Place the oats in a small bowl and pour the boiling water over them. Let stand for 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350F. Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt on wax paper, set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Add the vanilla and gradually add the sugars beating until fluffy. Beat the eggs into the mixture one at a time, add the oatmeal mixture and blend.
Add the flour mixture and blend again. Pour the batter into an oiled 13 x 8 inch pan. Bake for 35 minutes or until the top of the cake springs back when touched with fingertip.
