var growl = {};

growl.show = function(params)
{
    //if message
    if (params.msg && params.msg.length > 0)
    {
        //remove previous messages
        $(".growl").remove();

        //create growl box
        var growlDiv = $("<div class='growl' />");
        if (params.background) growlDiv.css("background", params.background); //change bg color?
        growlDiv.append(params.msg);

        //fade in. fade out after 5 seconds.
        $(document.body).append(growlDiv);
        growlDiv.slideDown('slow', function()
        {
            setTimeout(function() { growlDiv.slideUp('slow', function() { growlDiv.remove() }) }, 5000);
        });
    }
};