How to restore lost contacts/address book?

I suddenly have only 2 contacts in my Contacts! I have a MacBook Pro, am using OS 10.9.2. Following instructions from another answer, I looked for Address book folder in the library/App. Support folder and it is not there. So couldn't proceed.

In Time Machine yesterday it shows "Address book Forwarder". But I don't know what that means, but perhaps it had something to do with my loss? Does this mean I sent my address book somewhere? Looks like it!

I don't know how to use Time Machine to restore my contacts. The restore button is grayed out. Nothing happens when I double click the Contacts folder there, so I don't know how to copy the content, nor where to paste it since I do not have that folder in the Library that you mention.

I do not use iCloud. I do have files backed up on an external drive, but don't know how to use it.

I know this sounds like a mess and it seems to be.

Solution 1:

If you use Time Machine, just open the Contacts app, and THEN go to Time Machine (Click on the menubar icon / Enter Time Machine)

Once there, you can "travel in time" to an older date and find the missing contact. This is where you select the contact and click "Restore".

You don't need to restore a folder or file, but the contact (in the Contacts app) itself.