If I can't find a good bike under 1k with a lot of travel, I'd be willing to spend 1.5k. I'd rather get the bike I want now, then to regret my purchase later, sell it for half of what I bought it for, and spend 1.5k anyway.
With that said, MLH, you've intrigued me by letting me know a bike exists that gives me practically the ability to have everything I want. If I need to, I can make the bike rigid, hardtail, or full suspension. That's quite interesting. I'm going to look into that. Maybe I can find a bike like that in my price range. It's really amazing how far mountain biking has come since I last participated in the sport.
As for calling my fiance my finance, it must have been a Fruedian slip.
I'll do some research, see what I dig up, and run it by you guys since you are the experts. I appreciate your help!