Celebrating the First day of Creation

25 Elul
September 24th

Dear Diary;
According to tradition this was the first day of Creation which brings back many memories  of that First Great Week.
Yosef is not quite finished building our cottage up to his own excellent standards, but he thought it would be better if we had a quiet wedding and finalized the ketubah, (contract) before a rabbi, so that I could move in with him, even if it is not a year since our betrothal. We hope that will stop the tongues from wagging. People have been gossiping about me dashing off to Zachariah’s home so soon after we were betrothed, and I can tell that some have noticed that I am, well . . . chubbier than I, uh, ought to be before the wedding.
It was such fun helping him plaster mud on to the entwining bamboo that makes up the roof. I looked more like a mud splattered little tinoki than a ladylike bride that day! It was a joy to help him scatter the layers of straw that went between the layers of mud, but he would not even consider letting me haul up any of the straw or mud! He must think I am quite fragile! I sure don’t feel delicate any more! I am so thankful that we now have the privacy of our own little house, and it is private now that the roof is on, and thoroughly dried. It is just so pleasant to be with him all the time without us having to restrain our feelings towards each other.
Our house is pretty sparse of furniture, right now, but who cares! Yosef comes from a long line of joiners, and is an excellent carpenter. I’m sure he will make some wonderful pieces once he finds the time!