***** UPDATE *****
After much searching and hair pulling I solved the problem. Apparently there is a file - dispex.dll - that gets updated to a newer version when Windows Scripting Host 5.6 is installed/updated. I ran SFC and replaced the file and all is well again.
Had to let you guys know as this one really had me boggled and I did not want other to go through the same thing. I found the answer
here
The file is located in c:\windows\system
korgul