Dear Friends,
At Joy Crazy®, we believe in the power to shine, learn, and connect. This edition of the newsletter celebrates joyful beginnings, small but meaningful lessons, and the connections that carry us through tough times and loss.
With warmth and gratitude,
Shannon 🌼
SHINE
☀️
Shine is about noticing moments of joy and letting them be seen—whether they arrive quietly or with celebration. When we honor what lights us up, we give ourselves permission to begin again.
We tied the knot! Judge Chanpone Sinlapasai (center photo, bottom left) performed the ceremony at the Multnomah County Courthouse. Dave's sons, Jason (L) and Ryan (R), attended in person and my sons, Parker, Ian, and Ian's girlfiend, Paige, attended via "Zoom" (on phone screen in Dave's hand, center photo) .
The view from the 14th floor, overlooking the Willamette River, was amazing and several peaks, including Mt Saint Helen (behind Jason, center photo) could be seen.
After the ceremony, we changed into "Bride" and "Groom" beanie hats (top right, note the red t-shirt I'm wearing and Dave's "Hawaiian-style" shirt are both from McMenamins). We celebrated our nuptials and New Year's Eve with friends at—where else—McMenamins (bottom right)!
Want to know more? Next time you see Dave, ask him about his wedding ring, or ask me what was special about the locket I wore.
Nuptial News (and a Quick Quiz!)
💍
Let’s start with some happy news—I got married!
Dave and I met on Match.com (yes, there is hope for those still looking 😉), and seven years and twelve days later, we tied the knot on a beautiful, brisk, sunny New Year’s Eve day in Portland, Oregon. We kept it simple and intimate, with only our children in attendance—some in person, some joining us virtually—and it was absolutely lovely.
That evening, we celebrated in true “us” fashion with friends at a concert at McMenamins’ Mission Theater (of course). The entertainers were Johnny Franco and his real brother Dom. I predict this duo will eventually be on bigger stages — lots of raw talent — so keep an eye on them.
Before we move on, here’s a just-for-fun quiz inspired by this new chapter in my life:
🧩 Pop Quiz:
Which is the most popular surname in the United States?
-
Williams
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Johnson
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Smith
👀 Answer & Fun Facts:
The answer is Smith—the most common surname in the U.S. and Canada. In Mexico, the most common surname is Hernández. The most common surname in the world is Wang, mostly found in China.
And here’s where this connects personally: I’m officially saying goodbye to my 13-letter last name, Diffenderffer, and stepping into life as Mrs. Paul. 💛
Also amusing? Shannon and Paul are both first and last names. Names evolve, just like we do—and this one feels like a perfect fit.
"Love at first sight is easy to understand; it’s when two people have been looking at each other for a lifetime that it becomes a miracle."
—Sam Levenson🤣
LEARN
📚
Learning reminds us that growth often comes from small observations and lived experience. When we stay curious, even simple discoveries can make our lives—and our games—better.
Our Joy Crazy® Field Trip to Jumbo's Pickleball in Beaverton, Oregon was great fun. The facility has nine indoor courts (center bottom photo), two lounge areas with tables and chairs (top of large photo), a pro shop and small concession stand. The staff were very welcoming and helpful.
The inset photo of the whole gang was taken in front of a large Jumbo's elephant mural. Back row (L-R): Dave (my new hubby!), Lisa, Missy, Janie, Nicole, and Raphael. Middle row (L-R): Karen, Joe, Kevin, Virginia, Denise, and Elaine. I'm on my knees in the front row wearing my new tinted safety glasses from A Sight for Sport Eyes. I'm also on the podium (bottom right photo), with Denise and Nicole to celebrate that the three of us wore our Joy Crazy® signature "daisies" on our hats!
BIG Fun at Jumbo’s Pickleball!
🐘
We recently took a Joy Crazy® Pickleball Field Trip to Beaverton, Oregon to play at Jumbo’s Pickleball—home of the elephant mascot and, apparently, everyone on December 27! Every court was full, and I suspect many of us were happily working off our holiday meals. 🐘🏓
Here’s a BIG lesson I learned that day: temperature matters when it comes to plastic pickleballs.
I brought with me several new outdoor balls, but none of them bounced well inside the Jumbo's facility. Why? The balls had been sitting in my trunk on the drive over and it was a chilly, 40-degree day.
Once I purchased balls from Jumbo’s convenient pro shop—balls already acclimated to the indoor temperature—they played beautifully.
Takeaway: Use balls that match the temperature of the facility whenever possible. It’s a small detail that makes a BIG difference.
Register for Joy Crazy Pickleball Classes
Intro to Pickleball
Quiet Pickleball
Daisy Doubles (2.0 & 3.0)
Available now!
CONNECT
🤝
Connection is what carries us through both joy and grief. Showing up for one another, even in simple ways, reminds us that we don’t have to navigate life alone.
The above photos are from 1988/1989, and I am sharing them to honor my dear friend Laura White who recently lost her battle with brain cancer (I'm on the left and Laura is on the right in both photos). Laura and I became "instant" friends when we met as college suitemates during our freshman year at UC San Diego.
As highlighted in this one-minute video, Laura and her husband John (who also recently passed away) were honored as 2025 Kidsave Champions for Change by the nonprofit organization Kidsave, which helps older children in foster care and orphanages find permanent families.
I feel deeply honored to have known Laura and to have called her my friend. Laura was a beloved teacher, and I’m comforted in knowing—as the adage goes—that “a teacher lives forever,” through the lives they touch.
Say “Hi, Neighbor”
🙋🏽
Seasons of joy often sit right alongside seasons of loss.
After a joyful New Year’s Eve filled with love and celebration, I woke the next morning to learn that my college buddy, Laura—who had been in hospice—passed away from brain cancer. Grief has a way of showing up even in the midst of joy.
Loss can come in many forms: a partner, a friend, a pet, a job, a home, your health, or another intrinsic part of life. And, it can be devistating. This is one of the reasons I believe so deeply in connection—it helps carry us through.
This past year, Dave and I made a real effort to engage more with our neighbors. His beloved Man-zebo (man + gazebo) became the perfect neighborhood Halloween gathering spot—especially since it was raining that night. Along with candy treats, we served warm cider cooked with cinnamon sticks and it was a hit.
We decided to make cider again and bring it to my sister’s Christmas luncheon. We made too much though, and, since we were without kids this year, we decided to go door-to-door, greeting neighbors with a simple, “Hi, Neighbor,” and a small cup of cider. Several of our neighbors are single/widowed, and they truly appreciated the quick visits — especially our 102 year-old neighbor!
Some folks couldn’t drink the cider due to dietary restrictions, but everyone appreciated the warmth of the greeting. Many were still in their pajamas, and I hadn’t even put on makeup—we just went in our sweatpants, topped with a Santa hat. Kids and adults alike smiled and enjoyed the warm treat. 🧑🎄
It might just become a tradition. And we may even try a fancier cider recipe, like this one (with vanilla and orange slices!) from One Ingredient Chef.
If you’re looking for a way to meet people in your apartment building or neighborhood, consider baking a batch of cookies and knocking on a few doors and say, “Hi, Neighbor—I made too many cookies...”
Next year? Maybe we’ll bring along dog and cat treats too. Who knows. 🐾
Thank you for being part of this Joy Crazy® community—where we shine, learn, and connect through all of life’s seasons.
With gratitude and encouragement,
Shannon Paul, M.Ed. 🌼
Chief Daisy
Joy Crazy®
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