Real MOMS - Organization Tip, Lego Deal and Simple Meal

Real MOMS dream of Fancy organized homes, Cheap Lego deals, Simple meals to prepare - Ok, at least this REAL Mom does and today I have a few Real MOM ideas for you. Enjoy!


Real MOM Tip:
By: Valerie White

Do you have a mud room?
I have always dreamed about having one of those beautiful rooms you walk into before you enter the house, you know the kind with all the shelves, cubbies and hooks? Well, I don't live that kind of house. It is too small and too old and there is no way to add one on. So I began to think about how I could better organize the kids items. Particularly the backpacks, coats, shoes and lunchboxes. I really felt like if we could make sure they never got inside the house I could keep them organized so I began to look at my garage differently. Where could I add hooks? Was there a place to put a coat rod? How about a place for shoes?

The key for me is that finding a place may not be the most difficult part of organizing but finding a way of not only storing something but retrieving something. So I could find a place to put this all but then it would be cumbersome to retrieve them.

So I broke it down:
Backpacks- need to go on hooks so they can be put on and taken off
Shoes-Need to be shelved down low so they can be easily seen and matched up
Coats-a rod would work out best where they can hang them up easily on a hanger
Lunchboxes-needs to be shelved for easy storage and retrieval

The idea works for all organizing. Finding a nice neat way to put something away is rarely the problem, putting it away in such a way as to be able to also retrieve the item and use it is the key.

So, look at your problem areas, where are they? What are the items that can't seem to find a home and then look at the space you have and how it can be utlilized in such a way as to accommodate those troublesome items.

Share your Real MOM Tip with us by emailing it to trisha@247moms.com or leave a comment.

Real MOM Deal:
I am on my 2nd LEGO crazed Kid. As we all know Lego's are NOT cheap and these Lego crazed kids think they need every new kit as if the 10,000 Lego pieces we already own aren't enough to satisfy their Lego cravings.
So, when I find a great LEGO deal I am one happy 24/7 MOM.
My REAL MOM deal is from Toys-R-Us - Get a Free 221 pc Lego Tub ($16 value) with any Lego Purchase $30 or more until 3/28/2009 from Toys-R-Us

SECOND BONUS : Today (3/25/2009) you can use a Twitter Coupon code from 6am-12pm EST and get $5 off your purchase of $25+ The Code is Toystwitter25 USE IT TODAY only! (If you miss this coupon try checking the Toys-R-Us TWITTER page and see if they have a new code out for the day)

Do you a have a REAL MOM DEAL? email it to us at trisha@247moms.com or leave us a comment.


Real MOM Recipe:

Easy Pasta Bake
By: Recipes from Holly Farmer hollychef@yahoo.com

1 Small pkg penne noodles (or your noodle of choice)
1 jar marinara/spaghetti sauce of your choice
2 cups mozzarella cheese
1 lb ground beef or turkey
Parmesan cheese

Prepare noodles according to package directions. Brown ground beef or turkey, drain excess fat. Add sauce to meat. When noodles are done, drain, and add to meat/sauce mixture. Add one cup of mozzarella, and a handful of parmesan (about 1/4 cup). Mix well. Pour into 2-3 qt. baking dish, top with 1 cup mozzarella, add a sprinkle of parmesan, and bake in 350 oven for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Serve with warm French or Italian bread and a salad.

Send 24/7 MOMS your Real MOM Recipes to trisha@247moms.com