Is there any reason why you are specifying mac-address and duplex settings? (I’m not sure if either might affect the establishment of the connection, although you could check the NM log to find out.) If they’re not needed, I would remove them.
[ethernet]
duplex=full
mac-address=FC:AA:14:2F:C5:16
Um, okay. I am currently writing this post from my SUSE box. I wish I could tell you what I did, but I have no idea what fixed the problem. The last thing I did was change the network settings to DHCP. This is NOT the first time I’ve done that, so I don’t know why it works now. I guess the only problem I have is setting a static IP. Now I’m kinda terrified to touch anything.
Just for the sake of completeness, these values were generated automatically. I had nothing to do with them.
Maybe, you edited the configuration, but didn’t re-select the connection afterwards? Sometimes, I have to change parameters for a given connection (rather than create yet another connection definition), and I need to re-select the connection for the new parameters to take effect.
Just for the sake of completeness, these values were generated automatically. I had nothing to do with them.
Strange. Duplex settings are usually automatic by default, so hard setting not usually required. None of my connections have manual mac-address configuration either.
No matter what happened, thank you SO much for helping me out and being so patient. Wish there had been an “Aha!” moment at the end, but I suppose I’ll get plenty of those setting up everything else. 
Glad to have been of help. It’s a good way to learn anyway. 