Don't burst my bubble

I'd like to start this post by saying I like my job, so don't consider this a job-bashing post.

But some days, I want to strangle one of my coworkers...

Most people understand the concept of personal space.  They talk to you from a comfortable distance; you don't have to shout, people are in a relaxed posture, and the conversation flows.

Not this lady.

She's a little older, and EVERY MORNING she has to start the day by talking to me for 5-10 minutes about random crap.

• The food she ate last night
• A cool cooking magazine she bought, and all the fabulous recipes she's going to copy for me
• Woes about her sister, her sons, her family, her bunions, etc.
• "When I was younger" stories (there are PLENTY of these...)
• etc.

Now, I don't mind small talk.  It loosens people up, builds a rapport, shows trust, all those good things.

There's only one small problem.

She does it about 2 feet away from my face.

ok, now carry the 2... change the font to arial...

I'm usually sitting at my desk, as I typically get to work on time.  She strolls in 15-20 minutes late.  She immediately comes up, presses against my desk so she's as close as possible, and starts telling me about A, B, or whatever comes to mind.

I'm sitting, she's standing.  There's not a worse feeling than someone looming over you, talking and talking.

Except, sometimes, it gets worse.  She, on occasion... spits when she talks...

Ththththufferin ththththuccotash...

I have tried to politely tell her things before.  Recently at a leadership meeting, we were divided into 'personality types' and it SHOULD HAVE become obvious that my type didn't appreciate violations of personal space, or endless chatter.  Did she get the clue?  Yeah, for like 3 days.  She regresses fast.  Short of shouting "KNOCK IT OFF!" to her, I'm not sure that to do.

Folks, do you do this?  Do you follow the rules of allowing people their personal space?  Here is a useful chart:

Coworkers should stay within the 'social zone' where the closest you are is 1.2 meters, or almost 4 feet.  This allows breathing room, and makes it so I don't need to smell your "I didn't brush my teeth this morning" breath.  There are exceptions to the rule, of course, but I think I really really like the general rule.

Does anyone else have this problem?  Did you solve it?  And how?  I share a working space with her 40ish hours a week, so I'm trying not to mess up the relationship.  However, she needs to back. The. Fuck. Up.

Please Share it! :)