diff --git a/springyui.js b/springyui.js
index d6c6943..5192f29 100755
--- a/springyui.js
+++ b/springyui.js
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ Copyright (c) 2010 Dennis Hotson
 (function() {
 
 jQuery.fn.springy = function(params) {
-	this.graph = params.graph || new Graph();
+	var graph = this.graph = params.graph || new Graph();
 
 	var stiffness = params.stiffness || 400.0;
 	var repulsion = params.repulsion || 400.0;
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ jQuery.fn.springy = function(params) {
 
 	var canvas = this[0];
 	var ctx = canvas.getContext("2d");
-	this.layout = new Layout.ForceDirected(graph, stiffness, repulsion, damping);
+	var layout = this.layout = new Layout.ForceDirected(graph, stiffness, repulsion, damping);
 
 	// calculate bounding box of graph layout.. with ease-in
 	var currentBB = layout.getBoundingBox();