So I was playing Diner Dash the original for a couple weeks. I was all the way up to the 5th restaurant, the one in the fountain. I played one, maybe two levels in it. Then I stepped away from it for a week to do other things; homework, chores, went out of town, that sort of thing. I just tried to go back in and finish the game, but my saved game is no longer there. It wants me to start over from the beginning. My player name isn't even there. Has anyone else had this problem? Anyone know how to fix it and find my game again?

No, it never happened to me before. You should see if costumer Service can help before starting over.
Good Luck!