Update! Yesterday was my last day. I'm out!
I decided to give my notice in late January, for the the middle of April and I indicated that I would otherwise leave in before the end of March (but after the bonus payment was due), and use all my carried-over vacation days. I know it was a bit of a risk, but my boss readily agreed, approving the 3 weeks vacation, and confirming my bonus entitlement. I guess I was a valuable employee after all; SME with no one else able to step in. They would have had to hire to replace me while winging it). I decided to work a few extra weeks (the longer term weather forecast was not going good - lol) and I was told I could extend my stay for as long as I wanted - meaning until they were able to hire my replacement and have me transition. I thanked them, but declined.
Thanks to everyone for the advice and engagement on this thread. It helped me work through my thoughts.
Yesterday, I posted a few comments on the strange feelings associated with walking out of the office for the last time. Some will probably relate, others may think me something of a melancholy fool. That's the beauty of life, isn't it? We all have different experiences, baggage, hopes, and fears, and the same "milestone" can mean so many different things. It is nice to have a non-judgmental communal bucket like this group into which one can dump all of those emotions and thoughts, stir it up, take what one needs and push forward.
See you in the Forums.