jQuery.preloadImages = function()
{
  for(var i = 0; i<arguments.length; i++)
  {
    jQuery("<img>").attr("src", arguments[i]);
  }
}
$.preloadImages(
    "/img/nav_contact-us_active.gif", 
    "/img/nav_home_active.gif", 
    "/img/nav_my-account_active.gif", 
    "/img/nav_news_active.gif", 
    "/img/nav_our-story_active.gif", 
    "/img/nav_products_active.gif",
    "/img/nav_recipies_active.gif",
    "/img/shop-online_button_active.gif",
    "/img/ask-alex_active.png",
    "/img/comp_button_active.gif"
);