Can no longer scale objects in object-mode (though edit-mode works) (Gray nodes?) Can no longer scale objects in object-mode though it works in edit-mode. I feel like I noticed the appearance of these gray nodes around the 3D view around the same time that these issues began occurring.
You have the Manipulate Center Points option enabled at the bottom of the 3d view. It's the little button with the 3 dots that is located to the right of the arrow you have pointing to the object mode menu. Click on the icon again and you should be good to go.