function check_auth() {
    try {
        $cookie = new Cookie();
        $level = $cookie->validate();
        return $level;
//       echo "The cookie is there....";
    }
    catch (AuthException $e) {
        header("Location: /index.php?originating_uri=".$_SERVER['REQUEST_URI']);
        exit;
    }
}

This is the section from the class that is called....

    public function validate() {
        if(!$this->version || !$this->created || !$this->loginid) {
            throw new AuthException("Malformed Cookie");
        }       
        if($this->version != self::$myversion) {
            throw new AuthException("Version Mismatch");
        }       
        if(time() - $this->created > self::$expiration) {
            throw new AuthException("Cookie Expired");
        } else if(time() - $this->created > self::$warning) {
            $this->set();
            $level = $this->loginid;
            return $level; 
        }       
    }