 Thirty-three days ago, Manuel Spence quit working as a septic tank driver, leaving the job even his former boss called "smelly and disgusting."
Thursday morning, the unemployed Manitoban stepped forward in beaten shoes and jeans to accept a $7.4-million Lotto 6-49 prize.
Some lotto winners proudly declare they'll keep working - such as Barrhead, Alta., grocery store clerk Deedra Clay, whose $6 million Super 7 win was announced Wednesday.
But for Spence it's a no-brainer.
"It wasn't safe for me to drive (anymore) because of exhaust fumes," he said as his wife, Myrah Spence, sat by his side.
"I couldn't handle it with that truck anymore."
The Ojibwa couple who live on the Sandy Bay reserve about 75 miles north of Winnipeg said the win couldn't have come at a better time.
"We're going to take it slow," Myrah Spence said. "We're going to decide together what we're going to do next."
Manuel Spence spent $12 on tickets that he bought last Saturday in a Petro-Canada gas bar outside Portage la Prairie, Man.
After finding out about his winning numbers by calling a telephone hot line Sunday night, Spence said he was a bit dazed.
But his win didn't keep him from being glued to Monday night's federal election coverage.
"I asked my wife to phone again to the lottery line to make sure I didn't make any mistakes," he said. "I was staying up-to-date with the election."
Myrah Spence said after making that call, she returned to doing loads of laundry and continuing her beadwork.
"It sunk in that night," she said with a laugh.
Spence is the fifth Manitoban to win a lottery in the last 12 weeks.
So far, his only big purchase has been a GMC Yukon that he bought for Myrah - surprising her with it at Thursday's news conference.
The father of three grown children - two sons aged 24 and 18 and a daughter aged 28 - said he planned to share some with his family.
He also said he might consider donating to charity, as well, but didn't expect any major shopping sprees or a move away from the reserve.
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