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A little over a year ago, I made one of the hardest decisions I could ever make. I was in a bad relationship, and my options were to keep dealing with this bad relationship, or move in with my parents and lose everything I had to get out of it. I chose the latter. I moved in with my parents into their one bedroom little house. I sleep on the couch, one of my kids gets the love seat, and the other two bunk on the floor. There are several animals in the house, most of them mine, however my parents and myself both own rather large dogs. They sleep with, and sometimes ON, the kids.

It wasn't real hard in the beginning. Everyone was just relieved that we were out of that situation. I helped out best I could, as I was looking for a job but unemployed at the time. After 3 months of searching, I wasn't having much luck. Then I got a call from the local concert stadium, and finally i had a job. It didn't pay much, but it helped. Shortly after that, I was hired elsewhere as a cashier, and the pay was even better. I tried to hold onto both jobs, as I was trying to put money back to get us out of my parents' home sooner. But then they started nickel and diming me. I have no problem helping out with gas in the vehicle...it gets me to work too. I have no problems buying groceries, but I buy actual food. My dad tends to spend $25 or more on "goodies" that he shouldn't even have because he's diabetic! 75% of the actual food we eat is what I buy. 75% of those meals I've paid for, I'm not home to enjoy.

As for the vehicle, like I said we have to share it. I don't have one of my own, and I try not to use it for my own personal reasons, but only to get to work and run errands. Once in a while, I will use it to pack up the kids and go to a friend's house for a bit to give my parents a break. I don't use it to go out with people after work. I don't use it to go visiting everyone I know. I don't haul people around everywhere. But when I fill the tank and the next time I use the car it's half gone....why should I have to refill it?

And then there's the "other" stuff. They borrow money for cigarettes, something else my dad shouldn't do as he's had 8 heart attacks! They run out of pop and ask me to pick some up. I buy snacks and I have to hide them in the basement if I want any, not because the kids keep getting into them, but because my dad gets into them. I've paid off several bills for them, and even loaned them $100 towards the vehicle we are all sharing. I haven't seen the money

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