Saving Documents, can't find using Finder, over last week.

Question

Over last week, I've been creating documents using 'Pages' from iWork09,
then (apparently) saving them successfully in 'Documents' in 'word' format(.doc).
When I attempt to find them again, either using 'All Documents' or 'Today'
or 'Last Week,' these documents aren't present.
This is true for 'newly created' documents or modifying 'older' documents,
then saving the 'modified' documents with a new 'name' still in 'word' format.
Today, while attempting to 'save' a document, I saw in lighter text, the files/documents
I'd 'saved' over the last week. I couldn't recover them, however.
I run OS 10.6.8(Snow Leopard) with last updates from May 2014. I can't always
successfully download and install updates; I get a message which reads, 'to install
these updates, first restart computer, then install.' When I attempt to do so, I can't
install the updates. I'm successful in installing updates ~ 1/6 times if I first show details.
The biggest problem is loss of 'saved' documents.
Does anyone have any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
PS I run Firefox 30.0, as my bank suggests.

Answer 1

If you open a Finder window (File > New Window) and navigate to Documents, do you see the files you created?
Sort in List view. Click on Date Modified column.
Let's start by running the combo updater over your install to refresh your files. Since you are having issues updating, you might want to start in Safe Boot mode to run the installer.
Combo updater: Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update v.1.1 - 1.09 GB
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399
Safe boot
*  shutdown
*  start the Mac and *wait* for the startup chime to sound
*  after the sound, press and hold down the shift key
*  keep holding and *wait* until the grey  Apple logo appears
*  now release the shift key and just wait (it could take a few minutes)
*  eventually the login screen appears with the words SAFE BOOT
*  login and run the combo updater.
Next, we want to reindex your Spotlight cache files.
Open System Preferences under the Apple in the Menu bar.
Select Spotlight.
Click on Privacy tab.
Add your Macintosh HD to Privacy. Wait a few minutes as this deletes the cache files.
Remove from Privacy. This will cause your drive to reindex. This could take some time depending on size.
MORE INFO ON WHY RUNNING COMBO FIXES ISSUES
Apple updates available from the Software Update application are incremental updates. Delta updates are also incremental updates and are available from Apple Downloads (software updates are generally smaller than delta updates). The Combo updates contain all incremental updates and will update files that could have become corrupted.
Combo updaters will install on the same version as they're applying--no need to roll back or do a clean install. So if you think you've got a borked 10.6.8 install from a regular update, just run the 10.6.8 Combo Updater on that system.
"Delta" updaters can only take you from one version to the next. For example: 10.6.7 to 10.6.8. If somehow the 10.6.8 is missing something it should have, and that something isn't changed between 10.6.7 and 10.6.8 it will still be stale after the delta update.