Hi!
What kind of oatmeal are you making? I use quick oats and old fashioned (3 minute) oats. There is such a thing as steel cut, or Irish oats, but I've never tried them.
For one serving oatmeal:
1 cup water
1/2 cup oats
dash salt
Boil water and stir in oats. Cook about 1 minute if you are using the quick cooking, or cook 3 to 5 minutes if you are using the old fashioned oats. Remove from heat and let sit a few minutes. Sweeten with splenda or whatever you prefer. I also like to add a little Butter Buds.
Irish oats are different and take a lot longer too cook. There is a page at
http://www.mccanns.ie/pages/preparation.html which gives good information. Now I'm curious about them and will have to try them sometime!