Georgia grandpa wins $270 million

PORTAL, Ga., Feb. 23 (UPI) -- A Georgia grandfather parlayed his grandchildren's birthdays into a $270 million lottery windfall, it was reported Saturday.

Robert Harris, 47, of Portal, Ga., came forward with the winning ticket from Friday night's Mega Millions lottery, WTOC-TV in Savannah, Ga., reported.

"They're my life, them grandkids," he said. "They are everything I work for and strive for to make sure they have a good life and now they are going to have a good life."

Harris said he had filled out his lottery ticket at Clydes market after coming home from work but couldn't play because of a power outage.

"Later, I told my wife to go and play these numbers (7, 12, 13, 19, 22)," he said. "Two $1 tickets and she brought them back ... and I stuck them in my wallet and woke up this morning and we hit."

After checking at Clydes to confirm the win, he said he sat on the side of the road and cried. Then he called his boss, the TV station said.

"Just told him that I wasn't working anymore and I'm retiring," said Harris.

Harris said he plans to take the cash option, which means he gets $164 million Monday.