Organizing my desk: my correspondence center

My desk has been in a state of distress for the last couple of months. The holidays, getting my daughters settled at the university, end of the gardening season, and a family who likes to deposit all of their things on my desk, are my excuse.

No more. I need an organized area to work, once again.

One of my recent resolutions is to keep on top of family special events. No one wants to be known as the auntie who's always late with birthday cards. Organizing my supplies will hopefully help in that area. Plus, I'll save a bit of money, as I won't be heading off to the store to buy birthday cards, when I have several to choose from, right here at home.

Maybe you have these, too. Squashed boxes of envelopes in a drawer.

I piled several sizes of envelopes together, and tied with a pretty ribbon.

The ribbon wasn't totally necessary, but it says to me that I care what my desk looks like.

My letter caddy had become a general receptacle for any paper to cross my desk. I emptied it. Then placed the bundle of envelopes in one of the front sections, along with postage stamps, and envelope-sealing stickers.

The backside of the caddy now holds an assortment of greeting cards, homemade and shop-bought, from wedding, to new baby, to get well, and to birthday greetings. Now there is no excuse for me to miss acknowledging a special occasion. I also placed a stack of thank you note cards, as I don't want to be the daughter, sister or friend who forgets to express gratitude.

Are you one of those very organized gals who always has a card ready for the occasion, and is never remiss with a thank you? If so, what is your secret? I've been working on this for the better part of my life, and have only made baby steps of progress!