I hate commercials having anything to do with over the counter medication for migraines. You know, where the afflicted presses a hand to his temple and grimaces and then Excedrin fixes him right up. It makes me want to punch someone in the throat. Where’s the sobbing and curling up on the bathmat because it’s the darkest room in the house and because if you feel the vibration of the cat walking or hear one. more. sound. you’re going to need to have that toilet handy? Where’s the pale-faced sufferer walking around like a newborn calf for the next several hours because the whole experience has left her wobbly? Excedrin is for hangovers. Mercy killings are for migraines.
All of which is to say, while yes, the Boy is a very nice distraction, he’s not the reason I haven’t been parked in front of my computer telling you funny stories about introducing him to Mike J (it’s coming though, I promise). I’ve been whimpering and leaving mascara stains on my white linens. Ten years of migraines and this one let me off relatively easy, only I’m still jell-o kneed and exhausted. And I look SO pretty. Think a zombie mascara model after watching Steel Magnolias. I know. Hot.
Hey, let’s play a game. If you were going to take a cheap, three-day vacation, where would you go? And I do mean cheap. Mama’s got itchy feet and a slim budget.
Starting in Texas, I’d say Mexico seems the obvious choice. I always find that the cheapest vacations are the ones that don’t require a lot of additional expeditures besides the flight and the hotel, and these tend to be beach-type vacations. Just get yourself there, park yourself on a lounge and relax. Food is food, you have to eat no matter where you are and it’s probably cheaper in Mexico than most places. Alternatively, sightseeing vacations where you can just wander around a city are easy on the wallet, too. I opt for anything that doesn’t require a rental car – just go to a discount travel sight and book whatever last-minute deal looks appealing.
That is the most perfect description of a migraine ever. I want to throat punch people who say “its just a headache”.
Check this out: http://www.cheapcaribbean.com. I was nervous about trusting someone who calls himself Caribbean Jim, but the man finds good deals. I highly recommend Nassau/Paradise Island or Cancun or Cozumel. Caribbean Jim brought me to Puerto Vallarta last year. It was great but the drive from the airport was too far, especially for a quick trip.
hmm… I’d say a little resort town in the mountains since I live in Virginia, which doesn’t really help you I know. I have no idea what’s in your neck of the woods and I’m guessing that flying is out since it’s so expensive? If it weren’t out, I would suggest San Francisco or San Diego – beautiful this time of year.
ps – glad you’re feeling a little better
Santa Fe – not a bad drive for you, gorgeous scenery, yummy food, skiing or hiking… and some great affordable places to stay. Right now the smell of pinon wood is in the air, fireplaces are burning… a nice break from everyday life.
If you’d like something closer, you might consider driving down to Austin and renting a place on Lake Travis. That way you could be on the beautiful lake to relax, and in the evening you could hit the rockin night life in Austin (which is pretty great)!
My best girl friend will tell you it doesn’t get better than Fredricksburg, TX. Beautiful Texas Hill Country, wineries, B&Bs, and as she loves to point out, you can booze it up on the street. Cheap, close and cozy – can’t beat that! http://www.fredericksburgtexas.com/
I feel for you with the migraines, as a long time sufferer myself. Anyway, I am in the midst of trying to come up with a cheap vacation, and I found a cruise that leaves from New Orleans (fairly close to you, right?) and goes to Cozumel & Costa Maya Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala and there are unbelievable rates if you can go in the next month or so. I mean less than $500 for the week, excluding airfare. It is Norwegian Cruise Line’s Freestyle cruise. Go on their website to check it out. Or just go to New Orleans for a long weekend. It is my favorite American city. I never tire of going there.
Well,I am doing 3 days in London this weekend, but that may not work as well for you as for me in Berlin. Have you spoken to your dr. about changing your medication? When I finally discovered that those headaches I had been taking 8-10 pills for were actually migraines and got myself some Imitrex, it was like a miracle.
two words–New Orleans!!
I am right there with you on the migraine thing. I have had them since I was around 12, I am now 27. They are awful and no over the counter medication makes them go away. Prescription med.’s are the only ones that work for me and sometimes they don’t even work if it is one of my monster ones that creep up on me every few months or so. I don’t know if you take prescription med.’s for your migraines or not but I have had some success with Maxalt and Imitrex. Maxalt dissolves on your tongue so if you are nauseated and throwing up at least you know you won’t be throwing up your pricey migraine pill. Also, Imitrex makes a nasal spray which I use that really works great. I love your blog and read it several times a week, keep it coming! Take care.
Come next door to New Mexico! Santa Fe, Taos, Albuquerque, we’ve got it all!
I second Fredericksburg. I’ve only been there for the day but it’s super cute.
St. Louis isn’t too, too far (approx. ten hour drive) and the zoo, science center, art museum and history museum are all free (other then special exhibits, and in one convenient park location(6 mile loop, if you decide to run while on vacay). Ooo, and there’s the city museum: http://www.citymuseum.org/home.asp
I experienced my first migraine over the summer. I work with kids and was out of town for a work event. I was in a hotel with no one else around and NO type of medication. The next day, everyone kept telling me I didn’t look good. No $*%# Sherlock. We were in a gym and it had horrible acoustics. I left crying when the kids started playing basketball. One of the women I work with told me, oh its just a headache it isn’t that bad. I wanted to kill her at that point, but then again it wasn’t like she actually does work. I went and found a room and hid the rest of the day.
New Orleans or Las Vegas!
I opened Google Reader this afternoon because I felt a migraine coming on and I wanted to not be looking at work when it exploded in my brain… it was a little surreal to read your post describing what I know I’ll be experiencing later on tonight!
I know everyone is suggesting Mexico or a relatively large city for a vacation, but when I go on vacation I like to get away! I’d head to Arizona with my camera in tow, and check out the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. They have a Hummingbird Aviary — http://www.desertmuseum.org/visit/exhibits_pollinationgardens.php. I’d check into a hotel with an indoor pool — and a jacuzzi tub in the room — and bring along a good book and a boy. I’d find some awesome, off-the-beaten-track mom-and-pop places to eat and a well-worn stool at a local bar, and I’d just BE for as long as my mini-vacay allowed me to be!
Vegas!
Both my daughter and I are long time migrainers. If she catches hers at the very start, excedrin migraine works, but hers usually wake her in the dead of night. Her doc prescribed Imitrex, and there was the same start time issue as with exced. She just got Relpax script the other day, and is hopeful. My migraines disappeared as soon as I started taking birth control pills about 2 years ago, though I realize for some, they can bring on migraines. Yet another hit or miss situation.
Have fun wherever you end up travelling.
I’d definitely go to New York. The airfare there is generally not too expensive and you can fly there from almost anywhere. Plus, with a million different offerings, you can find anything to fit your budget. Try a discounted ticket matinee on Broadway followed by a pizza at John’s Pizza off Time Square (inside an old church – very cool). Or, if you’re really, really, ultimately, poor just spend the day in Central Park. Hot dogs are about $2.00 and a Sunday Times is about $8.00. That’s a $10 day of perfection!
Totally agree on the migraines although I’m not a lifelong sufferer. I have chronic TMJ and had them for three years before it went into remission. Don’t know much about your neck of the woods, either, I’m sorry to say. I like Laughlin, NV or Wendover, NV if you’re into gambling. If not, Yellowstone National Park is gorgous! Glad your feeling better and wherever you decide to go, have fun on your vacation!
If I only had three days and a small-ish budget, I’d go to Napa (or Sonoma). Wine Country, baby. It’s so pretty and, well, there’s great wine! If you do a little research (and I know you can, Heather!) you can find some good wineries to go to that aren’t crazy expensive. And you can buy food for picnic lunches at Dean & Deluca. Ahhh… can’t wait to go back!
Totally agree on the migraines although I’m not a lifelong sufferer. I have chronic TMJ and had them for three years before it went into remission. Don’t know much about your neck of the woods, either, I’m sorry to say. I like Laughlin, NV or Wendover, NV if you’re into gambling. If not, Yellowstone National Park is gorgous! Glad your feeling better and wherever you decide to go, have fun on your vacation!
Unrelated to vacays, from one migraineur to another, you just gotta get a prescription for a triptan. My favorite is Maxalt – as Sherri pointed out, it dissolves on your tongue. I am a total migraine puker and I can’t keep much down, so it’s definitely the one for me. I have, over time, had so many migraines that I can tell when they are coming before they get to the awful stage – and as long as I get a Maxalt on board before it gets excruciating, within an hour and a half, I’m fine. Not going to run out and bang out a half marathon or anything, but fine for work/socializing. I’m a religious believer in the triptan meds…just my two cents.
I’d go to the sunny beaches of Mexico, if I were you. I’ve seen unbelievable flight deals out of Austin (so surely they’re at least that good from DFW). I think we’re taking a long weekend and flying into Cancun, then promptly escaping that madness by a quick ferry ride into Isla Mujeres. There are CHEAP (and great) small hotels there and the island is charming, unplugged and flowing w/ margaritas! Perfect!
Find a a cute bed and breakfast and a cute boy (you’ve got that). Go somewhere where you can do something romantical outdoors (like a long hike into a secluded forest *wink*). Somewhere with a nightlife … but not one that’s so great it would pain you to stay indoors and … well … you know.
I feel you with the migraines. I used to take the Imitrex nose spray but it wears off too quickly if your migraines last longer than a day. I’m on Relpax now and it’s awesome!!! It works great and you don’t have to take more than one dose a day. But you do have to take it early since it’s a pill and won’t stay down once the nausea hits.
Here is to hoping the vacation helps alleviate the migraines!
I just booked my honeymoon using this deal. This company gives you the value of stocks as of 7/1/08 toward resort credit, even if you buy the stock right now at a very very deep discount. example: I bought shares of WMB at $16 and traded them in for $40 per share resort credit. Hello $7500 all-inclusive honeymoon for $3000, including airfare. check it out.
http://www.eliteislandresorts.com/stocks
Kansas City or New Orleans.
Go. To. Belize. Caye Caulker (pronounced “key corker”) to be exact. Absolutely beautiful but TINY island located 1 mile west of the barrier reef; it’s about a 45 minute water taxi ride from Belize City. Very very inexpensive, very very laid back, highly highly recommended!
How about Eureka Springs, Arkansas? It’s a great little resort town in the mountains, but everything in Arkansas is cheaper than what you’d expect. Seriously. Beautiful country there.
Vegas baby! I was just on priceline. Staying at the MGM for 5 days, including flights from nyc was about 350. It’s be even cheaper from TX.
I’m reading the comments for vacation ideas, but thought I’d share my migraine experience…
My migraines grew steadily worse for about 3 years- knocked me on my butt many times. I also suffered from chronic sinus/ear infections which added to the fun
Had an MRI /CT scan 4 years ago and the ENT said he saw nothing. Had an MRI in May ’08 and the ENT said I had a bone spur at the top of my nose between my eyes and that was making my headaches worse.
Surgery to remove the bone spur was not so fun, but I don’t have headaches anymore..
if you haven’t had an MRI in a while I suggest one.
As for vacations, I vote finding a bnb with a jacuzzi tub, bring the boy and some books.
As for headaches, give me a call and we’ll see what we can do.
LOS ANGELES. The weather is gorgeous right now. I also read in the NYT that flights to Maui are cheaper now… http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/01/04/travel/04hours.html.
As much as I love LA, I’m afraid we can’t compete with Maui. I cried at the airport when I had to leave.
I don’t get migraines, but I curl up like a baby with just a regular headache. I’m sure I would die if I got migraines!
Since you’re going for chapish, I’d absolutely go to Shreveport. It’s not a hellacious drive away, and you can totally nix airfare cost out of the vacation budget. The boats are nice lit up at night, and even if you don’t gamble they make for great scenery at the FANTASTIC restaurants in the area. There are museums, river boat tours, all kinds of things to keep you occupied for a couple days.
Well depending on how cheap you wanna really go, I would say Camping- a few bags of marshmallow’s and hot dogs and you are good to go.
I totally know how you feel on the migraines! You should post that description all over the web, so that people walking around saying, “It’s just a really bad headache.” would truly understand. Or for the people walking around in bright daylight going I “think” I have a migraine. NO! If you had a real migraine there would be no “think,” and you sure as heck wouldn’t be WALKING around. In bright light.
As a child, I used to pray to God to kill me, because I couldn’t kill myself, since the pastor said it was a sin. (Back in the days when I used to go to church and all that jazz since my parents made me)
In need of a mercy killing sounds about right for it makes you feel.
Glad you’re feeling a bit better!
Cabo. Hotel Finisterra, Palapa Beach Club section. Up on a hill, walk to town if you want or take a cab. Or stay at the hotel the whole time for sun, sand, pool, swimup bar, eat, drink, laze. I can’t wait to go back.
If you’s ain’t looking for warmth…Chi-town.
I’ve seen cheap flights to Punta Cana and everyone I know that’s been has absolutely loved it and gone back at least a second time.
Heather,
Ask your doctor about “Caffergot.” It’s old-school medicine, but it can really work on “difficult” migraines.
I second the vote for Santa Fe, NM. Dress warmly if you go.
I get migraines too, so you have my sympathy.
Re the holiday – I went to Guatemala last year and loved it. I flew 40+ hours and took three flights (from New Zealand) but I think from where you live it will be much easier!! If you’ve just got three days, go to Antigua, which is a short drive from Guat. City. But don’t drive, get a transfer. There’s plenty of cheap accommodation, but if you fancy splashing out for one night, you must stay at the Casa Santo Domingo, an ex-monastery that is one of the most romantic places on earth. My budget didn’t stretch that far, but you can visit it. To be honest it’s not that pricey considering how divine it is.
Antigua is absolutely gorgeous, and from memory, from your previous blog entries I think you speak Spanish already, so you will be able to make the most of it. I highly recommended Antigua if you haven’t already been.
I’m adding to the Greek chorus shouting “Vegas”!
I’ve always gotten amazing rates at Excalibur, and the fountains in front of the Bellagio are some of the best free entertainment I’ve ever seen. Being able to drink freely in public isn’t so bad either…
I’d check out a cruise. Carnival is running some great specials, specially if you look at the last minute sites. If I wasn’t 8 months preggers, I’d be on one now. A 4 day cruise for under $200 per person……the only expense is the spa and booze (which I always help out by packing mini bottles in my luggage…raspberry vodka + free lemonade = makes me happy)
It’s not a destination but be sure to look into Spirit Airlines deals. This month you can get to the already cheap Dominican Republic for $9.00 each way. Seriously, this isn’t a typo! You can keep up with some really great get aways.
Viva Aerobus to Mexico – $150 round trip per person from Austin.
Gruene, TX! Great live music, shopping, restaurants (The Gristmill) and wine!
http://www.gruenehall.com/ (You must go there)
http://www.gruenetexas.com/
Punching someone in the throat is probably the most mild thing I want to do to someone when inflicted with a migraine! Truly, it’s a pain I couldn’t wish on my worst enemy.
But to answer you inqiry: check site59.com short notice, short trip, cheap package deals abound!
I agree with the New Orleans recommendations- I usually stay at the Place d’Armes hotel right off Bourbon Street in the Quarter near enough to walk and get beignets or a cocktail.
Dollywood! It’s where all the high-quality women go for fun!
I’ve heard there are really good deals to be had right now on cruises.
Also, how about an updated picture of the nephew?
come visit us in chicago! i know i know, its really cold but theres lots of fun stuff, you and the boy can go ice skating,and to see all the awesome museums we have!
Do you like aquariums? Museums? Is there a touristy town within three hours drive of you where you could stay at a decent hotel at off-season prices ($60/night) and just take your time checking out new cafes, a museum or aquarium in that town, new local parks, etc?
Personally I love Ogunquit, ME even in the winter. There is a bakery where I buy When Pigs Fly whole grain breads and spreadable honey. You can walk into town and to the beach walkways from the Milestone Hotel (I stayed at King’s.. Way? once too) The star views rock at night.
But I don’t know that your budget includes a flight to Portland and car rental from there! Heaven knows there is no such thing as a cheap plane ticket any more.
My husband and I are pretty loyal watchers of Samatha Brown’s “Passport to Great Weekends” on the Travel Channel. If it were me going on a little vacation, I’d pick either New Orleans or Memphis. We are actually hoping to make a quick little trip to New Orleans, stay in the French Quarter and walk just about everywhere we want to go some time this year.
New Orleans!
My husband and I went there for an anniversary and we didn’t have a lot of money to spend.
The hotels are pretty cheap and its fun to just walk around and look in shops.
howse about the FLA panhandle? Or Miami?
This may not be as inexpensive for you as it was for me since you’d have to come from Texas but my daughters and I did a 2 1/2 day visit to an Amish community in Shipshewana (sp), Indiana and had a blast. It was completely affordable and we had a great time. The food was good and inexpensive, the carriage rides were cheap and entertaining. The museum we visited was probably $3 and we had a guided tour! We went from a northwest suburb in Chicago so it was only a 3 hour drive.
Long weekends are better when the travel is quick. Find out where you fly to in less than 3 hours, and start there. I’m doing a quiet beach area north of Miami next week. I chose it because JetBlue was running a special ($69 both ways – quick 2 hour flight) and I had rewards points for free hotel nights. Two hours and $69 later, I’ll be relaxing in 80 degree sunshine for the weekend! That I’m bringing a boy and there’s a jacuzzi in the room is only a bonus.
Come on down to Music City USA! AKA Nashville. Great comfort food, awesome entertainment and much much more. It really is an overlooked city….and very affordable! We promise that you don’t have to eat the grits unless you want to….but they are really good with cheese!
I suffered from migraines so intense they would run MRI’s on me, only to find nothing. I now take a Vitamin B Complex every day and I no longer eat/drink anything with aspartame. Miraculously the migraines have nearly completely disappeared as a result.
Try it.
Ironically, I’m about to go away for a 3 day trip – to Dallas.
It’s too bad you don’t live here in Austin, I’d recommend my neurologist to you (actually given you do get down here to see Stephanie, you might consider going to him anyway). It’s the only doctor I have been able to find in a decade and a half that actually prescribes the Imitrex shots. Sounds HORRIBLE I know, but really you learn that giving yourself a tiny little shot is the lesser of the two evils when a migraine is concerned. Especially when POOF, the migraine is gone in 20 minutes and you’re left wondering why you’re still laying on the bathroom floor. It’s incredible. I’ve spent years in and out of ER’s… if that tells ya how bad mine get.
For a 3 day weekend, I would travel no further than 3-4 hours by car… that’s the cheapest way to go. In the winter, most of Texas is brown and ugly. Wait until Spring (Mar/Apr/May) and visit the Texas Hill Country. I recommend Marble Falls TX (on hwy 281). It’s northwest of Austin. The Bluebonnet Cafe has pie to die for. Take the Vanishing Texas River Tour. http://www.vtrc.com/index.html I’ve heard about it for years as a fantastic adventure.
Fly Viva Aerobus to Monterrey Mexico. We did it over Thanksgiving for about $300 each–plane, nice hotel, food, cabs, and souvenirs.
you should definitely try out a weekend in the texas hill country… fredricksburg, to be exact… wineries, luckenbach, tx is down the road, and lots of german food, beer, and shopping gallore!!!
I’m in Odessa and can be in F’burg (Fredericksburg) in about 4 hours. Wonderful for the wine tasting/drinking and the wandering around looking at pretty shiny things. Boerne has some great wandering shops, so does New Braunfels and Gruene – just stay in N. San Antonio & hit all the surrounding areas. All on the slim budget and amazing stuff to see.
I have a CHEAP vacation option for you from Dallas. But you have to be ready to think outside the box.
Oklahoma City
What?
They have a new “riverwalk” area downtown…a minor league baseball team…tons of small town charm…decent shopping and several good restaurants. ALSO…the OKC Bombing Memorial is superb and so very tasteful.
And hell. If none of that works you can drive down Route 66 and thank god you are from Texas.
I have a CHEAP vacation option for you from Dallas. But you have to be ready to think outside the box.
Oklahoma City
What?
They have a new “riverwalk” area downtown…a minor league baseball team…tons of small town charm…decent shopping and several good restaurants. ALSO…the OKC Bombing Memorial is superb and so very tasteful.
And hell. If none of that works you can drive down Route 66 and thank god you are from Texas.
I have a CHEAP vacation option for you from Dallas. But you have to be ready to think outside the box.
Oklahoma City
What?
They have a new “riverwalk” area downtown…a minor league baseball team…tons of small town charm…decent shopping and several good restaurants. ALSO…the OKC Bombing Memorial is superb and so very tasteful.
If none of that works you can drive down Route 66 and thank god you are from Texas.
I have a CHEAP vacation option for you from Dallas. But you have to be ready to think outside the box.
Oklahoma City
What?
They have a new “riverwalk” area downtown…a minor league baseball team…tons of small town charm…decent shopping and several good restaurants. ALSO…the OKC Bombing Memorial is superb and so very tasteful.
If none of that works you can drive down Route 66 and thank god you are from Texas.