As far as securing it to the vent, what kind of adhesive do you recommend?   

Thicker products will dull the effects of the brick softening corner and filling in mortar lines so, think it through.Application: You can prime in the morning and technically paint in the evening depending on condition and mil. application thicknesses preferred and the product but try and stick with: clean 1 day, primer next, paint next avoid any potential issues (outgassing, drying issues, adhesion issues, etc...).I'd spray...

That adhesive called muslcebound (Lowes) is the best thing ever invented for updating a kitchen backsplash.Those snappy trap drain kits (smooth inside) work, seem to hold up, are quick to install, and they don't leak.We use ALL the time the ryobi wood/metal door lock kit, the latch installation kit, the hinge kit.

However, even the rooms that don't have obvious smoke residue are needing 3 coats. 

Meth leaves a chemical residue behind that will seep into walls, so you'll have to use something pretty strong, and wear respiratory and skin (gloves, sleeves and goggles) protection.

You can just staple-gun some rubber or plastic sheeting (kind of like shelf-liner) and upturn the edges for some drip catching.Or, you can "tile" under the counter with the peel-and-stick adhesive tiles.

I'm use to residual income anyway.

What did you do to resolve the smoke smell/residue?

At least you have some residual income coming in now you should be focusing on how do I up my residual so I am protected if I lose my job.

I'm married with three grown kids, and looking for residual income as I am in the twilight years of my career.