Six year ago, Miguel Carnerero purchased a lottery ticket worth 36,000 euros at home in Spain. Accidentally, he put his ticket in the wash. He was never attempting to launder money. He has just been trying to piece together the ticket and a story that would convince both a higher court and the National Organization of Blind Spaniard, which runs Spain's biggest lottery, that his ticket #42,169 is authentic.

On Thursday, March 17th, 2005, Miguel Carnerero became a happy and wealthier man. Finally, he is able to claim his winnings.

In 1999, Mr. Carnerero bought the ticket in a bar in the Basque city of Vitoria.

Carnerero put the ticket in his pants which ended up in his wash.

When he discovered the ticket it was in many different pieces.

The lottery organizers feared his ticket was not "the real deal." They refused to pay out Mr. Carnerero's winning because his ticket was presented in many different pieces.

Their concern was that many lottery tickets were used to create one fake.

Their decision was even backed by a court.

However, after getting a higher court involved, an expert examiner was brought in to verify the ticket's validity.

After microscopic analysis of the pieces the examiner was able to prove that the edges matched up perfectly, and that it would be "nearly impossible" to have made them from different tickets.

On Thursday, the previous judgement was over-ruled by a higher court and now it is the National Organization of the Blind which must come clean and pay up.

Miguel Carnerero has been a patient man.

Today, he is a happy man.

After six years, he is finally able to claim his rightful 36,000 euros ($48,100).

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "checking your pockets" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegant Living