Desktop icons disappear intermittently with Lion 10.7.3

Some of my desktop icons "disappear" intermittently ( not always the same icon(s)).  The title
still appears but the icon is blank. I can still click on the blank spot and the app will launch.
Annoying but not "fatal" - Anyone have any ideas ?? 
Oh and my personal "Avatar" photo also reverts to an earlier choice ( intermittently ) as well.
Can change it to the one I want to use but it reverts back to the old picture also from time to time ...
Maybe part of the same "problem".

Hi..
MIght be corrupted preferences (.plist)
Go to   ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.desktop.plist
For Lion v10.7x:  To find the Home folder in OS X Lion, open the Finder, hold the Option key, and choose Go > Library
Move the com.apple.desktop.plist file from the Preferences folder to the Trash. Restart your Mac.

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