Ubuntu's Software Updater wants to uninstall MariaDB; then, cannot re-access the database.

Looking for appropriate forum at MariaDB.org, I only find this. Please forward if necessary.

Please help. Two surprises have combined to stop this experienced MS-Access developer in Windows, and experienced Ubuntu user currently learning MariaDB/LibreOffice Base:

1. The Software Updater in Ubuntu Linux (both Raring and Saucy) prompts me to uninstall my MariaDB "because it's no longer used". I did so, assuming it would be reinstalled, and lived to regret it.

2. Normal Ubuntu backups of /home did NOT include my mostly-completed, single-computer client database. (Yes, now I know it was in a /var/lib/mysql folder, but WHY not in /home? That very painful surprise is unmentioned in the books I've consulted. And although I have a copy of that folder (in /home/Documents), I still need help reaccessing that database.)

Item 1, expanded:

In Ubuntu Saucy Desktop (as before in Raring), the Software Updater wants to remove my single-computer MariaDB installation! Currently, I'm stopped without access to my database; please help me to get past this obstruction.

Last week in Raring, when a Software Updater prompt said that, I made the mistake of allowing the removal because I assumed it was a first step in updating MariaDB. It took me three days to get the system back to working, and I still cannot retrieve my database.

In hopes of solving this problem, I upgraded to Ubuntu 13.10 (Saucy Salamander). Then, I attempted to reinstall MariaDB, per the MariaDB web site (https://downloads.mariadb.org/mariadb/repositories/). Because that site did not include a .deb package, I used the required terminal-window installation. It resulted in "unmet dependencies".

I next attempted the additional required fix at http://stackoverflow.com/questions/16214517/installing-mariadb-unmet-dependencies-mariadb-server-5-5, which instructs:
For Ubuntu 13.10 (Saucy Salamander), use sudo apt-get install libmysqlclient18=5.5.33a+maria-1~saucy mysql-common=5.5.33a+maria-1~saucy mariadb-server mariadb-client

I followed that advice - and now, again, Saucy's Software Updater wants to remove MariaDB! See the attached screenshot, and understand my frustration. This is what began this predicament, last week with Raring!

Item 2, expanded:

I have the database, but how to return in to /var/lib/mysql (which seems obvious, but) AND have MariaDB/LibreOffice Base access its tables?

What in the world is going on? I am preparing this computer to move a client from MS-Access to LibreOffice Base/MariaDB; I think we all prefer that he not kill his major application!

Thanks in advance for your help.