Joe, you are acquiring a pretty good reputation around the Dallas group as an electrician, or at least working on cars' electrical. Could you do some 'contract' electrical at a shop.... not a dealership exactly, but just with a local shop that could use an extra pair of hands one or two weekends a month??
I see you need a lot of flexibility with your REAL job, family, but take one of your talents and slowly turn it into a little money maker. My dad was great at wood working, etc. He had a shop in his garage, where he made things; fixed furniture etc. Well during the crash of the stock market in the 70's (he was a stockbroker/trader) he would spend a night or two and the odd weekend making dollhouses that he sold to craft stores, etc. He'd make a half dozen or so a week, (assembly line in the garage, you know) and sell them for $30 bucks or so apiece. It wasn't much, but it was his 'mad money' that he used to float his habit, (smoking, etc.). Mom would squeeze $$ out of a turnip, so to speak, and things were quite tight then. She worked about 20 hours a week at a hardware store, while we were at school. Many many of dads peers lost their homes, etc by being over extended, and while we did 'without' a good bit, they were never in huge distress because of not living on credit and being able to turn hobbies into a small cash maker.
Just an idea. Also... you seem pretty computer savvy, and folks like me are ALWAYS looking for regular folks to come fix their computers, electronics, etc. I need a wireless thing setup for my kids xbox.... I'm gonna have to figure it out sometime.....
Slap a sign on your truck (deductible as a work expense, too) and spend an evening or two or Sunday afternoon fixing people's computers!!
None of these things are permanent part time jobs, but give you some flexibility.
Take something you know a bit about and pursue it!
kristen