$(document).ready(function(){ 
    jQuery.validator.messages.required = "";
    $("#form").validate({
        invalidHandler: function(e, validator) {
            var errors = validator.numberOfInvalids();
            if (errors) {
                var message = errors == 1
                    ? 'You missed 1 field. It has been highlighted below'
                    : 'You missed ' + errors + ' fields.  They have been highlighted above';
                $("div.error span").html(message);
                $("div.error").show();
            } else {
                $("div.error").hide();
            }
        },
        messages: {
            password2: {
                required: " ",
                equalTo: "<br />Password and Password Again must be the same."    
            },
            email: {
                required: " ",
                email: "<br />Please enter a valid email address, example: you@yourdomain.com"
            },
            username: {
                required: " ",
                remote: "<br />Username is already taken, please enter a different Username."  
            }
        }
    });
});