Mac OSX ? - - Disappearing file icons?

[PulpMind]

I've been downloading files (all mp3s and avi movies) into my personal folder (Macintosh HD > Users > Jesiah)
Was doing this for a few days with no problem.. then, suddenly, when I went to open the "jesiah" folder, there is nothing in there (along with this being the target for all my downloaded files, it had all the folders I organized into, like Music, Movies, Pictures, etc). I don't recall this happening initially, but now whenever I open "jesiah" everything but the HD dissapears off the desktip (presumably, because my desktop files are saved in the Desktop folder, within Jesiah).

I know all the files are still there, because if I link to them from outside of using the Finder, I can use them, and when used that specific folder/subfolder reappears within "Jesiah" (for instance, opening iTunes, I can play all the songs that I have, which are saved within Jesiah > Music > iTunes... then, going back to Jesiah, the Music folder and all the subsequent subvolders are there again, but none of the other folders).

initially, when I noticed this, I did realize I was also out of HD space (had 150mb available).. quickly deleted some crap from other places I had access to, and made over 1gig available.. no help at all...

I think that's all the relevant information =P
oh and this is on OSX 10.1.5

Thank you so much in advance!!!!!!!!!!

[THE MAC GOD]

Whenever something happens on my X disk, I run disk utility. Repair Permissions on your startup volume. Then repair any other disks you may have. THEN restart and hold down 'command S' and it will bring up the unix... When it gets to a prompt, type

fsck -y

exactly! Then it will run through and check your drives. Keep doing it over and over until it says the disk is OK. Then type 'reboot'. If you are still having problems... let me know!