Twas The Night Before Diane's Adventure.

Twas the night before Diane's adventure,
when all through the house
She was vacuuming like crazy,
annoying even the mouse.

The laundry was drying,
and dumped in piles on the floor
In hopes that a magical fairy would visit,
and save Diane from this chore.

The children were locked in their rooms,
quivering and silent in beds
While visions of their crazy mother being gone for 2 months
pinged through their heads.

Diane, in her comfy old jammies,
and also her cap
was pondering thoughts.... hmmmmm....
2 months of many, many naps.

All of a sudden,
there arose such a clatter
That she ran to the window
to see what was the matter.

She tripped on the vacuum
and fell with a crash.
While cursing the day before adventure cleaning,
and ignored the big gash.

She pulled herself up to the window,
and peered out below
To see her Honda Camper
a wash in a glow.

Diane ignored all the creatures around it
that were gawking,
And all she could think was one last sleep,
and there'd be no more squawking.

No one's problems to solve,
no kids to appease.
No more reminders
of thank yous and please.

Quiet and peace
and long stretches of road;
books, snacks and a uke
would lighten her load.

With one last glance
at the fully packed car,
She limped to her room
and perched on a chair.

Ticked off her last list...
soap, undies, clothes, cooler, rain gear,
extra bags, bear spray, first aid kit, smores stick,
and a clip for her hair.

"This is it" whispered Diane.
"In hours, I'll be gone.
Please let the sleepless nights be short
and the bear free days be long."

Those were her thoughts
as she drifted to sleep
Proud of her dreams
that she managed to keep.