losing data

[Liz]

On Tue, 24 Dec 2013 10:43:00 +0200
"Chris Bester" <chrisbester at cybersmart.co.za> wrote:

> Hopefully you can explain this, because I still do not understand how
> it worked, but in the meantime my own solution therefore is; stay
> clear of anything under <File>.

You have done some "Save As" and that was definitely under the File
Menu.
You must have thought that you were saving the Balance Sheet, but saved
at least one file as "Balance Sheet".
You have also opened a backup file in your exploration of the problem -
that is the source of  3. Documents.201309201100106.gnucash.
That is a backup file from 20th September.