Missing files after turning off iCloud Drive

sadepenn wrote:

Some files within the same folders were created at the same time frame. Why are some files recovered while others are not? Other folders are completely empty. Why the selection?

I couldn't say for sure. Probably random dependent on when they were last synced, and then overwritten when iCloud Drive was cycled off and back on.

Just found some of the missing files randomly placed in Mac HD > User > Name > iCloud Drive (Archive)

These are not all of the files missing. Only some.

I'm severely inexperienced on Mac, but you'd think this should be straight forward once I open Finder where I'd like to save my stuff. Folder organization on Macs are extremely disingenuous and confusing. It feels as if I'm being deliberately pushed into saving things to iCloud although that is not what I want. Even the files saved to my desktop files are apparently attached to the cloud. I'm not even clear as to where the **** do I keep my files stored locally. When I open Finder I don't even see my hard drive there just iCloud.

There's two Desktop folders, one in iCloud and one saved locally. From your image, it looks like your local disk locations aren't visible in the sidebar- to view your local disk locations, open Finder, then click Finder > Preferences in the top menu bar. Go to the 'Sidebar' page and make sure that you have your user profile (your name with a house icon next to it), and your computer checked (should be similar to "[name]'s MacBook Pro") under Locations. You should be able to view and save files to locations on your local disk now.

sadepenn wrote:

...I thought I was saving all of my stuff locally. Am I going crazy?? My iCloud Drive filled up years ago and I never upgraded it, never cared to upgrade it and not interested in upgrading!! But my devices never let up in continuing to remind me that my drive is full. If it is full, my files should have been stored locally!...

You're able to save files to your iCloud Drive, or to your local disk. One isn't necessarily an 'overflow' of the other, they're different locations. Your physical disk holds files in your user folder, where there's folders for Documents, Pictures, Music, etc. Your iCloud Drive is viewable farther down in the Finder sidebar, under 'iCloud'. There's another, separate, set of folders with the same name- these are the ones stored in iCloud. You'll want to make sure you're not storing anything in here if you want it on your local disk.