Without proper research, the naming of a vacation house can go terribly wrong.
the backstory
Our lives have taken an unexpected turn… into territory completely foreign to us. We’ve become grandparents. And while other new grandparents seem to relish in this role, posting pictures of adoring babies posing perfectly for family photos (probably in matching Christmas pajamas), I’m not yet in their club.
Instead, I’m wondering why pack-n-plays aren’t made with 6-foot sides for those toddlers who climb walls. I’m wondering why one popsicle has to be eaten in 7 different rooms. I’m wondering why every surface in my house has to be touched and rubbed and licked. Oh, and here’s the latest photo I captured of one of my grands…
You get the idea. We’re swerving off road right now, just trying to make it to the next refueling station.
the vacation house
In the meantime, we bought a country/lake house, 2 hours from our home. Our holiday house, if you will, with a sprawling yard and spacious rooms and lots of space for our grands to create memories. When deciding on a name for it, I decided to buck tradition and not use a French name. This house has Spanish vibes, so I named it Casita la Risa. House of Laughter. It conjures up visions of three generations laughing and communing around a bonfire and trimming a freshly cut Christmas tree… maybe even clad in matching outfits. A house filled with joy and love.
Warning – the naming of a home should not be done in haste. When I told my Brazilian friend about our vacation home, she spit out her water laughing. It just so happens that in the same way Americans use the name Karen as a euphemism, Brazilians use the name Larissa. Yep, it’s code for lady parts. That’s right. My grandchildren are now making memories in The Vagina House.
Too bad. I already ordered the custom doormat.
I think it is the best story I’ve heard yet! Just make sure you pause dramatically between the La and the Risa. 🤣
This story reminds me of our stray male cat when I was young. Endless Gut was his name for the horrible farts that cat made. I was too young to understand why it was funny. Of course after a trip to the vets and dewormer meds, his name became just Endless. Your young grands will only know the house that’s filled with laughter!
Thanks for sharing!
So glad you enjoyed it. And I enjoyed hearing about Endless Gut as well! lol
Oh, Wendy, that is too funny. I laughed until I cried. Enjoy yourself in the vagina house.!! 🤣
Thanks Rita! And yes, I am enjoying myself in this vacation house. And the name doesn’t seem to deter my grown kids from coming. Yesterday they showed up with a ping pong table for the garage! Life is good.
Ha ha! That’s brilliant! I’m sure you’ll enjoy many summers in the vagina house. 😀 I love a good euphemism and there are certainly plenty for lady bits. Are you saying that Karen could be used for “down there” as well though? I thought it was just for older women who complained a lot (I’m actually not keen on that as although there are definitely older women who do complain too much it feels like its usage can slide into silencing older women’s voices, but that’s a whole other story)
Just for future house naming reference, here in the UK you’ll want to avoid front bottom, foo foo, fairy, foof, twinkle, fanny, undercarriage and I’m sure dozens more which are much ruder!
Oh Julie, you are too funny! Karen is only used for nosey, complaining women. Nothing more. But Larissa is a different story! lol
Definitely a reason for laughter!
Glad you enjoyed it!