus supplies. I think it should be AT LEAST minimum wage but you can ask for what you think you can get. Most people will never understand how time consuming it really is! But I have heard it was easier to do other people's pics because you are not "close" to them. If you are going to include journaling you will need them to submit info so you will have it. If you can make ANY money at all, I say go for it !!! As for me, I might not live long enough to get all my own pics done!! Good luck! Rebecca

I was going to suggest plywood also .You might get some paint cheap somewhere & paint the tire & just cover the top or just use clear spray to seal the tire as I think they might give off black on your clothes. If you wanted a "skirt"for the tire part you could take a long section of fabric that would go over the tire & sew it by hand inside or put elastic in top that you fold down to make a pocket(kind of like a curtain but with just 1 sewn pocket & another on bottom of fabric.(Along the length of the fabric so it would be about width of tire times 2 & add a couple more inches for the pockets for elastic. If you had the fabric twice as long as the length around tire it would be slightly gathered when you slip it on. Put the elastic through the pocket with it attached to a closed safety pin & inch it along. pin the piece of elastic to end you started on when you get it almost used up or it will get "lost" in the pocket & you will have to start over. Good Luck! Jan