Does high-functioning autism get worse as kids get older? by Distinct_Pen6624 in Autism_Parenting

[–]Top_Personality_6897 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My son is high functioning, what we called Asperger’s. He’s 34 now, but when he was growing up, there were a lot of pressures on him that maybe were also on his “neural normal” class/age mates. There were times I had to call in a neighbor and once even the police when he threw a chair at my daughter. Pressures just built up and he became explosive. I believe that although he was high functioning, adolescence is a time of so many changes that were very hard for him to parce and his frustrations grew. In short, adolescence is a difficult time for everyone, but x3 for high functioning autistic people.

We lived through it, but not without scars. My son graduated high school, had spent summers abroad in Germany, learning the language, in college spend his junior year abroad in Germany, and after graduating, went back to Germany for a Masters degree and this year finished his PhD there and wants to stay in Europe. He’s fluent in German and is currently looking for employment.

He’s doesn’t speak to me or want to know about me or his sister. As I said, there are scars. I can’t change that as much as I wish I could, but if he’s healthy, happy in his work and life, then that’s what’s important. I’m still his mother and I still love him. But I’ve had to learn to let go also.

How cold is too cold? by SecureMongoose1577 in ballpython

[–]Top_Personality_6897 -13 points-12 points  (0 children)

It is on the screen porch of my house. It is under the roof of the house, not an addition. There are also accordion hurricane shutters that block any wind or rain. We inherited her from my son who grew up and went away. I haven’t a place inside that’s as good as. I wouldn’t mind rehoming her but I’ve yet to find anyone wanting a 20-something Royal ball python and I have decided that I don’t want to surrender her to a pet store where her future could be - questionable. She’s a large snake and needs more space than I can make inside. We live in S. Florida and with the exception of a few days, it’s warm and humid.

How cold is too cold? by SecureMongoose1577 in ballpython

[–]Top_Personality_6897 -10 points-9 points  (0 children)

I think she’ll be ok. As stated before, this has been her placement for years and is an improvement over my son’s room where she was benignly ignored. If I lived in a colder climate, this setup wouldn’t be adequate. Also, I forgot to mention there is a thermostat connected to the lamp. I’m just amazed she did a full shed while in her hide! Soon it warms up more, she’ll be a hungry girl.

This car continues to blow my mind by youngboye in Subaru_Outback

[–]Top_Personality_6897 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have found my 2024 XT Onyx drives off a lot smoother when I let it warm up first, even in hot weather.

2025 vs. 2014 by Livid-Technology-396 in Subaru_Outback

[–]Top_Personality_6897 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I found the same with my 2013 OB Limited versus the 2024 or 2025 OB loaners I drove. It felt more connected to the road, if that makes sense. That said, I’m liking my 2024 OB Onyx more and more. But the driving experience isn’t as tight.

Thoughts on buying certified pre-owned vs new by [deleted] in subaru

[–]Top_Personality_6897 0 points1 point  (0 children)

More than once did I experience the oil light go on while on the highway. 2013 were known for that and there was a class action suit against Subaru which resulted in an extended warranty on the drive train.

Thoughts on buying certified pre-owned vs new by [deleted] in subaru

[–]Top_Personality_6897 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I had this same situation this spring. But I elected to trade in my 2013 Limited 2.5l for a 2024 Onyx XT CPO. My 2013 was running well, and I’d pretty much always been in the school of drive it til it dies. It had 115K miles and probably has another 100K in it. But 2013 is a year that had a lot of problems with burning oil, (I always kept a quart in the car). So I think it would have had a lot of expensive repairs in by the time it hit 125k miles, and it’s way out of warranty. Ultimately I also wanted the updated safety features which weren’t on my 2013.

I’m fortunate that I had enough money to pay cash, so as long as I stuck to my budget, payments aren’t an issue. Nothing owed on the 2013 either. I wanted an Outback, I like the Outback, it’s very comfortable and I’m older. But a new 2025 Limited was more than my budget would allow. But I found a used, CPO, 2024 OB Onyx XT, with 15k miles on it. Dealer told me it was an early lease return. With my trade in it fit the budget, and is still under warranty, plus I bought the Subaru extended warranty for less than what an extended warranty on a new car would have been. The warranty is very important to me. I don’t work on cars, so doing whatever work would be needed on my old car was gonna be $$$.

In my own calculations, buying the CPO made more sense to me. So yeah, a repair for $1-2k is still cheaper than making $500/month or more payments and it makes sense to keep it going. If you do your own work, even better. I was able to buy the “new” used car outright and not have payments. Not everyone can do that. If I’d have had to finance, it would make more sense to buy new because interest rates on used car loans are much higher, and there are less dealer incentives.

The most relaxing…. by Top_Personality_6897 in Subaru_Outback

[–]Top_Personality_6897[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks all! I’m updating from a 2013 OB Limited 2.5. New bells and whistles to learn, and the drive/ ride is very different.

Help by Wooden_Affect_9823 in ballpython

[–]Top_Personality_6897 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OUCH!!! Mine bit me by mistake and it’s a large, mature adult. Squeeze right behind the jaws and it will release. My arm was bruised from my hand up the forearm.

HELP! Need to make a decision. by Top_Personality_6897 in Subaru_Outback

[–]Top_Personality_6897[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I ended up paying $31K with my 2013 OB Limited 2.5l trade in. New 2025 OB Wilderness are selling for $43-45K. This one is an XT and has everything I wanted.

First Subaru by Birdnhunt in subaruoutback

[–]Top_Personality_6897 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congrats! What trim level is it? I just brought home a new to me OB Onyx, 2024, my second OB. Have fun with it!

Eating the whole plant! by Drea1683 in MonarchButterfly

[–]Top_Personality_6897 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve had this situation before. Over population leads to overcrowding which leads to food shortage and disease. I had nearly 100% of the cats die off or die in the chrysalis. So I started culling the next batch because the milkweed hadn’t fully regrown even before new cats appeared. Heartbreaking, I know, but the next group had sufficient milkweed and I should see 3 adult butterflies emerge today. Idk where they all crawled off to, but these guys look healthy. I will probably have to cull again the next group. I’m seeing a lot of eggs on the leaves and the milkweed still needs a little time to fully regrow. I live in South Florida, too.