Why Talking to Yourself Is Actually a Good Thing
Chances are you talk to yourself throughout the day whether you're aware of it or not—everything from “I’m going to be late!” to “I love this dress” to “I’m so behind at work” has likely crossed your mind pretty often. But have you have ever said such phrases out loud? If you answered yes, you're on the right side of science
It turns out that expressing some inner thoughts out loud can actually help you better conquer the present and future and is something we should all start doing, according to Lisa Ferentz, clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and author of Finding Your Ruby Slippers: Transformative Life Lessons From the Therapist’s Couch.
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I have what I describe as a "bad habit" of rehearsing difficult conversations in advance -- trying to anticipate how someone will react, what they might say, etc., so I can prepare. I don't feel as weird about as I used to, because at some point I decided it was just a quirk of mine, but maybe it's actually a good thing.
I know my cats communicate pretty well by their looks and body language; your doggie speaks to you all the time! All we have to do is listen.
That said, my baby love that died last June was the one who was the most talkative, and spoke to me all the time, following me around meowing. He also got the 'translation treatment' more than my other loves. I miss him so!!!
Regarding 'tea-time' (treat time):
BB, following me around whining:
"No, BB, it's not time."
"But, Moooomm! Whyyyy?"
"You've already had them this morning."
"Nuh-uuuh. I don't remember that. You forgot."
"No, I didn't, Beebs. You'll get some later."
"But, Mooooomm... I want them nooooww!"
And so on...
This is the description of 'tea-time' here in my little world. There is a certain routine they have always demanded - Mom wakes up, makes coffee, and while we wait the tap in the kitchen sink must be turned to a trickle for my Siamese who absolutely expects it and will tell the world if I've been negligent. Once the coffee hits the cup, the parade begins. I sit at my computer desk, ask "Who's ready for a lil' shumpin' shumpin' (treats, Party Mix only, please!), and the chorus swells. I call, "Places, please, children! Places!" Each goes to a certain spot every time, and treats are handed out in a certain order each time to each cat. It's really quite a trip!
I have now revealed myself as a well-trained 'crazy cat lady', but who cares. They're all I have left. My life is a series of losses that have broken me, but they love me and depend on me. They are the only family I have, so they're as spoiled as a poor person can do, however limited.
Take care; I care.
That's so hard when it happens, they become part of the family.
I lost my Siberian Husky a few years ago and it really stung for quite a while. I've always trained our pups and never had a problem until my Siberian. As a pup, after about a week's time, I wondered......what was I thinking? She was like like a devil dog and loved to get a rise out of me through her behavior. I was determined, stuck it out with her and damn, she was the best dog I ever owned. She a gorgeous black and white with the bluest of blue eyes that I had ever seen. She chilled out after those first two years and was the most lovable dog. She had this way of rubbing her head against your arm in the sweetest way to get you to pet/play with her.
I currently have 2 German Shepherds now, they each weigh in at 100lbs (not overweight, tall and slender) and are actually the easiest dogs I've ever trained. They're so obedient and always at my side. If the kids joke around trying to pick me up, they'll snarl like I've never heard/seen. Let's just say that they're very protective and wonderful watch dogs. (I think they really like me because they always get some fresh baked turkey in their meals...LOL)
Anyway, sorry to hijack the thread, I just love my dogs. They're there when you're happy, sad, mad or lonely.
I'm glad to see other animal lovers on this thread, our pets certainly are a joy and make life "a little" less stressful.
You're not a crazy cat lady and certainly not "broken."
Sometimes, life throws us curveballs and our pets help us to pick up the pieces.
You sound to be a strong woman, much stronger than you realize. Give yourself some credit.
Take Care of Yourself
Several of us did, I guess, conflate talking to our fur-babies with talking to ourselves. I believe both can be calming and healing to our souls.
Thank you for keeping her and her babies! 
I tried to find her owner. She was wearing a collar with a tag. I called the number on the tag, and the guy wouldn't return my calls. There was also an address on the tag, so I looked on the county assessor's site and found a name and then found the guy on Facebook. There was actually a photo of the cat, along with her kittens that she had when he had her, with a caption saying he was trying to find homes for all of them and would take them to the shelter if he wasn't able to do so. I messaged him, asking if the cat was spayed, and of course he didn't reply. Barely got that message sent when she had those three kittens on my back porch.
As soon as I discovered the kittens, she moved them and didn't bring them back around for two months. As hard as I tried, I never was able to fully tame them. I had to use traps to catch them, and kept them in my office for a month waiting for their spay/neuter appointment. We'd go sit on the floor in the office for hours every day, playing with those silly kittens, trying to gain their trust. It never happened, and when their appointment day came my then-husband had to go in with welding gloves on and catch them.
Long story short, I now have four cats, three of which I don't touch. They have the run of the house and have three cat doors to go in and out as they please. They're very good housemates. They have two litter boxes, but prefer to use the great outdoors. They have trees to climb, so they've been pretty good about not clawing up my furniture.
Their biggest "flaw" is that they seem to enjoy taking my spot. If I want to sit on my sofa to watch television, there's a cat. When I go in my bedroom to go to bed, there's invariably at least one cat on it, acting completely surprised at my appearance.
Well, I could go on all day. That's how we pet parents are. 
Edited to add: I actually had homes arranged for a couple of the kittens before it became apparent that they couldn't be tamed. It was just as well that it didn't work out. They're a neat little cat family. I'm glad I didn't break them up.
We need help.
But I don't talk to myself, I talk to my dog. I'm not crazy, damn it. 
Well, except DU, of course!
(Most of the time!)
once I saw a man bend over very slowly to get something he dropped in the produce dept and he stayed down lower than was necessary. then when I came around the corner and saw him crouched down by the end display of chips, I noticed him looking at a woman in a tennis dress bent over the meat counter. I said to my toddlers, look, sweeties, there's a pervert looking up women's skirts. I said it in the animated voice one uses for small children, but loud enough that he heard it and maybe the tennis lady did, too.
Awesome!
And Welcome to DU!
