How to organize photos using folders on the computer?

Within the folder "my pictures" on the computer, I have many folders within this with titles such as "Jan 2001", "Feb 2001"......"Jun 2008", "Jul 2008" etc...... I arrange these folders into chronological order so that the most recent photos in "Jul 2008" folder is at the top left of the screen and older folders are to the right and then below this. However quite often I go back into "My Pictures" and find that they are all messed up and in some random order. Any ideas as to how I can keep this order?
thanks.....

In XP, open Windows Explorer to view the My Pictures Folder
Click on View, Arrange Icons By, and choose from the options
One of the options is "Picture taken on" which would probably suit your needs