In photo: Birkenstock Madrid sandal in peridot patent. Affordable, comfortable, and cute.
We never made it to church today. Instead we packed up the kids and headed due east straight into the heart of Chicago for a day of fun in the sun (therefore making up for our gray and dreary 4th). I ignored my RA pain for five hours and romped with the kids through Lincoln Park Zoo, played in the fountain at Garfield Conservatory, gave my 7 year old a piggy-back ride for two city blocks and hoofed around Adler planetarium. I'd love to say I'm none the worse for wear, but as those of you with chronic illness understand all to well: the fatigue is sometimes worse than the pain. Was it worth it? You bet.
My rheumatoid arthritis has slowly come out of a 10 month remission over the last few weeks. It's not terrible (like the first few years after diagnosis), but it's there. It's definitely there. My fingers are more swollen and it feels like I have tight bands around my knees. Of course, bringing the moonwalk out of retirement to honor Michael Jackson was probably not the best idea.
I can't say my feet were completely pain-free in my Birkenstock Madrid sandals today, but that's the nature of this disease: have flare, dogs will bark. But my arches were supported and my toes could spread out, and I just couldn't resist the lime patent pop of color when I opened my closet. Had I known how much walking we were going to do, I might have worn my Wolky Jewel or Merrell Siren kicks for more ankle support. You may recall I walked in my Madrids for 3 miles when visiting San Diego two months ago...this was before the flare, obviously.
If you like the look of the Madrid and want to find out more about fit and feel, read my review from this spring. I just noticed that FootSmart carries the green for $49.99 with free shipping (this color is going fast). I'll be back tomorrow with a review of my new Aetrex sandals; if you've ever slept on a memory foam mattress, then you know how the footbed feels already. Wowza.
The Birkenstock Madrid is also available at:
- Zappos: $49.90, free shipping both ways.
- OnlineShoes.com: $49.95, free shipping and exchanges.
